Two farmers from Cecil Lake are vying to fill the Area B Director position, left vacant when Jordan Kealy was elected to the BC Legislature as the MLA for Peace River North. Both candidates, Madeleine Lehmann and Reid Graham, believe they have what it takes to best represent the residents of Area B, the Peace River Regional District’s largest rural area.
Madeleine Lehmann:
With six years of experience at representing residents at a local level, serving as the Area 1 Trustee on School District 60’s Board of Education, Madeleine Lehmann has set her sights on becoming the next Area B director.
Lehmann had considered running for Area B director previously but decided to remain focussed on her trustee position on the school board, until this by-election opportunity came up.
Over the years, in addition to her more recent role as school board trustee, Lehmann has been involved in 4-H, part of the local church and the Cecil Lake Cemetery Committee. These connections that she’s made in throughout the rural communities help keep her apprised of people’s concerns.
“I think it helps people if they want to make a phone call, if they have an issue, it helps if they have a face they can put [to the name],” she said. “I’ve seen that on the school board. People are more likely to reach out to me, because they know me.”
As a producer – having run a 100-cow dairy operation with her husband for 20 years before converting to a cattle and grain operation in 2013 – Lehmann has first-hand knowledge of the challenges rural residents face, across the agriculture industry.
“I think I have a good pulse on what people are thinking, needing and wanting,” she said.
She spoke of the wet conditions in 2020 when a disaster was declared, and crops couldn’t be harvested. Last year’s drought had a different impact.
“Last year’s drought, where we were sitting wasn’t a big issue, but we’re connected enough that I know for other people it was a big issue.”
The main reason for Lehmann’s decision to put her name forward as a candidate is to “ensure that the rural perspectives are considered in regional planning and resource allocation. So often that voice can go under.”
Lehmann is committed to listening to and representing local voices and advocating on their behalf. As with her role as school board trustee, she says people can call or email her any time with their concerns or questions.
“That’s what my job is.”
Reid Graham:
Since September, Alternate Director Reid Graham has been filling the position on an interim basis until a by-election could be held. But now he, like Lehmann, has put his name forward as a candidate for Area B director.
As both a farmer and someone who works in the oil and gas industry, Graham believes he understands the challenges of remote and rural communities.
“We need farming. That’s one of the biggest assets we have in our region,” he said. “But let’s face it, industry pays for everything.”
“Farms don’t pay for swimming pools, and parks, and recreation, and grants, and scholarships and all that. That all comes from industry.”
Graham’s role as Alternate Director for Area B came about when Kealy approached him, seeing Graham as someone with a similar love for the region. Graham noted that people often complain about things that governments do, but it’s not often that people step up to do something about it. He saw the role as Alternate Director, and now Director as an opportunity for him to step up and do his part.
“Maybe I can do something and have my voice heard. It could give me a platform to argue for the stuff we want, and also for the stuff we don’t want for our area.”
He says being an alternate director has been an interesting learning experience. As an alternate, Graham only sat on three committees, but feels it’s given him a lot of insight into how the PRRD operates.
When the opportunity to run for the director position came up, Graham wasn’t sure he would run at first. It takes a lot of time, it’s a big commitment he says, but he believes that consistency and continuity in such positions is important.
He also said he had an overwhelming amount of support from residents asking him to run, which is what decided him.
“I’m not a career politician in any way. I’m just a guy that’s trying to do the best that I can for my region.”
Both candidates encourage everyone to get out and vote, and if anyone has any questions or concerns they’d like to discuss, their contact information is available on the PRRD website on the Area B By-Election page.
Advance voting opens February 12, says PRRD
The Peace River Regional District would like to remind voters of the Advance Voting opportunities that will take place on February 12 and 19.
Residents and property owners can for either of the two candidates. No pre-registration is required, but non-resident property owners should contact the Chief Elections Officer, Tyra Henderson in advance to ensure they have the required documentation.
Henderson can be reached at tyra.henderson@prrd.bc.ca or by phone at 250-784-3200.
Voters must bring two pieces of identification that prove both identity and residency, with at least one containing a signature.
Voting Dates and Locations:
Advance Voting | February 12 and 19, 2025
- Pomeroy Sport Centre, 8am to 8pm
General Voting Day | February 22, 2025
- Pomeroy Sport Centre, 8am to 8pm
Additional General Voting | February 22, 2025
*All locations are open 10am to 6pm
- Prespatou Elementary School
22113 Triad Road - Buick Creek Community Hall
15288 Rodeo Road - Cecil Lake Hall
4864 Cecil Lake Road - Montney Community Hall
12401 256 Road - Wonowon Elementary School
19211 Petrocan Subdivision - Clearview Arena
13772 223 Road
For more details about who may vote, what to bring to the voting place and how to request a mail ballot, visit the PRRD’s website at prrd.bc.ca/getoutandvote.
If you have further questions about the Area B By-Election, please contact the Chief Election Officer by email at tyra.henderson@prrd.bc.ca or call 250-784-3200.
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