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~Gevaert attends less than haif of council meetings; renounces pay By IRENE GENTLE Thse Champion There is no gold star beside the naine of Councillor Lieven Gevaert on the Town's 1999 attendance record. For the second year running, the Ward 3 counicilior bas racked up a dismal atten- dance score, managing ta be present as just 20 ai the 47 town council meetings held in 1999. But be basn't been accepting taxpayers money in bis absence. Instead, he opted ta renounce bis full saiary, makmng is retroactive ta January, 1999. A consulting jab in Israel bas cauaed bis attendance ta plunge aver the past twa years. Since then bis record, acknowledged Mr. Gevaert, hasn't been envia ble. "I'd rather have gane 47 out af 47 meet- ings," he said. "If 1 couid say I could have met every one ai them, it would bave been perfect." tnstead, be tries ta keep on top of Miltan business by staying in regular contact witb Town cierk Helen Liai. And be basn't muled out running in the Noveonher municipal elections. "If I mun again, the situation ai having a the table saylng, 'bey, 1 want you to be honest with nme.' If they say we really don't want you to non, I won't." LEVMB GEVAERT job outsîde of the country can't bappen," be said. In the meantime, he's consulting with constituents to determine if they want birn in Council Chambers another terni. "I'm listening to people. I'm laying it on the table saying, 'hey, t want you to be honesi witli me,"' said Mr. Gevaert. "If they say we really don't want you ta mun, 1 won't." In 1999, Mr. Gevaert attended oniy two meetings in his elected raie as counicilior between January 1l and April 19. He missed 13. Between April 26 and Sept. 20, 1999, he was absent for six meetings, attending 13. But absentia become bis regular mode again between September 27 and December 13. He attended tîve meetings in that period, missing nine. And be has been a virtual no-show as a council representative on the iibraiy coni- mittee, attending three of eight meetings. But overail, Mr. Gevaert feît bis record bad improved. "It carried on at a lower level. 1 was home ail September and October and t was home December 5 ta January 15," he said. After attending Monday's council meet- ing, Mr. Gevaert wiil soon be off again. But he pmomised to retuni in sume for the operating budget meetings, scbeduled for late March. Originaiiy, Mi. Geysert expected his contract in Isael ta expire iast summer. tnstead, it was renewed. 'hat scenanio was repeated this month. 'The foiks over in Israei bad me quitting February 15," he said. "Two days iater, tbey came ta me again. But my prime commitment is ta Nassagaweya and town councii." ssee NO AC11ON on page 7 The Canadien Champion, Friday, February 25, 2000 - 3 The nommnes are... t ram NOMINEES on page 1 Businesswoman of the Year " Melisa DoBrouwer, liick Frnancial Sectaity Corporation " Bdwina Daddhgto, Safe anti Souand ChildiWns Centre " DmnBell, SboppeeDrog MMt " Doog Koclio, MdKersle-Kocer u" on Ljfagn.Acdie.eut Awmrd a Fred Johoson The winners will be amnnoncd duolng a gala celebration Apnil Set Gîranîte Ridge Golf Club on Dublin Unse. ~MM dg*& Vacation Year Round in Your Beacheomber Hot Tub!! flor do you enjoy a vacation ail year? In a Iteachcomber flot Tub. This is the time of year when ramilles go on holidmys. For the price of a single family holiday, your family can have fun aIl year long. What a greai investmnent. Take advaniage of ibis valuable factory incentive package and recelve.. Protec Construction Saves Energ. Reg $499 S78 Powersmart Saves Energy Reg $199 Free Cure Free Kit Eaoy Care Reg $99 Free No Puy Tii 2001 Easy Ternis Reg $700 Free ,rl TII V~. R-,du G'.à Roadu Free Free WeueorBeacbcomnber Hot Tub nearly every day and enjay quality time with frîends and fml.Oakvilie, Ontario Fr eese n ii Iyou are readyfo I nstallaiiof. jn EwchIM c - AVLLE betwae 41b Une Rt Doevi ~ - SuRUNGTON 4785MISAG NOiFfli 3W73 Nwt imine Road 640 MillereeS Drive TUs pa tiiueipi Une at Erin Mis hiTIway HotTu s ~as 336-7424 812-5390 .om: Mm. toFri. itam-6peslSai. iêam-OpneSun. iiam-4pm ý»4Vff UN- -