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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, Ju ne 21 ,2 01 8 | 20 Custom made Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinetry | Closet Systems Entertainment Units | Basement Renovations | Full Renos and More! Create Your Dream Look ♦ 100% Canadian Made Cabinetry ♦Quality Craftsmanship ♦ 20+ Years Experience ♦ Visit our 6000 sqft Design Centre Units 2-3 333 Wyecroft Rd, Oakville T 905.844.3332 F 905.844.3334 www.aromakitchens.ca | info@aromakitchens.ca St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church 300 River Oaks Blvd. East (at Trafalgar) Oakville ON orders@terracetakeaway.ca • www.terracetakeaway.ca Local restaurateur and former chamber of com-former chamber of com-f merce chair Julia Hanna has joined the race to be- come the next mayor of Oakville. Though it was widely whispered Hanna would be running in October's mu- nicipal election, she official- ly threw her hat into the ring Monday, June 18 when she visited town hall and filed her nomination pap-filed her nomination pap-f ers. "I'm feeling excited. May- be a bit terrified," said Han- na, following the filing. Hanna noted that over the past few months she has been encouraged by an ar- ray of people to consider a political leadership role in the community. As a result, she says, she has reflected on the state of the town and concluded "we can do better." "This is a new Oakville, a bigger Oakville and every decision we make today is going to have an impact on the future of our children. We also have to look at ourWe also have to look at ourW seniors and how we treat our seniors," said Hanna. "This has to be a commu- nity that has open arms for everyone. We want an inclu- sive community. We want to continue to fight to ensure everyone feels like they be- long here. We also want a collaborative community where all voices are heard and everyone's opinion mat- ters and decisions are made with the collaboration of many voices, not just one ... We are not doing that asWe are not doing that asW well as we could be." Hanna says she has con- sidered entering politics be- fore, but noted previouslyfore, but noted previouslyf she wasn't able to commit the time necessary. That situation has changed with the recent sale of Ristorante Julia in January 2018. The evolving situation in downtown Oakville was something else, which Han- na says pushed her into ac- tion. "What we've seen hap- pen in the downtown core over the last 10 years is not the trend we want to contin- ue," she said. "It needs to turn around and it needs to turn around fast."fast."f Hanna said her qualifi- cations to hold the office of mayor include 35 years as a small-business owner in the Oakville community in one of the most fiercely compet- itive industries in Canada. She noted success in this area shows that she knows about the importance of fis- cal responsibility. NEWS Julia Hanna joins race for Oakville mayor's office DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com Julia Hanna after filing nomination papers at Oakville Town Hall. David Lea/Metroland Media l See HANNA, page 21