Former Mayor A Thompson

@[email protected]
96 Followers
251 Following
298 Posts
Former Mayor of the Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland. This is my content, so it may not exactly mirror Town positions. Interested in #LocalGovernment #OpenGovernment #Accessibility #Diversity #Urbanism #SmartGrowth #PublicHealth #Walkability #FoodSecurity #Data #Architecture #Nature #Sustainability #Science (and #T1D). I'll be posting some political content here. I'm always open for respectful discussion! All toots are indexed by tootfinder (or will be soon).
Former Mayor A ThompsonJun 26, 2025
Plague PoemsJun 26, 2025
If you are wondering
what it means
that the US
will no longer contribute
to the “global vaccine effort,”
it means
that people will die,
it means
that many people will die.
Former Mayor A ThompsonJun 26, 2025
Shaula EvansJun 25, 2025

I have watched my life burn to the ground and started again from scratch many, many times.

I believe in second acts and second chances.

I want to say this clearly for anyone who needs to hear it: it is possible to survive radical, unexpected and unwanted life changes, to start again, and to build a new life that is worth living.

Former Mayor A ThompsonJun 26, 2025
Low Quality FactsJun 25, 2025

I bet my fiancée that this picture of our cats could get 10 billion boosts on Mastodon.

She said she doesn't believe me. She said there's only 13 million accounts on Mastodon. She said there aren't even 10 billion people on Earth. She said it concerns her that I struggle so hard to comprehend large numbers.

Let's prove her wrong everyone. Boost away and show her just how awesome the Mastodon community is.

Show threadFormer Mayor A ThompsonJun 10, 2025
@jnl Another suggestion before you start your kayaking adventure is to read "How to Read Water" by Tristan Gooley. Not all of it applies but I'm a lot less surprised by the water after reading it. https://www.naturalnavigator.com/books-and-library/how-to-read-water/
Show threadFormer Mayor A ThompsonJun 10, 2025
@jnl Also, so you know my risk tolerance, I drive on the DC beltway (etc.) around 80 km round-trip every work day.
Former Mayor A ThompsonJun 10, 2025
@jnl The sea is not to be trifled with *anywhere,* but wind (weather) and tide are a lot of the danger. Attached: pic of me in Scotland last September, on one of the calmer days.
Show threadFormer Mayor A ThompsonJun 10, 2025
@jnl Final note: I'm totally jealous of your access to the water. I *would* paddle into Conception Bay (with the right wind and tide).
Show threadFormer Mayor A ThompsonJun 10, 2025
@jnl Other things on my kayak checklist (some obvious, some not essential) are: cell phone case (floating), water shoes, hat, sunscreen, kayak gloves, glasses float, water, cookies, paddles (I forgot them once). Oh, check the wind direction as well as the tide - paddle against both to start so, again, you get pushed "home."
Former Mayor A ThompsonJun 10, 2025
@jnl I'd recommend life jacket, whistle, and paddling around low tide to start (if you get in trouble the ocean is pushing you back in). There's a "120" rule that the air+water temperatures (F, not C) should be 120 or greater. If it's less you should have on thermal protection (wet suit). TBH, if water temperature is <60F you should probably have a wet suit. If "your" estuary is the one I think it is I'd start inside the bridge until you're more comfortable.
Former Mayor A ThompsonJun 3, 2025
Tonight was my last night as Mayor. I passed the gavel, with my full confidence and support, to Ifiok Inyang. I will step back while continuing to support the Town in every way I can.