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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 19, 2007 - 3 BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER IN THE LINE OF DUTY: During his first six months in office, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton has found his schedule filled with a variety of events, including this invitation to discuss municipal government with a class of John Knox Christian School students. Six months in office hasn't tainted Mayor's enthusiasm By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER It may be six months since the municipal election that dramatically changed Oakville's political face, but the Town's new mayor only keeps track of the days. And he didn't start counting until the day he was officially sworn in. On Day 159, shortly after 4 p.m., Rob Burton searches out caffeine. Fresh coffee? Hmmm...he opts for the can of Coke instead. It has sugar, too. Although his alarm may have gone off at 6:30 a.m., Burton is still about six hours from the end of his day. Now, nearing what would be the end of most work days, he sits down for an interview. Next on the agenda is an official dinner engagement, followed by a meeting of the Town's standing committees. As it turns out, the meeting won't end until after 10 p.m., making the caffeine nearly a necessity. Not that he has any complaints. admits, adding that being patient has been "I haven't had a bad day, yet," says the most difficult part of the last six months. Burton. "Every morning when I wake up, I "Stopping and planning is the smart still say, `Oh boy, I'm the mayor.'" thing to do. It's a discipline to do that, but it's He says the biggest surprise of the job has very important." been how quickly, agreeAmong his plans for the "I haven't had a bad day, ably and enthusiastically next six months are to see people have come togeth- yet. Every morning when I the town implement its wake up, I still say, `Oh boy, er to work with him. interim growth manage"It has been more fun I'm the mayor'." ment plan ­ the program than I thought it would that should help reduce be," he admits. "It's been Oakville Mayor Rob Burton intensification pressures easier than I thought it on most existing neighwould be." bourhoods. But the folksy, feel-good comments belie Describing it as a "ground-breaking and the intensity with which Burton sought the innovative plan to controlling growth," job, and the eagerness to implement his Burton adds that it will be chapter one in the vision which has him counting the 1,460 development of the new Official Plan leading days he has earned in the mayor's chair. to his oft-cited election promise of a "The temptation is to try to start doing "Liveable Oakville." one project, then another one and just get Of course, the planning department started into trying to make things happen launched the creation of the new Official that you said you were going to do," he Plan back in late 2005 ­ considerably longer than six months ago. However, Burton has settled into the mayor's job with a cheery confidence and affability that suggests he's been here forever. It's a considerably different persona than the confrontational and critical tone commonly seen in his interactions with Town council in previous years. In fact, the 61-year-old former journalist and television executive goes out of his way to avoid mentioning the woman who filled the mayor's job for the 18 years prior to him. Like many of Oakville's residents, Burton ­ who moved to town with his wife Wendy and three children in 1994 ­ never lived under any other mayor than Ann Mulvale. Most current members of Town staff and Town Council never served under any other mayor than Mulvale. But ask him how he is distinguishing himself from his predecessor, and Burton opts to talk about former Oakville Mayor See Mayor page 5 · Wood & Vinyl Shutters, Supplied & Installed · High Quality at Affordable Prices · Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed · Serving Oakville with Shop at Home Service Authorized Vinylbilt Dealer www.shuttersetc.ca Shop at Home Service FREE