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Chris Kowalchuk to seek Ward 2 Town council seat by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 9 | Friday, January 8, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Long-time Oakville resident and community activist Chris Kowalchuk announced this week he will be joining the race to fill the vacant Ward 2 seat on Oakville council. Kowalchuk, who has served as past president and board member of the West River Residents' Association (WRRA) and called Ward 2 home for 30 years, noted that after years of involvement in the community he feels he is ready for public office. "I kind of feel I owe it to the community and to myself to give running a chance," he said. "I think I'm ready to make a really serious contribution to the community." The seat was vacated after former Ward 2 Town Councillor Pam Damoff was elected MP of the Oakville North-Burlington riding in last fall's federal election. Kowalchuk said his past service for the community includes working with the Town to re-establish outdoor skating rinks in Forester Park, contributing to the Town's Kerr Street Plan and working with the municipality to get a `Welcome to West River Community' sign installed on Shepherd Road. The self-employed contractor said he has also worked with St. Aidan's Anglican Church to put together a WRRA Memorial Garden and built the Barry Dawe Volunteer Memorial Chris Kowalchuk Inukshuk. Other community work Kowalchuk has participated in includes lobbying to preserve the Oakville Arena and organizing a float for the Oakville Santa Claus Parade for 10 years. "I've worked with the current council and I've known a lot of them for years, having been involved in the residents' association. I've been involved since the early 80s in Oakville in politics advocating on green issues, protecting green space. I'm interested in continuing the planning work that the current council put in place to ensure we have responsible, sustainable development," said Kowalchuk. "I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of thinking global and acting locally. The place you can have the most impact is in your local community." Kowalchuk noted he is an original member of the Ontario and federal Green Party and ran unsuccessfully in multiple provincial elections as the Green Party candidate for Oakville. His business experience includes a 25-year career in the Ontario wine, spirits and beer industry where he says he grew two small companies into big ones (Hillebrand Estates Winery, Lakeport Brewery). He also ran a wine shop in Downtown Oakville from 1986 to 1990. Kowalchuk has two daughters aged 20 and 22. "I have a track record of getting things done," he said. "Anyone who knows me knows that I work smart and I work hard. I know my neighbours and friends in Oakville are the true wealth of this town. All I ask is that you (residents) give me the chance. I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can in the next few months, and hearing about the issues you think are important to us all." Town council is hosting a meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 11 at Town Hall to introduce a bylaw that will put the wheels in motion to begin the Ward 2 by-election process. Once approved, nominations can be filed Jan. 12 until Feb. 26. Ward 2 boundaries extend from Third Line to Sixteen Mile Creek and south of the QEW to Lake Ontario. What's Good...? KeeP your Family 2015 Platinum Award thank you for voting us 2015 Platinum best Heating & air conditioning company It is the fusion of balanced nutrition, mind and body with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), food Cures, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture and Chiropractic. ...That's Wellness by Design 10 YEAR PARTS & LABOUR WARRANTY* Replace YouR FuRnace & aiR conditioneR $ in rebates & Discounts Are You ou Ready? In 2016! UP TO What is Your COREscore? Don't guess. Measure your stress! To schedule your FREE ASSESSMENT or to learn more go to www.whatsgoodwellness.ca/mycorescore 125 Cross Ave., Oakville · www.whatsgoodwellness.ca · 905.845.5775 2,350 backed by coleman's 100% satisfaction Guarantee* visit our new location in oakville We SeRvIce All MAKeS OF cenTRAl AIR cOndITIOneRS And GAS FURnAceS *Limited Time offer. O.A.C. See store for details. open year round! 1515 Rebecca St. Corner of Rebecca & 3rd line "Formerly DiversiFieD Financial services" 800-HRBloCk | HRBLOCK.CA we don't miss a thingTM APPLEBY 24 HR EMERGENCY OAKVILLE905.825.1893 FIREPLACE, HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS BURLINGTON905.335.3203 HAMILTON905.540.9153 SYSTEMS SERVICE 2086 SpeeRS Rd., oakville Come See Our SHOWROOM Mon - Fri. 8am ­ 5pm; Saturday 11am ­ 4pm www.applebysystems.ca