Posted 2010-07-22
RICHMOND HILL: After many years of dedicated public service, Ward 2 Councillor Arnie Warner is considering calling it a day as a local Ward Councillor.
"While I am honoured to have been able to serve my community, most especially the residents of Ward 2 for the last 10 years as their Councillor, I'm prepared to step aside and let someone else take my place on Council," said Arnie Warner. "I hope that there are some very interested, qualified and dedicated individuals out there who want to support their community and help make Richmond Hill an even better place to live and raise a family."
Before being elected to Council, Warner volunteered his time to the community as a member of a variety of Town Committees, providing support in an advisory capacity for more than 20 years. In 2000, Warner received the Town's highest honour in being named a Citizen of the Year at the Annual Volunteer Awards Celebration. He was also named Best Local Councillor, Volunteer of the Year and a Top Local Newsmaker over the years by various local media. In December 2009, Councillor Warner was featured as Person of the Year by the Richmond Hill Post.
Of his many other accomplishments to date, Warner attributes his successes to the support of his constituents and his family. He is particularly proud to have been an integral part of making the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts a reality, as well as helping to see the first fully accessible park open in Town. Warner is also especially proud of the work he and his committee undertook in raising more than $1 million for local charities through the Mayor's Charity Golf Tournament. And, as long time Budget Chair, he's led Council through a series of modest tax increases, while ensuring the Town is financially strong.
Of the things he will miss most of not being a member Council, Warner said, "While I won't miss the sometimes five-hour long Council meetings, I will miss the camaraderie of those I work with daily, from staff to the many members of the public."
Warner continued, "My future right now is uncertain. I have no grand plans at present for what I might do next...I hope to be able to have some time for other pursuits, but who knows...if no qualified candidates decide to register for the Election, I might have to change my mind."
The 2010 Municipal Election is slated for Monday, October 25. Interested candidates have until Friday, September 10, 2010 to register their candidacy. For more information about the Municipal Election, visit www.richmondhill.ca/2010election. For more information on Arnie Warner, visit www.arniewarner.on.ca.