Okotoks Town Councillor Tanya Thorn is looking to further represent the Town on a bigger stage.

She's running for a spot on the Board of Directors for the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association as a member of Towns South.

Thorn says it's a chance for Okotoks to have a better scope of what's happening province wide with all sizes of municipalities.

"We haven't had a seat at that table in a really long time, I think someone said it's been over 15 years," she says. "The other thing is with the change in our provincial government it's a great opportunity because it's another body that deals with the provincial government a lot to get an understanding of who our new government is and how they work and operate."

The AUMA represents cities, towns, villages and specialized municipalities driven to having strong relationships in all levels of government.

Thorn says if elected she would make an effort to see what other communities are doing to solve common problems.

"I also see it as another great opportunity for me to learn from some of my peer municipalities whether they be bigger or smaller, different things they're doing in their communities to handle different challenges. We all have a lot of the same similar challenges so it's nice to share information and be able have that direct conversation with people."

Thorn will be up against Councillor Tara McFadden with the Town of Cochrane and Coaldale Mayor Kim Craig.

She's looking foward to the chance to represent on the board.

"It's just a great opportunity for the Town of Okotoks to contribute on the provincial stage across from other municipalities and I really look forward having the opportunity to work with some of my peers so I hope I'm successful."

The AUMA election is Friday.

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