Allan Thompson seeks Ward 2 regional council seat

Allan Thompson

Allan Thompson, the current Ward 2 Area councillor, believes that he will give voters in Ward 2 the solid experience they need to represent them well at the regional council table over the next four years.

Thompson, who has been the ward's area councillor since 2003, is one of two candidates seeking the opportunity to sit at the regional council table, in the seat left vacant by current Regional Councillor David Lyons, of Cheltenham, who has announced he will not be seeking re-election this November.

Thompson originally filed his candidacy papers for the Ward 2 Area Councillor seat in early January, and was among the first candidates to officially register.

"I am tremendously committed to serving my constituents and I wanted them to know that I was serious about serving them again," said Thompson.

Although he admits that he had been approached about seeking the regional seat earlier in this campaign, Thompson said that he declined to consider the move at the time because he respected the contributions made by Councillor Lyons and he felt the Ward 2 residents were best served by the experience that each he and Lyons collectively brought to their residents.

But when Lyons announced that he would not be seeking re-election, Thompson said he knew that the political experience from his current term in local government would be advantageous to his community as both the Town of Caledon and the Region of Peel move forward in the next few years.

With Thompson moving up to challenge for the regional seat, this opens the doors for a new face to represent Ward 2 at the area level, and Thompson says that if he is successful in his bid to secure the regional seat, his political experience will be a benefit to the Ward 2 residents and provide a positive balance when coupled with the fresh enthusiasm that a new player will bring to the Ward 2 table.

As a political newbie the last time around, Thompson said that at times during his first term he became frustrated with how slow the political wheels seemed to turn, but that gaining success for his residents was about learning the ropes and becoming familiar with the political protocols and nuances.

In reflecting on the past term of council, Thompson remains satisfied with the work that the council team collectively accomplished and he is pleased there were some good news stories coming out of Ward 2. He recognizes there are some ongoing issues in the ward and he pledges his continued resolve to champion positive resolutions for his community.

Thompson noted Caledon is a community blessed by tremendous diversity of both landscape and economic drivers that make it particularly unique.

"While this diversity can and should be applauded as a particularly unique strength of the town, it also presents certain political challenges," he says, as the elected officials attempt to balance the competing interests.

Thompson said that balancing the interests in the town, and the Ward 2 community, is best achieved by common sense and a practical, action-based vision.

He stressed several of the candidates seeking election in Ward 2 for area councillor, as well as his own challengers, have called to speak to him about the issues in the community and Thompson says he sees the balancing act as a notable one.

"I have told the other Ward 2 candidates, and my constituents, that Caledon is at a pivotal point in its growth and development," he said. "The Region continues to experience some pressures to restructure and it will be incumbent upon all of the successful candidates to properly steer the Town's ship over the next few years to safely navigate what could be a bumpy course. I think Caledon is on the cusp of an exciting time in its history. There are going to be exciting changes come in the next few years and I know Caledon has a lot to offer. It can benefit from a strong vision to harness this potential with enthusiasm."

A lifelong resident of the Town of Caledon, Thompson has dedicated himself to serving his community throughout his lifetime, and he has received numerous accolades and recognitions for his communityminded dedication.

Describing himself as a "no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is kind of guy," Thompson said that as the community representative at the council table, councillors are often called upon to make tough judgments and difficult decisions something he says he does not shy away from.

"Whether you agree with me or not, no one can ever accuse me of being a fence-sitter," he said bluntly. "You'll know where I stand."

He added his political acumen, in combination with his independent businessmen skills and community-minded spirit, makes him a particularly well-rounded candidate and a solid contender for the regional seat.

Thompson may be reached at 905-873-6811 or by e-mail at AllanForCaledon@look.ca.