RoxAnne Darling says Tay Valley Township needs to rebuild trust with residents, improve transparency and take a closer look at how tax dollars are spent.
Darling, who served on Tay Valley council from 2006 to 2022, is running for reeve after losing the position in the last municipal election.
Speaking with LanarkLeedsToday.ca, Darling said residents have continued reaching out to her with concerns during her four years away from council.
She believes more needs to be done to make local government accessible and accountable.
Darling wants fewer closed meetings, clearer communication and council meetings that are both livestreamed and recorded.
Affordability is another major concern.
Darling says residents are struggling with rising costs and expects municipal leaders to show the same care with public money that families use when shopping for groceries.
She supports asking residents to identify spending priorities before budget discussions begin.
Darling also wants more community working groups, with volunteers providing their recommendations directly to council rather than through senior staff.
She says the township has experienced residents who are willing to contribute their knowledge and time.
For Darling, the central issue is making sure those voices influence decisions at the council table.
Listen to the full interview below.
