Asking the tough questions and “sorting the fluff from the stuff” is what Ron Paull is all about.

Paull is seeking re-election for a third term as city councillor. And with 24 years as a city employee and six as an elected official, there’s nothing green about this incumbent.

In fact, Paull’s worked with (in some capacity or other) every mayor Quesnel has ever had.

From Alex Fraser in 1973 to Mayor Nate Bello in 2008, Paull’s seen the Gold Pan City through a variety of leadership styles, ups and downs, the good times and the bad.

And he thinks the current council is one of the most effective he’s interacted with.

Which is why he hopes for continuity post Nov. 15.

“I’m happy to see there’s a few vacant seats,” he said.

“It’s good to get new blood in there. But to have six new councillors would be disastrous for Quesnel.”

Running on experience and a platform consisting of five key points, Paull certainly has a strong stance on the issues facing Quesnel.

• Crime – in the area of public safety Paull feels “outside the box” solutions are in order.

• Environment – He says as a councillor he’ll promote energy efficiency and waste reduction, continue to support the improvement of our air quality and fight the chlorination plant.

• Governance – Paull says relations with the Regional District have nothing to do with personality conflict.

“The provincial government has given the CRD hockey sticks and the city golf clubs and told us to play basketball,” he said.

“We operate under hugely different sets of rules. We need to lobby and bring about change at the provincial level.”

• Infrastructure – Paull says the city needs to continue building on the Capital Reinvestment Plan to sustain and fix roads, bridges, sidewalks, trails, utilities, buildings, parks, drainage, land stability, flood control and Highway 97 (to name a few).

• Mountain Pine Beetle – “Aggressively promote harvest and local use of all MPB fibre,” is one solution within Paull’s recovery mandate.

He also feels local government must “relentlessly pursue all ‘beetle money’ proportionate with Quesnel’s position at ground zero

of the epidemic.

The multi-centre supporter also believes the city must re-double its efforts in the West Quesnel Land Stability area. Labeling it as a top priority, Paull says a well-prepared delegation should be sent to Victoria to hold Premier Campbell in his promise to act.

“Being a councillor is a heck of a lot more than showing up for Monday night council meetings,” he said.

“You have the opportunity as a councillor to help create law and policy right from infancy.”

Paull is referencing his UBCM resolution calling on provincial government to allow for a single transferable license plate. This would allow residents who use a gas-guzzling truck for work to also own a economical car and switch license plates, thus saving money on insurance.

“That,” he said, “is really rewarding. Coming up with solutions and being a part of policy from infancy.”

Municipal elections are Nov. 15.

Paull isn’t afraid to ask tough questions