‘I’m going to put my best foot forward,’ says Mayor Martin

By Craig Westcott

It was a close race between two very different personalities, but by the time the final ballots were counted, council veteran Patrick Martin had earned the right to don the chain of office as mayor of Paradise.
Martin edged first time councillor Larry Vaters 2,204 votes to 2,065 votes, a difference of less than 200 ballots.

“I think the last election I was a lot more relaxed,” admitted Martin, who spent election night at home with his family. “There was a lot more on this time and it was a bit more stressful in general.”
Martin and Vaters were neck and neck all night long as the votes were counted, with Martin maintaining a slight lead throughout the evening.

“I knew it was going to be a very, very close race, from what I was hearing,” said Martin. “But my reception at the door was very good, I had some great conversations with everybody, and I felt my support was really strong.”

Martin, who served three consecutive council terms beginning in 2013, attributes his victory to his track record.

“Over the last 12 years I’ve been responsive to residents, and I’ve been very honest with residents, and always gave an honest answer,” said Martin.

For Martin, the election campaign began on July 22 when he announced his intention to run for mayor, just days after Vaters declared his intention.

“It was a very long campaign, even though it went very quickly,” said the mayor. “There were many nights that I was up until midnight, and up four or five hours later to go to work.”

While he bemoaned the low voter turnout (roughly 5,000 voters cast a ballot in a town of 21,000), Martin said he appreciates those who took the time to get out and vote. He also expressed his thanks to those who helped with the campaign.

“I’m going to put my best foot forward, and do an honest game, the same as I have done,” said Martin. “I’m going to do my best to keep the town moving forward.”

Larry Vaters, who was first elected in the 2021 municipal election, will now have to watch council proceedings from the sidelines, having lost his spot in the mayoral contest.

“I ran to offer leadership and a renewed focus on advocacy that I really think is going to be required to deal with some significant infrastructure projects within town into the near future,” said Vaters. “And I want to encourage decision makers from all orders of government – municipal, provincial, and federal – that this is the time to come together for the benefit of Paradise, so that things like road and services can be enhanced, and traffic and water pressure concerns can be addressed and community safety improved. And so I look forward to hopefully seeing some positive outcomes on those items.”

Vaters offered his congratulations to all candidates, successful or otherwise.

“I think that Paradise has so much potential and promise, and I wish them all every success in their new roles,” said Vaters. “I’d like to thank residents for their feedback and support during the campaign. I certainly have thoroughly enjoyed representing them and advocating on their behalf, whether at local, regional, or national meetings, for the last four years.”

Vaters also extended his gratitude to a large circle of family, friends and volunteers who supported him during the campaign and during his tenure on council.