On an average day, out of 10 people, how many spell your last name wrong?

About seven.

Why don’t you just add a T and get it over with?

That’s Bob Johnston’s idea, so he beat you to it.

There must be a few complications in your law firm with one partner a ‘Paterson’ and one a ‘Patterson’ (Bob). What has cropped up in that regard?

Sometimes I’ll be thinking I’m talking to the right person but it turns out two days later they wanted to talk to Bob. And vice-versa. Sometimes files get opened and we have to change the initials on them, things like that. Nothing too bad.

In your role as a city councillor, of the calls from constituents, what is the ratio of compliments to complaints?

Probably about 20 per cent compliments to 80 per cent complaints.

Any you cannot handle?

Well, we can’t handle anything that’s provincial, or federal. After that it’s pretty wide open as far as the city goes. Sometimes if it’s a budget matter, we can’t just say ‘we’ll cure that and hang the cost.’ We have to stick to the budget and maybe put it in the next budget year. Personnel matters are also difficult, because some people may just not get along with our staff for whatever reason. They can’t be fired instantly because of one bad incident.

When you look back over your stint on council, what stands out as the most major of accomplishments?

I would say anything in relation to the Keystone Centre from its darkest days to the Memorial Cup. The no-smoking bylaw.

What was the most controversial issue you dealt with?

Probably the fire hall location. And smoking.

As a normal citizen post October, how do you see yourself contributing to the welfare of the city?

I still have a couple of projects I’ll be staying on with. Renaissance Brandon is one. The general museum and archives is another. And I have another project called the Bridges of Brandon. Two of three bridges are scheduled for major changes, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense to put some imaginative lighting on those bridges.

Which two?

The CPR overpass (Eighteenth Street) and the Eighth Street Bridge.

Is this departure from council just a respite in a leadup to a mayoralty run in 2014?

Oh, no. No desire to be a mayor.

Did you envision the North End growing as it has when you joined council?

No. For sure not. On the other hand, having said that, it’s been well known to a lot of people for a long time that it was the rough jewel of the city. Very good location for a lot of things. You’re headed toward the Trans-Canada Highway. You’re headed towards the lake. Lots of green space. Very nice developments up there, and some nice commercial establishments, so yeah, it’s got a lot of activity. Airport . . . all that stuff.

What’s your take on the topic of term limits for city councillors?

I would probably be against any term limits in any jurisdiction because you’ve really got somebody saying who you can’t vote for. I know sometimes people get a little long in the tooth, but welcome to democracy. In a pure democracy, the way it was set up, nobody should be telling anybody who can run and can’t run. I think it’s pretty anti-democratic overall.

Should the city be involved in the housing business?

Yeah, I think so. Not in the usual way, but there’s an idea put out called House Plans Brandon Inc. In a very limited way, we should be. That affordable housing market is not being supplied by the private sector now, and it’s been 12 years for me and a lot of councillors, and not much has been done in a significant way to satisfy that problem. If we can get involved with affordable housing and not tread where the private sector already is, then we should do it. I’m saying the private sector is not answering this call, so I don’t have too much worry in that regard.

Now that you’re leaving council, would you advise a salary adjustment for mayor and council?

I think everybody’s reasonably well paid. I don’t think anybody’s complaining about overwork and underpay.

What will you do with all your free time?

Probably try to boat a little more, bike a little more, and spend more time at the office.

You want to spend more time at the office?

I have to. As I get older, I get busier.

What is your specific area of legal expertise?

Generally, I’ve done a lot of civil litigation, but I’ve done a variety. I don’t do family law. I don’t do criminal law. Mostly civil litigation.

What’s your favourite lawyer-themed TV show?

Probably Law and Order.

What might you be doing on a Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock in the summertime?

Hopefully boating at Clear Lake.