The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Former councillor remembered as true gentleman By Tum Foran "Art and I.. more often than not "on somte issues be and I dtsagreed. CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF our thinkîng was mucb alnng the same But on 90 per cent of tbem, we agreed. >r, lines, keeping wbat we thought was for And on the ones we disagreed on, he Long tîme colleagues of former the bettermnent of Milton, not only for was partîally nigbt and I was partiaîly Milton councîllor Art Melanson, who the short termi but for the long term, night" FLUE PHOTO 55 CRAHAM PAINE Upan leasing politics, Art Melansan reflects on bis cureer with same items tram a falder including the 1986 cauncîl resalutian ta bring the big water pipe ta Miltas. dicd tbis past Sunday moming ut 83, remnember the Nova Scotia native as an athletic, hardworking, compassionate "ýgentleman." "He will be Imissed," said Mayor Gord Krantz, who served on council with Melanson throughout bis entire quarter century as the Ward 2 repre- sentative, 1969-78 and 1985-2003. "In my opinion, he certainly made a big contribution to the community If anytbing that Art would ever be remembered for, not only in bis public life but bis private life and business life, be was truly a gentleman. He was a very kind individual, for sure, very businesslike. I neyer heard him say a bad word about anybody" Krantz recalled Melanson as a polit- ical allv, who shared the saine vision for grosvth of Milton. Both ss erc stitnchi supporters duning the 1980s and 1990s for the extension of the so-called 'Big Pipe' tô Milton, which brought water up from, Lake Ontarto and sewage back down to Oakville. After it was coirnpee ut the begin- ning of this decade, the Big Pipe opened the floodgates to developnsent in Milton, which had seen growth essentially frozen sînce 1987. Krantz said. The mayor said that similarity was likely due to the fart both were simall businessmen in downtown Milton. Melanson worked much of bis life ut Bus Knighî's Mens Wear, working bis way up from empînyce to partner to sole nwner. "Both of us being Main-Streeters, we were in touch with the people for sure through our simall business enterpris- es." Melanson respectful One of the major oppontents, to, tbe Big Pipe, Ward 1 Councillor Rick Day starîed on council ut tbe samie time as Melanson. He said he respected bis fel- low tnwn councillor as an "nId fasb- ioned gentleman" and was proud of their frienclshtp) esen though thexy sometimes held differences of opinion. "He treated everybody and everyne with respect and cordiality" Day recalled. "And as a councîllor hie did bis homework, and spoke only from, the heurt and always honestly and with conviction and neyer, neyer with a hîd- den agenda or any other kind of ulteri- or purpose. He would neyer grand- stand or take advantage in any way. Melanson was also noted as an advocate for Milton Transit before the town had any bus system in place. "And une of his goals there ton was affordable housing," said Krantz, who belteves Melansons strong Catholic faith informed his compassionate approach. "He always had (wanted) the person that maybe wann't quite as well off as others to, get a hand up, nstead of a hand out. He believed in that philoso- phy" What drove Melanson, already a member of service organizations including the Milton Kinsmen Club and the churchs Knights of Columbus, to spend long hours after work as a 'part-time' councillor still puzzles bis wife of 45 years, Dolores (nec Dingin). 1 have absolutely no tdea because we would get calîs ut ail tintes of the day or night," the 67-year-old suîd laughing in an interview Tuesday. "It was just silly little stuff but ut ail hours so thaïs the reason 1 really didn't like it, but hie seemed to just thrtve on it "He just wanted the town to grow and hie used to say that to me: 'l want -see VISITATI0N on page A18 A fun, family environmental fair ai the GLEN ABB.EY REC CENTRE, lUOth 1415 Third Line. Oakville (S. ot Lpper Middle) Ji annual %5. $2 students/seniors. free for kids 12 and under Featuring: 75 boothis on our green r-narketplace arena floor! -keynotc speakers and eco workshops -organic food and drink* fair trade coffee being served treasure liunt muisic -silent auction -2,500 square foot kids eco fuit zone - face painting door prizes *promotions for sustitable living . HALTON ECO FESTIVAL Saturday, Sunday, Save $5 Bring this ad to receive 2 for 1 entry! April 17 April 18 www.haltonecofest.ca (10 Am ta 5 PM) (11 AM to 4 PM) MILTON L IFETL OESO I L 16 19 8 IÔeGÙK for your Regukir Admission $3 Chaldren 12 & <"nder FREE Sho-w Hours Fniday 3pm to 9pmn Sattzday i1tam ici ipma Sundav 11 am tnipn MILTON tyljiHme Show Mý; HOMe SHOW ApRIL 16, 1 N11LION LIFESTYLE T