Deborah Quilty calls it a day in Paradise

By Mark Squibb

Long serving Paradise councillor Deborah Quilty will not seek re-election in the upcoming municipal election.
Quilty was first elected to council in 1993 and has held her seat through eight consecutive terms.
“To say the least, it has been a journey,” said Quilty, who announced her decision during last week’s public council meeting. “Thirty-two years have certainly slipped by without me even realizing they had gone by… Having served in the capacity of both councillor and deputy mayor, I have had the privilege and honour of representing the people of Paradise with great pride and dignity.”
Over the years, Quilty has served on every committee of council, from finance to recreation, on the Northeast Avalon Joint Council, and also on the War Memorial Committee, emceeing several Remembrance Day and Memorial Day ceremonies.
“I have had the pleasure of sitting on council with four mayors, and many, many councillors over the past eight terms of council,” said Quilty. “I have had the privilege and honour to work with incredible staff at the Town, some of whom I will never forget.”
Quilty said she takes pride in council’s many achievements over the years, including the establishment of the water and sewer priority list, construction of the Paradise Youth and Community Centre, construction of the Double Ice Complex, and construction of Paradise Park, to name a few.
“I can truly say that I am humbled and honoured to have been a member of council and team player to have witnessed such tremendous growth and development over the past 32 years,” said Quilty, extending gratitude to members of council, staff, family, and the residents of Paradise who voted for her time and time again.
Quilty said she is looking forward to spending more quality time with her family and quipped that she may even write a book about her years on council.
Members of council and staff applauded Quilty and thanked her for her many