I have often said that the best thing to come out of Tucker’s quest for cityhood is the lasting relationships fueled by passion for our community. One of my dearest life friends is Terry Cole, and I owe it all to Tucker.
A native of Georgia, Terry grew up in northeast Georgia and attended the University of Georgia. Her career in journalism and corporate communications took her all over the southeast, but she eventually settled in Tucker and worked to make this her home. I was first introduced to Terry when she reached out to Tucker 2014 to learn more about the community of Tucker becoming the City of Tucker. She offered to host us in her home to inform and educate her neighbors. She was welcoming and open-minded to learn. Once she realized all the benefits of self-government, Terry was all in and became one of the most vocal proponents in support of Tucker. She attended neighborhood meetings, worked into the wee hours to craft messaging for the email list and took time from her days to go down to the Capitol for Senate hearings, where she spoke persuasively to our local representatives in the hopes of securing a referendum.
Once the votes came in and Tucker was a city, Terry continued being Tucker’s champion. She was a natural choice when the City Charter called for a citizen charter review after three years of incorporation. At this time, Tucker once again called upon Terry for her help. Terry’s values and consistency in character drove the committee to success and we are still benefiting from their recommendations.
The cityhood movement brought out and brought together the very best of our community; the passionate, the committed and the loyal. Terry embodies what we like to call “The Tucker Way”. Her natural enthusiasm lights up every room she walks into. She is a high character individual whose values are community driven. It is my utmost pleasure to nominate Terry Cole for Citizen of the Month.
Nomination by Michelle Penkava
