The late Myron Thompson was quite a character.
Never afraid to speak his mind, he was much loved by his constituents — garnering overwhelming support when elected to municipal and federal politics — and also a source of controversy for his stance on issues such as gay rights and marriage equality.
Regardless of one's thoughts of the man, and for better or for worse, he resolutely invested pretty well all of his energy into public service. Myron always had an open ear and a minute to spare for someone who wanted to talk to him.
And he always wanted to make sure taxpayers were getting the best bang for their bucks, and not being squandered on something unnecessary.
Especially during a time when the unemployed and working poor who are scraping by paycheque-to-paycheque are repeatedly and at this point frankly condescendingly being told time and again, "Do more with less! Tighten your fiscal belt! We're all in this together, and must all sacrifice during these times!"
Yeah, sure!
Everyone, that is, except for the super wealthy, who have only gotten even more obscenely wealthy since the start of the pandemic.
So I can't imagine that when people are losing their jobs and struggling to pay mortgage and rents, with household debts on the rise and nothing but looming uncertainty on the horizon, that Mr. Thompson would have been altogether particularly enthusiastic about allocating $150,000 to change the name of a hospital to a health centre, which in and of itself is a whole other story. The expense, Health Minister Tyler Shandro said, without further elaboration, will include "other ancillary things."
But fear not!
Esteemed local MLA Jason Nixon assures me that's not very much.
You know, only more than I take home every four years.
Just a mere pittance to pander to the base, right?
I also think Mr. Thompson would have been humble enough to insist on selecting someone else, someone whose life work actually revolved around the hospital. There were any number of local, beloved family physicians who would have better fit the bill.
Or I dunno, how about actually asking the community for some input before dropping the surprise bombshell and what, expecting praise or something?
I was actually quite gladdened to see, judging by comments to a post on local social media, that many people in the community saw clear through this shamelessly opportunistic political theatre. A stunt pulled together at the last second, with essentially only dignitaries there and no discernible public presence or fanfare.
Check out these golden nuggets from folks who restore my waning faith in humanity. The screenshots are taken from a private group in the community, so I've protected people's identities.
Which leads to another bone Mr. Thompson always had to pick.
Myron tirelessly challenged politicians in ivory towers making decisions without properly consulting people or understanding a community's wants or needs.
Now, I admittedly didn't know Myron as well as many.
But what I did learn about the man since 2015 after first making his acquaintance when he was serving as a town councillor, was that he'd never shy away from speaking his mind.
He'd often approach me, occasionally fairly fired up, about some commentary I'd written deconstructing flawed conservative policies, and always called me "Lefty." By the time we'd expressed our points of views to better understand where each was coming from, we'd amicably wish one another well and be on our ways even if we didn't see eye to eye.
Heck, once in a blue moon, Myron would even enthusiastically express surprise at agreeing with something I'd written and we'd share a good laugh before wishing one another well.
I didn't agree with — or frankly even like — many of his political beliefs, but it's hard not to have some respect for a person who actually stands up for their convictions. Everyone has an opinion. Not everyone fights for it, while many even seem to just expect others to.
One thing I'd have to praise about the man, was his frugality. He didn't drive fancy cars, nor live in a fancy home, nor aspire to a lavish lifestyle paid for by the taxpayers. Fewer than many politicians that reach the federal stage, he didn't seem to use his position to obtain and accumulate wealth.
So, I cannot help but to wonder what he would have thought about the UCP, and its wasteful, publicly unaccountable $30-million-a-year party slush fund known as the War Room, expensive trips abroad to luxurious hotels, cushy six-figure appointments for political pals in made up positions like talent directors, and handouts to profitable, multi-billion-dollar corporations that haven't created any jobs.
I also can't imagine he would have been thrilled over his name and reputation being used to shore up political points from a party whose leader is polling among the least popular in the entire country.
How convenient and very fortunate for the UCP not to have to worry about Mr. Thompson questioning the government's unilateral decision that was imposed without even the slightest attempt at consulting constituents. Not even a phony survey with leading questions that yield a desired outcome. He probably would have had something to say about that $150,000 price tag.
One could even argue it's a betrayal of what Myron stood for. I'm sure one way or the other, he would have had a few pointed words about all this.