Spotlight on Volunteers - Jim Gillespie

Jim Gillespie Sets the Bar for Community Volunteerism

Jim Gillespie, an eight year veteran of the Cottonwood Planning and Zoning Commission, believes volunteerism is alive and well in the city of Cottonwood. "We have more volunteers in city government than employees," Gillespie noted.

The city relies on many volunteers to help perform some of the services that benefit the public. It saves taxpayer dollars. "We don't have the budget to pay everyone," he said.

The Planning and Zoning Commission just completed rewriting the Cottonwood General Plan. Commissioners donated hundreds of volunteer hours to the community as the plan was created, reviewed with public input, and finalized. Gillespie said the plan was designed to enhance the quality of life for residents and their neighbors, and encourages voters to show their support at the polls in May.

A Cottonwood resident for 18 years, Gillespie served as Yavapai College's assistant director of facilities. Not only did he supervise the construction of all the college's buildings in the Verde Valley, he also set up and maintained computers and phones during the early years at the Verde Campus. He enjoys working on computers and helps wife Donna's accounting clients with their computer needs.

Gillespie attended college in Texas, majoring in mainframe computer programming and wiring. He served his county in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Asia. After raising eight children, the Gillespies enjoyed traveling to far-away places like Finland, Sweden, Germany and Denmark.

Cottonwood is a wonderful place to live, Gillespie said. Compared to the big cities, traffic and crime are not problems. Cottonwood's centralized proximity to Phoenix and Flagstaff adds to the community's desirability. Gillespie especially enjoys Cottonwood's views, including Mingus Mountain and the red rocks. Looking ahead 10 years, he believes that the city will remain the commercial hub of the Verde Valley. 

An active Verde Baptist Church member, Gillespie enjoys getting into character and participating in the church's plays. He also serves on United Way's allocation committee.  He recently started a new job as an inspector for Yavapai County.

"If every person in Cottonwood gave back to the community, this would be the greatest community in the nation," Gillespie emphasized. He lives by late president John F. Kennedy's directive, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Spotlight on Volunteers  recognizes the invaluable contributions volunteers make to the betterment of city government and the community. There are many opportunities to volunteer and make a positive difference. Volunteer today!