New face in politics ready to lead Lake Country

Mayor
- Elected
  - MaryEllen Buhler – 1,441 votes (34.1%)
- Not Elected
  - Priscila Brunetto – 1,429 votes (33.9%)
  - Blair Ireland (incumbent) – 1,339 votes (31.7%)
Council
- Elected
  - Michael Lewis, (incumbent) – 2,178 votes (At-Large,)
  - Bib Patel (incumbent) – 2,167 votes (At-Large)
  - Heather Irvine (incumbent) – 1,045 votes (Winfield)
  - Tricia Brett (incumbent) – 754 votes (Okanagan Centre)
  - Todd McKenzie (incumbent) – 398 votes (Oyama)
  - Ian Scromeda – 110 votes (Carr’s Landing)
- Not Elected
  - Tyler Kraushar – 2,119 votes (At-Large)
  - Rodi Gorrell – 846 votes (At-Large)
  - Lynn Bursaw – 824 votes (Winfield)
  - Tony White – 405 votes (Okanagan Centre)
  - Kristi Reich – 377 votes (Winfield)
  - Jeff Schall – 97 votes (Carr’s Landing)
  - Kent J. Johnson – 92 votes (Oyama)

Buhler told Vernon Matters that Ireland “put up a great campaign” and that “his 12 years of service to Lake Country is admirable.” She also noted it was a close election, but ensured people she would be a voice for all Lake Country citizens, not just those who voted for her.

With five incumbent Councillors re-elected, Buhler said she would be leaning on them a bit to learn the ropes and get familiarized with the role in local politics.

Once that’s completed, the Mayor-Elect said she wants to get to work serving the public.

“I think a good look at the financials is on the top of the list. Getting access to all of it will be great so I can get an idea as to where we are and how we’re going to get to where we need to be,” Buhler said, noting she does have a background in managing budgets from her previous career.

“I obviously want to continue the work the previous council has done. [Strengthening water availability], getting that done and hopefully continuing the grant work because we need a water treatment facility. Fire mitigation is going to be huge again for us, going through these past four years I know there was work done on the Aberdeen Plateau and I’d like to continue that because safe drinking water is essential, and making sure the fire mitigation continues around there to protect that is of the utmost importance.”

Buhler added transparency and communication would also be a key focus for her once in office.

“By transparency I mean connecting with people,” she explained.

“Really bringing in the idea that we’re there to serve the people of Lake Country, and that means listening to being available to the people of Lake Country.”

Outgoing Mayor Ireland served as Chair of the Okanagan Basin Water Board while in office, and while Buhler did not fully commit to replacing him in that position she did say it was possible she would join that agency.

The municipal election was running when a snap provincial election was called, with votes going to polls to elect their MLAs October 24, one week after voting for their municipal representatives.

Buhler said the provincial election added another layer to the local campaigning, turning the focus from just the municipal priorities to also having to differentiate between what falls under the purview of the two separate levels of government.

“I think there was a little bit of voter confusion, but luckily getting out in the community you get to correct that, but it definitely took a spotlight away for some of the municipal election,” Buhler said.

“Would I have preferred it to have not happened this way? Sure.”

Results of the 2026 local general election were preliminary as of time of publication.

by Liam Verster

New face in politics ready to lead Lake Country

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