3. Openness and Transparency in Government

Transparency should not begin when a vote is scheduled—it should begin when an idea first reaches the town.

For years, candidates and sitting members of Town Council have said they support transparency. It has been a common campaign promise in Blacksburg. But many residents still feel that decisions are too often made before the public has a meaningful opportunity to participate in the conversation.

During conversations I had with residents across our community, I have heard the same frustration repeatedly: people often feel they learn about important decisions after the direction has already been set. By the time they attend a public hearing and speak for three minutes, many feel that their input no longer matters and it will not affect the outcome.

That perception erodes trust in local government—and that is not the kind of local government Blacksburg deserves.

Even after the most recent mayoral election—one of the closest in our town’s history (if not the closest), separated by just 0.16%—leaders acknowledged that the message from voters was clear: the Town must listen more closely to its residents. Yet shortly afterward, when two Town Council vacancies needed to be filled, many citizens felt the process lacked transparency. Community members wrote letters, spoke directly to council members, and voiced concerns at meetings about how the appointments were being handled. Yet many felt the outcome had already been decided before the public discussion even began.

Moments like these reinforce residents' growing concern that decisions are made behind the scenes rather than through an open and inclusive process.

To be fair, there are encouraging signs. A newly elected council member has begun pushing for greater openness in discussions and decision-making. That effort matters —but one voice alone cannot create lasting change.

Blacksburg needs more leaders willing to insist on transparency and accountability.

What I Will Do

Transparency must be more than a campaign promise—it must be a consistent practice.

If elected, I will work to ensure that:

• Residents are informed early in the decision-making process, not after decisions are already underway

• Major proposals and supporting documents are easy for the public to access

• The data and reasoning behind council decisions are shared openly

• Public input is sought before positions are finalized

• Council discussion reflects genuine deliberation rather than predetermined outcomes

Leading by Example

In my professional work as a program manager, transparency and accountability are essential.

When managing large programs involving millions of dollars in funding and dozens of coordinated projects, every decision must be documented. Budgets, timelines, deliverables, and performance data are all tracked and shared with stakeholders so everyone understands what decisions were made, when they were made, and why.

That same level of openness should exist in local government.

Residents should be able to see the data behind decisions, understand the reasoning behind votes, and feel confident that their voices are part of the process.

Why It Matters

Trust is the foundation of effective local government.

When people understand how decisions are made—even when they disagree with the outcome—they are far more likely to trust the process and remain engaged in their community.

Blacksburg deserves leadership that does not just promise transparency, but practices it every day.