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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, October 30, 2014 | 4 Knoll staves off spirited challenge from Mulvale in Ward 5 by Herb Garbutt Oakville Beaver Staff After exchanging the lead throughout the night, incumbent Jeff Knoll held off a spirited challenge from former mayor Ann Mulvale to hold onto his Ward 5 town and regional council seat. For Knoll, the victory brought back memories of when he was first elected to council in 2000. In that campaign, he was up against another experienced politician, Liz Behrens. Knoll trailed late and had almost resigned himself to defeat until his home poll, the last to report, swung the decision in his favour by 68 votes. Monday night, Knoll and Mulvale traded the lead back and forth and with one poll remaining to report, Knoll trailed by 45 votes. Once again, it was his neighbourhood that made the difference. Knoll garnered 3,846 votes, 140 more than Mulvale, who was the town's mayor from 1988 to 2006. "I was sitting there and it hit me like a ton of bricks," he said. "I was replaying 2000 all over. North Oakville really brought it home for me." The victory by Knoll, a member of council for 14 years, meant that only one incumbent -- and by extension, the slate of candidates endorsed by returning mayor Rob Burton -- was unseated. That was in Ward 1, where Sean O'Meara beat incumbent Alan Johnston for the town and regional council seat. The only other new face at the table will be Nick Hutchins, who won a close Ward 3 town council race. Re-elected Monday night were Tom Adams, Max Khan, Marc Grant, Allan Elgar, Roger Lapworth, Cathy Duddeck, Pam Damoff, Dave Gittings and Ralph Robinson. Sean O'Meara Knoll said he's never approached a campaign as if he's going to win, but he knew Mulvale would be a formidable opponent with an established base of supporters. However, he said it felt at times as if Mulvale, who ran for mayor in 2006 and 2010, was again running for the position. "If you looked at her campaign material, it was Rob Burton this and Rob Burton that, oh and by the way, Jeff Knoll. I was cannon fodder for a surrogate mayor campaign." Despite the loss, Mulvale said she had no regrets about running. "I was asked to run because people weren't happy," she said. "I wish him well, but I hope this gets the message across that we need www.edwardjones.com meaningful change." In the end, Knoll said his campaign had a simple theme. "You tell them what you've done, you tell them what you plan to do," he said, "and then you let the voters decide." While Mulvale failed to upset the incumbent, it was a different story for O'Meara in the Ward Nick Hutchins 1 town and regional council race. O'Meara said it's always difficult to gauge municipal politics, but in the 10 days before the election he was receiving positive signs. "About a week and a half ago, we started to feel the momentum shifting," he said. "People started coming up to me on the street and saying, `Hey, I'm going to vote for you.'" While he's new to the municipal scene, O'Meara has plenty of political experience, having worked for two MPPs at Queen's Park and as a government affairs specialist for Tim Hortons. Still, O'Meara couldn't help but feel nervous until the first results started coming in. As he led in poll after poll, he started to feel less Jeff Knoll and his wife Michelle anxious. By the end of the night, he had scored a comfortable victory with 2,587 votes to see Most on p.22 Does your financial advisor know your life goals? Marc Nutford - Financial Advisor 2387 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON L6H 6K7, 905-844-4043 marc.nutford@edwardjones.com · www.edwardjones.com Member ­ Canadian Investor Protection Fund Oakville's Longest Serving Nursery School! · Innovative programs for ages 2-5 years ears including a separate JK/SK program. · Programs offered 5/3/2 days. · 1/2 day and extended day for JK/SK. · Beautiful location with an outdoor playground in a mature park-like setting · All staff are registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators (C.E.C.E.) · All staff have been with Crescent for 13+ years! 186 Morrison Road | 905-.844.3432 | crescentnurseryschool@hotmail.com www.crescentnurseryschool.com You compared numerous listings online for a `fixer upper'. And managed NOT to be outbid on a great home. Why not compare home insurance rates online, too? At ComparaSave.com you can compare and save on rates for car, home and travel insurance, plus mortgages and credit cards. From Canada's top financial institutions. All in one place. It's easy and it's free.