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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, March 24, 2016 | 6 Paul Farley, a councillor and a gentleman by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Spotlight "Connected to your Community" H e was a councillor who stood up for what he believed in, even if it sometimes meant standing alone. This is how family and friends are remembering former Oakville Ward 3 councillor Paul Farley. The 85-year-old, an avid gardener who served on Oakville's Town council for nearly 20 years from 1972-1991, died Feb. 22 following a massive heart attack at his Redbank Crescent residence. He had called Oakville home for nearly 50 years. "He was a very good guy. A handshake was his word. He came from the old school, I suppose -- very honourable," said Esther, Farley's wife of 51 years. "He was about leading a life where you can help others. I know that from all the people who put letters into my hands at his funeral and all the people who have phoned." A past-president of the North Oakville Ratepayers' Association, Farley ran for public of ce hoping he could do more for his community, but not being so sure he could win against the long-time incumbent, said Esther. Farley won that election and joined a council, which Esther said could be " ery" at times. During one particularly volatile council meeting, Esther said, a much smaller councillor threatened to `take Farley outside', much to her husband's amusement. Silly moments aside, Esther said her husband took his duties as a councillor seriously and made a point of returning every call his constituents made to him. An investigator for Customs and Excise in Toronto, Farley brought his meticulous nature to council meetings and could often be seen with his little black book writing down important points as they were made. Esther said Farley was an opponent of indiscriminate building, which put Former Oakville Ward 3 Town Councillor Paul Farley is pictured at Oakville Town Hall during his time on council. | Oakville Beaver le photo him at odds with local developers on more than one occasion. At one point, Farley and the rest of council were actually sued by a developer for $1 million each for blocking a proposed development. The lawsuit was ultimately thrown out of court. Former Ward 2 councillor Terry Mannell, who served with Farley on council, said the public now has a more open and transparent council because of the work of councillors like Farley. "A number of us took a stance and asked for change on council. We wanted to open the doors to the public and let them have their say," said Mannell. "We wanted to listen to the public before making any decisions and for nothing to happen behind closed doors. Paul was one of the advocates of that approach... We lobbied for a more open council and we got it. We got more meetings on planning matters, more consideration of planning matters and a different attitude within the Town." Mannell said whether on council or personal business, Farley always left people with smiles on their faces, stating people loved his down-toearth nature. Former Ward 3 councillor Keith Bird, who worked with Farley for many years on council, said Farley enjoyed the time he spent with the Halton Conservation Authority. Bird also served with the community-based environmental agency that protects local ecosystems in partnership with local municipalities. "I still take some comfort in looking around at the parks that were created and how we turned acquisitions into everything from the Crawford Lake (Iroquoian Village) to Glen Eden," said Bird. "Paul and I served on the Conservation Authority between the two of us for about 50 years, almost since its inception. We really see Retired on p.20 Volume 54 | Number 24 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington (905) 845-3824 Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone (416) 340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. NEIL OLIVER Vice ­President and Group Publisher KELLY MONTAGUE Regional General Manager DANIEL BAIRD Director of Advertising ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor Editorial Department (905) 845-3824 Advertising Department (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095