A lot of things have changed in Mississauga since I became a reporter in 1971. On my first day of the job I wrote lengthy, clichéd stories about minor hockey games until 3 a.m. Then the editorial staff took turns pushing each other's cars out of the unplowed parking lot in a snowstorm.

Fortunately, things improved after that.

Mississauga has grown from a collection of three smallish towns into one of the largest cities in Canada.

Watching the drama unfold has been inspiring at times and disheartening at others. Building a new city has proven a difficult challenge and I feel privileged to have been a witness to the struggle.

I live in Erin Mills with my wife Janice and my two wonderful children, Chelsea and Josh, both of whom attend the University of Toronto.

I enjoy a martini on Saturday night, gardening every day of the week

I can and jazz (and lots of other music) on any occasion.

A man must have at least one major failing and mine is a passion for watching NFL football.

My wife has asked me on several occasions whether I love her more than the Cleveland Browns.

It's a question I generally avoid answering by posing another question: "Which Browns team are we talking about?"

She generally laughs, bless her soul.