If elected in the upcoming municipal election, Ward 5 candidate Munawar Chudary vows to donate his entire salary for the entire council term to the community.
Chudary says this is his way of giving back to the community, after having a successful career as a realtor in the area.
"This town gave me so much good business...and I have decided now to give everything back," he said. "My entire salary for the four years will go to the food bank, the Out of the Cold Cafe, and wherever we need money in Ward 5."
After moving to the town in 2008 with his wife and three children, he fell in love with the community and everything it has to offer.
"I am running out of love and passion for Ward 5," he said.
This isn't Chudary's first kick at the can.
In 2014 and 2018, he ran in the ward against the current Ward 5 Councillor, Peter Ferragine and in 2020, ran in the Ward 2 by-election against six other candidates, but was beaten out by the current Coun. Jonathan Scott.
This election, Chudary will once again be running against incumbent Ferragine. You may have seen Chudary's large blue signs across the ward already, including his largest one standing outside his campaign office on 10th Sideroad. He says he has to get the largest signs possible in order for the rural residents of the ward to see them.
The pillars of his campaign come from the feedback he has heard from residents while door-knocking.
One of the main issues he hears from the ward residents is their lack of connection, due to their rural surroundings.
If elected, he hopes to implement 'Line BBQs', for residents living on each Line in the ward.
"We can meet each other," he said. "At least once a year, and that expense will come from my salary."
The key concern among constituents that he is hearing at the door, is the high tax rates in Bradford West Gwillimbury. Because most of the residents in Ward 5 are on septic and well systems, Chudary believes the residents deserve some form of relief from the town in the form of a tax credit.
If not feasible, "then at least give them a break for a couple of years and do not raise their taxes."
He would also like to see the residents of Bond Head receive sewage services at the "best possible price", as new development comes in. He would also like to see more fire stations added to his ward and an expansion of the transit system in the west and north end of town while preserving the ward's agricultural lands.
Since Bradford is considered the 'Soup and Salad Bowl of Ontario', known for its fresh produce in the Holland Marsh, Chudary would like to bring a food terminal to the employment lands.
"This will bring more opportunities for our farmers and more jobs," he said.
Traffic is another concern for all residents but speeding down open country roads has caused a major cause for concern among Ward 5 residents.
"Most people see the road is empty, there is no stop sign, people go 100, 120 km/h," he said. "We need more enforcement there, and somehow we need to control our speed on main roads, like 5th Sideroad, 10th Sideroad and Highway 27."
Many of the residents Chudary has spoken to, he says, are senior farmers who are concerned with the options available to them when it comes to downsizing. He says there needs to be more options for them other than high-rise building complexes.
"They prefer small, affordable bungalow complexes, where they have their buddies and someone to take care of their lawn and snowplowing," he said. "We are losing our seniors, they are going to other cities, like Barrie and Innisfil."
One project he would like to get off the ground is an official Bradford West Gwillimbury sign, at the Highway 400 and Simcoe Road 88 exit.
"Our town needs a Welcome sign at the entrance of Bradford on Highway 400 like Innisfil and Barrie," he said. "I will initiate and strongly urge the council to make necessary arrangements to install this welcome sign on Highway 400 and bring our town on the map."
Chudary has a passion for the town and giving back. He has been recognized for his community involvement over the years. He is the owner of Hero Burger in the West Park Plaza, and started the 'Community Meal' program where he provides a free meal to anyone in need, no questions asked.
"There are still four or five people who come in once a day," he said.
He was also the recipient of the town's Community Builder Civic Award in 2013 and is the founder of the annual Run for BWG which raises funds for local charities. He also formed the charity group, Community First, which helps new immigrants get established in the area.
"This community work makes me happy," he said.
"I am a strong believer of servant leadership, through servant leadership, we can build a strong sense of community and this is what we need," he said. "We need honest and sincere people in our communities."
To learn more about Chudary and his campaign, visit his website here.
Election week is Oct. 14-24.
