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Neville brings experience to bid for council in Ward 2 by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 7 | Friday, January 15, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com A longtime Oakville business owner has thrown his hat into the Ward 2 by-election race. Sean Neville, founder and CEO of the Ward 2-based company Britnell Ventures, says he will bring business acumen to council and advocate for the maintenance and improvement of Ward 2 municipal services while balancing expenditures. He said he is running for office because he wants to give something back to Oakville, which is home to both his business and his family. The Ward 2 council seat became vacant when former Ward 2 councillor Pam Damoff was elected MP of the Oakville North-Burlington riding in last fall's federal election. Council has voted to fill the position through a by-election to take place April 11. "My commitment to the residents of Ward 2 is to be an open-minded and understanding representative, and to be available to them to discuss their thoughts, concerns or suggestions," stated Neville in a press release. "I'm asking for their vote, so that I can use my experience and energy to help augment the great work our mayor and Oakville Town council is doing today and for years to come." The entrepreneur said his company focuses on the creation and management of e-commerce businesses and employs several local residents. He noted his work has led to him being among the nominees for 2016's Oakville Entrepreneur of the Year at the upcoming annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence. Neville was also co-founder of the Oakvillebased Simply Audiobooks, which he said is North America's largest audiobook rental company. Sean Neville The business employed approximately 40 local residents. Neville's work there earned him the 2005 Ernst & Young Ontario Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He negotiated that business' successful sale in 2009. Neville said his 20 years of business experience, which included occasionally making milliondollar decisions, would be an asset to council. The candidate has also served as head of fundraising at his daughters' elementary school for three years and was successful in raising the largest amount of funds in the school's history. He said this allowed for a complete modernization of technology available to students and resulted in the introduction of tablets in the classroom. Neville said he has previously coached soccer at the Oakville Soccer Club and through Britnell Ventures has donated time and funds to a variety of local events and charities, such as child cancer support and the Kerr Street Business Association. He is currently a mentor to The Next 36 Canada Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative, and donates time and money to advance entrepreneurship at his two alma maters: Cornell University and York University. If elected, Neville promises to be an attentive representative and a mature policy-maker who balances long- and short-term needs of the area. Neville is married and has two children aged 12 and 15. "Simply put...I feel blessed I can live and work in a town I love and I look forward to serving as Ward 2 Town Councillor to continue making Oakville a great place for families and businesses," he said. For more, visit www. seanneville.ca or email info@seanneville.ca. Neville is one of eight candidates currently running for the Ward 2 position. Challengers include Ray Chisholm, Fraser Damoff, Hart Jansson, Chris Kowalchuk, Ruth Anne McAuley, Cheryle McCullagh and John Pilcher. Join us for our Open House! See how inspiring education can be! Saturday January 23, 10am - 2pm Students from Preschool to Grade 12 are invited to tour our 10-acre campus in southeast Oakville, and meet our faculty and students. At St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School, your daughter will get the support she needs to become the confident young woman she is destined to be. For more information about our upcoming events and programs, contact us at 905.845.2386 ext. 814 or jmurray@smls.on.ca or check our website: www.smls.on.ca Other upcoming Open House events: Feb. 5 | Feb. 25 | 9am - noon