Meet the Candidate: Yvonne Weinmeier (Reeve, County of St. Paul No. 19)

Yvonne Weinmeier has announced her candidacy for Reeve of the County of St. Paul No. 19, centring her campaign on accountability, transparency, and strong community values.

“I am not looking for a title,” Weinmeier said in a recent Lakeland Connect interview. “I’m looking for the trust of the county to ensure that we do the right thing as a council. I believe in character over credentials, and I care deeply about our county and want to provide strong leadership, transparency, and accountability. I am committed to building a cohesive community where families thrive, businesses succeed, and future generations are proud to call St. Paul home.”

Fiscal Responsibility

Weinmeier says one of her top priorities is managing tax dollars carefully.
“I will absolutely dig in deep. My plan is to go line by line through the financials, look for ways that we can save, and maybe reduce the tax burden on residents,” she explained.

Open & Accountable Leadership

Her campaign materials highlight “resourceful, analytical, and organized leadership — meetings with purpose, decisions with transparency.” Weinmeier says she wants to ensure that council decisions are made with clear processes and open communication with residents. Leadership is not about power — it’s about responsibility. True leaders listen, inspire, include, and act.

Infrastructure

Safe roads and reliable services remain a key issue. Weinmeier emphasizes the need for both maintaining existing infrastructure and planning for the future: “sustainable planning that supports an effective, productive, future-looking county.”

Community Safety

Crime reduction is another area of focus. “I have really struggled forward to try and get the Rural Crime Watch organization going again,” she said. “We can’t do it alone, so it’s a matter of getting different organizations together and collaborating.” She adds that reporting crime consistently is critical to securing resources for the region. We can’t just sit back and hope it changes — we must start somewhere and address it to the best of our ability.

Community Support

Weinmeier emphasizes her support for farmers, rural residents, and subdivisions alike. “Strong communities begin with your vote — and democracy thrives when we choose strong leaders,” her platform states. She says all taxpayers, whether on farms, acreages, or at lake lots, deserve equal attention and respect from council.

Growth, Housing & Workforce

Beyond immediate issues, Weinmeier says long-term development must balance housing and workforce needs. “I know that some businesses are struggling to find staff, and some of those staff are struggling to find housing in the community,” she said. She points to the importance of affordable living, seniors housing, and attracting professionals such as healthcare providers, educators, RCMP, and Crown prosecutors to the area. We must ensure that we have a healthy community that supports opportunities for youth and families to want to live here.

Cohesive Council Leadership

Weinmeier views healthy debate as essential. “Good disagreements are good for democracy as far as I’m concerned. It’s just a matter of building a cohesive team, making sure that everybody’s in the same mindset and that we all have the same focus for the future.”

A Call to Participate

Weinmeier is also encouraging residents to take part in the democratic process. “In the 2021 election, the voter turnout was right around 50%. That means half the county is deciding who makes decisions that affect all of our lives. I really encourage people to get out there and vote.”

Closing Discussion

Why vote for Yvonne? “Because I care, and I am ready. I bring ideas, passion, and commitment, and I understand the sacrifices this role requires. I want to build a better future for your grandchildren’s grandchildren — with integrity, professionalism, inclusion, and long-term vision. I will lead by example, listen, and work for the best interests of everyone in our community.”

Active Campaigning

Yvonne is looking forward to meeting with residents and having those great conversations. If you have any specific concerns or would like her viewpoint on something related to the County, please feel free to email or call.