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stDAY, SEPTEMBER 4. 1994 THE SUNDAYBEAVER /19 Stephen Willard. Youngest Warden ever leaving politics By Michael Jiggins Beaver Staff Reporter He's 41 years away from mandatory retirement, but Amherst Island reeve Stephen Willard is waving goodbye to politics -- for the time being at least. "I will not be seeking re-- election as reeve of. Amherst Island," the 24- year--old Willard revealed in an interview with the Beaver Wednesday. "I'm off to law school and I don't think I want to be carrying both balls at the same time." Willard burst onto the Eastern Ontario political scene as a fresh--faced 18- year-old when he was elect- ed to Amherst Island coun' . oil in November of 1988- Three years later, he was elected reeve of the town' ship. His meteoric rise through the world of municipal poli- tics reached its apex 135t December when he Was chosen Lennox and Addington County's youngest--ever warden, He is quick to point 0"It the decision to step away from the limelight isn't an indication of disenchant- ment with political life. "I love it. It's been great fun." However, Willard admits he's looking forward to some time away from what was clearly a hectic sched-- ule. ' "It will be nice to have time for my own things." Of course more than a few politicians have used law as an apprenticeship for bigger and better things. And Willard indicates he may steer his own career down that path. "I suspect you'll hear from me again," said Willard. who did his under-- graduate studies in English and History at Queen's University. . One option Willard didn't consider was taking on a lighter workload by trading the reeveship for a spot on council. "Once bitten'by the reeve's bug, you're kind of interested in that." explains Willard. "And. quite frankly, if I wasn't involved in county Council I wouldn't be much interest-- ed."