There are some things that are immutable in Mississauga politics: noise problems and scoopers at Pearson Airport, shortage of parking at condominiums and any Tim Hortons, gigantic trophy salmon on the walls of the mayor’s office and Ruth Thompson representing Ward 3 at the public school board.
First elected in 1972, Thompson is an institution at the Peel District School Board, where she’s done everything there is to do, and then some.
She’s been named the board’s education champion and already has a school named after her.
And she’s coming back for more.
This week, Thompson put her name in to run again for the board for the umpteenth time. She’s run so many times that she's actually lost track of how many times she’s won. She only lost once, to veteran Bob Skipper.
Seeking office again was a lot tougher decision for the 68-year-old this time around, though. A neck operation incapacitated her this term, forcing her to miss some meetings.
“I was losing my balance and then I had heart failure and kidney failure,” she recalled this morning.
“I’m still doing physio at Trillium Health Centre and my health continues to improve,” she said. “That’s why I decided to file (for re-election).”
Politics runs in the family, of course, for the sister of former Toronto Mayor, federal Cabinet Minister and Toronto Regeneration Trust guru David Crombie.
“I’m not as active as I was but I still feel I can contribute. The question I ask myself is, ‘Can I still, and do I still like to, represent my people?’ I still feel I can be of service.”
Asked if she would be running again if there were another active, qualified candidate on the horizon, Thompson hesitates. “I’d have to think about it.”
Representing the sprawling ward she now has, since wards 3 and 4 were combined, means it’s even more difficult to find candidates who know the lay of the land.
There aren't any who can match her encyclopedic knowledge about the board and its history.
It looked for a while as Thompson and other trustees might actually get a raise this term in the $5,000 dishonorarium they now receive. But yesterday’s grant announcements from the province don’t seem to include any allocation for that, or for the retroactive pay that former Education Minister Gerard Kennedy promised.
Even though she's running again, Thompson is displeased with Ontario’s unilateral decision to add another year to the municipal term.
“I totally disagree with it,” said Thompson in a typical fit of candour. “Nobody asked trustees. ”
After experimenting with several different length of terms, Thompson is one of the few elected officials who've been in office long enough to to offer an informed opinion on the subject.
“Three years is ideal. There’s no necessity for four.”
The battle with the provincial government over inadequate funding is still in progress and Thompson, with her first-hand experience and incredible memory for recalling past political pitched battles, will be a valuable ally on the front lines.
Changes to the funding formula announced yesterday by Minister Sandra Pupatello will ease some burdens and accentuate others, as the province gradually puts a straitjacket on the ability of boards to move money around to pay for those areas (special ed and transportation) that are woefully underfunded.
“Nobody likes to threaten the government,” says the long-time board vice-chair. “But some realities have to be faced.”
Ruth Thompson doesn’t sound quite ready for retirement yet.