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Candidate calling for better communication

Years of volunteer work has prompted a Black Diamond resident to take the next step in supporting his community.

Years of volunteer work has prompted a Black Diamond resident to take the next step in supporting his community.

“I’m running for mayor because I’ve been very involved in the community for the last almost four years and it’s just a natural step,” said Les Miller. “I think I can make a difference taking the right approach to running Black Diamond in partnership with the council and the staff and the citizens.”

Black Diamond will vote in a new mayor in an Aug. 22 municipal byelection to take up the position after former mayor Sharlene Brown resigned last spring when she became the Town’s chief administrative officer.

Miller is the chairman of the economic development committee, president of the Griffiths Senior Centre and a board member of the Black Diamond Gospel Chapel. He has also volunteered for the Black Diamond Parade and Oilfields Food Bank.

“I’m involved in many aspects of the community so I have a good perspective on the community from all different angles,” he said.

Miller worked in tourism for the city of Ottawa and operated large hotels and said he can contribute value as mayor.

“I have been in a position where I’ve been the senior staff reporting to the president of the board and I’ve been a volunteer chair of the board where the CAO was reporting to me,” he said. “I’ve been on both sides of that fence. I understand that process very well and how it should work.”

Miller has spent several weeks going door-to-door speaking with residents.

“What’s ringing out to me is a lot of people are saying, ‘I don’t have any concerns,’” he said. “It’s a great community and we are offering a lot to our citizens. I think that’s ringing very true and clear.”

Miller said many citizens feel there is a lack of communication from the Town.

The Town posts communication to residents on its website and social media, but Miller said more is needed.

“We have to look at the website, media, mail drop, we have to push it at them in every way we can,” he said.

Miller said the Town also needs an overall plan that is delivered in a format the public can understand.

“There is a right way and a wrong way to tackle all issues,” he said. “The right approach is council must ensure that everyone recognizes that the money the town spends is hard-earned taxpayer money and that everyone is accountable for spending tax dollars as if it were their own money.”

Miller said council must also ensure there are good policies with controls in place, which council should monitor in partnership with interested residents and stakeholder groups.

He added that operating expenditures and financial management policies should be open for full review and that there should be an open forum to discuss the budget.

Miller is also open to the Town soliciting ideas from municipal employees, stakeholder groups and citizens on various issues on a regular basis.

The byelection will be held in the basement of the municipal building Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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