A FORMER ward councillor toured Montclair to re-visit his councillor days on Wednesday, 18 February.
Lew Phillips (92) served as ward 66 councillor from 1967 to 1988 when he retired.
Before his election as councillor he was chairman of the ratepayers association. Phillips was also elected to the provincial council in 1981. He along with his son Malcolm visited Montclair as Malcolm was visiting from the US, where he’s lived for the past 42 years. His grandson, Richard Simpson also visited Montclair after returning from Belgium recently.
“It feels good to be back. In my day there wasn’t so much concrete around,” said Phillips. The former councillor was well known for being pro-active among the community. He lived by his slogan ‘your man for the people.’ One night while he was councillor, he even put on his gum boots to assist a Montclair resident unblock his drains. “The man admitted that he hadn’t voted for me in the council elections. I had to win him over,” said Phillips.
The ‘man for the people’ was instrumental in the building of Woodlands Sports Club and the community hall. “I got pleasure out of my job. I was part of the community,” he said.
The 92-year old also coached soccer in the area for many years and would often load all the soccer players into his old truck and drop them off at home. Montclair resident for the past 63 years Mike Impson reflects on his younger days: “Mr Phillips would stop his dinner to fix a street light. He was always for the people. As a gift to him I would canvas for votes. He was a kind man,” said Impson.
Malcolm, an ex-New Forest High School pupil, speaks proudly of his father’s achievements as councillor. “My dad was somewhat controversial. He danced to the beat of his own drum. He always provided. He had a good heart,” he said.
Phillips wife Kay was also involved with the community. She was the Child Welfare convenor for the area. The couple moved to Village of Happiness in Margate in 1996. Sadly Kay died in September 2011. The Phillips’ were married 63 years. Phillips now spends his days watching rugby, soccer and cricket.
