Vermillion says she’s leaving Henderson City Council to focus on family, charity

After 2½ years serving Henderson's Ward 3, Councilwoman Kathleen Vermillion has announced her resignation to spend more time with family and her nonprofit charity.

"I can only pretend that I am Superwoman long enough," Vermillion said. "There are only so many hours in the day."

For more than two years, Vermillion balanced council duties and obligations as the chief operating officer of the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, which she founded. She also is mother to two children and three foster children.

The Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth board hired an executive director and made adjustments to her schedule so she could have time to serve the city.

"I would start my Tuesdays at 7 a.m., and some days we would go late into the night (for council meetings)," Vermillion said. "I would try to play catch-up with phone calls and meetings. It really is a full-time position. It was taking time away from my children."

Meetings would roll over to weekends, causing Vermillion to miss time with her family. After the partnership's executive director resigned, Vermillion reassumed that position .

As supportive as the board was, Vermillion said, members were concerned about her being overcommitted.

On top of work, Vermillion's 19-year-old son Alexander was convicted of misdemeanor drunken driving .

A little more than a month ago, Vermillion said the board gave her the opportunity to come back fully to the organization and run it the way it was before her election.

Her decision to resign was affirmed on Thanksgiving when her son, who is moving to a sober living facility in San Diego, called.

The family gathered around the table while he was on speaker phone.

"He began to cry and said he wished he was there," Vermillion said. "My daughter and I are going to visit him (at the sober living facility), and I would never have the opportunity to do that if I kept up with all my commitments."

After talking to close friends, her family and her priest, Vermillion officially resigned at the Dec. 6 council meeting.

"I know in my heart and soul I made a right decision," Vermillion said.

Vermillion's Ward 3 seat is up for election in June 2013. Her resignation is slated to be effective Jan. 1.

Bud Cranor, a spokesman with the city of Henderson, there are two options for filling the council position. The options are slated to be presented at the Dec. 20 council meeting.

Cranor said the council could hold a special election or select a candidate .

"There are pluses and minuses to both options," Cranor said.

One consideration Cranor said would probably be looked at is which option is more economically efficient.

Regardless of the option, the city has time constraints. According to Henderson Municipal Code: "A vacancy in the city council must be filled by a majority vote of the members of city council, or the remaining members in the case of vacancy in the city council within 30 days after the occurrence of the vacancy."

The appointed person must be a resident of Henderson and reside in the ward.

The code also states: "No such appointment extends beyond the first regular meeting of the city council after the canvass of returns of the election in which the vacancy is to be filled."

Cranor said the city might have more time if it chooses to have a special election.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.