I am Dena Comley, a long-time Carleton Place resident, small business owner, mum of three, and lifelong environmentalist. I’ve lived, worked, and raised my family here since 2006, and I’m deeply invested in the long-term health and wellbeing of our community.

My formal training is in environmental and geotechnical engineering, where I learned to read plans and reports, interpret provincial standards, and understand how infrastructure projects are planned and built. For the past term on council, that technical background has helped me ask better questions, understand the trade-offs in front of us, and make informed decisions about growth, infrastructure, and land use.

Beginning well before my council work, I spent many years involved with local not‑for‑profits, committees of council, and business and environmental boards. I’ve chaired the Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA), the Carleton Place Youth Centre, and the Environmental Advisory Committee, and served on the boards of the Urban Forest Committee and the Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, I’ve represented Carleton Place with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority and on the Lanark County OPP Detachment Board. These roles have strengthened my understanding of climate realities, public safety, local business needs, and the importance of strong partnerships across the region.

Outside of council and business, you’ll most often find me in the garden, backcountry camping, or cooking and sharing good food with family and friends. Growing up on a beef farm taught me early about hard work, stewardship of the land, and the value of community. Those lessons, combined with the daily experience of raising three kids who use our parks, trails, and facilities, ground every decision I make: practical, community-focused, and always with an eye to the future.

My goal is simple, to be the best councillor I can be, in order to ensure the future health and prosperity of the Town of Carleton Place and its residents.