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When Kelowna voters last cast their ballots, topping the polls among councillor candidates was Maxine DeHart.
DeHart has been on council for 11 years and now says she's ready for four more.
"I hope that voters will feel that I have done a good job," said DeHart, who continues to write a local column under the title, Straight from DeHart.
"I hope that they feel that I have listened to their concerns."
On top of her duties on council and writing a column, DeHart is also the marketing and sales director at the Ramada Hotel.
She credits her community service when asked why she would top the polls.
"I really listen," she adds.
"I might not be as polished. I am what I am."
She said that she takes deliberations seriously and does her homework but still she finds decision-making can be difficult.
"I'll tell you," she said. "Some decisions are gruelling."
In the end, she said she's guided by what appears to be the greater good.
"What's best for everyone. Not just this person or that person. What's good for the city as a whole."
DeHart said she's proud of what she and the rest of council has accomplished on the issue of homelessness.
"We've really tried. We've lobbied government," she said. "We've built a lot of housing."
As for the high-rises that have been popping up in Kelowna with more on the way, DeHart has mixed feelings.
"It's difficult for me," she said about the changes. "I've been in Kelowna all my life. I came here when I was 19."
But still, she has tended to support the developments.
"The more people we have downtown number one, the safer places are," she said.
"We have to do housing. We have to go up."
DeHart said council has to make sure people have housing.
The people get their say either by voting in advance or on voting day, October 15.
To check out all of the candidates, visit KelownaVotes 2022.
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