Photo by Gaston Stratford
Former Lennoxville mayor, Compton-Stead Member of Parliament and longtime community leader David Price receives the Médaille de la Députée from Geneviève Hébert, recognizing his decades of public service and contributions to the Lennoxville community.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

In recognition of his long-standing contributions to the Lennoxville community, David Price, former mayor and prominent political figure, was awarded the prestigious Médaille de la Députée by the MNA for Saint-François, Geneviève Hébert, on Sept. 13. Price’s decades of public service, at local and federal levels, as well as his deep involvement in various community organizations, were celebrated in a ceremony at the Old Lennoxville Golf Course that brought together local leaders and residents alike.

Price, who has been a fixture in the Lennoxville community for more than 50 years, described the moment as “different” for him, reflecting on how unusual it felt to be on the receiving end of an award. “I’m used to being the one handing out awards,” Price said in an interview shortly after the event. “It was a bit strange, but of course, it’s an honour. It’s always nice to be recognized for your work.”

Price’s career in public service began in 1989, when he was first elected as a councillor for Lennoxville. Four years later, he was elected mayor, serving from 1993 to 1997. His leadership was marked by his hands-on approach and dedication to the local community. “We didn’t even have a decent fire station back then,” Price recalled. “We got that built. And there was no community centre at the time either. We had to make do with schools and churches. We needed proper infrastructure, so we worked on that.”

Beyond his local work, Price also left his mark on federal politics. In 1997, he was elected as the MP for Compton-Stanstead and served until 2004. During his time in Ottawa, he acted as the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of National Defence and held roles as a spokesperson for both National Defence and Citizenship and Immigration. Despite his work at the national level, Price always maintained a deep connection to Lennoxville, a community he calls home. “Lennoxville has always been my base,” he said. “Even when I was in Ottawa, I kept my roots here. It’s a special place.”

His time in Lennoxville wasn’t solely focused on politics. Price was also heavily involved in numerous community organizations, including health-related foundations. He served as vice-chair of the Bishop’s University Corporation from 2004 to 2008 and, since 2018, has been the president of the Grace Village Care Foundation, which supports residents who cannot afford care at the facility. “Grace Village has been a big part of my life these last few years,” Price shared. “It’s a challenging job, but it’s rewarding. The work we do there matters to the residents and their families.”

Reflecting on his extensive volunteer work, Price noted that his community spirit was something he inherited from his parents. “My mom and dad were both big-time volunteers,” he said. “They were always organizing things and helping out. I guess it just rubbed off on me.”

Over the years, Price has played a key role in the development of Lennoxville, from working on infrastructure improvements to fostering the town’s close relationship with neighbouring Sherbrooke. “One of the things I’m most proud of is the work we did with Sherbrooke,” he said. “Instead of just being a user and paying rent, Lennoxville became part owners of key facilities, like the sewage treatment plant and the public transit system. We had a say in how things were run, and that was important to us.”

However, Price’s relationship with Sherbrooke wasn’t always smooth. The amalgamation of Lennoxville with Sherbrooke in 2002 is something he still regrets. “That wasn’t my favourite chapter,” he admitted. “We fought to keep our independence, but in the end, it didn’t go our way.” Despite this, Price’s dedication to Lennoxville has never wavered. Even after the merger, he continued to advocate for the community’s interests, serving as the borough president of Lennoxville from 2009 to 2017.

The recent award from Hébert is just the latest in a long line of recognitions for Price’s service. “It’s nice to be acknowledged,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s about the work. Lennoxville is home, and I’ll always do whatever I can to help.”

Three other individuals were honoured with the Médaille de la Députée. for their contributions to the broader Saint-François region. Sandra Côté, Diane Goyette, and Marco Leclerc were recognized alongside Price for their exemplary service in their respective communities.

Côté, known for her work in Brompton, was praised for her efforts to preserve local history and foster community engagement through projects like the journal “Ici Brompton” and the transformation of the Sainte-Praxède church into a multifunctional community space. Goyette, co-founder of the renowned Verger Le Gros Pierre in Compton, has made significant contributions to agrotourism in the region, while Leclerc has been a key figure in sports and cultural events in Fleurimont, including his leadership role in the Festival des Traditions du Monde.

In presenting the awards, Hébert emphasized the importance of community leaders like Price, Côté, Goyette, and Leclerc. “These are people who have dedicated their lives to making their communities better,” Hébert said in a recent release. “They are role models for the next generation.”

As for Price, while the accolades are appreciated, his focus remains on the future. “There’s still a lot of work to do,” he said. “Lennoxville will always be a part of me, and I’ll keep working for this community as long as I can.”