Terry Butler launches bid for Junction City Commission, pledges downtown revitalization and budget transparency

Terry Butler announced her run for the Junction City City Commission, saying she wants to "give back to the community" and put a renewed focus on downtown revitalization, transparent budgeting and programs to keep military families in the city.

Butler, a retired physical therapist of 42 years, opened her remarks by stressing her local roots: "I have deep roots in Junction City," she said, noting that she and several generations of her family live or attend school in town. She told listeners she first became involved in civic work through Junction City Main Street and the Kansas Main Street program and called historic preservation a central part of the city's identity.

Butler framed budget and property taxes as top voter concerns and linked them to visible community improvements. "First impressions count and they only happen once," she said, arguing that a more attractive downtown, managed blight and improved infrastructure support community pride, business development and tourism.

Drawing on her experience with grant writing, Butler said she has worked on applications such as the Recreational Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) program and that the city is "waiting for an announcement" on the recent RERC application submitted in October. She said investments tied to recreation and outdoor amenities ' including Milford Lake, biking and horseback riding ' can boost tax revenue and encourage visitors and new residents.

Butler also emphasized regional engagement. She said Junction City should "be at the table" with regional partners including the Flint Hills and participate in statewide initiatives such as the Kansas 250/America 250 program. She referenced past participation in Fort Riley roundtable discussions as part of efforts to connect the city with the military base and encourage soldiers and their families to settle locally.

Butler highlighted small-business ties in her family: her son, Dr. Jason Butler, works in emergency medicine at Stormont Vail, and a family member runs a local business called Maple Birch. She said these connections inform her interest in promoting "shop local" efforts and building youth feeder programs to support future local employment.

She repeatedly urged broad community engagement in planning and decision-making, saying transformation strategies developed through tours, interviews and public meetings helped shape Junction City Main Street's work and should guide the commission's priorities. "It's not what one person wants, it's what the community wants," Butler said.

Butler concluded by stressing volunteer recruitment and collaborative leadership, saying she enjoys "being at the table" and wants to use her grant-writing and community ties to help the city move forward. She did not outline a specific campaign timetable or name endorsements.

The announcement focused on themes of downtown revitalization, fiscal transparency and community-driven planning; Butler said she would seek to apply those priorities if elected to the city commission.