Bridgewater Council Primary Candidate: Saad Toor

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater's preliminary election on June 8 has six candidates running for three open seats on the Township Council. Saad A. Toor, 29, is one of three Democratic candidates running.

Toor currently works as teacher, coach and advisor at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge and also as a Professor of Global Studies at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. He previously worked as an Instructor for Stanford University (BING) and Lecturer for University of Connecticut (OLLI).

Toor, who is single, has a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in Education from the University of Connecticut and an M.Sc. at Oxford University.

Saad A. Toor

Campaign website

www.OneBridgewater.Org

Why are you seeking to run for the township council?

My name is Saad A. Toor and I have been a Bridgewater resident since the summer of 2019. As a newcomer within the community, I sought to delve into being involved locally, beyond just being a registered voter. I believe sound American citizenship requires active engagement that goes past participating in elections via voting, a right that countless people sacrificed their life to give to me: A son of South Asian immigrants who was born and raised in Connecticut. I am fluent in the following four languages: English, Urdu / Hindi, and Punjabi. I do not believe in being a bystander nor holding sparse involvement in my community.

Our nation is facing growing pains in the 21 st century, and as a history educator I have come across many examples of the "othering" of peoples within the United States that target peoples of color. I decided to run for Township Council in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capital. This was an attack on the American democratic process of having a peaceful transfer of power and showed the divisions within our nation. I am also motivated to represent a diverse Bridgewater in the aftermath of seeing our country beset with hate crimes against the Asian American community and also the senseless killings of African Americans including George Floyd. I believe the Township Council in Bridgewater must be more representative of the community and
thus should reflect people of color, women, and bipartisan governance in which people of different backgrounds work collectively to foster cooperation. I envision "One Bridgewater" as this is also historically the land in which we all came together under one flag. I appreciate the local ties to the American Revolution as Washington's camp in Bridgewater hoisted the first U.S. flag.

I see teaching as a way of giving back and if I am elected, I intend to extend that beyond the classroom through embracing the role of Township Council member. As a certified teacher, I have taught across the mediums of international, public, and private schools at the secondary level. I have also had the opportunity to engage in teaching higher education that included being an instructor for Stanford University (BING Program) in the United Kingdom and as a lecturer for my alma mater, the University of Connecticut (OLLI program). I currently am engaged in teaching and coaching at the Pingry School in Bernards Township whilst also being an adjunct Professor at Sacred Heart University’s Department of Government and Politics.

How would you address the overdevelopment in Bridgewater?

Development in Bridgewater is controlled by the Master Plan and Land Use Ordinance, which the incumbent council members were part of putting in place. In fixing the mistakes made in the past, these politicians are part of the problem and cannot be part of the solution. The Township government must regain the trust of the public by opening up the Master Plan and Land Use ordinance to a new updating process including town hall meetings and surveys to obtain public input and feedback. This process must address not only what uses go where, but the infrastructure needed to support the homes and businesses that are already present in Bridgewater and any
future developments. We must not allow the mishandling of development projects such as occurred with the Center of Excellence and Al-Falah Mosque, which have cost the township millions of dollars in legal fees. This was mishandled so badly that this could cost our development in the future.

Roads are a major issue in town, how do you plan to tackle this?

Roads in New Jersey are difficult to maintain as a result of both our harsh winters and the volume of traffic. The current administration has demonstrated short-sightedness when it comes to road maintenance via the laying off employees of public works and outsourcing snow removal. Both decisions have caused the town to face difficulty in coping with pothole repairs and handling the storms of this past winter. The outsourced snow removal service had five of their six trucks break down this past winter, resulting in delays in clearing the snow. Ironically, instead of bringing back some of our public works employees, the council has awarded the snow contractors an additional $100,000. I believe in investing into the residents of the town and if elected will seek to bring snow
removal back in-house.

As a resident in Finderne, specifically, I am appalled to see the road conditions of East Main Street, Finderne Avenue, and Union Avenue. I was devastated to learn of the death of a pedestrian in the crosswalk at the intersection of Union and Finderne in March 2020. The Finderne Avenue intersection with East Main Street is also one in which there are lots of traffic accidents. Thus, I want to improve the public safety of both pedestrians and those who are commuting in such areas via seeking improved infrastructure. I'd also pursue making these areas more bicycle-friendly. I would look to apply for the DOT 1,000-mile bikeway grant to get a cycling lane on Union Ave. as this will be better for our environment while also promoting a healthier / active lifestyle. Such a route will further assist residents to get swifter access to and from Somerville.

What other issues do you feel must be tackled in town?

Our Township Council, including the incumbents, are not leading our community with a culture of inclusion, collaboration and service. As a Township Council member, I would do the following:

1. Create a community inclusion board made up of different races, cultures, and religious leaders that would go into the neighborhoods and develop connections among residents.
2. Ensure that the township police are following best practices regarding training, professional development, discipline, overall procedures and public disclosure of statistical and other information. Explore the creation of an independent and diverse civilian review board. While there have been no known problems in Bridgewater, these actions should be taken in every community, even if only as precautionary measures.
3. Minimize the outsourcing of our town jobs and bring back those who lost their jobs in 2020. I believe teaching and independent oversight is the best way to cultivate understanding, break down barriers, and have dialogue in an environment of respect. This will start bringing residents together regardless of political party. We deserve leaders who will promote "One Bridgewater."

What sets you apart from the incumbent Republicans?

Many issues such as better roads and smart development are what we are all fighting for, but I bring a fresh, diverse and worldwide view to Bridgewater through my life experiences.

As an undergraduate at the University of Connecticut, I had the opportunity to serve as a legislative intern for the President of the Connecticut State Senate, Don Williams, at the Connecticut General Assembly in the Spring of 2013. I learned the value of taking notes in public hearings, conducting constituent relations, and diving deep into legislative research. Whilst doing my second masters at Oxford University in England, I refined my qualitative proficiencies of engaging with people and voicing their perspectives in my writings. I seek to use these skills as a Township Council member in Bridgewater whilst putting constituent relations at the top of my agenda. I want to bring the concerns of the people to center stage and voice their perspectives. Our council should also allow residents more time than 120 seconds to share their opinions as I believe in the value of such insights as opposed to it being treated as a digression from the discussion among the council members.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?

Outside of work and writing for pleasure, I enjoy doing social work and was engaged in efforts across the state that incorporated participating at a soup kitchen in New Brunswick, Elijah's Promise. I also participated in a winter coat drive in Elizabeth whilst partnering with the local police, prosecutor's office, and ICNA Relief, a Somerset based non-profit. I have found great joy in giving back whether it was to reorganize the pantry for MLK day, engaging with the greater
community, and beyond. It is time to add diversity to our council and break up the favoritism within our town. Visit www.OneBridgewater.Org to join the campaign!

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