Bedwell and Hertz win PRSD byelection trustee seats
Prairie Rose School Division No. 8 Ward 1 voters have elected Oyen resident Lois Bedwell and New Brigden-area resident Lucille Hertz as new trustees to represent their interests on the school division’s board.
The closely fought byelection had four candidates running for the two vacant trustee positions. Hertz won 293 votes and Bedwell won 283. Candidates Daryl Yake and Jim Ness received 141 and 128 votes respectively.
The potential New Brigden School closure was one issue which defined the campaign, but also general concerns about depopulation and the vast distances needed for bus transport of students in the sparsely populated region surrounding local communities.
The campaign was also in some ways a competition between Oyen and New Brigden, as two candidates ran from each community for the four vacant positions. Voters in the end split the difference, sending one strong voice from each area to Dunmore to represent their interests.
Newly elected trustee Lois Bedwell told the News Thursday night after her win that she was eager to get to work to help all students in the area get the education they expect and deserve.
“I am excited and looking forward to a new challenge. I have a lot of experience (in politics), and I think I am ready for it. I have good feeling about what I am getting into and my passion is education and literacy; so it’s a good fit,” she said.
The News also attempted to contact newly elected trustee Lucille Hertz for comment but did not hear back from her before press time.
A total of 847 votes were cast in the Ward 1 byelection, which encompassed the communities of New Brigden, Blindloss, Acadia Valley and Oyen, and their surrounding areas. It was a significant voter turnout over the previous Ward 1 byelection in 2013, which had the only two candidates, Christie Dick and Patti Matchell, acclaimed.
The first major decision the newly elected trustees will have to make is on the potential closure of New Brigden School. A public meeting on the issue will be held in New Brigden on March 20, with the board vote to follow later on.