Toronto Star, Nov. 14, 2006


There are new mayors in half of the 24 municipalities across Greater Toronto, a political shift unseen in recent memory. … In Oakville, incumbent mayor Ann Mulvale was defeated by self-proclaimed environmentalist Rob Burton. Mulvale, often referred to by critics as Asphalt Annie, defeated Burton in the 2003 election by 28 votes. "I think he was richly rewarded for wearing his environmental convictions on his sleeve," Toronto environmental lawyer David Donnelly said. Said Burton: "This is a victory ... we're going to create an Oakville we'll be proud to pass on. We're going to control growth, clean up our town finances and catch up on our deficit." ...

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Toronto Star, Nov. 14, 2006


… Rob Burton said he wanted to deliver a loud message when he decided to take his second run at Oakville's top job this election season, challenging 18-year incumbent Ann Mulvale. In his previous attempt, the former journalist and YTV founder came within 28 votes of unseating the municipal veteran, prompting a controversial and expensive recount. A couple of tense hours after the polls closed, Burton learned he'd achieved his goal this time — and by a more comfortable margin. … Days before the election, Mulvale's camp told the Star she'd be "on cloud nine" on election night. However, a number of residents' associations and ratepayer groups predicted that voters — fed up with the town's relationship with developers and lack of clear vision — would choose change this election. ...

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Toronto Star, Nov. 4, 2006 


… [Ann Mulvale’s] tenure coincides with a critical period of growth and development; the population [of Oakville] has gone from about 90,000 in 1988, when Mulvale first took office, to about 145,000 in 2006. Mulvale has grown accustomed to taking heat for her approaches to dealing with growth, development and balancing the needs of her burgeoning town with protecting green space. Her dissenters have slapped her with the unfavourable moniker "Asphalt Annie." Mulvale refuses to take the sole blame for Oakville's rapid development, saying the provincial legislation governing municipal planning practices is too restrictive and prevents municipalities from having sufficient control over "deciding the where and the how" of development patterns. She also said the position of mayor is "a misunderstood role" "People see the American role, which is the strong mayor role ... that's just not the Ontario model. You've got one vote."

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