The ballot for the Oct. 5 town byelection has its first name.
Benita Pedersen announced her candidacy last week to replace Sheila Foley, who resigned her seat prior to the Aug. 10 town council meeting.
As a local business owner and volunteer, Pedersen said she has what it takes to be a town councillor. She said she’s especially proud of volunteer work which includes working with the Westlock Light Up Committee, Alberta Health Services, the Westlock Intermunicipal Library Board and the Westlock Flying Club.
“I believe I’ve been serving this community in a number of ways over the past few years,” Pedersen said. “I’ve volunteered in a number of capacities.”
Pedersen ran in the 2013 municipal election and finished eighth with 538 votes — incumbent David Truckey locked up the final council seat with 662 votes, while Foley netted 665.
In that campaign 13 people ran for council seats while three, current mayor Ralph Leriger and former councillors Robin Brett and Marjorie Sterling Miller, ran for mayor. The next regular municipal election is slated for October 2017.
Pedersen said it was her involvement with the Pembina Toastmasters that readied her for a potential career in municipal politics.
“It’s within that club that I have developed my communication and leadership skills and what has helped me that I am ready to serve on town council,” she said.
Through owning her own DJ and entertainment business Pedersen says she has also been able to connect with the community.
“I’ve served as a DJ and entertainer for 18 years and with that business it’s also helped me serve the community in numerous ways,” she said.
“I love being able to use my business to help the community. Sometimes I charge a little bit, a portion of what the regular rate would be and sometimes it’s just purely volunteering.
“It’s just another way that I love to help out.”
Pedersen said the main reason she wants to join council is to continue helping the community.
“It’s just within me, part of who I am is loving to help out this area,” she explained. “Serving on town council, to me, is taking that helpfulness to the next level.
“My goal as a town councillor is to communicate with various members of the community … listening to their concerns, doing what I can to see those concerns are addressed, while being respectful of the role of a town councillor.”
Nomination Day is Sept. 2, while resident will cast their ballots Oct. 5.
