Goderich Council Candidate: John Thompson

By: Kate Smith

When John Thompson ran for council four years ago, it was with the idea that he would serve only one term.

Sometime, in the past four years that changed, because that experience was far more positive and rewarding than Thompson had expected it to be.

Now, Thompson is running for a second term on Goderich Council in the upcoming municipal election.

“I like to learn, and being on council has been a very satisfying learning experience,” admitted Thompson.

“I know so much more about the operations of our town and the challenges it is facing. I am seeking a second term because I believe that the knowledge I gained in my first term will enable me to be a more effective councillor.”

Thompson and his wife Beth Ross moved to Goderich in 2003.

Throughout most of his working life, Thompson was a researcher and reported on rural economic development in Huron County.

In addition to his work on Town Council, Thompson has also worked as an employment coach and counsellor.

Thompson’s first term was the first time he had been seriously involved in municipal politics. Over the past 40 years, Thompson worked as a volunteer in many provincial and federal elections and played a variety of roles in local organisations. This includes with the AMGH Foundation, the Celtic Festival Site Setup Crew, Goderich Little Theatre, Lake Huron Coastal Centre, Maitland Trail Association, and the Maitland Conservation Foundation.

Besides the fact that Thompson is the oldest candidate, he believes his range of interests and work experiences set him apart from others.

“I also try hard to bring an attitude of curiosity, openness and acceptance to the council table at all times,” Thompson said.

“I believe this attitude allows me to make thoughtful and respectful contributions to council deliberations.”

Thompson doesn’t believe anyone should vote for him but wants anyone who would like to see council continue to work as it has done over the past four years, to consider voting for him.

After four years with council, he believes the massive deficit in the Town’s Infrastructure Repair and Replacement funding is the most serious issue facing the town today.

Other priority issues for Thompson include preservation of democratic traditions, generational fairness and financial burden of the town’s aging infrastructure and improving communications between the town and its residents.

“What I most value about Goderich as a place to live and flourish are the opportunities it provides residents old and new to get involved with its many volunteer-led organisations, and through that involvement to make a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of the town and its residents,” said Thompson.

“This spirit of openness and acceptance of difference makes Goderich a very attractive place to live. As a councillor, I seek to embody the same spirit of openness, acceptance and willingness to serve my community.”

When Thompson joined council four years ago, he says he had no idea that the pipes and sewers and other infrastructure buried underground in the downtown were over 100 years old.

He says he did know there was concern about the fate of Memorial arena, and these two issues were challenges that presented to council early on.

Thompson says he is proud to say that council accepted the challenge and decided to act.

“I don’t know what challenges are going to emerge to for this council, but whatever they are, I hope the new council is willing to tackle them and not leave it to the future,” stressed Thompson.

While living in this community, Thompson loves to get outside, hiking the Maitland Trail and doing his duty as a Trail Ranger.

Every August, you can also find Thompson helping the Celtic Festival Setup Crew transform the park into a small village for a few days. Most Saturday mornings, Thompson finds himself at the Farmers’ Market.

When Thompson was elected four years ago, he fully expected to experience four years of discomfort.

“The fact that my experience was the exact opposite of that is due to my colleagues on Town Council, and the spirit of openness, responsibility, and collegiality they brought to their respective roles,” said Thompson.

“I was very lucky. I wish all new councillors the same luck.”

Each candidate was presented with the same interview questions. What is presented in these profiles, is a result of the responses received.