East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett didn't take long to fill the vacant position of constituency assistant at his office in Cranbrook, naming Jennifer Osmar the replacement for Courtney Margo.

Osmar, who has worked with Bennett on past election campaigns, was the obvious choice, according to Bennett.

"I was very much struck by her ability to cut to the chase in hopes of accomplishing our goals," explained Bennett. "She went ahead and always did the job she was asked to complete."

Osmar worked alongside Bennett as a volunteer during his last campaign, and the Liberal MLA said Osmar's rapport with the public set her apart.

"From what I saw, she got along with everyone, she has a great demeanour when dealing with the public," said Bennett.

According to Bennett, Osmar will be responsible for many tasks, including working with local constituents.

"Our office deals with a wide range of issues including problems with land subdivision and road closures," explained Bennett, "and Osmar will help deal with all these issues."

And dealing with the issues is exactly what Osmar hopes to do.

"What is fundamental is to listen to our constituents to determine what they want, what is at the heart of the issue, and I am here to do that," she said. "I like to serve."

Osmar moved, along with her family, two years ago from Calgary, where she was in real estate development. But her heart was always in the Kootenays and in Cranbrook. Osmar's family owned a hardware store for close to 10 years, Kodila Home Centre, and she would return each summer, leaving campus life at UBC for the thrills of selling tools and running the till.

And years later, while living in Calgary, Osmar and her husband would return as seasonal visitors, before eventually deciding to pick up and move to the region she cared for so much.

For the past two years Osmar has continued to work in real estate, where her passion for the region only further blossomed, along with her desire to give back.

"The reason I first volunteered was to help Mr. Bennett seek reelection, but I also wanted to contribute to this area," she explained. "When you are a member of a community, you volunteer."