In the 30+ years Betty has lived in Taylor, there have been many changes to both the look and feel of the community. Even with having moved here during the ‘bust’, it didn’t take her long to discover the gem that is Taylor, and she knew she had found home. Larry and Betty were married right here in Taylor and their daughter, Jodie, was born and raised here. Betty has worked as a Temp at the Taylor Post Office for over 20 years and as a Temp at the BCGEU office in Fort St. John for over 10 years. Over the years, she has been a volunteer or Board member for various non-profit organizations in Taylor, from parent and school, to community concern, to youth sports. She enjoys the camaraderie, teamwork and challenges of community organizations and events. She volunteers regularly for a variety of community events, and since 2005 has thoroughly enjoyed her years on Council. She compares it to the challenge of building a puzzle, where there are many pieces to try to fit together to complete a picture. In her spare time, she enjoys local live music, reading, scrapbooking & time with friends. She loves the practice and art of Tai Chi, having taken instruction on a number of forms from Beginner to Advanced levels for 10+ years. She is thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of many things that are enhancing our community, knowing Taylor IS the place to be!

Contact: BPonto@districtoftaylor.com

Michelle Turnbull moved to Taylor in May of 2008 from Fort St John, with her husband Darcy. The couple has one son, Trip, who attends Taylor Elementary School. Since living in Taylor, Michelle has come to love the community on a whole other level and became involved in many community programs solely because of the incredible spirit and support of the local community.
Michelle’s family all golf, curl, like to take in the river, camp, pickleball and many other activities that really make our community great. Trip has played hockey with Taylor Minor Hockey since he was 5 and continues to want to stay here and play. Michelle wanted to give back to my community, and that is why she decided to run for a position on Council in 2018. Since being on Council, she has been tasked with the position of Vice-Chair for the Recreation Committee and Public Works Committee as well as the Chair for the Protection Committee. She is also involved with the Resource Municipalities Coalition as well as Alternate Director for the Peace River Regional District. The amount of knowledge she is gaining is irreplaceable and very much welcome! Michelle’s goal is to push Taylor forward to be even better than ever – the residents are truly at the core of our awesome community.

Contact: MTurnbull@districtoftaylor.com

Desirae Graziano was born in Dawson Creek in 1985 and grew up in Williams Lake, BC. For most of her life she longed to return to Northern BC, despite not having much recollection North of Prince George. After school, at the age of 18, she made the move to Fort Nelson. Without knowing a single person, and with only her backpack and a fresh OFA 3 certification, she made her way north. Fort Nelson was where Desirae would encounter career opportunities and experiences that helped her discover who she was and what she wanted to be doing. In 2005 Desirae met the man who would turn out to be her spouse, Rick.

In 2007 Desirae and her husband made the decision to leave Fort Nelson and move 4 hours South, to Fort St John. After a brief stay there, they purchased their first home in Taylor. Shortly after moving into their new home, they welcomed their first son. They worked, camped, enjoyed where they were at in life, truly making Taylor their home. In the summer of 2012, they welcomed their second son. Both children attended Taylor Elementary School from kindergarten through to grade six. Their sons were highly involved with school sports, hockey, golf and outdoor activities. In March of 2014, Desirae and Rick built a new home in Deer Run Estates Subdivision to where they continue to live now.

Desirae aims to remain involved within the community, volunteering for a few different groups, including minor hockey. She and her family enjoy Taylor for the small town feel and camaraderie of the people in the community. Desirae feels Taylor gives her children access to wide open space that allow them to enjoy being kids, all while being close to the amenities needed in everyday life. She believes the only way to make anything better is to jump in, be involved, work hard and to put a persons heart and soul into whatever it is that they are doing.
Desirae has chosen to be a part of the community that helped raise her boys and establish her family’s roots. Their family strongly believes that neighbor’s matter and that giving back is important. Desirae was humbled to be elected as a member of District of Taylor’s Council and is proud to hold the position. She looks forward to serving her community while being honest, maintaining integrity and utilizing her strong work ethic.

Contact: DGraziano@districtoftaylor.com

Murray Giesbrecht has lived in Taylor for most of his life. He and his two sisters moved to Taylor from Swift Current, Saskatchewan with their parents in 1965 when he was 8 months old. Murray’s grandmother ran a successful truck stop family restaurant and boarding house in Taylor called Irene’s Café for many, many years.
Murray attended school at Taylor Elementary School and graduated from North Peace Secondary School in Fort St John. His very first job was with the District of Taylor as a kid’s camp instructor assistant at the age of 14. He worked several different jobs over the years, gaining a variety of skills and experience. He obtained his 4th class power engineers’ certificate in 1992 through the Northern Lights College in Fort St. John. After a short stint working on a service rig in Alberta, he found himself working back in Taylor, building the new arena. Upon the completion of the arena, Murray once again worked for the District of Taylor as the District of Taylor Facility Maintenance Technician for a few years.
In 1995, Murray was hired a gas plant operator at McMahon Gas Plant in Taylor where he still works almost 3 decades later. Murray and his family were always heavily involved with the community over the years. His father, Peter Giesbrecht, worked for the District as the Recreation Director and his mother, Irene Giesbrecht, catered banquets, ran concessions at the Community Hall, and Curling Rink, and she also operated a mobile concession catering business for local events.
Murray raised his two children, Jaydan and Shayla, in Taylor. He has always been heavily involved with the Taylor Curling Club and enjoys several outdoor activities including dirt biking and river boating. He has seen a lot of changes in Taylor over the years but the one thing that hasn’t changed is the small town feeling that keeps him attending, participating, and supporting community clubs and events. Murray’s father sat on Taylor’s town council for one term and would be proud to see his son follow in his footsteps. He is always helping people in the community, from ploughing snow to fixing furnaces. He’s just a phone call away.

Contact: MGiesbrecht@districtoftaylor.com