During a community forum held last week, mayoral candidates Rebecca Foord, Anthony Sernick, and Zacch Vandenhurk shared their perspectives on the importance of transparency and improving communication with residents.
Sernick emphasized that communication is often the biggest challenge in any organization, and local government is no exception. To address this, he proposed expanding communication channels by utilizing local media outlets to review council meetings and increasing the presence of social media. "Communication is always the problem in every organization I've been a part of," Sernick said.
Foord offered a broader view of transparency, describing it as a commitment to having open and honest conversations with residents, even when the answers may be difficult or incomplete. "Transparency means being clear with the community, whether through social media or other methods, and ensuring everyone stays informed," she said. Foord also emphasized the importance of hosting forums, open debates and encouraging attendance at council meetings. The goal, she said, is to make residents feel welcome to ask questions and engage with decision-makers.
"Transparency is about having honest conversations, even when the answers aren't easy, and ensuring our community feels heard and informed every step of the way," Foord added.
Vandenhurk echoed the sentiment on transparency, acknowledging that while some information must remain confidential due to legal or security reasons, he is dedicated to sharing as much as possible with the public. "I'm committed to being as transparent as I can, and I'll make every effort to keep you informed," Vandenhurrk said. He further emphasized his approachability, offering a listening ear to residents’ concerns. "I'm ready to listen to you guys. I'm ready to take on your concerns," he said.
The leaders agreed that improving communication and transparency is key to building stronger relationships between local government and the community. Their collective message was clear: they are committed to ensuring that residents feel heard and informed about what’s happening in their local government.