Kellen Snelgrove Announces Candidacy For Vermilion Town Councillor

Kellen Snelgrove. Photo submitted

Lifelong Vermilion resident and active community volunteer, Kellen Snelgrove, has officially put his name forward as a candidate for Town Councillor in the upcoming municipal election.

Snelgrove said the decision to run was not one he took lightly. Although he had considered entering the last election, he chose to focus on serving on several boards, including the Vermilion Credit Union, the Vermilion Agricultural Society, and the Vermilion Golf and Country Club. This time, however, he felt compelled to step up.

I was disappointed by all the infighting that occurred over the last term, which ultimately left the town without a mayor,” said Snelgrove. “As the deadline approached, and with half of council not returning, I didn’t feel there were enough declared candidates to give Vermilion the electoral options it deserves. So, I decided to put my name forward.”

Snelgrove explained that his vision for Vermilion is simple yet meaningful: to create a town that we all can be proud to be from, but also to be proud to live in. Over the next five years, he hopes to see the town strengthen its fiscal health, expand residential development, and preserve the local airport.

Snelgrove doesn’t want to narrow it down to one major change he would like to accomplish if elected but rather said, “To often we get distracted by big ideas and projects, and we let the little things slip by. So instead of focusing on one major change, I would like to increase the focus and discipline of council to get the little things right, and start building back from there.”

He said that one of Vermilion’s biggest challenges is ensuring there is adequate infrastructure, particularly water and sewer capacity, to support new homes. With years of experience working in water and sewer construction when he worked through his family’s business, he believes he brings a valuable and informed perspective to council deliberations.

Snelgrove is very straight forward when it comes to the principles that would guide him in decision-making at the council table as he noted that it would be honesty and transparency. “Voters can be confident I’ll say the same things to their face as I do at council.” As well as, fiscal accountability, “residents of vermilion deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent.” He added that he will push for more open debates and fewer in-camera council decisions to build public trust.

Snelgrove says that electing six councillors and a mayor is meant to balance personal beliefs and that he has no intention of hiding his own beliefs or biases, but instead, he will be open about them so that other councillors know where he stands. “With that said, I’m in no way a dogmatic ideologue. I will always be receptive to strong arguments and evidence from fellow councillors or administration,” he said.

If elected, he intends to make himself accessible to residents both at formal events and in informal community spaces such as the golf course, curling rink, or fairgrounds. He also emphasized the importance of listening to those who don’t always speak up. “As a somewhat introverted person myself, I know how meaningful it is when someone who doesn’t usually share an opinion does so, and those voices deserve to be heard.”

When it comes to teamwork on council, Snelgrove believes in respectful but robust debate. His experience as a hockey referee, he said, has prepared him to remain calm under pressure and to handle disagreements consistently and fairly.

Snelgrove is particularly proud of the Vermilion Fair, which he calls the best in the province, and said he would encourage stronger cooperation between the Town and the Agricultural Society to ensure its continued success.

Ultimately, he measures his potential success as a councillor by the success of Vermilion itself. By the end of his term, he hopes residents will see a financially stable town with steady taxes, a airport that is still operational, and new homes under development.

“I bring both practical experience and academic training,” said Snelgrove, who holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta. “That combination allows me to approach challenges with common sense, but also with the ability to understand complex issues and work toward consensus-driven solutions.”

Aside from his professional career and education, Snelgrove has been working with his sister on The Barn on the Bend, a local venue designed to attract weddings and events to Vermilion. He sees it as one more way of contributing to the town’s growth and reputation.

With a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and community pride, Snelgrove said he looks forward to the opportunity to serve Vermilion on council.