Ferryland garbage concern quickly addressed

By Mark Squibb | April 8, 2021

Deputy Mayor of Ferryland Harry Bryan said a concern over garbage collection in the town was addressed almost as soon as it was raised.

During the March council meeting, councilor Otto Clowe reported that garbage had not been picked up at the RCMP detachment for some weeks and that several residents had complained of issues with garbage collection.

Staff were instructed to forward those complaints to the Eastern Regional Service Board.

“That was a bit of a misunderstanding I think,” said Bryan. “Every once in a while, a driver will change or something like that, and they won’t realize they need to stop at a certain place. There was one phone call, and they were down the next day and picked up the garbage and it’s been back online ever since.”

Bryan noted that the no residents had officially logged complaints with the Town office in regards to issues with garbage, and that the Town receives very few complaints about garbage collection overall.

BBBAA's challenge gets lots of takers

By Mark Squibb | April 8, 2021

Folks from Bay Bulls to Bauline were on the move this past week.

The Bay Bulls-Bauline Athletic Association (BBBAA) challenged folks to walk, run, bike, or wheel 25 kilometers (the distance from Bauline to Bay Bulls) in the week of March 20-28.

“I wanted to promote the benefits of just getting out and going for a walk,” said Regional Recreation Director Carla Sullivan. “Lockdown is hard for everyone.”

She got the idea from group talks within Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador, as recreation practitioners often share ideas with one another.

“It’s something you can do safely. And you’re getting outdoors, and out of the house,” she said.

Twenty-eight people submitted their distances, clocking a total of 1,420 kilometers.

Sullivan said she was pleasantly surprised to hear folks encouraging and challenging one another to get out and get active, and pleased with the turnout.

Bev Barbour won the participation draw, and Pam Power earned a prize for most kilometers, logging an impressive 105 kilometres.

Sullivan said another participant came in a close second with 101 kilometers.

For Easter, the BBBAA launched it’s 12 day long virtual Easter Egg Hunt, which runs until April 12.

Locals top up funds for new Trepassey war memorial

By Mark Squibb | April 1, 2021

Despite a monkey wrench hurled by COVID-19, a volunteer committee in Trepassey is continuing to push on with its efforts to erect a veterans’ monument.

“We thought that these veterans who have fought for our freedom deserve a bit of recognition,” said committee chairperson Marina Halleran, a veteran herself. “You go all over Canada and see these monuments in the bigger cities, and we figured, why shouldn’t we have one here?”

This past summer, the Trepassey Veterans Memorial Committee, a volunteer group of five,  secured a $25,000 Community War Memorial grant from the federal Department of Veteran’s Affairs, and while that grant covered the cost of purchasing the monument, the group needed extra funds for the site preparations, installation of the monument, flag poles, benches, concrete finishing, ornamental fencing, and artwork.

The committee had budgeted a total cost of about $60,000 for the entirety of the project.

“Due to the COVID, we are not allowed to fundraise much, so we’ve had to depend on personal donations, and we’ve been doing wonderful,” said Halleran, noting the committee has brought in just over $12,000 in personal donations.

She said that, given the generous nature of people in the area, she’s not all that surprised, though very grateful, for the support.

“Nope. Not a bit. I personally, thought myself that it would fly once we got the word out,” she said, when asked if she was surprised about the number of donations that have come in.

“Every donation, however big or small, means a lot right now to us,” said Halleran, adding they’ve received donations from all over Canada and even from outside the country.

Halleran said Trepassey boasts about 71 WWII veterans, 14 WWI veterans, and nine veterans of the forces since the second world war, as well as members who are currently serving.

Donations to the project can be made to the town hall, or at townoftrepassey2@hotmail.com.

Student voters evenly split on O'Driscoll versus O'Brien

By Mark Squibb | April 1, 2021

PC candidate Loyola O’Driscoll and Liberal candidate Cheryl O'Brien were deadlocked at the ballot box, each with 101 votes to their names, while NDP candidate Paul Murphy trailed close behind with 77 votes. That’s according to how students in Ferryland district voted in a mock election anyway.

In the actual election, the results of which were announced Saturday, PC incumbent O’Driscoll earned 3,197 votes to O’ Brien’s 2,696 votes, leaving O’Driscoll to carry on the district’s 50-year blue streak, while NDP candidate Paul Murphy received 216 votes.

Students at Goulds Elementary, however, favoured Murphy (48 votes) and O’Brien (50 votes) to O’Driscoll (26 votes), while students at Mobile Central High School gave O’Driscoll an overwhelming majority vote – 38 votes for O’ Driscoll to Murphy’s and O’Brien’s 4 and 13 votes respectively.

At St. Kevin’s Junior High, O’Brien beat O’ Driscoll by just one vote – 34 to 33, while Murphy trailed behind at 25.

And, in an astonishing coincidence, the district tie between O’Brien and O’Driscoll was not the only tie. At Stella Maris Academy in Trepassey, the vote was split straight down the middle: both O’Brien and O’Driscoll received four votes each.

“We looked at all the parties’ election platforms and election promises,” said teacher Ashley Abbott. “Some of our students made up their minds based on what each candidates in our area said what they’re going to do, and we also have students who came to school, and heard from their parents, who are talking politics at home, who they think is the most suitable candidate.”

Students in grades 4 to 12 at Stella Maris, along with other schools participating in the mock election, were among some of the few across the province who cast an actual ballot. The students voted just prior to Elections Officer Bruce Chaulk’s decision to cancel all in-person voting due to an outbreak of COVID-19, ballot box and all.

“They’re really engaged, and involved in something, similar to what the adults are doing,” said Abbott. “We show students from a young age how to vote, and why it’s important. And that’s good because voter turnout sometimes can be really low, as we’ve seen in this election. So, if we get students engaged and interested when they’re young, the chance of turn out being higher (in the future) is greater, in my opinion.”

The mock election is hosted by national organization Civix, which provides participating schools with materials for the election, along with curriculum that touches on politics, the democratic process and Canadian rights and freedoms.

“There are lessons that talk about fake news, and where to go for reputable facts and information, and how to check for those things online,” said Abbott, who also helped coordinate the school’s mock election in the 2019 provincial election. “So, it teaches students critical thinking skills and how to analyze what they read online.”

She said the students were concerned both about local issues, such as road conditions and water quality, as well as big picture ideas like climate change.

Unlike the actual provincial election, which was beset by controversary at every turn and amassed a historic low voter turnout of only 48 percent, there have been no talks yet of challenging the student election in the courts.

Bay Bulls harvester not on board with DFO's 'who's on board' policy

By Mark Squibb | Mar. 25, 2021

Confusion over who can and cannot be aboard a fishing boat according to new regulations from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) coming into effect next month has caused considerable confusion across the province.

“On Wednesday, an e-mail came out from DFO saying that as of April 1, this new crew list requirement would come into place, and they outlined what you needed to record,” said harvester Jason Sullivan of Bay Bulls.

As per those new requirements, records of who is aboard the boat for each trip would need to be kept on file for five years. As part of the bookkeeping, a Fisher Identification Number (FIN) or Provincial Fisher’s Certificate would need to be recorded for everyone on board.

But, according to Sullivan, not everyone may be able to obtain one of those numbers.

“You can’t get a FIN number, which is DFO issued, unless you have a professional fish harvester number,” he said. “So, for example, if I wanted to bring you out with me fishing to fill in for a day, and you have a job at the newspaper full time, they won’t give you a professional fish harvester number, even for an apprentice, because you have a job outside the fishery. This was going to make it tough on thousands of small enterprises that can’t afford to hire someone full time. They’re just looking for a fellow to fill in for a day here or a day there, and pay him a day-rate. So, this was the big issue for me. By bringing this into the law, it means I could be fined for bringing you out on the boat, if you didn’t have that number.”

There is another side of that coin; folks under age 16 cannot get a professional number.

“People got their backs up pretty good once they didn’t think they could bring their kids out anymore, or their buddies, or family members,” allowed Sullivan.

Social media was flooded Friday morning with photos of smiling grandkids and teenage apprentices who may not be allowed out on the water according to the new regulation.

“Everyone always brought their families and their kids and grandkids out fishing with them,” said Sullivan. “It’s just a part of rural Newfoundland culture. You want to try and encourage more young people to get out, rather than have rules that deter that.”

However, the FFAW has since clarified that that those 16 and under do not require the number, however, registration is necessary if the person is over the age of 16 and earning pay.

Furthermore, as of Friday, according to Sullivan, the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board will allow those who work outside the fishery to apply for an Apprentice license.

Sullivan said the confusion was largely caused by poor communication, and while he’s glad for the clarifications, he still questions the regulation as presented.

He argued that knowing everyone who is on board a vessel doesn’t necessarily determine who is in the control agreement, nor how the money is divided.

“You don’t have to tell them what percentage of the catch you’re getting,” said Sullivan. “So, they know you’re on the boat with me, but they don’t know how much money you’re getting.”

Sullivan said that while he has a full-time crew, he occasionally takes a friend or politician out in the boat for the day, and that he wouldn’t let the new regulations bar him from that.

But now, professional fish harvesters offer apprentice cards to those who work full-time in other jobs.

“We would go to court and fight it out there,” Sullivan said.

Bay Bulls re-jigs building permit fee

By Mark Squibb | Mar. 25, 2021

Those wishing to build in the Town of Bay Bulls ought to know of a new change to the permit fee.

During the March 8 council meeting, council adopted a revised budget and tax structure effective March 8.

The mil rate will remain the same, and business and utility and property taxes will remain the same too. Town Manager Jennifer Aspell noted during the meeting, the major changes had to do with application fees for projects.

“So, in the past we did not charge application fees,” said Aspell. “We will be charging an application fee and a permit fee that will total what previously used to be the permit fee. For example, if you were applying to construct a new residential home, there was no application fee, but the cost of the permit was $150. Now, there will be a $75 application fee, and a $75 permit fee. So, it will be the same total cost, but we are splitting it. There is no change to the mil rate, or minimum business tax, or residential property rate or anything like that.”

Mayor Harold Mullowney told the Irish Loop Post the price split was more of a housekeeping item than anything else.

There was also a change in the overall expenditures and revenue in the town’s new budget.

The Town had budgeted expenditures at $2,680,732 and revenue at $2,733,497 in the original budget, but under the new revision, expenditures sit at $2,728,232 while revenues sit at $2,796,360.

That’s $47,500 in additional expenditures and $62,863 in revenue.

No explanation was given during the meeting for the budget changes, and in response to a follow up e-mail, Aspell said the adoption of the revised budget was “a housekeeping item with the changes that were made to the tax structure.”

Meanwhile, Mullowney said the revised budget had nothing to due with the change to permit fees.

“This would have had nothing to do with that motion,” said the mayor, noting the revised budget was adopted before the application fee motion.

“Nothing has changed, it’s just a matter of splitting the fee and how you pay it… the actual amount hasn’t changed, just how you pay it: it’s two installments instead of one.”

Mullowney said the budget revision was due to some minor changes and tweaking.

Trepassey boys 'Running Home' for a good cause

By Luke Barry | Mar. 18, 2021

On April 12, 1980, after dipping his right leg in the Atlantic Ocean, Winnipeg’s Terry Fox set out on his iconic Marathon of Hope.

 In the early morning hours of September 22, 2021, Trepassey natives Charles Luther and Melvin Sutton will begin a journey of similar spirit dubbed Runnin’ Home, their own version of bipedal cancer fundraising.

 And while much has changed in four decades, the prevalence of cancer in society remains.

Nearly one in two Canadians are expected to receive a diagnosis of cancer in their lifetime, according to a report on projected cancer rates published in March 2020 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

 To raise awareness and funds, the duo from up the shore plan to run 147 kilometres from Mile One Centre in St. John’s to Stella Maris Academy in Trepassey.

 The real kicker is they plan to complete it in two or three days.

 “I always wanted to do something, and I’m getting older and noticing more people being affected by cancer, my family members, my friends, I just felt the need,” Luther said. “I’ve got to go out and get it (done) while I can.”

 Training diligently since April 2020, the 38-year-old has been knocking out between 100 and 120 kilometres per week, which sometimes sees him running twice a day.

 After hearing word of Luther’s idea, Sutton admits he didn’t want the opportunity to pass him by.

 “Over the years I’d run the Tely Ten, but I’d only run in the spring and summer months and that was kind of enough,” Sutton said. “I’d do weight training in the winter, but I’d do no cardio, so this kind of put me in a spot where it’s time to get a treadmill and time to run all year round if I’m going to actually do this because you got to be ready for it right?

 “My father-in-law died of lung cancer, and you know what, there’s a list of that. Everywhere you turn it’s there you know? It’s obviously a great cause and it drives you a bit more.”

 The route will see the men ascend and descend more than 1,200m while running an ultramarathon each day along the Irish Loop.

 “In Canada, there’s been an estimated 225,800 new cancer cases last year in 2020,” Elizabeth Holmes, Senior Manager of Policy and Surveillance at the Canadian Cancer Society, said. “In Newfoundland and Labrador, we estimate that at about 3,800 new cancer cases and 1,600 cancer deaths in 2020.”

 The donations Luther and Sutton are raising will go to Daffodil Place, a 24-room facility operated by the Canadian Cancer Society-NL Division for cancer patients and caregivers who must travel to St. John’s for cancer related appointments.

 “Together we are bigger than cancer and the Canadian Cancer Society is here for you,” Holmes said. “If you have been diagnosed with cancer, if you know somebody who has, if you just have questions about your cancer risk, then you can give us a call on our cancer information healthline at 1-888-939-3333 and one of our information specialists can help you with navigating the information and understanding information that’s been provided to you.”

 Email options and a chat function are available on www.cancer.ca in addition to an online community found at www.cancerconnection.ca, a website designed to provide people, caregivers and survivors with support during their cancer journey.

 Young Adult Cancer Canada (www.yacc.ca) is a national organization started by Geoff Eaton in St. John’s specifically geared towards providing young adults with inspiration, information and support.

 Efforts that advance the research, prevention, screening and treatment of cancer are vital to addressing its burden in Canada.

 Online donations in support of Runnin’ Home can be made via the page Luther set up through the Canadian Cancer Society. It’s located at https://support.cancer.ca/site/TR/IFE_NL_Event/IFE_NL_General_?px=13410714&pg=personal&fr_id=27158.

Bay Bulls okays Phase II design for Long Pond trail

By Mark Squibb | Mar. 11, 2021

Bay Bulls is one step closer to finalizing the Long Pond walking trail.

During a special meeting of council held on February 24, council granted approval for Phase II, which will see the trail extended around the full perimeter of the pond.

Much of the monies for the project come courtesy of the province through the COVID-19 Stimulus Program. Phase II is valued at $144,229, and of that cost, the town only has to contribute $14,422, which is 10 per cent.

Meanwhile, Phase I of the project is being cost shared by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments under a Municipal Capital Works program, with each government paying a third of the cost, which works out to $143,702 each for a total of $475,444 (less HST).

Work on the design began in 2020, and the trail, which will be a combination of compacted granular and boardwalk with a focus on accessibility, is expected to be completed and ready for use by July or August this year.

'The one we depended on'

By Mark Squibb | Mar. 11, 2021

The Southern Shore and the hockey world at large are reflecting on Kenny William’s legacy following his passing last week.

Williams got his start playing pond hockey in his hometown of Bay Bulls, but would grow to become so influential and involved in hockey on a local, provincial, and even national level that the name ‘Kenny Williams’ would become synonymous with hockey along the Shore.

In 1986, Williams was a member of a small group lobbying for the construction of a badly needed Southern Shore arena.

“Getting a stadium here on the shore was no small feat,” said Loyola Hearn, another foundational figure in Southern Shore hockey history. “We had a tremendous hockey league, and we used to play in St. John’s all the time, at Feildian Gardens, and we would block the Garden every Sunday night. Every yellow school bus that was on the shore, and cars besides, were at Feildian Gardens.”

Still, said Hearn, there were challenges, largely tied to the Shore’s sparse population.

“We just had enough in each community to make up a team,” said Hearn. “For example, we never had a full roster in Renews; usually we had two lines, and maybe an extra defenseman. If we made up three lines occasionally with a few juniors we were lucky. And most communities were like that, because the population was so small. So, then to go after a stadium in an area, where as I say, the population is so small, was no small feat at all. And Kenny and others were the driving force. You can’t just go into an area, especially a small area, and build a stadium, and you can’t just go get the money, unless you have organization on the ground and people who are willing to do a tremendous amount of work. And one of those people certainly right from the start, was Kenny Williams.”

When the arena was constructed in 1987, Williams was hired on as the stadium manager.

Today, that stadium he fought so hard to see built and which he managed for decades bears his name, being rechristened the Ken Williams Southern Shore Arena in 2019.

“He was one of the fellows who was there for the right reason,” said Hearn. “We always say that people take on a job because it’s a job. But not with Kenny… I would say for 15 years or more that I was on the local hockey scene, coaching and on the executive, and although that period, Kenny was there. He was the one we depended on. He wasn’t just a stadium manager — he was Kenny. And whether you were 8 or 80 you depended on Kenny. He was there to make sure everything went well. Whether it was a simple minor hockey practise or a Breakers championship game, one of the fellows who would be there making sure that everything was ready was Kenny Williams. He had a total dedication to the job.”

There was no league that Williams did not play a fundamental role in. He was elected as the founding President of the Southern Shore Minor Hockey Association and served as an HNL provincial coordinator for 24 years. In 1993 he was fundamental in organizing the Avalon West Senior Hockey League and served as its first president. Williams also served as a Director of the Southern Shore Breakers Senior Club, Treasurer for the Avalon East League and President of the Southern Shore Amateur Hockey Association, and even more besides. He was a Branch Representative on Hockey Canada and chaired the Hockey Canada meetings in St. John’s.

Ferryland PC candidate Loyoala O’Driscoll, played senior hockey with the Breakers during the nineties and was on ice for a number of championship wins, released a statement reflecting on the passing of Williams.

“Without Kenny, the Southern Shore Breakers wouldn’t be five-time Herder champions and the point of pride for the community they are today,” said O’ Driscoll. “His dedication to the community and to sports cannot be overstated or replaced.”

Williams was inducted into the NL Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 and received national recognition in 2017 when he was awarded the Hockey Canada Meritorious Award.

Williams is remembered mostly for his dedication to and involvement in the hockey community, but he was also involved in government at a municipal level. Williams was a member of the first Bay Bulls council following incorporation in 1986 (the same year Williams was fighting to see a stadium constructed on the Shore.)

“An ex-councillor, he was an individual who was synonymous with the Southern Shore Arena and hockey in the area for many years,” said Bay Bulls Mayor Harold Mullowney during his town’s March 8 council meeting. “He put an awful lot of time into recreation and volunteer activities in this town. Ken will be sorely missed. He contributed tremendously to both council and the community at large.”

Witless Bay councillor sets sites on ATV riders, speeders, litter

By Mark Squibb | Feb. 18, 2021

Witless Bay council is looking to curb problems around town by launching a new project, the Peaceful Community Enjoyment Initiative. Witless Bay council looks to curb community troubles

“The council asked myself and the CAO to prepare terms of reference, and we’ve also prepared a discussion paper of potential implications and considerations,” said councillor Colleen Hanrahan during the February 9 meeting of council.

Some of the problems council hopes to tackle include irresponsible ATV use, excessive speeding, littering, and vandalism.

Hanrahan explained the plan is to hold a meeting this month to discuss the scope of the project and what can be done to address the issues, and that a full report will likely be presented at the next council meeting.

Discussions were originally slated to have taken place at the February 9 meeting, but were deferred until that additional, private meeting takes place.

Sullivan video captures Shore's love of hockey

By Chris Lewis | Jan. 28, 2021

Some members of the Southern Shore’s hockey community recently got together in the name of music and sport.

Jackie Sullivan is a Calvert native whose music career has expanded greatly over the last decade or so, starting with her debut album in 2002, Out of the Rain which earned her Music NL’s Female Artist of the Year prize and the CBC Galaxie Rising Star award. Since then, she has been keeping herself busy with pen on paper and microphone in hand.

Sullivan’s most recent musical project however is one that holds an especially important role in her career after she was able to combine the memories and stories of her father with the local hockey scene along the Southern Shore.

Sullivan’s newest song and upcoming video, Fiery Hockey Blood, was spawned from the collective stories of her father Gerard Sullivan and his long time friend Kenny Williams. She described both of their deep loves for the game of hockey.

“My dad experienced several strokes a couple of years ago, and certainly lost his fire after it all occurred,” Sullivan said. “The only person he wanted to see was Kenny Williams. The day that they got together and started reminiscing about hockey, I saw an incredible change in my dad that day. I knew then that the game of hockey was much more than just a game. It’s brought them so much joy in their lives.”

Williams, from Bay Bulls, is a legend on the Southern Shore, and respected throughout the province, as a minor and senior hockey builder, arena manager, and much beloved recontour. He has been dealing with health challenges of his own the past few years.

Their love for the game got Sullivan thinking. She described the hockey spirit in her home region as a ‘go big or go home’ attitude, and said her father exemplified that in his time playing.

This, she said, is what compelled her to begin writing the song. Before long, she was in the studio recording, and was even able to score some vocals from Chris Andrews of Shanneyganock to add to the project.

“The song kind of took on a life of its own,” Sullivan said. “Everything just started to snowball for us, and I thought it was deserving of a music video to go along with it… I thought it would be cool to get a player’s perspective intertwined in the project.

Sullivan reached out to Fermeuse native and NHL great Ryan Clowe, who was more than happy to get involved.

“Ryan provides an incredibly nostalgic commentary about growing up on the Southern Shore, and how the passion and fire for hockey really shaped him and helped him achieve his goals of becoming an NHL player,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan even got Hockey Night in Canada Sportscaster Bob Cole to hop on board and call an old play from a Herder Championship of years gone by. This is what Sullivan considers one of the most exciting aspects of the video, even managing to get Cole in an old Southern Shore Breakers jersey.

Back in November of 2020, the shooting process began for the video inside the Southern Shore Arena and around Calvert, Sullivan’s hometown.

“There were lots of little kids involved, some old Breakers players, and some coaches,” Sullivan said. “For me, this was about capturing the legacy of hockey on the Southern Shore and across the province because, as I’ve come to learn, everybody seems to have a hockey story. While this was inspired by dad, I think it speaks to the magnitude and importance of hockey culture in our province, and even across the country.”

The video is set to release on Friday, January 29.

Ferryland residents bask in the sights as they hit the trail in new walking club

By Mark Squibb | Jan. 28, 2021

A recent partnership between the Town of Ferryland and local businesses is encouraging folks to get out and, on the go, and maybe even win a prize doing it.

Jill Curran of Lighthouse Picnics said that, with so many cancellations and restrictions of other activities in recent months, she found herself out walking more.

“You feel a million times better when you get home,” said Curran. “And in the community, we live, we’re totally blessed with the views. The views are just, ‘Wow!’ It makes you appreciate how lucky we are to live where we are.”

Curran said she’s certainly not the only one hitting the trails in her spare time.

“I’ve even heard a lot of people, especially over Christmas, talk about how nice it was to see people and talk to people, that you might not see all the time,” she said.

Curran spoke with Mayor Sean Walsh, and let him know that her business, along with management at Ferryland Foodland, would be willing to donate prizes for a monthly draw to folks who let the Town know that they were out walking the trails.

“He thought it was a fantastic idea,” said Curran. “It’s a really different kind of walking club; walk when you want, walk at your own pace, walk wherever you want.”

Recent upgrades this past fall to the town’s main trail, which opens near the Town of Ferryland sign and flower gardens, and run the length of the community, parallel to the shoreline, make the trail more accessible and easier to access.

“All of these updates to the trails are fantastic and have made the trails so much more accessible for so many more people,” said Curran.

The trail is also used by Baltimore School for hiking, snowshoeing, and even science classes.

The Town held its first prize draw last week, and by that point 67 people had participated.

Curran said there’s prizes lined up months to come, and that’s there no end in sight for the walking club.

“I don’t see it as anything that’s going to wrap up anytime soon,” said Curran, who added it’s a simple program that she would like to see other communities’ launch.

One busy year building on another in Bay Bulls

By Mark Squibb | Jan. 21, 2021

With the challenges dealt by a particular nasty winter and the COVID-19 pandemic, Bay Bulls Mayor Harold Mullowney said 2020 was a busy year for the town, and he anticipates 2021 will be even busier.

“This was one of the busiest years I’ve ever experience on council. We’ve accomplished a lot. I think council and staff pulled together and attended a great number of meetings throughout the year and made it a very productive year overall,” said Mullowney.

Some of the year’s accomplishments, said Mullowney, include six major road projects undertaken by the Town: Lower Road, St. John’s Road upgrades, Irish Town Phase One, (“which wasn’t even on our agenda for this year, but we managed to squeeze it in there,” said Mullowney), Cemetery Lane West, Station Road, and Solomon Close.

Mullowney also pointed out a number of projects, like the revitalization of the Ryan’s Property through the Landscape NL Horticultural Association’s Forgotten Corner project, a new pavilion, supported by a partnership with the Come Home Year committee, and general community beautification in partnership with HMP, in addition to Christmas lighting contests, food bank hamper drives, seniors’ outreach and other events.

“There was a tremendous amount of stuff in terms of the social well being of the community that was accomplished in addition to the actual capital works projects, so I was pleased with that because you try and do a little something for everybody in the community, and especially in a year when so many people have been affected by the terrible weather we had at the beginning and then COVID afterwards,” said Mullowney.

“Anything at all you could do to make the lives of people a little better was certainly appreciated.”

With 2020 in the rear-view mirror, Mullowney said council has a busy year ahead.

“We’ve got a very busy year slated again stretching out in front of us,” said the mayor. “We’ve looked at completing Irish Town Road, which would be Phase 2, and North Side Road. Council is ready to move on them, but that’s contingent on getting some partnership funding from the various levels of government that we’ve applied for. Another capital works project that many people are going to be pleased with, is that we’ve secured a fair amount of funding for the Long Pond Walking Trail. Originally, that was going to be done over a two to three-year period. But I‘m thinking now, due to accessing other pots of money, we might get that done, at least the majority of it, this year. So, that’s certainly a big piece, and hopefully this summer that is up and running.”

Mullowney said council is looking at completing a Community Asset Management policy, as well as entering Phase 3 of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan with Memorial University, with a particular focus on coastal erosion, especially as it relates to the North side and Quay’s Road area, completion of a Municipal Plan Review, development of a strategic plan and updating the emergency response

“And that’s by no means everything, we’ve laid out,” said Mullowney. “It’s really shaping out to be an incredibly busy year. Looking at just one or two of things in a normal year would seem to be ambitious. We’ve got a very active council, and a very committed staff, and I think that’s what leads us to be able to accomplish these things.”

Bay Bulls, along with all other municipalities in the province, will also be calling an election in the spring.

Council is currently operating, with ministerial approval, with a complement of only five members, and various nomination calls over the last two years have gone unanswered.

“I’m always hopeful that we get good people to step forward and offer themselves for council,” said Mullowney. “An awful lot of people don’t realize the commitment. It’s many hours a week nowadays, and it’s a volunteer council, we don’t get renumeration. And as the community continues to grow, the workload also continues to grow. So, I’m thankful that we have so many committed people who are willing to put in the time and effort to accomplish what needs to be done.”

Mullowny said Bay Bulls is not the only community facing such challenges, noting other municipalities, including Mount Pearl, are operating with less than a full slate. He allowed that regional strategies may, in the future, find it necessary to reduce the normal council complement.

“Maybe the complement of seven might have to be reduced in some areas, as a number of towns are doing the work with five. So, we’ll have to see what the province says on that, especially after the next election,” said Mullowney. “It’s often a thankless job, but I find it rewarding, when you see things getting done for the betterment of your community.”

Mullowny said he has made no definite decision about whether he himself will run again, but did say he still enjoys serving on council and currently feels up to the task.

Also to be worked out in this year are financial commitments to the Witless Bay Regional Fire Department. As per the 2021 budget, Witless Bay has planned for several upgrades to regional emergency services, including hiring a full-time paid fire chief and the building of a new fire hall. Those new commitments will require financial help from neighbouring communities.

“It’s certainly in need of more funds. At some point, I’d like to see an ambulance roll out of that building. So, Bay Bulls is certainly supportive, but we’re still working out the fine details of what we would like to see,” said Mullowney.

The mayor also said that he has been inquiring into the vaccine roll out plan, and though he hasn’t heard any specific dates yet, following Southern Shore and North East Avalon joint council meetings with Eastern Health, his understanding is that the hope is that vaccines will be rolled out later this summer or early fall, and that folks will be able to receive the vaccine in their communities, in much the same way as the flu shot.

“If that were the case, you could possibly see mobile clinics held in places like the Regional Lifestyle Centre in Bay Bulls, where they hold flu shot clinics,” said Mullowney. He hopes that a successful vaccine rollout will put COVID behind us for good.

“COVID-19 has added a new layer of challenges. But I’m hopeful that as the vaccine gets moving, the economy will pick up and we will see some improvements, and hopefully in the off-shore a (new oil) well, because that is what drives this province, and hopefully in tourism. We absolutely need this COVID-19 to be behind us before we can see tourism ramp up again. The number of tourists who come through this area is incredible. So, any individuals involved in that industry are being greatly impacted,” said Mullowney. “This will eventually be behind us. And until that happens, stay safe, stay masked, social distance as much as you can.”

Civil engineer makes bid for Placentia - St. Mary's PC nomination

By Mark Squibb | Jan. 14, 2021

Kevin McEvoy says that while he’s volunteered ‘on the fringes’ of other political parties over the years, his bid for the PC nomination in Placentia— St. Mary’s, which will be decided Friday, is his first full-blown foray into politics.

“I’m concerned. I’m concerned about Newfoundland as a whole, I’m concerned about the district of Placentia St. Mary’s,” said McEvoy, who is a senior manager with Guilford’s Inc. and has 28 years of management experience in the construction industry. “I want to finally step up and say, ‘Let me be a help to this province.’ I feel my skill set can be used, and I want to offer them up.”

McEvoy, who hails from Admirals Beach, said he’s not confident with the current administration’s ability to deal with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Decisions and bureaucracy are holding this province back, and I believe I am a candidate for change,” said McEvoy. “We have a major task at hand to deal with what this province is going to need in terms of innovation, and thinking outside the box, and actually getting things done. And I am that kind of person. I believe we need to have a government that is nimble and able to adapt to the times.”

He says the district holds such much potential, but faces many challenges.

One of the biggest needs, said McEvoy, involves infrastructure. “And that varies from water systems to roads. IInfrastructure is an immediate need that everybody talks about,” he said.

McEvoy said seniors face particular challenges, from senior care to access to health care.

A senior ought to be able to get blood work results at a local clinic without having to drive all the way to St John’s, he argued.

“Technology needs to be used to aid seniors and people who are not able to travel the long distances,” said McEvoy.

He also highlighted the district’s potential to aid the province’s food security, what with access to large amounts of land and fishing grounds. “It seems like nobody wants to make our fishery a priority and it’s gone to the wayside, but it’s a renewable resource,” he said.

He is also supportive of the oil industry. “While we invest in green technology we should be promoting and investing in this our own industry for as long as the world still requires fossil fuels,” McEvoy said. “We do need to invest in greener friendly options but replacing fossil fuel is going to take some time.  Our oil and gas ranks with the cleanest in the world.”

As to economic recovery, McEvoy said it’s going to require collaboration between government, private business, and unions. He added that due to an ageing demographic, immigration of skilled workers will be a necessity.

“We are going to have to attract people here. And that’s not a simple process. It’s a multi-pronged process,” said McEvoy. “We need skilled people coming into this province and we need people who are willing to invest in business themselves. The government needs to be able to provide an environment to screen immigration and set out on, much like the tourism industry did a couple years ago with our marketing campaign, we need to market for the type of people that we’re going to need, and that’s people who want to invest in an economy, and then we need to make rules that allow them to invest. Whether it be doctors, nurses, skilled labourers, whatever it is we’re looking for, we have to be able to quickly turn around those certifications so that they become certified in this province.”

McEvoy said that it’s crucial that government be ‘business-friendly.’

 “We have to become a province that is more open to investment. We have to have a business environment that allows business to operate. And the government has to provide policies that allow this, and we have to cut out some of the red tape that’s there,” said McEvoy.

“I have learned to collaboratively be involved in an industry that’s had as many ups-and-downs as any. We’ve struggled, and I’ve managed to be successful and persevere through these times. And right now, I believe this province is on another huge lull. And I believe I can use my experience to help get us through this lull,” said McEvoy. “I chose to stay in this province. I’ve worked through some very tough times, and we’ve had some ‘booms’ that I’ve been privileged to work through. And now, we have another downturn. I’m choosing to jump into politics right now. I have a career. If I am successful, I will become a full time MHA. But, I am choosing this. It’s not something I have to do, but something I feel I should do, and that it’s the best thing to do.”

Voting in the nomination contest will begin on January 14 conclude at 5:00 p.m. on January 15, and is open to all members who live in the district. The deadline to sign up as a member was January 11.

McEvoy’s step daughter, Kristina Ennis, is the PC candidate in St. John’s West.

Luby questions harassment policy

By Mark Squibb | Jan. 14, 2021

Bay Bulls council adopted two new plans of very different purpose during its January 11 public meeting.

The first was for an Asset Management policy that isn’t actually quite ready to roll out yet.

“We’ve been working on the Asset Management Policy now since last summer and we’re just about nearing completion, but as part of the formal process, the Town must adopt a policy,” said Town CAO Jennifer Aspell immediately prior to council taking a unanimous vote to adopt the policy. “So, we should have the actual program itself finished in the next couple of months.”

The Town also voted to adopt a Harassment Prevention Plan as an official policy. Deputy Mayor Wendy O’ Driscoll explained the Newfoundland and Labrador Occupational Health and Safety Act mandates that every workplace have such a plan and provide harassment prevention training.

Part of the motion was for all members of council and staff to complete the training.

Councillor Joan Luby asked if it would be mandatory.

O’ Driscoll said that it would, and that the Town was looking at how the training would be rolled out. She added that, as per the policy, a report would be made available to the alleged harasser within 90 days. Luby asked if this period could be shortened to 30 days. CAO Aspell said that it would depend upon the nature of the complaint, and that 90 days was a pretty standard time period.

Next, Luby asked who would review the alleged harassment complaint, and Aspell said a third party would do it. Finally, Luby noted that, as per the policy, the record of complaint would be kept on file for 10 years following the investigation. She asked if this could be shorted to four years — the length of a council term. Aspell said that 10 years was a standard practice. She also noted that even though someone may only be on council for four years, a staff member may be on staff for much longer. Luby said she felt 10 years is a bit long.

Luby asked if any other councillors had questions, but there were no takers, though councillor Eric Maloney said questions may arise during the actual training sessions.

Aspell said that a policy, once adopted, can be revised if necessary.

Alderwood Estates' owner Deborah Dunne garners provincial award

By Mark Squibb | Dec. 31, 2020

Alderwood Estates’ owner Deborah Dunne is being counted among the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE) 2020 women of honour roll.

Dunne was awarded the Economic Impact Award during the 23rd annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards held on Thursday, November 26 which was streamed live from the Delta Hotel’s St. John’s Conference Centre. 

“I was quite humbled, and shocked initially, because I just go about my day doing my thing, and you don’t really realize the impact of what you do until someone puts it out there,” said Dunne.

Alderwood Estates, a staple of Witless Bay for decades, is run by Dunne, who bought the business from her parents. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Dunne, who also operates a nursing home in central Newfoundland, carried on with plans for an extension on the Witless Bay facility, hiring local contractors and using material from local supplier Witless Bay Home Hardware.

The 20 new suites will open in June and create work jobs for another four or five local workers to Alderwood’s team of over 20 employees.

Dunne said residents of Alderwood are members of the community, and that the whole Irish Loop is like an extended family. Keeping COVID-19 restrictions in mind, Alderwood has an open-door policy, and schools and community groups are often invited over to participate in different activities and celebrations.

“Everyone is welcome at Alderwood,” said Dunne.

In total, six women from across the province received awards at the NLOWE event.

“Every businesswoman should support NLOWE, because NLOWE is great for mentoring women,” said Dunne. “It’s harder, sometimes, for women in business. NLOWE is a steppingstone, and they’re very knowledgeable and helpful.”

Bay Bulls Mayor not confident about capital works funding

By Mark Squibb | Nov. 26

The Town of Bay Bulls has applied for provincial funding for a number of road upgrades, but Mayor Harold Mullowney is cautioning council not to get its hopes up.

“The odds of getting funding are low. I’ve attended the MNL (Municipalities Newfoundland) conference, by Zoom, over the last few days, and the Minister (Municipal Affairs) said they were prioritizing urgent situations requiring water and sewer for the most part,” said Mullowney during the November 1o meeting of council. “They also said they were not funding a huge wish list. They were trying to keep their funding down to amounts below a million dollars, so that they could spread the money further among communities.”

Nevertheless, Bay Bulls applied for funding for three different projects.

The first was for completion of the Irishtown Road upgrade at a total cost estimate of $955,000, with the province and the town splitting the cost 50/50. A portion of the road is already being upgraded from surplus funds for the St. John's Road project, which was funded under a 90/10 cost share formula with the province paying the bigger share.

Next up, was upgrades on Winnonish Drive at a cost of $371,000, at a 50/50 cost share rate.

The third and final application was for upgrades to Northside Road and Bread and Cheese at a cost estimate of $1.5 million. The proposed cost sharing formula on that would be 40/50/10 for the federal, provincial, and municipal governments respectively.

Mullowney did hold out some hope for the applications for Irish Town Road and Northside Road.

“I’m hopeful that we might have a shot at the roadwork we already have under construction, because there are serious water issues on Irish Town Road, and the Northside has some serious issues with the possibility of erosion along that coast there,” he said.

Mullowney had introduced the funding request as “probably the most important piece of work on the agenda tonight.”

Goulds Arena warm room named for faithful Lion

By Mark Squibb | Nov. 26

The Goulds Lions Arena bears the Lions name, so it’s only appropriate that its warm room also bear a Lion’s name.

During a short ceremony on November 19 attended by family and fellow Lions, the Lion Ron Whitten Room was unveiled.

“A few months ago, one of our Lions came to me with a suggestion. He said, ‘We always honour Lions with a plaque or something, after they pass away. Why not do something for our Lions while they’re still alive?’” Goulds Lions Club President Charlie Phillips said to those gathered.

So, when Phillips announced that they would be naming the warm room after Lion Ron Whitten, Whitten jokingly asked if that meant he was going to die soon.

“Without Ron, I’m not sure if, or when, there would have been a Lion’s Club,” said Phillips. “It was the vision of Lion Ron when he returned from Labrador back in 1975. He had a notion of starting up the Lions Club, which, he did, in March of 1976. He is a well-respected member of our community, and also a well-respected member of our Lions Club. Ron is a strong supporter of the Lions Club and of it’s activities. I’m sure most of you, if we went around the room, could add another 10, 20, 40, maybe a hundred reasons why we should name this room after Lion Ron.”

Whitten was grateful for the gesture.

“I appreciate this, it’s very nice,” he said. “It’s important to help out the community where you’re from.”

During the ceremony, the Goulds Lions Club also presented a $6000 cheque to the Arena Association.

COVID's clout to economy encourages Tors Cove artist to open her own shop

By Mark Squibb | Nov. 19, 2020

After about a decade creating and selling metal jewelry, a Tors Cove artist has announced she will be opening her own mini-shop and studio.

Jaclyn Humphries of Hillside Fine Crafts creates handmade jewelry using metals such as copper, enamel and sterling silver.

“All the components are made by hand, using hand tools to manipulate the metal and shape it, and a kiln to fire the enamel onto the metal,” she explained.

Humphries began by making jewellery out of fabric, having studied Textile & Apparel Design at College of the North Atlantic. Looking for a more challenging experience, she enrolled in Jewelry and Metalsmithing at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.

Because regular craft shows have been cancelled, along with wholesale orders from clients, Humphries said that having a storefront, which she anticipates to open in April, means both more independence as an artist, and more clientele.

She recently received $25,260 in funding from the provincial government to assist with development of an e-commerce website, marketing materials, signage and a social media campaign.

“I was just completely ecstatic. This is going to change how many people can actually see my business. I do wholesale too, so now I can present a professional presence online to wholesalers, and also to retailers,” said Humphries. ‘‘This marketing grant will really help propel me and get me into different provinces, and across the world eventually.”

Hillside Fine Crafts was one of eight businesses to receive funding from the program, which doled out a total of $216,000. The funding comes at a time when many crafters, Humphries included, have faced an economic blow due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as craft shows have had to be cancelled, and are only now able to open once again under provincial guidelines.

But, Humphries said, the pandemic has also been a time when local people have shown their support for local craftspeople and artisans even more than usual.

“There’s been a lot of local support for small business since COVID. It’s almost like people have gained more appreciation for things that are local and handmade,” said Humphries, who said that at one point many years ago she was hesitant to start her own business, but has since found success in a niche market she has carved for herself.

“I resisted starting my own business for many years. Now that I’m actually doing it, I see that it can be successful,” she said.

SMB residents put the 'giving' back in Thanksgiving for children in the Dominican Republic

By Chris Lewis | Oct. 15

Thanks to people in Riverhead, S.M.B., some families in the Dominican Republic have a bit more to eat for Thanksgiving.

Sid Woolfrey organised the fundraising campaign to help families there with the guidance of fellow teacher, Patty Briscoe, who teaches in the Dominican.

Briscoe’s school was shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For many in the small Caribbean nation, their only solid meal of the day came from school. With schools closed, that meal was no longer available.

After talking to Riverhead Mayor Sheila Lee about Briscoe’s situation, Woolfrey and Lee collaborated to see enough money sent to feed approximately 100 families during Thanksgiving.

“When COVID hit, not only were the schools closed, but no markets were allowed,” Lee said. “They were all shut down too. So, their only source of income was gone on them too.”

Lee said Briscoe told her stories of small children begging on the streets, despite that area being relatively well-off compared to other parts of the Dominican Republic.

Lee added that Briscoe had the opportunity to return to the province in August, but instead she decided to stay and do what she could to help the locals. With school closed, she had some extra time on her hands, and used it to make contact with friends and family back home in Newfoundland to try and raise money that could be used to feed the hungry.

With that money, Briscoe bought food in bulk – staples such as beans and flour – and organized it into small hampers, delivering it to those in need.

The hampers could feed a family for a week, despite only costing around $10.

“I put a message out there to people I knew would be able to help,” Lee said. “I was hoping for 50 friends of mine that might be able to donate maybe $20 to this little Thanksgiving project. That would give 100 families a nice meal on Thanksgiving, plus some extra food for the week.”

Lee’s call to action got an overwhelming response. In a week, the effort had accumulated $1,000.

Lee added that Briscoe will be posting photos online so that donors can see the payoff from their contributions.

“The gratitude on their little faces is just so great, you know?” Lee said, adding the children are delighted to be given something as small as a banana – food that, Lee added, some children here in the province may turn away.

Now, Lee is hoping the effort will inspire others, especially with the Christmas season around the corner.

“If we could get a couple different groups to realize how important this kind of thing is, that could be the difference between one family eating for a week, or struggling,” Lee said. “Hopefully, we can plant that seed in people’s minds now. Maybe someone can take on a Christmas project, and see what we can do for those poor souls this time of year.”

In total, Woolfrey and Lee have helped to send over $6,000 to Briscoe in the Dominican Republic for food.

“(Briscoe) said to (Woolfrey) that the people over there were just overwhelmed with excitement that some people who didn’t even know who they are would have that kind of compassion, and lend them a helping hand,” Lee said.