Biographical Note:

Lou Madonna, proprietor of Madonna Optical in Sault Ste. Marie, became involved in civic affairs shortly after he moved to Prince Township in 1978. A member of council since 1991, he also serves on the following Committees: the Recreation Committee, the Museum Board, and the Community Policing Committee (presently chair). He is a trained volunteer firefighter and a member of the Township’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Association. His five adult children all live in or near Sault Ste. Marie.

I was born in Sault Ste. Marie on Wallace Terrace, not in a hospital. Not in those days (1930’s). Wallace Terrace was quiet then and kids could play ball on the street. Years later, that’s something I never forgot. I always wanted to live in the country and breathe good clean air without having to travel half an hour to get to the city for work or sports. At first I lived on the Airport Road, then moved to my home on the Second line.

Making friends was never a problem. I was soon asked to join the Recreation Committee. In 1990, the Township established a steering committee to build a Fire Department that wouldn’t be as costly as using the City’s. It made me proud to be a part of that. Doing committee work is my way of giving back to the community.

I enjoy the Monday night training sessions with the firefighters. We talk about anything and everything afterwards, or maybe have a game of shuffleboard.

I was elected to council in 1991, and I consider it an honour to serve the people of Prince in this capacity. We have a council that works together. We don’t always agree on things, but at the end of the day we never drag out our disagreements.

To me, this is still the best place in the country to live. There’s a kind of quiet when you get home. If I have a rough day at work, I like to go out on my snowmachine north of the Airport Road for an hour or so, just to experience the peace and calm of the wintry countryside.