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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday September 30, 2006 - 5 Chamber is out to We are the appeal to business Champions! Sports-Arts-Academics large and small after leaving local political life, his helping to raise funds from $20,000 role with the chamber was his way of "staying involved in the commuto $2.5 million. Sparling has served on the nity." Sparling has belonged to the board of the Ontario Lung chamber both personally, and with Association; the Oakville Chamber of Commerce; The his firm, and was a member at large, Albany Club of Toronto; Glen sat on its executive for several years chaired its Advocacy Abbey United Church; and, the and Committee. Limited Market Dealers Last year he was the Association of "We want people to chamber's vice-presiCanada. dent and president Most recently he's know that we have elect and will find the been involved locally something to bring time he needs to lead with the Ontario Lung of value. We feel we the chamber as its Association. have something to president this year. Since leaving politioffer." Sparling said he will cal office in Oakville, focus on dealing with Sparling is most government ­ any level recently past chair of Stephen Sparling, Oakville Chamber of of government, and any the Glen Abbey United Commerce president elected officials. Church, where he also For small businesstaught Sunday School es, the chamber may assist providfor several years, and has become involved wherever his family is ing guidance through the process, for large businesses it may mean involved. He has coached sports and most adding its voice as an advocate. "My background in political life recently has been coaching House will be of benefit there," said League lacrosse for three years. He has headed up ARI Inc., a Sparling, noting he can be the holding company for 15 years that face of the chamber in the comspecializes in promotional sales and munity. The new chamber president said public affairs. he hopes to add to the effort to Today Sparling is also vice president of PRG Promotion Resource strengthen the chamber's board and touted the recent addition of a Group Inc. That company moved to Oakville board member from Sheridan from Mississauga five years ago for College -- something that will all the reasons the chamber pro- work toward strengthening ties motes to businesses, near and far -- between education and business. The chamber is also launching a proximity to the U.S. border, airnew pilot project -- online training ports, highways, not to mention the climate of the town for both compa- for companies that may not have nies and their employees to work huge budgets, but want to provide training for staff. and live in. Sparling said the chamber host"It's a good place to do business," ed 80 events, from training to netsaid Sparling who notes his own firm, with large local contracts like working and more, last year and Ford Canada and Laidlaw Education he'd like the events reviewed to Services, as well as national con- ensure they continue to be relevant tracts with the Toronto Blue Jays to members. "We, as a chamber, have a role to and Rogers Group of Companies, play in the community," said "needs to be close to the Toronto Sparling, noting that role will be marketplace." Heading up the local chamber is guided by a new strategic plan a natural fit for Sparling who approved last year. The local chamber has also in admits he has always been a busirecent years been looking to boost ness person. During his time as a local coun- its membership and with that memcillor he said he focused on eco- bership now at approximately nomic development issues that 1,100, Sparling said it's hoped the resulted in the Red Carpet Not Red chamber will prove attractive to Tape forums, a reconfiguration and more established businesses, and simplification of definitions govern- large businesses, as well as small or ing Oakville's employment lands, new businesses. "We want people to know that we various business focus groups and have something to bring of value," the groundwork that led to the development of the Oakville said Sparling. "We feel we have something to Economic Development Alliance offer." (OEDA). -- Angela Blackburn can be reached While Sparling admits he took at angela@oakvillebeaver.com. some time to focus on his own firm Continued from page 3 John Guzzo's 2005 Minor Atom AAA Richard Bell Tournament Champions Special Souvenir Edition Alexis Mastromarco, Footloose 2005 International Competition Overall Junior Champ published by the Oakville Beaver featuring Oakville's Champions Are you the coach/manager, teacher or sponsor of a "Championship" winning sport team/athlete, musician or academic stand out? If so, you have likely already appeared within the Oakville Beaver. Now you have an opportunity to have your superstar appear in a special supplement dedicated to champions! This special feature, publishing on October 7, will include photos of championship winning teams and individuals of the 2005-06 season/competitions. Email your picture with a small description of the win. Photos accepted until October 4, 2006 Pictures without descriptions will not run. email: smastaler@oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver NORTH AMERICA'S MOST AWARDED COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER