She recalled then that, as a trustee sitting on the Peel Board of Education representing separate school ratepayers, she had no intention of running for council when Marland moved on in 1985.

"Bill Kent (former Ward 2 trustee and Peel Board chair) told me they were having a meeting about a plan to put a marina at Jack Darling Park so I went to that," Mullin recalled. "I didn't even put my name in until Labour Day weekend. I'm not sure if I even knew where the city hall was," she laughed.

When she got to city hall, the diminutive mayor of the municipality sized her up and suggested she might not be tough enough for the game.

"She told me shortly after I was elected, 'You're not a politician. You'll never last."

Only 29 years and counting … maybe even more if she actually runs for Peel chair and if she gets appointed by many of her former colleagues.

One of the reasons that Mullin thinks she has endured and thrived at a tough game, in a tough ward, is her atypical political personality.

"I don't have an ego," she says.

In a way it's easier to represent a ward where people tell you constantly what you should be doing, until you have to choose between varying opinions, that is.

Mullin is a skilled veteran at bringing opposing viewpoints to consensus and that's helped her wade through innumerable challenging issues.

One of the things she's proudest of is getting an acclamation to council at the end of the term when the Texaco tank farms were being redeveloped for the Watercolours development, one of many that existing residents had major reservations about.

The redevelopment of Jack Darling Park (including the downsizing of parking which was her idea) and the transformation of Clarkson Community centre also rank high on the achievements list.

"I finally got my pool at Clarkson," she says. "Now there's a pool, library, skate board park, rink and splash pad. It's an alive community centre. Those kind of services complete communities. We need to really focus on communities."

And on the environment, which has always been a priority for the councillor, in whose ward Rattray Marsh is located and who is the long-time chair of Credit Valley Conservation.

In her note today, Mullin singled out the active ratepayer groups of her ward for their ongoing diligence. "Collectively, they represent a vigorous and thoughtful citizenry that engages energetically and intelligently in the municipal issues that touch them and the wider community. Their advice and good sense have been a constant source of strength for me and I am grateful."

Mullin often says that "the success of a politician is to listen. That's why we're given two ears and one mouth."

She was citing that old axiom to explain the longevity and success of Mayor Hazel McCallion, who is also stepping down November 30.

But she could just as well have been talking about herself.