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

4 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, January 20, 2011 Town planner Bruce MacLean steps into retirement By CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer After 30 years with the Town of Halton Hills and 35 years in the planning profession, Bruce MacLean now plans on becoming a YEEPIE. MacLean, 60, retired last month as the Town's Director of Planning, Development and Sustainability. "I thought it was finally time, my family thought it was time, to start enjoying a different part of my life," said MacLean, "Instead of living at work, I decided I'd rather work at living." And that means becoming part of the new YEEPIE generation (Young Energetic Elderly Person Into Everything). "I want to learn new skills-- not sure what they are yet-- and I want to use my current skills where I can. I call it preparing to dabble using my skills ... I want to be engaged in community work." As MacLean mulls over the specifics of his retirement future with his wife of 36 years, Valerie, a retired Georgetown Hospital emergency room nurse, he will do so over the winter at their favourite place in Florida. He does know the change will include a lifestyle change-- downsizing, "reading all the books (investment is his favourite topic) I promised myself I would read" and traveling. Born and raised in Peterborough, it was a high school geography teacher who urged MacLean to consider planning-- prove it. "I'm always "the best decision my biggest critic... and best advice I'd but is there an exreceived as a young ample of something kid"-- and in 1975 he out there really bad? graduated from RyerI can't come up with son's School of Planone. Because when ning. His first job was you have to meet with the Region of the needs of many Haldimand-Norfolk, ... business commua single-tier governnity, rural commument covering five nity or the residenmunicipalities. He tial community, you began on the job as have to meet all the deputy planning dineeds-- not just one rector in Halton Hills voice." on March 24, 1980. He points to the Fifteen years later Dominion Garin 1995 he took over dens property with the top job on April pride-- consensus 1, 1995. MacLean is achieved a civic a member of both the park, a high school, Canadian Institute of Planners and the Longtime Town planner Bruce MacLean grocery store, and Ontario Professional has retired after 30 years helping to shape mid-density housPlanners' Institute. Halton Hills. Photo by Ted Brown ing. "When you sum it During his years up I view my role... as the Town's lead planner, he's been involved in a number of as building a better community with othmilestones for Halton Hills, including the ers-- council, my colleagues, the public development of Acton East, Georgetown who come to the table with their views. It's South, Georgetown West and the 401 Cor- all designed that we want to build a betridor, culminating with the Growth Plan ter community," he said. "The days of an easy yes and easy no are, I think, long past; process this past year. MacLean said he always looks at these (planning) has become very complex and developments and wonders if something it's a matter of taking it apart and putting could have been done differently to im- it back together." MacLean said he hopes his best contribution will be his mentorship and leadership-- understanding the needs of all to find that balance that works. Case in point is intensification, he said, adding it's a concept he supports. But the desire of some to transplant downtown cosmopolitan Paris into Acton and Georgetown brings complications. "In my view I don't think that's realistic. Because when you weigh that against the character of the town and the role of the town and why people come to this town, it's impractical. In turn, what we have to do with intensification is redefine it for what we believe is a good fit for the town-- that could mean density or height limitations or a different style. "But the real challenge in terms of intensification is that it's a good notion and it's something that should be pursued, but when it actually comes to doing it many people get feet of clay because it affects their back yard." After 35 years of being a planner, what was the continuing draw? "I enjoy the issues. The issues are diverse. It's a unique position to be in because you get a broad spectrum of people that you are working with, and quite frankly there are an awful lot of good people who bring good ideas and good interaction to the table, and it's just the fun part of it. When you put it together with politics and the headaches of being a planner and resistance to change, I find it intriguing." German accounting: The best thing since German engineering. 2011 Jetta Trendline+ with Air Conditioning Lease from $199 at /month for 48 months* 4.9 % APR Delivering an even bigger bang for the buck. There's never been a Volkswagen built like this before. Totally redesigned from headlight to tailpipe, the all-new 2011 Jetta is packed with class-leading German engineering, premium standard features and a 4-year / 80,000 km new vehicle limited warranty. When it comes to delivering bang for the buck, we believe that the bigger the bang, the better. Contact Georgetown Volkswagen to book your test drive. Georgetown Volkswagen 203 Guelph St. 905.877.5285 *Limited time lease offer available through Volkswagen Finance on approved credit, based on a new and unregistered 201 1 Jetta Sedan 2.0L Trendline+ with 5-spd man. trans. $1 ,365 freight and PDI included in monthly payment. 48-month term. $1 ,219 down payment or equivalent trade-in, $230 security deposit, $100 air conditioning levy, $29 EHF (tires), $5 OMVIC fee and $195 dealer administrative fee and first monthly payment due at lease inception. License, insurance, registration, options and other applicable taxes are extra. Total lease obligation: $1 1 ,700. 64,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0. 15/km for excess kilometres. Offer ends January 31 , 201 1 , and is subject to change or cancellation without notice. 201 1 Jetta Comfortline as shown is $22,854 with options and accessories. Model may not be exactly as shown. Whichever occurs first. Visit Georgetown Volkswagen for full details, great selection and lots of fun. After all, we're drivers too!