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w w w . o a kv ill eb ea ve r.c o m O A KV IL LE B EA V ER Fr id ay , O ct ob er 1 , 2 01 0 4 By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF They both have extensive records of com- munity service, they both have experience as regional councillors, but only one can fill the role of Ward 2 Town and Regional Councillor. On Oct. 25, the residents of Ward 2 will have their work cut out for them as they decide whether the council seat will go to the current Ward 2 Town Councillor Cathy Duddeck, 55, or Stephen Sparling, 52, a for- mer Oakville Chamber of Commerce presi- dent. The incumbent Ward 2 Town and Regional Councillor Fred Oliver announced earlier this month that he would not be running this year due to health problems. Those who are seeking the councillors seat point out there is no shortage of things to talk about with major issues in Ward 2 rang- ing from how the Department of National Defence (DND) lands will be used to how the Oaktown Plaza will be redeveloped to the need for adequate advocacy in Ward 2. Cathy Duddeck Duddeck has served two terms on Oakvilles Town council and points out she had the opportunity to serve as Ward 2 Regional councillor during occasions when Oliver was convalescing. She points to the redevelopment of the former DND lands, at Dorval Drive and Rebecca Street, as one of the major issues present in Ward 2. That is going to be developed and we are endeavoring to work with the residents in ascertaining what they want to see built on that site, not what politicians want, not what staff or anybody else wants, said Duddeck. Weve had one meeting already. There will be another meeting probably shortly after the election where the public will be asked to par- ticipate in a planning session and they will have an opportunity to comment, not only Ward 2, but the broader community as well. Duddeck spoke to the importance of advo- cating for the proper redevelopment of the Old Oakville Arena. She said the arena has an expiration date of 2012 and money has already been set aside to pay for its demolition. Duddeck said following the demolition it is essential that a community and recreation- al presence on that land not only be main- tained, but also enhanced. Duddeck said she is one of only two coun- cillors who did not vote in favour of council making the $200 million commitment to the new Oakville hospital. Going forward with determining how to pay for this commitment, Duddeck said, she would be just as fiscally responsible as she was when she expressed doubts about mak- ing the commitment in the first place. Duddeck listed the redevelopment of the Oaktown Plaza, located at the top of Speers Road and Kerr Street, as another priority. If done properly, she said the Oaktown Plaza could become a cornerstone of the Ward 2 community, but said whatever is developed there must not negatively effect nearby homeowners. Prior to serving on council, Duddeck worked for 13 years as a special assistant to the former member of provincial parliament, Gary Carr (now Halton Regional Chair). During that time, she advocated for and assisted many Oakville constituents on a wide range of provincial issues. Duddeck has volunteered with a number of community organizations such as the After Four Program, the Canadian Red Cross, the Unified Board at St. Paul's United Church, Oakville Waterfront Festival, Halton K9 Lions Club, Lions Foundation of Canada, Kerr Street Community Consultation Committee, Neighbourhood Watch, Oakville 150th Anniversary Committee, and Salvation Army Oakville Community Council. During Duddecks time on council she has served on the community services board, the CAO Review Committee, the Community Spirit Awards Selection Committee, the Development Building Liaison Working Group, the Heritage Oakville Committee, the Seniors Advisory Committee and the Kerr Street BIA Board of Management Site Plan Committee. Duddeck has lived in the Ward 2 area for more than 45 years. She is the mother of two grown children and has two grandchildren. Stephen Sparling Sparling said he is running for office because he believes Ward 2, particularly Kerr Village, has not been getting its fair share of capital investment. In my opinion the Town has let Kerr Village down from an investment in the com- munity point of view. They did a strategic plan for Kerr Village in 2003 and they did not implement that plan, all they did was receive it, said Sparling. The real substantive things that take Duddeck and Sparling contend for Ward 2 regional Third in a series Cathy Duddeck Stephen Sparling See Two page 5