With election day approaching, Town Council candidate Paul Jones is issuing what he says is a deeply personal call to action, urging North Smithfield to better support local seniors, veterans, and military families.
For Jones, senior care isn’t just a policy platform; it is his life’s passion, his daily professional work, and a commitment rooted in his own family, he said in a release.
“My own mother is aging, and like so many sons and daughters in our community, my deepest wish is for her to age in place with safety, dignity, and independence,” he said.. “Our seniors spent their lives building our neighborhoods, supporting our schools, and serving our country. They shouldn’t have to struggle to navigate basic services or wonder if they can afford to stay in the town they call home. North Smithfield needs to do better for our seniors and veterans, and we can.”
His vision, he said, centers on creating a truly multi-generational town where every age group is supported. His plan pairs family-focused community investments, such as transforming the Halliwell property into a community park where kids and grandchildren can play, and a proactive senior and veteran support system anchored at Scouters Hall.
A central element of his platform focuses on closing the information gap that keeps vulnerable residents from accessing life-changing benefits, including local property tax exemptions.
“Just recently, I had a conversation with a resident over at High Rocks about our town’s senior tax exemption and veterans tax exemption,” stated Jones. “There are so many people in North Smithfield who simply don’t realize these exemptions exist. As we get older, searching online or digging through government websites becomes harder and harder. Senior services should be a welcoming door, a place where seniors, veterans, and surviving spouses can sit down with someone who will help them uncover every resource available, whether that’s financial savings, healthcare support, or veteran assistance.”
If elected to the council, Jones said he will champion a three-part senior and veteran care initiative that includes creating an educational hub at Scouters Hall; partnering with local organizations and staff to connect eligible seniors, veterans, and surviving spouses with existing tax exemptions and relief programs; and using existing grant money to ensure North Smithfield preserves the Halliwell property so residents of every generation have safe, accessible spaces to connect and build community together.
“Serving older adults is what I do every single day,” said Jones. “Bringing that work ethic and heart to Town Hall is personal to me. Whether it’s helping a veteran’s spouse receive the tax relief she earned or making sure a grandmother can watch her grandkids play at a clean town park, I will ensure North Smithfield remains a community where every generation can thrive.”
For more information on Paul Jones’ platform, visit ElectPaulJones.com or follow him on Facebook.
