Spotlight on Volunteers - Terry Fisher

Vice Chair of the Cottonwood Planning and Zoning Commission

Longtime Cottonwood resident Terry Fisher has fine-tuned the art of setting a good example. Racking up a 31 year career teaching government and history classes to Cottonwood-Oak Creek junior high students, he always made time to volunteer. With wife Thelma and other community partners, Fisher was instrumental in the startup of the Verde Valley Ambulance and an emergency search and rescue service. He served as a Boy Scout merit badge counselor and sponsored 15 years of hunter safety programs. Young people were encouraged to pursue their dreams. 

A bout with childhood polio did not keep a determined Fisher off the high school football team in his hometown of Hammond, Ind., an industrial city 20 miles southeast of Chicago. Focusing on social studies, anthropology, economics and geology, he received his bachelor's degree at Indiana University, and his master's in Russian and Chinese history at the University of Arizona. Post graduate studies of government, physics, and the environment were completed at Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University. 

Fisher has served on the Cottonwood Planning and Zoning Commission for five years. A resident of Cottonwood since 1960, Fisher's community longevity provides maturity and insight during the decision-making process.  

"The planning and zoning process is essential to providing format for organization of the growth and development of Cottonwood," Fisher says. "The commission maps out strategies for development and discusses factors in such a manner that we make sure everyone feels we're doing this together."  

Fisher believes cooperative planning is a must. His goal is to make sure everyone is taken into consideration as we develop and grow. He encourages open city government that reflects community interests.  

Ten years down the road, Fisher knows we'll have growth, and wants to see viable economic opportunities where people aren't working for minimum wage. He'd like to see clean industry in Cottonwood. Because local taxpayers pay for students' basic education, he'd be pleased if more students come back to Cottonwood after college to give back to the community. His dream is that residents have a nice quality of life with special attention given to water issues and the environment.  

Setting the example himself, Fisher encourages Cottonwood's community members to take part in the city's activities, whether charitable or political. He says, "Pitch in, whatever your interest, see if there's an opportunity to serve."  His favorite quote is, "Don't let George do it, we may not be happy with what George does….volunteer!" 

The Fishers have a son and two grandchildren. Their teaching careers enabled them to spend summers traveling. They have logged visits to 35 foreign countries including the Soviet Union, Canada, Mexico, England, Ireland, Turkey, Egypt, and the Orient.  

Besides volunteer work and traveling, Fisher enjoys hunting, fishing, working with firearms, photography, reading, and carpentry. Also an avid community volunteer, Thelma will be featured in the next Spotlight on Volunteers column in September.  

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!