Professional artist wins Hope council by-election in landslide
HOPE — A professional artist with 20 years of experience in marketing and commercial graphic design has won the council by-election in the District of Hope by a substantial margin.
Bonny Graham, whose art appears on the downtown and highway District of Hope banners as well as the newly installed welcome signs (“Ey kwese e’mi”) on the highway and suburb entrance ways, received 382 of 805 votes cast, or 47.4 per cent, according to results sent to Fraser Valley Today from Branden Morgan, chief election officer for the by-election.
The next closest candidate was Nate Brown, who garnered 171 votes, or 21.2 per cent.
Bon began her tourism path working at the Hope Tourist Centre in the 1980s and continues her passion for community dedication and prioritizing the area’s natural beauty. She maintains that commitment as a tourism and cultural experience coordinator with Stó:lō Tourism.
Graham was featured on CBC’s Still Standing for Indigenous tours and her art, and was most recently recognized for her phoenix design, custom created for the Hope Fire Departments 25th anniversary coin. In short, Graham loves her community in so many ways and wants to see it thrive and prosper.
“I believe we need to support our town and invest locally – in our youth, businesses, outdoors, sports groups and any aspect of what makes our town create opportunities to thrive,” Graham said. “Recognize and support the importance of our seniors facilities, access to programs, warming and cooling centres, safety, housing and community connections; as well as our most important resources and access to First Responders, Search and Rescue, Fire Department, Police and Hospital.”
Graham said she recognized the town’s social challenges and if elected, would work to hear Hope’s concerns and support viable long-range solutions.
“I recognize and support our generous hearts we share as a community and the united ongoing efforts and particularly in times of crisis,” Graham said.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Graham is deeply involved in the life of Hope. She’s a member of the Hope & District Arts Council which oversees the Art Gallery, along with Studios and Concerts in the Park. She is a Legion and Hope Garden Club member and a past Eagles board conductor. She also participates as a member of the District of Hope Accessibility Committee, overseeing the recognition of our towns mobility challenges and seeking solutions from bench placement to sidewalk access and improvements.
“I’m the wife of a local chef, mom of three and still reside in my family home,” Graham said. “I value what it means to be Hope local, our Brigade Days, Carving Competition, Concerts in the Park and valued community events that bring us together. I’ve been cheering on this town since the days of 70’s Mustangs basketball run and that home town heart is loyal and strong.”