Maritimer of the Month: 'Mayor of Bateson, N.S.,' receives his due
In the seaside community of Bateston, N.S., the Bates families have left their mark for over 200 years, especially Pat Bates.
"It's all community, eh. That's what she's all about," said Bates, the lifelong resident.
Bates will be turning 80-years-old this month and throughout his life, he’s built a reputation in the community as someone who gets things done.
He's an outgoing guy who is often shaking hands and kissing babies.
"He is the forever Mayor of Bateston," said Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Amanda McDougall.
McDougall grew up down the road in Main-A-Dieu, N.S., She says when she's home, she has no problem deferring to Bates’s leadership.
"He's the guy," McDougall said. "He makes sure our community is happy and safe and as I said, makes sure everybody has a good time while doing it."
After a devasting fire occurred in the community 45-years-ago, Bates founded the Bateson Volunteer Fire Department, and remains a serving member.
"In June of 1976, there was a fire that started in Bateston and went through the communities of Bateston and Main-A-Dieu. Burnt several homes, burnt the church," said Kelly Bates, the fire chief, who isn’t directly related to Pat Bates. "And he's still there today. At the meetings, he'll brag about how many members we have. We have 29 active members."
Bates has been treasurer at the Bateston Athletics and Seniors Club for 53 years. In fact, he helped spearhead the building’s construction.
"It started in the basement of my house, me and my wife," Bates said. "We had four little kids, but that's how it got here. And everybody would be cutting logs, and we got this beautiful building here."
Recently, Bates walked the streets and picked up litter because the Nova Scotia’s Lieutenant-Governor was coming to town.
"Well, I wanted the community to look good for the visitors," he explained. "I was there eight in the morning with the garbage bag."
What did Bates think about Mayor McDougall referring to him as 'the mayor'?
"The real mayor is in Sydney. She's got all the problems," he said.
Bates is not only a community favourite, but also the CTV Atlantic's Maritimer of the Month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.