MARRYING her love for local government is how Kaydian Harty has described her entry into representational politics.

Harty successfully contested the Claremont Division in St Ann South Eastern for the People’s National Party (PNP) in the February 26, 2024 Local Government Elections, polling 1,861 votes to the Jamaica Labour Party’s Sasha Lee who received 1,420.

Last Thursday Harty was sworn in at the first meeting of the St Ann Municipal Corporation since the elections, and the smile on her face indicated not just her pride but her eagerness to represent her constituents.

“For the people who have known me since I was a child, this may have seemed like a natural progression/transition, so when I saw the opportunity to enter representational politics I decided to marry my love for local government and leadership with my loyalty and love to the People’s National Party,” the first-time councillor told the Jamaica Observer.

“I am still at a point where I am transitioning from being a private citizen to a politician. It is something I am, however, very proud of, having a deep appreciation for the journey that got me here. I can truly say that everything that has happened in my life, personally and professionally, had to have happened in preparation for this role. I feel truly blessed to have been given this opportunity and will work tirelessly for the people that have placed me here,” she stated.

One of her immediate targets, she said, is access to a reliable supply of water .

“I have become increasingly passionate, since I started campaigning, about the commodity of water — access to it and the distribution of it across my division. I intend on making strident representation to ensure that in my political term there is vast improvement in the access to and distribution of water to the residents,” Harty vowed.

“Improving the parochial road network across the division is also high on my agenda. Putting the obvious aesthetics aside, it promotes and is the foundation for a thriving community economy. People are deserving of proper infrastructure,” she told the Observer.

Citizen participation, she said, will also get special focus during her tenure.

“This is something I intend on utilising heavily in leading the Claremont Division. Citizens must know and understand that they have a very important role to play in the development of their communities — and must be encouraged to do so,” Harty explained

Before entering politics Harty was the public relations officer at St Ann Municipal Corporation, up until October last year.

Before that she dabbled in journalism as a writer for the Jamaica Observer TeenAge magazine, an experience that she said was integral in moulding her communication skills, which she has been able to use in her political career.

“Serving as a writer for the Observer helped greatly to hone my communication skills and has augured well for me. The exposure also was good; I still remember screaming when my picture and name were published beside my first story,” said Harty who has a first degree in media and communication with a major in public relations.

Transitioning to politics, she said, was no easy feat, but being at a place where she can now reflect on her political success is rewarding.

“Representational politics is a very difficult journey. Not only was I a newcomer to politics but I am a young woman, a young mother also, with other professional pursuits and personal responsibilities. “Campaigning consumed me for five months. I believe other aspects of my life suffered somewhat but did not completely fall apart. It was that gruelling,” she told the Observer.

Harty is grateful to her family and the people in her division for their love, support and dedication, describing it as “quite overwhelming”.

“I am forever humbled by their level of acceptance and confidence vested in my ability to be their councillor,” she said. “It is something I will never take for granted.”