I am a wife, a mother, and someone who cares about the future of this community and the people who live here. My career has ranged from running multi-million-dollar operations with teams of up to 250 people to working in education and advocating for students.
I hold a BA in Adult Education and am completing graduate business studies. I believe that residents should have a real voice in the decisions that affect them. I’m running for Mayor because I’m running for Mayor because I believe in leadership that listens and responds to the people it serves.
Lake Country is growing, and with that growth come important decisions about affordability, roads, infrastructure, water, agriculture and the character of our community. Those decisions need to be responsible, well planned and grounded in what works for the people who live here.
I’m someone who listens, asks questions and believes accountability matters. My focus is on making sure Lake Country remains a place where people can afford to live, raise a family and stay rooted in the community they love.
What Buhler said at the Rogers tv panel. Each summary was written by AI and checked by a person. The quote under it is exact, and the link opens the video at that moment.
Asked And with that, we'll start with introductions. To the candidates, as a reminder, you have two minutes to present your introduction.
Summary MaryEllen Buhler says affordability was the loudest concern heard while knocking on doors. Buhler says taxes rose almost 40% over four years and calls that unsustainable. Buhler wants development in the right places that pays its fair share of ongoing costs.
Some development is necessary, of course, but we do need it in the right places, and that development needs to pay its fair share of the ongoing costs once it's done.
Asked Do you have any comments or observations relating to balancing growth the need to protect lake health, natural assets, and the environment.
Summary MaryEllen Buhler says growth and protecting the environment can both happen. Buhler says this means planning 5 to 20 years ahead and listening to experts with a critical ear. Buhler wants to protect the environment, stay true to Lake Country's nature and keep the lakes healthy for years to come.
if you plan appropriately, listen to the experts with critical ears and eyes understand that what you're doing is planning for 5, 10, 15, 20 years out and not in the moment
Asked Do you see a challenge in engaging Lake Country's youth today, and do you have any specific actions that you would suggest to improve youth involvement in the community?
Summary MaryEllen Buhler says youth have nowhere to go, no way to get there and few job chances. Buhler wants to ask youth what they need and let them guide the services offered. Buhler supports an outreach program with regular meetings, working with schools and the liaison officer.
I think that we need an outreach program that's dedicated to regular meetings, work with the high schools, work with the middle schools, and with the elementary schools
Asked What do you believe is the role of a councillor or a member of council in balancing expert advice, public opinion, and long-term planning?
Summary MaryEllen Buhler says council gives a lot of weight to staff advice, but the public's view is sometimes missing. Buhler says people met while door knocking do not feel heard. Buhler says a mayor is elected by the people, so their wishes should be the main filter for decisions.
I think you're elected by the people, and so that should really be your number one loudest filter is to look for what your people want from you.
Asked The next question, what do you see as the biggest challenge facing Lake Country over the next four years? What concepts or process or ideas do you bring to help address it?
Summary MaryEllen Buhler says affordability is the biggest challenge facing Lake Country. Buhler wants to review city hall spending to find savings and to plan for road costs that come with growth. Buhler says Lake Country should put needs before wants and choose practical over fancy.
I think we can also find money and the efficiencies in our city hall I think it starts with reviewing what we're spending why we're spending it
I bring experience from outside politics and a belief that residents should have a real voice in the decisions that affect them. I’m running for Mayor because I want to offer leadership that listens.
I’m running for Mayor because Lake Country is at an important point in its growth—and we need practical decisions that serve the community over the long term.
Asked Lake Country has experienced significant population growth in recent years, although the district’s own projections show that the rate of growth is expected to slow in coming years. Do you believe Lake Country is growing at an appropriate rate? If elected mayor, would you support slowing or limiting development if population growth begins to outpace infrastructure and municipal services?
I think we need to let some of the housing that has already been approved come online and see what that growth actually looks like before continuing to approve development at the same pace.
Asked Lake Country has experienced significant population growth in recent years, although the district’s own projections show that the rate of growth is expected to slow in coming years. Do you believe Lake Country is growing at an appropriate rate? If elected mayor, would you support slowing or limiting development if population growth begins to outpace infrastructure and municipal services?
Provincial housing policy can change, but the development approved here stays here. If our infrastructure and services are struggling to keep up, then yes, where Council has the ability to do so, I would support slowing the pace.
Asked What is your favourite interesting fact about Lake Country that you know?
To me, that really shows how important agriculture is here. As Lake Country grows, we need to protect that land and ensure farming continues to be viable.
Asked Lake Country has experienced significant population growth in recent years, although the district’s own projections show that the rate of growth is expected to slow in coming years. Do you believe Lake Country is growing at an appropriate rate? If elected mayor, would you support slowing or limiting development if population growth begins to outpace infrastructure and municipal services?
Growth comes with long-term costs. Roads, water, sewer, drainage, fire protection and other municipal services all have to keep up. We need to understand those costs and ensure residents are not left paying for growth that moved too quickly.
Set clear priorities for roads, water, sewer, drainage and municipal assets, with published timelines, funding strategies and measurable progress. Review the capital cost of every planned project to make sure it is practical and necessary — not fancy.
Asked How would you control municipal spending and keep commercial property taxes, business-licensing costs and other municipal fees affordable?
I also believe in strong long-term asset planning. Maintaining roads, water systems and other core infrastructure before they become emergencies is usually far less expensive than dealing with them after they fail.
Asked How would you control municipal spending and keep commercial property taxes, business-licensing costs and other municipal fees affordable?
That means regularly reviewing municipal services and staffing, comparing costs and service levels, eliminating duplication, using competitive procurement and requiring a clear business case before committing taxpayers to major new spending.
Asked How would you control municipal spending and keep commercial property taxes, business-licensing costs and other municipal fees affordable?
For me, affordability comes down to discipline: focus on core services, question new spending, plan ahead, look for grants and other funding before relying on taxation, and make sure residents and businesses are receiving value for what they pay.
Asked Traffic speed and pedestrian/driver safety are ongoing concerns in Lake Country, particularly along Highway 97 and at major intersections such as Beaver Lake Road, Berry Road and Oceola Road. Highway 97 is under provincial jurisdiction, so potential solutions would require cooperation with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit. What specific actions would you take as mayor to address excessive speeds and improve safety on Highway 97 and other roads in Lake Country? What changes could the district make, and what would you ask the provincial government to do?
For Highway 97 and other provincially controlled roads, I would keep working with the Province and ensure Lake Country’s problem areas stay on their radar.
Asked Traffic speed and pedestrian/driver safety are ongoing concerns in Lake Country, particularly along Highway 97 and at major intersections such as Beaver Lake Road, Berry Road and Oceola Road. Highway 97 is under provincial jurisdiction, so potential solutions would require cooperation with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit. What specific actions would you take as mayor to address excessive speeds and improve safety on Highway 97 and other roads in Lake Country? What changes could the district make, and what would you ask the provincial government to do?
For roads we control, we can do more ourselves. I would use traffic and collision data along with what residents are telling us to decide where attention is needed most.
Asked How would you address traffic congestion, parking limitations and transportation challenges affecting employees, customers and commercial deliveries?
For congestion, I support targeted intersection and traffic-flow improvements based on actual problem areas, along with continued advocacy to the Province where Highway 97 is involved.
Asked What specific changes would you support to make building permits, development applications, inspections and business approvals faster and more predictable?
I would also support appropriate delegation to staff for routine, compliant applications where legislation allows it, so straightforward files are not unnecessarily delayed by additional approval steps.
Asked What is your plan to attract new businesses and investment while also supporting established locally owned businesses?
I would support a strong business-retention and expansion program where the District, Chamber and local business community are regularly talking about what is working, where opportunities exist and what businesses need to stay, grow and invest here.
Asked Concerns have been raised to the district about the ability to attract and retain businesses in Lake Country. The district is moving ahead with a new business park. What would you do as mayor to help existing businesses stay and grow, while ensuring the new business park attracts the types of businesses that will benefit the community?
For the Business Park, I want to attract businesses that create local jobs and offer something that benefits the community.
Asked How should the District work with the Lake Country Chamber of Commerce and local businesses when developing policies, budgets and long-term economic plans?
The goal should be to involve businesses early, listen to their input, and show them exactly how their feedback is influencing decisions.
