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The Canadian Champion, Fniday, November 21, 2003-5 >ïMelanson proud of 25 years of service on council Ry JASON MISNER file Glihdîfpion Growmng up in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Art Melanson used ta watch bis dad and three of bis brothers bravely squeeze into an elevator that dropped 1,000, maybe 1,500, feet mnto a tunnel burrowed io tbe ground. They were coal minera, a common job on tbis bistoric: Maritime island. He had the greatest of respect for the work they were domng, but the greateat of fear that he might be doing it, too. Mr. Melanson bad hoped bis quick feet and rugged play as a dedicated hockey player would be bis ticket out from a life of digging for coal. Fast forward many decades, and Mr. Metanson, 75, anuggled in bis favourite chair is bis Satock Crescent home, neyer would have fig- ured he'd be taliag about a life of politics as a long-tinte Milton couracillor. But it's one he hopes would make bis dad and brothers as proud of him as he was of them. After serving the town as a politician for a total of 25 years, the 2003-06 council will be without the familiar face of Mýr. Melanson. He lost bis Ward 2 seat ira the municipal elec.tion is a tough fight againot six candidates. 1I was dioappointed, but 1 have no ill-will," he said, honesty drippmng tram every word. As an ordinary citizen, Mr. Melanson briefly recalled bis days growing ssp onl the east caast, and bis dseams. "I didn't like what I saw, goissg miles under tie earth ta make a dollar or two. I didn't want to work is tse coalmine." So in 1947 at Use age of 21, he packed bis bags and headed est ta Toronto, a long trip by bus. mmmmn- 1 - IMml w- _ Tbrougb contacts with bis junior hockey club lis Cape Breton, be gos a job workisg at S Loblaws store in Use mess departosent. 1I was makiosg, ah, 1 dan't kisaw, $35 a week," he said. Eventuaily, be faund a job St Use Milton Brick Company as a labourer, and maved ino a board- mng bouse on Thomas Street. He also foussd a spot on senior league teamn Milton Ca-opa, as a rigbt winger. Mr. Melanson wanted ta be an NHL stud, but soan accepted Usat it probably wasn't going ta bappen. Wark St Use brick company was seasonal, so be soon faund bimaelf out of a job. Determined ta keep working, Use youisg Mr. Melansan, tbrough clothing store of ail places, catled Knight's Menswear Ltd. He warked under Use tailorisg tutelage of Bus Kisight. It wasn't what be expected; it was more Usan be could've baped for. "Maybe it was Use oppor- turaty 1 was laaking for," he said. "I neyer imag- ined I'd be selling men's clotbing." Tbrougb somne of Usase changes, bis passion for sports stayed wiUs binm after be bung ssp Use skates. He was prodded a few times ta ram for towis coumdil. Wby not, Mrn Melanson Usougbt. Good move. He won, ta forai Use nine-person 1970 town coundil."Tbere weren't wards, we were elected uit large." is firat order of business was ta get a hockey arena built. Not only was Memorial Arena on Tbompson Raad built, but so was Use library and seniors' apartment on Onatario Street, ail of Usem, by around 1975. To see Use seeds of growUs planted and flour- ish was quite a thrill for Mrn Melanson. Sa much so Usat be kept runising for couicil- and winning - until be left Use political scene in 1978, wben be took ownership of Knigbt'a Menswear. Until 1986, be solely tended ta Use tailorisg needs of Milton's beat dressed, but Use itch of couicillor once again tugged t bis nice- ly-pressed pants. 11 missed it," he said, noting ira 1990 bis cloUs- mng store closed down and be eventuaily took a job at Maare's lin Oakville as a fasbion consult- ant, wbere he curatntly works. "I was a cammunity-minded guy and I wanted ta see Milton succeed." won, and remained councillor unfil tdus year. It's going ta be a tough spot ta get uoed ta, he said, wassching caundil make decisions from the sidelines. "I'm going ta miss it quite a bit, cape- cially in January wben caunicil starts gettiisg ino Use budget." Looking back, Mrn Melanson can't believe be's been part of a tawn Usat bad a population of 2,000 when be maved bere ta ane Usst's naw 43,000 strang, and Usat's part of a regianal gav- emment and undergoing a renaissance of uisprecedented grawth Usanks ta Use 'Big Pipe.' Same of Use future challenges coundil will wrestle wiUs include creatiosg a viable fraisit sys- temn and securisg Use development of an arts and cultural centre, Mr. Melansan said. He noted be's proud ta see Use Milton Sports Centre and Use Milton Leisure Centre built, and bail diamonds put in St Ratary Park during bis tinte on coundcil. To stay involved locally, be msy participate in Use seniors citizens' advitiory comn- mittce - alUsougli he's flot in s rush. Ms Melanson, wife for 39 years, said Use silver liising ta ber busband's defeat is sbe'll sec hlm St home more often. Gaad tbing, taa. There's lots of paintinsg ta be done around Use bouse, and oUser projects sbe'll fmnd ta occupy ber husband's newly-found tinte. But she said she and ber daugliter agreed be needa a hobby. "But we can't tbiisk of one yet," sbe said, puzzled. How about rusnng for caundil? Jason Misner can be reached atjmisner@mll- toncanadïanchamtpion.com. Look for aur many in-store specials on Connelly Pool Tables and accessories, Condor Dafl Boards, Carrom Gamne Tables and Board gartes. Pool Tables ftclm only $1699 Sale ends 3Oth Nov. 2003 Connelly B' Durango FREE ACCEMsoe Vaiued ut over $ffl 7' Pro Deep Dish Hockey MILTON 475 Main Street Eiast LLL905.693.8909 HOUNt Mon-Fi t5an-6pm, St 1Oam-5pm, Sun.1 tano-4pm. FRAUAICH OPPORflJN1'IEAVAILABLE, CALL 1-817 tubn-ti77 ont. 35. Ait producto nay flot b0 availabin aI ailloations. PtlcO mai Vary. PiodtaS May 0005 be eacwl as ston. Limona quntilon avallalo. 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