Welcome back to Small Towns Unscripted. I'm Russ McClellan.

One of the things I enjoy most about this podcast is the opportunity to sit down with people whose life experiences provide a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing our communities. Today's guest is Thomas Tupling.

Born in Chelan and raised in Mansfield as part of a multi generational farming family, Thomas grew up with a deep appreciation for rural communities, hard work, service, and personal responsibility. After graduating from Mansfield High School, he joined the United States Navy and served with the Seabees, deploying to Japan, Guam, Kuwait, and Iraq while earning his Seabee Combat Warfare qualification and achieving the rank of Petty Officer Second Class.

What followed was a remarkable journey that took him around the world. Thomas attended Wenatchee Valley College and later Washington State University. He worked in Washington, D.C. for Senator Patty Murray's office, returned to Iraq as a private contractor, and eventually pursued a career in commercial diving after attending the Divers Institute of Technology in Ballard.

His career took him from the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response to offshore construction and subsea projects throughout Asia, the Middle East, Mexico, and beyond. To further advance his career, he attended saturation dive school in Scotland and became qualified for deep water commercial diving operations in some of the world's most demanding environments.

While traveling through Belgium, Thomas was present at Brussels Airport during the terrorist bombing that shocked the world. The experience ultimately contributed to a hearing issue that prevented him from passing the physical requirements necessary for commercial diving, forcing him to pivot once again and begin a new chapter.

After seeing much of the world, Thomas returned home to North Central Washington where he continues serving his community today. He currently works for the City of Chelan, serves as a Mansfield Town Council Member, sits on the Douglas County Planning Commission, serves on the TREAD board, and volunteers as a youth baseball and basketball coach. His experiences in military service, international business, local government, community planning, and public service provide a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing rural communities.

Most importantly, Thomas is a proud father to Nash and Stella. Whether he's hunting, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, riding motorbikes, paddleboarding, shooting bows, or simply spending time outdoors, he enjoys sharing those experiences with his children and helping them develop the same appreciation for the outdoors and small town values that shaped his own life.

In this episode, Thomas and I discuss the growing challenges facing rural communities as local governments navigate Washington State's Growth Management Act, land use regulations, building codes, housing policies, and other mandates that originate in Olympia. We explore the many layers of government involved in these decisions and the difficult balance between protecting property rights, preserving community character, supporting economic growth, and complying with state law.

We also take a deeper look at the role short term rentals play in local economies. While often controversial, we discuss how tourism helps support jobs, small businesses, tax revenue, and economic activity throughout North Central Washington. With agriculture facing significant economic challenges, we examine concerns that limiting short term rentals could have unintended consequences for communities that rely heavily on tourism. We also discuss why Douglas County has generally taken a more supportive approach toward private property rights and short term rentals than some neighboring jurisdictions.

The conversation also explores the realities many veterans face after military service. Thomas speaks candidly about PTSD, traumatic experiences, and the challenges of transitioning back into civilian life after deployments overseas. He shares the story of a cousin he grew up with and admired, who enlisted in the military around the same time and was tragically killed by a sniper just weeks before his deployment was scheduled to end. Thomas reflects on how that loss affected him personally and how experiences like these continue to impact veterans long after their service has ended.

Throughout the conversation, we encourage listeners to approach important issues with curiosity and an open mind. Whether discussing veterans' experiences, government policy, growth management, property rights, tourism, housing, agriculture, or economic development, we believe understanding the many layers and perspectives involved is essential to building stronger communities and creating opportunities for future generations.

Please welcome Thomas Tupling to Small Towns Unscripted.