Blenheim's Frank Vercouteren seeking re-election in Ward 2

By Aaron Hall – Daily Post Editor

With more than 30 years of political experience, long-time South Kent Counc. Frank Vercouteren is hoping to add another four years to his tenure as a Chatham-Kent councillor.

Vercouteren, 71, told the Chatham-Kent Daily Post that he feels the Municipality is going in the right direction.

“I feel I can still make a difference,” he said. “I think things are going to get better.”

Vercouteren, who has sold real estate for nearly 40 years, filed his nomination papers to enter the race for one one three Council spots in Ward 2, South Kent – a spot he has personally held since amalgamation.

“I enjoy doing it,” he said of being on Council. “I try to do the best I can for the community. I listen to the tax payers… they tell me what direction I should be going. The tax payers are my boss. I must be doing OK, or else I wouldn’t still be here.”

Prior to amalgamation, Vercouteren sat on Blenheim Council and County Council as a reeve. He also spent time sitting on Ridgetown Council for a short time.

He has been involved with various organizations in the community as well, including the Blenheim Chamber of Commerce, the Blenheim BIA, the Agricultural Hall of Fame committee and chaired the International Ploughing Match as well.

Vercouteren said it has been a “rough time” dealing with the rural vs. urban issues in Chatham-Kent since 1998, but is optimistic that any sense of divide might improve over the next term of Council.

Vercouteren is the first person to file in South Kent for the 2010 Municipal Election in Chatham-Kent. The other two incumbents in Ward 2, Art Stirling and Karen Herman, have yet to state their intentions.

The election takes place Oct. 25.