New kid on the block vKeates brings new, fresh face to municipal council By IRENE GENTLE The Champion The newest face on town council isn't easily daunted. 'Mat determination to beat down odds helped Nassagaweya resident Ken Keates beat back incumbent Lieven Gevaert to become the lat- est council representative of Ward 3. "We worked very hard," said Mr. Keates. "Being a newcomer, trying to unseat an incumbent isn't an easy task." And in a sprawling ward that stretches from Hwy. 7 to Steeles Avenue, just getting residents to know who you are can be tough. "One the questions 1 was most often asked was 'was I the one from Acton or the one who missed the meetings,"' joked Mr. Keates. The question referred to fellow candidate David O'Drowsky, who is tecbnically from Acton, while Mr. Gevaert received criticism for bis frequent absences from council due to work commitments. The concemns Mr. Keates heard mont during his canvassing of resi- dents revoived around slots rev- enue from Mohawk Raceway, water quality and road safety. His campaign consisted of bulk mailing and knocking learneda c.ru c ia piece -of support was Ken Keates m i s sing Mr. Keates and bis wife, Vee Lapstra-Keates, simply renewed their efforts. That helped the couple, who moved to the ares 16 years ago, draw nearer to the nieighbourhood. "She (Ms Lapstra-Keates) was a great help in the campaign," said Mr. Keates. 'For her it was tlnding out a littie more and getting a little dloser to tbe community." As for Milton's newest council- ]or, bis willingness to expend lash- ing of effort would seem 10 bode well for bis constituents. "I'm prepared to put as much time as il takes to have a safe and happy place to work and play," he said. And tbat means heeding bis ward's desire 10 remnain rural. "My number one plank was Nassagaweya and keeping it as it is," said Mr. Keates. But witb growth gaining momen- tum, be acknowledges it could bc a tough slog. "Some things are inevitable," he said. "But some tbings aren't so inevitable." His inauguration is scheduled for Decemnber 4, witb the tirst meeting taking place December 18. Around the table, be expects bis accounting and agricultural back- ground, as well as bis "ability 10 analyze problems and situations and find a patb tbrougb il" 10 be a boon. Finally, tbere's bis willingness to take risks. Lîke being tbe only fresb face among a crew of retumn- ing counicillors, for example. "I'm flot afraid of being a new- comer," said Mr. Keates. "Ils a challenge, and I don't walk away from a challenge." But as a represenîstive of resi- dents scattered tbmough Use town's largest ward, it can be a monumen- tal task 10 find, neyer mind read, the pulse of the people. Be bopes 10 team up witb fellow rural counicillors 10 spread the word on ongoing issues, possibly tbrough a quaeterly newsletter. And now, be's rasing bo gel start- ed. "I'm very excited. I'm trying to do as much research as 1 cas." The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, November 21, 2000 -5 Eet your cIocko for thib year'e MILTON 5ANTA CLAU5 PARAPE 5un. Nov. 26 2:00 .à EXIDE BATTERIES BuiR in Canada to endure our hah Canadian winters, ONTAS O S D RI VE 9 CLE 94 ma Accredlted Test iristalled & Pepair Facility 9