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Soeterik throws hat into the Ward 2 council race by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 7 | Thursday, January 28, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The race for Oakville's Ward 2 council seat now has nine candidates. Dirk Soeterik, who works as a digital strategist with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), recently threw his hat into the ring stating he has the experience and skills that make him the best choice to fill the vacant Ward 2 position. Soeterik, who has called Ward 2 home for five years and Oakville for nearly 10, talked about the importance of municipal decision-making. "I think Canadian democracy really starts at the municipal level. The issues that affect people at the town level are just as important as the issues in provincial and federal elections," said Soeterik. "Things like the roads we drive on, the parks we play in, the property taxes we pay... those are the real-life tangible issues that you can touch and those are the ones that we come face to face with every day." The Ward 2 council seat became vacant after former councillor Pam Damoff was elected MP of the new Oakville North-Burlington riding. Council has voted to fill the vacancy with a by-election, which will take place on April 11. Soeterik said he has more than 20 years of experience working for large organizations serving first at the Tim Hortons head office before moving to PWC, both located in Oakville. He said this experience makes him uniquely qualified for the challenges of Town council. " Wo r k i n g for those organizations has allowed me to be involved in working with teams both as a member of a team and as a team leader on projects similar Dirk Soeterik in scope to what the Town of Oakville must deal with," he said. "I've been responsible for projects with multimillion dollar budgets. I've been responsible for projects that have affected multiple people in different locations. I've had to report. I've had to be reported to. I think, in a lot of ways, working for successful organizations like Tim Hortons and PWC mirrors how a town council works. You have to come together, do what is in the best interest of everyone, overcome obstacles and come up with new ideas when the old ones don't work and really give it your all." The married, father of two has also been active in the community serving as vice-chair of the Oakville Santa Claus Parade Committee. He has volunteered for community cleanups, the Oakville Soccer Club, the Tim Hortons Children's Foundation Run for the Camps, VoicePrint and SickKids. Soeterik said he believes the current council has done a good and thoughtful job of leading the local government and says if elected, he could make that council even better. He said he would work with residents and bring their concerns to council. The Ward 2 resident said he would also deal with important issues, such as traffic congestion, ensuring residents get the most for their tax dollars, development, and bringing quality businesses to Ward 2. Other priorities included the refurbishment of the Oakville Arena and ensuring local facilities, streets and parks are kept clean, in good repair and available to the public. "I have a collaborative, easy-going, don't quit until the job is done style; I have the experience and skills; and I truly care about where I live, the people in the area I live in and the people of Oakville," said Soeterik. Soeterik is among nine residents running for the Ward 2 council seat. Other contenders include: John Pilcher, Ray Chisholm, Fraser Damoff, Hart Jansson, Chris Kowalchuk, Ruth Anne McAuley , Cheryle McCullagh and Sean Neville. For more information, visit www.votedirk. com. 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