Ron Paull to seek a 2nd term as Mayor of Quesnel

Incumbent Quesnel Mayor Ron Paull has publicly declared his intention to seek a 2nd term.  Reasons mentioned for a 2nd term including being Mayor of Quesnel during the City of Quesnel's centennial (100th) anniversary in 2028 ...

More here

He joins incumbent Mayors in Williams Lake (Surinderpal Rathor) and 100 Mile House (Maureen Pinkney) in seeking their own 2nd terms.  Wells Mayor Ed Coleman will not seek re-election in October of 2026 (after being elected in a Wells Mayoral by-election of February of 2022 and subsequently re-elected by acclamation in October of 2022)  

The 4 District of Wells Councillors; the 6 City of Quesnel Councillors; the 4 District of 100 Mile House Councillors, Cariboo RD Directors for Electoral Areas A,B,C,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L nor have School Trustees in School Districts #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) or School District #28 (Quesnel) have not made public statements (local or social media) on their intentions for the local general elections in October 2026 

Williams Lake Councillors Joan Flaspohler and Jazmyn Lyons have announced on their social media channels that they will not seek re-election in October of 2026 while I have announced my plan to seek a 4th term as the Cariboo Regional District Electoral Area "D" Director 

Former Cariboo RD Area "B" Director from 2011-2014 Heloise Dixon-Warren has announced on social media her full intention to run for the Cariboo RD Area "B" Director position in October of 2026

No other challengers for Mayor, Councillors, Electoral Area Directors or School Trustees in the Cariboo-Chilcotin have made public announcements' (local or social media) in respect of the local general elections in October of 2026

Nomination packages for all locally elected positions (Mayor, Councillor, Electoral Area Director, School Trustee) are expected to be available for pickup in the first half of August 2026 with the formal nomination period being September 1-11, 2026 and General Voting Day for BC Local Governments' being Saturday, October 17, 2026... 

Finally: people can monitor nominations from September 1-11, 2026 in "real-time" through CivicInfo BC's "BC Local Elections" portal at https://localelections.ca/candidates/index_m.html

Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull tries a 4th time to become Mayor of Quesnel

Yesterday - veteran Quesnel City Councillor Ron Paull announced that he would be seeking the position of Mayor of Quesnel in October's Local General Election in the City of Quesnel and spoke to the Quesnel Cariboo Observer - click here

This would be Councillor Paull's 4th try to become Mayor of Quesnel.  The last attempt was in 2011 in a 3 way race between former Quesnel City Councillor Ron Craigmyle and then-Quesnel Mayor (and current Cariboo Regional District Area "A" Director) Mary Sjostrom with the final vote count being:

* Mary Sjostrom - 1,057 votes

* Ron Paull - 955

* Ron Craigmyle - 831

Councillor Paull has told the Quesnel Cariboo Observer that he will announce his Mayoral platform in the days to come

Just like in the 3 Way Williams Lake Mayoral Race -- I would reasonably expect that the following topics will be raised during the Quesnel Mayoral Race:

* Relationships - both internally (community at large, service clubs, etc.) and externally (First Nations, Other Levels of Government - Regional, Provincial and Federal, sectoral groups, etc.)

* Housing - all types (social, affordable, market driven)

* Healthcare - Infrastructure and Human Resources

* State of Local Infrastructure - Water, Sewer, Sidewalks, Roads, etc. (both current and look to the future)

* Replacement of the Quesnel Pool, following rejection of a similar plan in mid 2020 via referendum and is approaching 40 years old+

* Community Safety 

Both Ron Paull and Brian Waters have both announced publicly and filed their nomination papers with the City of Quesnel's Chief Election Officer

Current Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson announced back in January 2022 his intention to seek a 3rd term - click here but he has not yet filed his nomination paperwork with the City of Quesnel's Chief Election Officer but is currently expected to do so 

The deadline to file nomination papers with the local Chief Election Officer or their Deputy to run for Mayor, Councillor, Area Director or School Trustee is this Friday at 4pm!

~SF

Quesnel Seniors' Protest today...

Later today - Quesnel seniors' will protest the lack of seniors' services in Rural BC and specfically in Quesnel.  Former Quesnel City Councillor Ron Paull is interviewed by CKPG on this subject

View the video here

Live Chat with Ron Paull

Good morning to those in Quesnel...:

Quesnel Mayoralty Candidate Ron Paull will be hosting a live chat on Facebook tonight at 7:30pm...

To get in on it, you may post a question at the following locations:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RonPaullQuesnel?sk=wall
Website - http://www.ronpaull.ca
Twitter - @RonPaullQuesnel
Phone - 250-992-8994

Quesnel Mayoral Candidates interviewed on CBC Daybreak North

Yesterday, Quesnel Mayoral Candidates Mary Sjostrom, Ron Paull, and Ron Craigmyle were interviewed by CBC Daybreak North co-host (Prince Rupert) Carolina de Ryk

You can listen to the interview here

Ron Paull on Local Elections and Remembrance Day

In a well done video - Ron Paull (Quesnel Mayoral Candidate) explains why he is (and he speaks for me in this case) taking time away from the local election race for Remembrance Day

SBF

Ron Paull explains Plan 'B' for the North Cariboo Multi-Centre

From the Ron Paull for Mayor website:

Quesnel mayoral candidate Ron Paull, in his commitment to comment on issues in the November 19 civic elections, has released his position statement on the proposed Multi Centre. Paull said that in the last two elections, this was a major plank in his platform, as it is today. He noted he and wife Pat Morton held season tickets for Quesnel Millionaires hockey and now for the Kangaroos. They are also season ticket holders at Theatre Northwest in Prince George, but would prefer to stay home for their live theatre fixes. Paull was also a founding member of the Quesnel Theatre Action Group. “Under my leadership, the Multi Centre will be higher priority than before. We have just two years left in our five-year window from the ‘08 referendum. Let’s get moving!”


He informed the October 27th all candidates’ forum that following approval of the 2008 Multi Centre referendum, he attempted to continue momentum generated by the referendum to raise seed money to lever major funds from senior governments and others. “I was politely reminded by the mayor to stay out of it… that was her job, not mine,” Paull said. “Now three years later, the Multi Centre fund raising committee was hastily thrown together just weeks ago… to hire a fund raising consultant with a budget of over $100,000… just in time for the election. At the last Joint Planning Committee meeting, I moved to delay that decision until the new Council was sworn in, but was defeated. In my frustration over the thought of yet another consultant, I came up with an idea that the fund raising committee could gather pledges for every goal the ‘Roos scored on home ice in the regular season.” Paull also informed fund raising committee chair Eric Wickham of his idea. “I said I would throw in $20 for each goal, not expecting the Roos to score a total of 21 goals on home ice over the past weekend alone! In hindsight, maybe I should have put a cap on it… but I’ll suck it up and donate my $420, when they get their fund raising plan organized. The ‘Roos think this is a great idea and are doing their job by racking up the goals; we just need to capitalize on it.” Paull speculated that a reasonable goal for accumulated pledges could be $1000 or more per goal, which would have generated $21,000 for the multi centre last weekend alone. He said it’s not just about the money. “This would generate needed awareness and support for the project. We’ve been too quiet. We don’t even have a sign or banner in our old arena or anywhere else to promote the Multi Centre.” He said he would like to see fund raising ideas for the theatre as well. “We need to show potential large funders we are serious and the more seed money we have the more credibility and leverage we’ll have.”


Paull said he is being questioned by voters if there is a Plan “B”. “What if we don’t get all our funding, if the price goes up or, heaven forbid, if we lose another mill… then what?” Paull asked. “The current mayor doesn’t want to talk contingency, but we should.” Upon being questioned about his ideas at the forum, he replied that he has done his research, but would like to discuss it with his colleagues, once elected. “I’m a consensus builder, and want to hear opinions of the others, not wanting to push my ideas ahead of the discussion. I was the first to stick my neck out by saying that we may need to talk about contingency, and it wasn’t long before other candidates, except the mayor, were following suit.” Paull said. “Someone even suggested what I would call a plan “P” for “phasing” of the project, but I am not going there because it would be outside the mandate provided by the referendum.”


Paull said that he expects debate to continue on the Multi Centre issue at upcoming forums slated for 7PM November 3 at Dragon Gate Restaurant and 2PM, November 12 at the Legion. Paull invites voters to call him at 250 992 8994 or find him on Face Book with comments or suggestions.

Quesnel Council goes at it.....Again!

This morning - Quesnel Cariboo Observer reports that both Quesnel Councillors Ron Paull and Sushil Thapar take major exception to a recent City of Quesnel press release which praises Quesnel City Staff (read the full press release here)

See the article from the Observer here

I wonder if this will help or hurt either Mary Sjostrom's or Ron Paull's Mayoral bids or could it even give a boost to Ron Craigmyle's Mayoral bid by saying "Here we go again...elect me and I'll put an end to this "in-fighting" at Quesnel City Hall".  Time will tell though - although as I noted earlier...it's two weeks from today to the 1st Advance Vote and roughly 3 weeks to General Voting Day

Final Quesnel Mayoral Candidate online

Previously - I'd reported that both Mary Sjostrom/Ron Paull (Quesnel Mayoral candidates) have established an online presence.

Now, I can report that the 3rd and final Quesnel Mayoral candidate, Ron Craigmyle, has now established an online presence himself - see his Facebook page here

As well - you can read his campaign brochure here.
Finally - you can reach him, by traditional means: (from his campaign brochure)

Email - roncraigmyle@hotmail.com
Phone - 250-747-1235 

Ron Paull (Quesnel Mayoral Candidate) on Facebook, Twitter and website

Ron Paull (Quesnel Mayoral Candidate) has established an online presence as follows:

Twitter - @RonPaullQuesnel
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RonPaullQuesnel
Website - http://ronpaull.ca/wordpress/

Update - Ron Paull is now on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/RonPaullQuesnel

Voter Apathy & Mayors' Race

Today, Kamloops Daily News Managing Editor Mel Rothenburger (former Kamloops Mayor) takes on the issue of voter apathy & Peter Milobar (current Kamloops Mayor) being within 3 days of being acclaimed for an additional 3 year period (Dec 1st, 2011 - Nov 1st, 2014)  as Mayor of Kamloops

See here

While we'll see Mayor races in Quesnel, Williams Lake and 100 Mile House - it looks like whoever runs in Wells (so far) for Mayor could potentially be acclaimed on Friday afternoon (after 4pm) unless two or more people for Mayor of Wells by Friday.  As of Friday - Quesnel's Mayor race was looking like an acclamation as well.  Since this past Saturday and today - both current Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull & former Quesnel Councillor Ron Craigmyle (2005-2008) says that they both want to be Mayor of Quesnel

SBF

BREAKING NEWS - Former Quesnel Councillor Ron Craigmyle wants to be Mayor of Quesnel

From the Rush:

Former Quesnel Councillor (2005-2008) Ron Craigmyle says he wants to be Mayor.  In outlining his goals - he wants to get moving on issues like the West Quesnel Land Stability issue and others...

Mr. Craigmyle joins current Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom and current Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull in the race to be Mayor of Quesnel for the 2011-2014 term.

Deadline to file is 4pm on Friday

Mayoral Race in Quesnel

Yesterday, 3 term Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull decided that he would seek the Office of Mayor - City of Quesnel of which you can read his full press statement here

This Wednesday, there will be 5 weeks until the first Advance Vote on November 9th and Mr. Paull says he'll make his full platform known over this time period including statements on taxation, governance, air quality, economic development, sub regional recreation, the Multi Centre, seniors and youth, health care, freedom of information and sustainability.  You can re-read current Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom's re-election info here

Interesting comments on Mr. Paull on Mary Sjostrom being a "micro-manager".  I can honestly say that my friend Mary Sjostrom is not a micro-manager and I've met with her a number of times including this past July in the Mayor's office and she is truly a warm and caring Mayor and not the cold and "corporate" Mayor that Ron Paull describes her as

The dynamic of this race will be interesting to follow as Sushil Thapar and his supporters are very likely to try and push Mary Sjostrom out of the Mayor's office in Quesnel.   Will even Pat Morton (Ron Paull's partner) get involved with her supporters (note - she ran Quesnelnews.com in the last civic election in 2008)?

In my view - this is virtually a guarantee.  Ms. Morton has never been (and not likely to be) a fan of Mary Sjostrom and if she can - she try very hard to persuade as many voters' to defeat Mary Sjostrom's re-election bid...

Stay tuned as the road to Nov 19th in Quesnel could get rocky....

New Political Website in Quesnel

In the last few civic elections in Quesnel - if you wanted news on who was running and their records, you could visit QuesnelNews.com - see their website here.  This site was previously operated by Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull's partner, Pat Morton.  A cursory look at this website seems to suggest that this website will not play a role in this November's civic election in Quesnel

There is a newly established website by CRD Area 'C' resident Arthur Topham called Quesnel Cariboo Sentinel - view the website here.  From the look of things - it appears that this new website plus debate over on eQuesnel.com - view that website here, will be the places to go to get your political news in Quesnel for this November's civic elections in the North Cariboo

For the record - Arthur Topham, in addition to Quesnel resident Ron Campbell, has been part of the "team" that has publicly questioned Mary Sjostrom expenses as Quesnel Councillor (2006-2008) and Quesnel Mayor (2008-present) plus being the "cheerleader team" supporting Quesnel Councillor Sushil Thapar in his highly charged questioning of Mary Sjostrom and Quesnel Councillors Coralee Oakes, L-A Roodenburg about their spending habits in addition to publicly questioning the hiring of current Quesnel City Manager John Stecyk

SBF

Mary Sjostrom cleared in spending debacle in Quesnel

Recently - the City of Quesnel Auditor, currently Ron Rasmussen, who also is the Cariboo Regional District Auditor of record, was asked to look into allegations concerning cheques issued to Mary Sjostrom in her roles as City Councillor from 2006-2008 and Mayor from 2008-present

See below for the official response from Ron Rasmussen:

Now - that Mary Sjostrom has been officially cleared of allegations coming from Sushil Thapar - I hope that he will choose to move on to more topical matters, but sadly I know he won't because this is all about the civic election in Quesnel.  If he doesn't like how Mary Sjostrom has performed as Mayor (and for myself - she's done an excellent job) then he should do the honourable thing and run against her in November for the Quesnel Mayor's post.  This also applies to Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull, but sadly the both of them will not sum up the courage to do so, I'm afraid.  These gentlemen seem to find it easier to throw mud and be negative, rather than offer constructive criticism and provide positive solutions to the problems that face Quesnel

SBF

Quesnel Mayor under "siege"

With the municipal election in Quesnel now entering in the "critical" phase - it seems people who disagree with the job that Mary Sjostrom has done as the Mayor of Quesnel have decided to pull the gloves off

Two letters to the editor have been submitted to various media in which they continue the fight that Councillor Sushil Thapar has started including one from Mr. Thapar's colleague, Ron Paull

See the letter to the editor from Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull here
See the letter to the editor from Quesnel resident Ron Campbell here

See below for a video from a recent Quesnel Council meeting between Mayor Sjostrom and Quesnel Councillors Sushil Thapar and Ron Paull on her spending habits and I'll let you be the judge on who is right and who is wrong: