Paradise volunteer Sheldon Antle hopeful for seat on council

By Mark Squibb

Longtime volunteer Sheldon Antle is taking another crack at finding a seat on Paradise council.
“I know that a successful community depends on people putting themselves forward and trying to work for the betterment of the community, and I think this is the moment and this is the time that I can step up and be the voice for other people in council chambers,” said Antle.
The Deputy Registrar of Commercial Registration with the provincial government has lived in Paradise 14 years and with the support of his wife Emily and son Connor has volunteered with Paradise Scouts, the Red Cross Personal Disaster Relief Team, and sat on the Elizabeth Park School Council. More recently he has been heavily involved with Paradise Soccer Club, sitting on its Board of Directors. He is also a member of the SunSplash organizing committee.
The theme for Antle’s campaign is ‘Growing From A Strong Foundation.’
“I think Paradise has seen so much growth, and is in such a good place, that this is the time now for us to continue growing in a responsible and mature manner,” he said.
Antle was one of 14 candidates to put their name forward for council in the 2017 election and did fairly well, missing a chance at a council seat by about 300 votes.
He allowed that in 2017 he may have focused his campaign too much on his home turf —Elizabeth Park — and not the broader community.
Antle said that there has been much good work done in Paradise, but there is still more to do. He emphasized the need for council to finish the streets on the Town’s water and sewer list, address traffic congestion, and lobby for an RNC detachment. He added that given government’s commitment to building a new high school in Paradise, now would be a good time to lobby for funds for amenities such as a new ball field and a library.
Antle praised the town’s recreation facilities including the Dianne Whalen Soccer Complex and Double Ice Complex as some of the best on the Avalon. As to the feasibility of a new swimming pool, which is currently the subject of a feasibility study commissioned by council, Antle said that, pardon the pun, remains a “multi-million-dollar question.”
“The feasibility is the biggest piece of it,” said Antle. “Swimming has always been an issue. My son learned how to swim at the Aquarena. He goes to the Summit Centre with his buddies. He’s been to the pool in CBS. So, I can certainly see it as a want for Paradise. Is it a need for Paradise? That’s the discussion, and that’s the question the population will provide me feedback on as I go door-to-door. My understanding at this point is that there is not much of an appetite for raising taxes and taking on a capital asset of such a large size.”
Antle said that in a previous work position, he was involved in the day-to-day work of the construction of the Marystown YMCA.
“Costs can balloon pretty quick,” said Antle. “Not only the cost of building it, but also the cost of maintaining it and keeping it going over the life of the structure. The feasibility study has to be completed first, and I think that’s something the next council is going to have to inherit and look at from a fiscally responsible and mature lens.”
Antle holds political science degrees from both MUN and St. Francis Xavier University and a business diploma and postgraduate diploma from College of the North Atlantic.
“I’m going to give it my all,” said Antle. “I’m going to be there for the residents of Paradise. I’ll be easily accessible and provide them with answers, whether it’s the answer they want or the answer they don’t want, they will be well represented by me.”