PEOPLE
THE NEW LEADERSHIP IN TOWN
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en Stewart’s journey to the dais began with active involvement in his children’s education after his family moved to Georgetown 10 years ago. “I started as a concerned parent and became concerned for the entire community,” he says. He wore multiple hats in the last decade—treasurer and president of the PTA then school board trustee; member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Charter Review Committee, Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation, and Georgetown Government and Finance Advisory Board—all of which taught him the inner workings of the school and city government. When Ben, a technical consultant, learned Dis-
orking for the Boy Scouts of America for almost 40 years and being a member of the Rotary taught Ron Garland the importance of active citizenship and service in one’s home, community, and nation. When he and his wife Barbara retired and moved to Sun City, the first question he asked was, “How can I serve this new city we live in?” Initially unenthusiastic about becoming a politician, Ron’s mind was changed by a conversation with former City Councilman Steve Fought about the role council members play in shaping the community. Serving on the council dais since May, Ron applies the Four-Way Test passed down by
J ULY 2022
trict 7 Councilman Tommy Gonzalez wouldn’t be running again, he decided to step up and be a voice for his community once again. “I’m excited and terrified at the same time. You realize when you sit in that seat what a big responsibility it is, and I hope to serve the people well,” he says, adding he will always be a listening ear for constituents. “We may disagree, but I’m always willing to listen.”
than it is now. Working with residents and developers to find common ground when transitioning agriculture zoning to developed properties will be a focus as District 7 continues to be a national focal point.”
Ben plans to focus proactively on traffic issues, public safety, and smart growth. “When we moved here ten years ago, District 7 was a lot more agricultural
his Rotarian grandfather—Is it the truth? Is it fair to all people? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Ron plans to work to benefit the community by focusing on growth management, long-term water planning, and mobility bond projects like the extension of DB Wood Road, the widening of Shell Road, and the new I-35/Williams Drive intersection. “We’ve just been named the fastest growing city in the country—it’s exciting on the one hand and challenging on the other. We have to sustain the feel of Georgetown, and we can maintain that feel through good photo by Rudy Ximenez
COUNCILMAN BEN STEWART
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COUNCILMAN RON GARLAND
by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy of interviewees
strategic planning and managing growth,” he says.
