County'glects "kidmcouncillor" "I'd like to see the courthouse project finished this year, not on budget, but underbudget. " ---- Steven Willard By Julie White Beaver Staff Reporter A few more pages have been added to the history books of Lennox and Addington County. On Wednesday, the youngest--ever warden of the county was elected to guide L & A through 1994. "verity-three year-old Steven Willard. reeve of Amherst Island has swiftly climbed the ladder of municipal politics. Known as the "kid councillor" ' who then became reeve, Willard , has proven he is ready to take the reigns of county council in what is expected to be a fiscally- chalienging year. Accepting the ceremonial gavel from outgoing warden Lor- raine Berger of Denbigh. some county councillors noted they have now had representation from the northernmost part of the county to the southernmost tip in two years. The last time county council elected a warden from Amherst Island, Willard was still in dia- pers. A seemingly endless knowledge of county history emanates from the new warden, who has, over his term on coun-- ty council, expressed his pride in being able to represent L &A's unique Amherst Island. "There have been three war-- century from Amherst Island." 'from the island was over 20 . from Amherst Island years ago: it was Vince Aitldns." I Willard has graduated with '. an English history degree from ' Queen's University and plans to ' career in law. ' Nominated by Napanee reeve . l iBud Calver and seconded by JCamden reeve Duane Williams, ' ,Willard won the wardenship on [two ballots over his county ] council colleagues Wayne Parks iof North Fredericksburgh and ,' Howard Cuthill from Richmond. 1 In making the nomination. Calver said, "I think (Willard) ;has quite a political future ' 4' ahead of him if he decides to ; stay in politics." ' Williams agreed, adding 'Willard has stood at county council and effectively ' expressed his opinions and was if very effective in debate. In his campaign speech. I: Willard provided county resi» dents with a bit of hope for their next tax bill. "We are facing, as taxpayers of this county, an increase in taxes in the last number of years. Times are tough." he added, calling for no increases in 1994's taxes. Noting how his municipal council of Amherst Island was ' able to hold the line in its 1993 ' budget, Willard also knows it is difficult to achieve. One area where he has . already decided to trim the fat is on the annual warden's ban- quet. "Times are tough, I think we have to be really careful and " set the tone. Let's make it a little ' more lean. more streamlined. "Similar to this." he contin-- ued. "I'd like to see the court-- ( dens in the 19th or early 20th ; house preject finished this year. not on budget. but underbud- the recalled. "The last warden 1 get. ' He said thls request is See warden, page 18 return in the future to begin a . ' New warden Steve Willard. . c"?