Councillor Paul Conlon Seeks Re-election

Paul Conlon. Photo submitted

As Vermilion prepares for its upcoming municipal election on October 20, Councillor Paul Conlon has announced that he is seeking re-election for a second term on town council. Conlon, who has served since 2021, says he is motivated by the progress made during his first term and the opportunity to continue building on that work over the next four years.

“When I first started, I had great aspirations and thought I could get everything done in one term,” said Conlon. “But I quickly learned from experienced councillors that it takes at least two terms to really make an impact. They were definitely correct. A second term is an action term as I now know what needs to be done, how local government works, the resources the town does and doesn’t have, and recurring issues that need to be looked at.”

During his first term, Conlon worked with fellow councillors to implement several initiatives he feels have positively impacted the community. Among them was the repaving levy, which replaced what he described as a disproportionate system of taxation on homeowners. “This $5 levy removed that disproportionate taxation, causing buyers to select houses without having different tax brackets just due to the pavement out front,” he explained.

Conlon also highlighted the sale of nearly all the town’s industrial land after lowering the price, which he says turned a long-standing financial burden into a future source of tax revenue and growth. He further pointed to improvements in communication and transparency between council, administration, and residents, and praised the hiring of Chief Administrative Officer Shannon Harrower. “She is everything that our residents have been asking for,” Conlon said. “Town council is now on the right track and will do great things in the future with such great leadership.”

Looking ahead, Conlon identified three top priorities if re-elected: upgrading the sewer trunk main, increasing available residential land, and pursuing paving projects where possible. “Without sewer, you don’t have a town,” he stated, calling the infrastructure upgrade his highest priority. He also emphasized the need to find shovel-ready land to meet housing demands and said paving projects, such as the airport and remaining gravel roads, would be addressed if funding allows.

Conlon acknowledged that his first term came with challenges, particularly in navigating information and decision-making as a new councillor. “I would not have believed everything I was told by administration and others at that time when I first started,” he reflected. “I have learned a united council has more power together and a fractured council is of no benefit to anyone.”

He also sees opportunities for growth in Vermilion over the next four years, noting that more families are seeking small-town life. “You can’t grow without land and a functioning sewer line so working on that is top priority,” Conlon said. With industrial land sales already showing promise, he expects additional business growth to follow.

Among the challenges the town faces, Conlon pointed to aging infrastructure and healthcare availability. He believes continued advocacy with provincial and federal governments is essential. “We can’t repair the sewer main without help,” he said. “Another issue is maintaining that this town has enough doctors, healthcare workers and ambulances at all times. Council as a whole must continue to pressure the government to improve our healthcare system.”

If re-elected, Conlon says he wants to ensure transparency and accessibility for residents. “I encourage all residents to come to our council meetings,” he said. “I want less in camera meetings when possible, more discussions in public, and make sure we are available online for the residents during our meetings that can’t come in person.”

Conlon also addressed voter disengagement, urging residents to seek information directly from council rather than relying on social media. “The Facebook rumour mill should never be a source of truth,” he said. “Council is put there for the public, talk to us!”

When asked how he keeps himself accountable, Conlon emphasized realism. “I don’t make promises I can’t keep,” he said. “I can have the best idea for the town, but I still have to convince six other councillors that I’m on the right track. I’ll always keep the town’s best interests at heart.”

Deeply rooted in the community, Conlon says his passion for Vermilion is what drives him to serve. “What’s not to love!? I grew up around this town, my family still lives here, and now I’m raising my own family here,” he said. “It shapes my work on council because I make every decision based on the knowledge that I’ll have to live with those decisions in this town.”

Ultimately, Conlon believes his dedication and track record make him a strong candidate for another term. “This is my home and I never want to harm my home,” he said. “My only objective is to see this town prosper, stay alive and keep its community spirit that has gotten us this far, as long as the voters let me have a say in the matter.”

And in his signature way, Conlon added: “Vermilion: It’s one ‘L’ of a town.”