|
|
|
|
|
William Allen (Metro Chairman)(Partial text of tribute paid to the retiring Chairman -- 1969 Minutes of Metropolitan Council) Metro Chairman
William Randall Allen, Q.C. | | | Term of Office: | January 9, 1962 - September 30, 1969 | | Date of Birth: | June 29, 1919 | | Place of Birth: | Buckingham, Quebec | | Spouse: | Marjorie Hornberger | | Profession: | Lawyer | | Political party: | Liberal | | Predecessor: | Frederick Gardiner, Q.C. | | Successor: | Ab Campbell | Born in Buckingham, Quebec (in the outskirts of Ottawa, Ontario), Mr. Allen is a graduate of St. Michael's College High School, the University of Toronto, and Osgoode Hall Law School. After being called to the Ontario Bar in 1949, he was appointed a Queen’s Counsellor in 1960. During World War 2, he enlisted with the Queen’s York Rangers and attained the rank of Captain, serving overseas in Britain and Europe. Mr. Allen's father, Robert Allen, was an Alderman and Liberal Member of Provincial Parliament in Riverdale during the 1930's. Robert Allen's father-in-law, Randall McDonnell, was the Mayor of Mayo, Quebec for 13 consecutive years. In 1950, Mr. Allen entered municipal politics, first as an Alderman in Riverdale, then Controller for the City of Toronto. He was a member of the first Metropolitan Toronto Council in 1952. Undefeated in civic elections, he remained in municipal office until 1962 when, upon retirement of Mr. Frederick G. Gardiner, he was elected the second Chairman of the Council of the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto. Mr. Allen served as Metro Chairman from 1962 through 1969. Mr. Allen guided the affairs of Metro during a period of change. This included its re-organization into six municipalities with a larger council refleecting more closely its population distribution. Its services also continued to expand, and their range broadened through transfer to the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Toronto of such services as refuse disposal, traffic control, and welfare. Under Mr. Allen’s leadership, Metro successfully weathered the many varied challenges presented to these changes. Without doubt a major reason for Mr. Allen’s success was the strong bond of confidence he was been able to establish with the Metro Council and the heads and staff of the various Metropolitan Departments. This is in great measure due to the deep admiration and respect he inspired in those who worked with him. With his widely recognized administrative ability and capacity for work, Mr. Allen succeeded in making almost every person in the organization, whether appointed of elected, feel the urgency and importance of individual contribution that he or she is making to Metropolitan Toronto. This remarkable achievement, blended with his unfailing and infectious good humour, indicates the warm human atmosphere with which Mr. Allen imbued the office of Chairman. At the same time, Mr. Allen’s legal training, his orderly and incisive mind, his grasp of detail, his tactical dexterity, and his subtle understanding of the springs of action enabled him to successfully pilot through Council almost every project, large or small, to which he lent his support. Mr. Allen has held himself aloof from both municipal rivalries and active party politics. This careful neutrality combined with his pleasing personality and obvious knowledge and judgement made him persona grata at all levels of government and through a wide range of social and economic groups. See Also References
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|