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HB NEWS ACCESSIBILITY CRUCIAL TO BEING MAYOR: BONNETTE Continued from page 1 president of the student council at Acton District High School. So Bonnette took the plunge and put his name forward. When the votes were tallied up on election night, he finished just one vote behind the front-run- ning incumbent to earn one of the three seats. "You get caught up in this euphoria. I'm a coun- cillor. I got elected. Every- body likes me," Bonnette said. "Then one month in- to the job, I had this guy screaming at me. Called me every book. I got a quick reality -“ was a valuable intro- duction to public service for Bonnette, who will ens later this month. During that time, the issues facing the town grew increasing- ly complex, from whether or not to approve a chip truck to Planningfor apro- vinciall! andated growth of 27, wo people and instituting policies to Aghte climate chang: When Bonnette. was elected mayor in 2003, he became the town's first mayor from Acton. Former Halton ae councillor Pam Sheld once told Bonnette that "a mayor is like a tea bag. You don't know how strong itis until it's in hot Bonnette did nt “have to wait long to test that the- ory. fer the elec- tion, William Osler Health System announced it was closing the obstetrics and pediatrics departments at Georgetown Hospital. Bonnette met with for- mer Health Minister George Smitherman and garnered support from union leaders. Postcard and coupon campaigns were launched and a rally was staged at Queen's Park. In the end, the deci- sion reversed and Bonnette later lobbied to ‘etown's hospi- talj join Halton oS quit spectacular r some ‘to see Acton and Georgetown and everybody galvanized for one common cause, to save our hospital,” he said. Bonnette wasn't shy about standing up for his community. When the U.S. introduced the American THE MUSICAL Graham Paine/Metroland Rick Bonnette describes himself as a consensus builder when it came to serving as mayor. “It was quite a spectacular moment to see Acton and Georgetown and everybody galvanized for one common cause, to save our hospital.” Reco and Reinvest- ment Act (ARRA) in 2009, impacting local compa- nies' ability to sell prod- ucts in the U.S., Bonnette, after consulting with council, drafted a resolu- tion that Halton Hills would not buy from coun- tries discriminating against Canada. That drew internation- - Rick Bonnette al attention and gained momentum nationally, with the Federation of Ca- nadian Municipalities fol- lowing Halton Hills' lead. The US. eventually granted Canada an exemp- tion from the policy. "It got resolved and I never thought in my wil- dest dreams that Halton Hills would be the epi- November 25, 26° ~ December il at John Elliott Theatre centre," Bonnette said. , The 2013 ice storm saw always like the answer. Bonnette said there rally again then power was knocked out in 95 per cent of the town three days before Christmas. People made turkey dinners, havi street barbecues to help those without power. "Our hydro workers were so dedicated,” Bonnette said about the crews working through their holidays. The ice storm also was responsible for launching the mayor's Twitter ac- count to help keep people i ed. No matter how strongly Bonnette felt about an is- sue, he felt it was impor- tant to involve council members to get a variety of opinions. He considers himself a consensus build- er. "Tm not one of these people that says you have to have like-minded peo- ple. [hate that," he said. "If you're all thinking the same, you might not be thinking what 80 per cent ore the people are think- ™Szonnette also made a habit of having Iunch at the foo Georgetown Market Place weeks to make le. tome and ask 'Are you the mayor? Can I talk to you about something?" he said. "Some people might not ink they can come here town bal" Bon mails from resi- dents, even if they didn't were many the UONEH - dl UL | 2 e ye: . vast. -tracking servic- + stopping two high- ways through Halton Hills by proving the 401 could be widened; + using gas tax money to surface 90 per cent of the town's gravel roads; + building more than 30 } x Kilometres of walking 8 trails and adding bike 4 Fy zZ a iy £ Zz 2 3 3 Ey 5 lanes; . ‘puildin ing three ice pads, two fire halls, two li- braries and three skate full-time fire- fighters to provide 24-7 fire verage, . restoring GOtrain ser- vice io Acton while push- ing for all-day service on the Georgetown line; + becoming one of the first municipalities in On- faric have a green plan. While he won't miss the phone call torm reach Gor plow drivers), people don't understand how dif- ficult of a job it is" to clear 1,100 kilometres of roads — Bonnette said he will miss playing a part in helping make the town a great place to live. "I'll miss helping peo- ple. Problem-solving where I can. I love to advo- cate. Ilove the challenges," Bonnette said. "Il mi my colleagues and the staff, and meeting somany different people in town at events. We have a great community spirit." GLOBE PRODUCTIONS Tickets available in person at the John Elliott Theatre, 9 Church St., Georgetown or online at globeproductions.ca eordyouy