By ADELLE LARMOUR
Hard work, dedication, and the ability to listen is the mantra behind the new mayor of Timmins, Tom Laughren.
Acclaimed to the new position on Dec. 7, 2006, he replaced his predecessor Vic Power, the city’s longest standing mayor and icon in the political world.
As one who never turned down an opportunity, Laughren enters office with a considerable dossier of experience.
He spent almost 10 years on city council (1993-2003) prior to his term as Chamber of Commerce president in 2005/06. He sits on the board of Camp Bickle, a long-standing children’s camp, the YMCA, and helped form a volunteer board (in which he participated) that created a long-term independent living facility. He chaired the United Way campaign (2004-2005) and is in his 28th year as a volunteer fireman.
A crane operator by trade, Laughren grew with the company Gorf Contracting Inc., a multi-faceted business providing custom fabricating, manufacturing and contracting services. Twenty-six years later, he is now one of the shareholders. He views the business experience as an asset to his new role, although he said it was a difficult decision to leave the company.
“It is something I had to think long and hard about,” he said in an interview with Northern Ontario Business last November.
However, with the support of many people, Laughren decided to step up to the plate.
“I have a little bit of common sense and have been involved in many things over the years,” he says. “I think I’m at the right age with my experience and background.”
Undaunted by the new role and expectations, he clearly acknowledges his own work style and persona as different from Power’s, well aware of his own strengths and abilities.
“I have a more hands-on business-type background,” he says. “My strengths are the ability to work with people and bring some ideas to fruition.”
Prior to assuming office, Laughren shared concerns about the water and hydro rates.
“The cost for water, whether capital or operational, has really gone up,” he says.
He confirmed those concerns in his inaugural speech, pointing out the challenge ahead to find the necessary dollars required to upgrade the water treatment plants with its $7 million shortfall. He also mentioned the need for senior levels of government to allocate funds for sustainable infrastructure.
“I think the biggest struggle for us will be infrastructure,” he says. With Timmins being one of 10 communities nationally poised for economic growth (National Post), Laughren wants to make sure the city’s infrastructure is ready for that growth.
Well aware of Timmins’ rich resource base, both in forestry and mining, he understands the importance of taking a more active role to assist the ailing forest industry.
He continues to support the diversification of the city’s economy and its promotion as a regional centre, particularly due to its recent retail expansion in the last several years. As southern Ontario’s population mushrooms, Laughren sees opportunities for secondary industries in northeastern Ontario like aggregate from open-pit mining. He also suggested cogeneration to help with industries’ electrical shortcomings, such as woodwaste, peat moss and ethanol production.
“I think we have entrepreneurs right here in Timmins,” he says. “There are people looking at some of these opportunities, they just need the help to get there.”
