A local real estate agent and community member who has done work with the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce and St. Albert Food Bank has joined the race for city council.
Crystal Gossmann has lived in St. Albert with her husband for around 15 years. She said her husband has a St. Albert background, and she wants to help "play a meaningful role in shaping the city's future."
"I love this city, I love my community, I love my neighbours, and I want to bring fresh energy, practical ideas, and a strong sense of responsibility to the council table," Gossmann said. She said her passion for politics began in Grade 10 social studies.
"We were learning about the federal government and that just sparked something in me that I didn't even know was there," she said. "It was something about how decisions are made and how leadership impacts people. So, I've always imagined being part of that process."
After graduating university, she knew she wanted to help people and began working with the non profit organization e4c, where she worked as a director of Housing and Transition Support. Eventually, she found her way into the St. Albert Food Bank, which she said was a better fit because she was working in her own community. She also worked with the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce.
She said she's running on a platform primarily of supporting local businesses, while also keeping St. Albert vibrant and safe. She pointed specifically at bringing in "more diverse business."
"I really want to focus on our business community and supporting them, and bringing in new businesses too," she said. "I just want everybody to be able to spend their money in St. Albert."
She added the work she did with the Chamber and how closely they worked with the city's economic development department gives her added experience and preparation for a potential role on council.
She currently works as a real estate agent, which she started in October 2024. She said although she's fairly new, her experience in that world gives her some insight into issues around housing.
"I understand housing issues, city planning and how to navigate policy and regulation with people's needs in mind," she said. In addition, she also wants to protect and "maintain the charm of St. Albert," she said, speaking fondly of its trail systems she said she and her family used to visit when she lived in northwest Edmonton.
"I love the green spaces and I don't want to change any of that," said Gossmann. "I would love to develop all of those things a little further in a way that still keeps St. Albert what it is. So, I'm passionate about responsible development and growing in a way that respects our environment, maintains our green spaces."
