After announcing he may run for Township mayor in the Oct. 20 municipal election, developer Eric Woodward has decided to campaign for a seat on council instead.

In a post made on his public Facebook page on Aug. 28, Woodward said that he had given 鈥渞eal consideration鈥� to running for mayor.

鈥淭he mayor has a platform to make real change that a councillor doesn鈥檛, not just in terms of policy, but our political culture too,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淏ut, as a councillor, I can still present and pursue new ideas and vision, and offer the leadership we need.鈥�

Woodward grew up in 91原创 and had a successful career in the emerging internet industry before turning his attention to development and revitalization in Fort 91原创. He owns a number of properties in the village and has served as president of the Fort 91原创 Business Improvement Association for the past five years.

Through his development work in Fort 91原创, Woodward has also come into conflict with the Township on a number of occasions. Most recently, he boarded up buildings after reaching an impasse with the municipality over several projects proposed for the core, including a boutique hotel.

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If elected, Woodward said there are some 鈥渂ig issues鈥� in the Township he鈥檇 like to address. He believes Brookswood has missing infrastructure and schools that is leading it to become 鈥渁nother version of Willoughby.鈥� He also believes Aldergrove needs 鈥渧ision and private investment鈥� and that Willoughby, particularly 208 Street, can be improved as well.

鈥淭hanks to everyone that has encouraged me these past few months to run,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淚 have heard again and again that we need someone with my experience, vision, commitment, and determination, not just words, to solve our community鈥檚 very real problems. I can鈥檛 just stand by and watch us continue as we are. I want to help. Let鈥檚 fix it.鈥�