A St. Albert business owner and Rock'n August and St. Albert Cruisers Car Club board member has put her name in the council race for October.
Born and raised in Edmonton, Kery Samardzija has lived in St. Albert with her husband and daughter for six years. She said she's running for council because she felt there was a need for responsible representation for St. Albert's community members.
"I have been really propelled, I've worked within these charitable organizations, and encouraged and told that this is something that they could really see me fitting into," Samardzija said. "Hearing what the needs are for our vulnerable members of our community — I really feel that I can continue to bring that forward."
She added that she feels her volunteer work with various organizations is similar to the work that is expected from councillors.
"I really look forward to being able to listen and take those ideas and take those concerns to city council and the next mayor, whomever that may be," she said.
Her work with charity began when her daughter was diagnosed as a type one diabetic when she was two years old. She was a volunteer with Rock'n August, and said that the community just "spoke to her." She added that since moving here, she's felt welcomed by the city, driving her desire to give back in a government position.
"My daughter had faced some challenges in the Edmonton education system, and St. Albert was just so welcoming and so encouraging and embraced what we were looking for at that time," she said, adding that seeing how the community rallied together during COVID was "heartwarming."
"We had people in the community who would paint stones and leave them in various locations in the neighbourhood. And when we could go out and walk safely, we loved finding those things that really connected us to the community and getting to know my neighbours. I never felt that in a larger city," she said.
She's also the owner of Moss Woodlands Art and Design, mostly creating clothing, accessories, and hand-painted items. One issue she said that is important to her is promoting responsible development.
"We are an ever-growing city of course and it is necessary to continue for the sake of our economy, but also responsibly respecting the nature and the resources that we have around us," she said. She has a passion for nature photography, and hopes to help protect local populations.
She also hopes to help continue to grow St. Albert's economy without "having to increase property taxes to an exorbitant level."
"Those are things we see with bigger cities, there's always a challenge there," she said. "For me, it's really being collaborative and having a working team where we can find where we can save."
She added that if elected, she's excited to truly see the inner workings of city council.
"I'm looking forward to doing the research and the work that it's going to take to bring some positive changes and growth to our city and to really represent us to the best of my ability."
