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.”
