[ back ]
Identical twins have identical jobs for city
(by Sue Reid - December 14, 2011)
Identical twins have identical jobs for city
By SUE REID
Solon Service Department laborers Jim and John Thompson share more than the same last name and job description.
The identical twin brothers also share a strong work ethic and deep appreciation for the job they both have held with the city of Solon for more than 32 years.
Hired just a week apart from one another in 1979, the Thompsons, now 59, say they are still happy to come to work each day and find pride in what they do.
"It's a great city to work for and great people," Jim, a resident of Solon, said. "The city has always treated us good. I have no complaints.
"We're blessed to get this job," he said.
The brothers have watched the city double in size as many new subdivisions were built, and also double in lane miles since beginning with the service department. As a result, they have come to know the department inside and out, Service Director Thomas Bandiera said. The Thompsons currently have the longest tenure of anyone working at the service department.
"They know all aspects of the job," said Mr. Bandiera, who has worked with the Thompsons for the past 25 years. In addition to their sign and cemetery duties, the Thompsons assist with fellow laborers on snow and ice removal, leaf collection and trees. Although their primary responsibilities are signs and the cemeteries, they are also members of the traffic task force and attend monthly meetings.
"They have worked in every area of the service department," Mr. Bandiera said. "Their work ethic is unbelievable, as well as their dedication and respect for their job." Like all members of the service department, Mr. Bandiera said, the Thompsons take their responsibilities seriously.
"They're definitely a great example for the city," he said.
Jim said that he and his brother are responsible for every sign in the city, including such signs as stop signs, speed limit signs and street name signs.
"I like working in the sign shop," John said. "You can see the work you do when you put up a sign. You can see it years later."
Mr. Bandiera said that the Thompsons have seen all the main developments go in in Solon and have been responsible for the signage and its maintenance. "That's not an easy task to do," Mr. Bandiera said.
In the past, the Thompsons made those signs by hand, and now, just a few of their handmade signs can still be found in the city. The practice today is that all of the signs are ordered and installed and everything is logged in on the computer.
That is the same for the burial ownership deeds, which Jim said took them a year to compile. All of the information on burial ownership at both Roselawn Cemetery on Aurora Road and Mount Hope at Harper and Miles is computerized.
John said that between the two cemeteries, there about 50 burials a year. The Thompsons lay out all of the graves for the burials.
"We've done this so long, it comes naturally," John said.
"They're very passionate about what they do," Mr. Bandiera said. "They're not afraid to jump into anything."
The Thompsons also assist with the holiday decorating efforts among members of the department each year, hanging all of the artificial garland at the gazebo, City Hall, Solon Center for the Arts and the Solon Historical Society. John said the warmer temperatures this year were a nice change, although he did not mind working out in the snow.
Jim said he enjoys being outside as part of his job.
"It's nice because you're outside and it's versatile," Jim said. "You're always doing something different." They are also responsible for mailbox repair in the winter.
"Every day is a new adventure," Jim said.
The Thompsons say they work well together each day. "We know what each one is going to do," John said, "so it's just nice." We each do our own thing. If I start one thing, he starts another."
Their fellow workers often get them confused, the brothers said with a laugh.
"I get called John all the time," Jim said. Those who know them well, can tell them apart, he said.
In his spare time, Jim said he enjoys working in his yard. He and his wife have three grown children. John and his wife have five children and he enjoys taking walks and long drives, he said.
The brothers, who grew up in Maple Heights, are both members of Parkside Church in Bainbridge.
"We're a lot alike," John said, noting they like the same music. John said that the strong work ethic he and his brother share is rooted in an equally strong Christian faith.
The Thompsons said they have no immediate retirement plans.
"We just keep going one day at a time, and enjoy coming to work each day," John said. "There are a great bunch of people who work here.
Jim agreed. "We take it one day at a time," he said. "We're still enjoying what we do."
[ back ]
