Stephen Dasko

January 5, 2021

Mayor Bonnie Crombie will share a special video address to Mississauga residents as part of the Mayor’s annual New Year’s Levee tradition. The Mayor’s Levee is typically a time when residents have the opportunity to meet the Mayor and Members of Council for a family-friendly event at the Civic Centre; however, this year’s Levee is being delivered virtually.

Mayor Crombie’s New Year’s greetings to residents and Council’s best wishes for the upcoming year will be available online on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at noon on the City’s YouTube channel.

What:

2021 Mayor’s New Year’s Levee – Video Ceremony

Video Ceremony:

Sunday, January 10, 2021 at noon

Where:

City of Mississauga’s YouTube channel

Background

The Mayor’s Levee is a tradition that dates back to the 17^th century, during the reign of King Louis XIV. To show the monarch belonged to the people, the King would invite gentlemen to his bedroom on New Year’s Day to watch him wake up and begin serving the public. The Royal Governor of New France later brought this custom to Canada where it continues to be a new year’s tradition.

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January 5, 2021

The City of Mississauga has selected Rona O’Banion as Director, Mississauga Library, effective February 1, 2021. Ms. O’Banion replaces Lori Kelly, who is now the City’s Director, Human Resources.

“I am pleased to welcome Rona to the leadership team,” said Shari Lichterman, Commissioner, Community Services. “She is joining at an exciting time as the Library continues to deliver the services our customers rely on now and into the future. My thanks to Jennifer Stirling for her leadership as Acting Director during the pandemic and transition period.”

O’Banion has 18 years experience as CEO of three Ontario library systems – Wainfleet Township Public Library, Brock Township Public Library and for the past nine years at King Township Public Library.

Her career highlights include transforming and modernizing libraries. Her strategic and capital planning experience includes the development of the new 22,000 sq. ft. multi-use King City Public Library and Seniors Centre and renovation projects in other library systems. O’Banion has also been instrumental in leveraging technology to support change management, library advocacy and staff development.

On behalf of the Mississauga Library Board, Chair Val Ohori commented, “Our Board welcomes Rona to Mississauga and our library team.  In this period of accelerated change, we look forward to working with her to help our communities thrive by providing excellent and evolving services.  We also extend a very big thank you to Jennifer and staff for establishing safe and creative ways to continue service through these challenging times.”

O’Banion holds Bachelor of Arts degrees from York University in History and Political Science, and a Masters of Library Science from the University of Toronto.

She is recognized as a leader in the broader Ontario library sector. O’Banion has served on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL) and various task forces. She has also served as Chair of the Administrators of Medium-sized Public Libraries of Ontario (AMPLO) and Chair of the Library Services Centre (LSC).

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