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Response to Whitby This Weeks's Election Campaign Questionnaires: 1) Age: Born May 10, 1955 2) Occupation: Answer: I have worked with the Region of Durham for over 16 years. I currently work as an Employment Consultant and Co-facilitator for the Durham Region/Attorney General family violence prevention initiative (Partner Assault Response Program. I also privately consult on Human Rights related initiatives. I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Administration and a Master of Arts Degree in Social Sciences with emphasis on Social Policy Development. 3) Community involvement: Answer: I became active in the volunteer community shortly after my relocation to Whitby from Scarborough in 1990. I joined the Durham Community Legal Clinic Board of Director and served two terms on the Board as Director and Treasurer. I served briefly on the Durham District School Board Ethno-cultural Advisory Council and joined the Durham Region Community Development Council shortly after I left Durham District School Board Ethno-cultural Advisory Council. I was with the now Durham Region Community Development Council through their transition from Ajax-Pickering Community Development to now Durham Region Community Development Council. I also served as the Treasurer during my second term with the agency. I received community services award from the agency for my contribution during my consecutive terms with the agency. I was one of the founding and charter member of the Whitby Millennium Lions Club and the founding Newsletter Editor. The motto: �we Serve� was the driving rationale for my interest in the Lions� Club. I have been honoured with two consecutive president awards for my contribution to the service club and for my efforts in developing the clubs� newsletter. I joined the Durham Local Training Board in 2003 as the Equity Director responsible for Racial Minority initiatives. The mandate of the board is to work collaboratively with other community partners in promoting and facilitating the development of skilled, relevant, inclusive and adaptive labour force. I currently work with a consortium and stakeholders in community to establish Information and Resource centre for new Immigrants to Durham Region. I am also the Co-founder of Obosi Community Development Association whose mandate is to raise funds to revitalize, rebuild and provide �head-start� to elementary schools in West Africa. I mentor to at risk children and youths in Durham Region at-large. 4) Have you run for elected office before? Answer: No! However, I have worked behind the scene as a Political/Policy Advisor in Local, Provincial and Federal elections. I have admired the process up-close and from behind the scene until now. I also served as an Apprentice with a Municipal Council in the United States while I completed my undergraduate degree in Political Science at Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, USA. 5) If you are elected, but later choose to run for other political Offices, be they at the provincial or federal levels, would you step down from your councillor�s job to run for those positions? Why or why not? Answer: If elected I will dedicate my entire term in office working with the respective stakeholders and other community partners towards the challenges and potentials of our growing community. I will serve at the pleasure of the people of Ward-2 West and the entire Whitby. I will remain accountable to the people that I serve for the term I promised them. If elected my focus will be to complete my term of office with integrity, honesty and passion that will translate into result. 6)Where (what part of town) do you live? Answer: My family and I reside and have resided at number 300 Brookwood Blvd, Whitby, Ontario for over 16 years. We also own rental property within the area. 7) Principal reason why you are running? Answer: I believe that municipal government has a direct impact on our community and family life. For the past 17 years, I have volunteered and participated in our community development in many capacities. These involvements and participations have provided me with the opportunities to understand the challenges and potentials of our growing community. Municipal government needs a representative with integrity, one that listens to the opinion and can partner with all stakeholders on future initiatives I believe that local representatives must be accessible to their constituents. I recognize the need to be morally and fiscally responsible to the municipality as such , I am socially progressive and fiscally responsible. Since the decisions made by Council affect the community at its core, I like to see the council with a balanced and city-wide interests. I like to see an inclusive municipality that reduces barriers to access and equity, that creates a healthy, safe and an investment-friendly economy. Whitby needs councillors who can deliver services effectively and efficiently. I like to see responsible development. I like to see the residents more engaged in the neighbourhood problem-solving initiatives so they feel connected to their community. It is also a way people feel that they are building a better community to be passed on to their children. I like to see the council reinvest in Whitby's neighbourhoods and communities through social investments like expanding opportunities and engaging young people in all aspects of community life. I like to see the elected official provide clearer explanation to the tax payers on how, where and when their tax dollars are allocated and ensure that the allocation(s) meets the current and future needs of the community. Finally, I like to see more guarded review of current and future municipal planning. Whitby is growing and continues to grow, as such; I like to see full fledged hospital and needed hospital personnel lobbied into the community. 8) How long have you lived in the community? Answer: My family and I have lived in Whitby for approximately 17 years. I know the issues, concerns, problems and the potentials of our town. My family and I have been tenant, homeowner and land�lord in Whitby and through these experiences I developed valuable perspectives and insights into the needs expectations of residents like me. Back in 1989, when my family and I relocated to Whitby, the population was barely 70,000. Today we are closing in on 140, 000 people. While everyone applauds growth, it is also imperative that the population growth correlates with adjustments on the infrastructures. Sadly this has not been the case. If elected, I am committed to addressing the issues of managed growth in our community. 9. What do you like now about the way Whitby does business and what do you want to change? Answer: It is an established fact that the residents of Whitby have been fortunate to have been represented by a calibre of council so civic minded that they have raised the bar for potential aspirants to the position. I have made it clear to my current Ward Councillor, Mark McKinnon and my well wishers that had Mark opted to remain on council, I will find some other ways to continue to serve the community . Mark certainly is a big shoe to fill. Nevertheless, he is not running and I have kept abreast of his work habits, his accessibility, his team oriented approach to delicate policy initiatives and his professionalism. Mark certainly left a blueprint for his successor and for change. Change is good for democracy. Our community is on the verge of such growth and progress that one can�t help but believe that there is no better time to get involved in municipal politics than when the community is in transition and be part of the transition. It will be an honour to be part of the privileged to shape the future of our town for the benefit of us all. The Council certainly has earned the respect of the people it represents. If I were the successful candidate to replace Mark, I will bring my history of efficient, passion, team and result driven nature to the Council. 10. What will you do for your ward/city if elected (re-elected)? Answer: I will bring accessibility, integrity, honesty and passion that will translate into result. I will bring simple courtesy and respect for colleagues that translates into teamwork and I will bring over 16 years of experience in regional government, community development to keep the Council balanced. I will certainly work with the Council to ensure that the town of Whitby continues to attract and retain quality staff, industries and aspiring residents. It is very imperative to remember that the Council develops policy, but the execution remains with the town staff as such, I will work in concert with the Council to continue to not only respect but recognize the �top-of the line� town employees. My philosophy; when a person discovers why he/she is on earth, he/she will begin to make a difference in his/her life and the lives of others. Chudi Asidianya, Candidate for Ward -2 West Whitby Municipal Council |