The community of Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove was well represented at Softball NL’s award ceremony this past week. The organization handed out four years’ worth of softball awards, as the ceremonies for previous years had been cancelled due to the pandemic. A number of men from the picturesque fishing village took home hardware. Colin Walsh was named the Senior Male Player of the Year for 2020, 2021, and 2022. Mark Stack was named Junior Male Player of the Year for 2020, and Ryan Maher was named Junior Male Player of the Year for 2022. Pictured are Stack, left, and Maher. Submitted photo
BBBAA funding deal still “in the works,” says Croft
By Mark Squibb \ May 12, 2023
Despite the item having fallen off the public meeting agenda for months, the Town of Witless Bay is apparently still working on a funding arrangement with the Bay Bulls to Bauline Athletic Association (BBBAA).
The Irish Loop Post put the question to council during a question-and-answer session following this week’s public meeting. Mayor Trevor Croft said an agreement is “still in the works.”
When asked if there was a definite timeline on when a deal might be struck, and whether that deal will be finalized before the recreation-heavy summer months hit, Croft said there was no definite timeline yet in place.
For several years, the Town has contributed $37,000 annually to the BBBAA, as per a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The Town of Bay Bulls pays an equal amount and in turn the BBBAA provides recreation services for the entire region.
That MOU expired at the close of 2022, and though the item had appeared on Witless Bay’s agenda a number of times, it was delayed time and time again.
In early December, councillor Nancy Burke, who serves as council’s BBBAA liaison, noted a decision would need to be reached soon, as the Town was budgeting for 2023.
Former councillor Alex Troake, who chaired the Town’s finance committee and had recommended council should re-consider signing a new MOU at all before resigning from council last month, said earlier this year that $37,000 had been earmarked for the BBBAA in the 2023 budget should council once again move forward. If the Town chooses not to enter into an agreement, that money will be used for other recreational purposes.
The Town of Bay Bulls elected to once again enter into the MOU with the BBBAA as per usual.
Witless Bay woman out to beat melanoma second time around as she raises funds for others
By Mark Squibb \ May 12, 2023
Beverly Corrigan-Barbour is once again organizing a Strides for Melanoma awareness walk for people along the Southern Shore.
“It’s a passion of mine, getting information out there and helping people on a yearly basis,” said Barbour, herself a Melanoma cancer survivor who began hosting the walk in 2020 after realizing no one else in the province had been doing so. “I made it my goal to make sure, that for that year at least, we were involved. The first year, people really enjoyed themselves, and people were becoming more informed and making decisions around sun safety… We had some people go and get moles checked and get treatment for skin cancer, not Melanoma thankfully. So, those positive things I’m hearing, and each year I think, ‘I need to do this again.’”
In March of 2019, Barbour noticed a very small mole on the side of her left knee. She decided to have the mole checked. Her family doctor removed it and sent it for further testing.
When her doctor called her back and told her it was Melanoma, she believed that because it was only a tiny mole and it was caught early, the Melanoma would clear up quickly.
“I honestly believed that because it was removed, I had nothing to worry about,” said Barbour. “I was very wrong… I, along with my family and close friends, were placed into unfamiliar territory; the world of a cancer patient with a full schedule of scans, tests, and specialist appointments. I had lymph nodes removed from my groin and a three-inch excision on the lateral portion of my knee. Thankfully, after six weeks of waiting for the results, it hadn't spread to my organs as it could have at a very quick rate.”
In March 2022, just ahead of last year’s walk, Barbour was diagnosed with Recurrent Malignant Melanoma.
“It’s been a rough year, between the surgeries and the treatments,” said Barbour. “Some days are better than others, But I keep a really positive attitude and I keep healthy, as healthy a lifestyle as I can. But it does put it into perspective, just how quickly this can come back… I don’t want people to go through this unnecessarily. There are so many cancers out there that are beyond people’s control, but this one, people can, with some wisdom, avoid.”
Barbour said it’s important that folks protect themselves against harmful UV rays.
“It takes only one blistering sunburn before the age of 20 to increase a person's chances of developing Melanoma,” said Barbour. “And once somebody knows that, and I’m sure we’ve all had at least one sunburn, it makes us aware that that little mole could be melanoma. If there’s any change in colour or size, or you have any concerns, get it checked out.”
She encourages people to use broad spectrum sunscreen, which protects from both UVA (ultraviolet A radiation) and UVB (ultraviolet B radiation) rays, and apply it at least 15 minutes before heading out, and to re-apply it frequently.
Strides for Melanoma is a national walk held across Canada on May 28.
The walk will start at 10 o’ clock at 16 Old Witless Bay Line. Folks will walk 2.5 kilometres and then return, making a full five kilometres. Following the walk there will be fundraising, games, live entertainment by Brian Finn and Con O’Brien, and guest speakers.
“It’s a really fun-filled afternoon,” said Barbour.
Barbour and her team of volunteers and walkers have raised over $18,000 the past three walks.
Donations go to Melanoma Canada, which uses the money to support initiatives like Mole Mobile – Canada's first Mobile Skin Cancer Screening Unit.
Mole Mobile visits major cities, underserved communities, and rural and indigenous regions to help people get their moles checked out. Mole Mobile will operate from May through September for the next five years, and visit a different part of the country each summer.
Mole Mobile launched in Toronto this May, and will service Ontario this summer.
Barbour said initiatives like this would not be possible without donations.
You can donate at https://melanomanetwork.akaraisin.com/ui/strides2023/g/39152.
Bay Bulls one step closer to enlightenment
By Mark Squibb \ May 12, 2023
Councillor Jason Sullivan moved to approve the supply and installation of 40 solar lights along the trail to the lowest compliant bidder, JJL Electrical Ltd., for a total cost of $10,800, plus HST.
Councillor Shannon O’Driscoll seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, excepting that councillor Corey Ronayne was not present at the meeting and thus did not vote.
The Town was the recipient of some $16,320 in provincial government funding last month for the solar lights through the Province’s Building Age Friendly Community Grant program.
A date has not been set for the installation of the lights, although in a previous meeting CAO Jennifer Aspell had said the work is expected to begin once the weather clears.
Witless Bay awards tender to upgrade trail
By Mark Squibb \ May 5, 2023
Witless Bay council has awarded a tender for trail upgrades, although the exact nature of the work was not specified.
During last weeks’ public meeting, councillor Ralph Carey motioned that council award the tender for the trail work to Harbour Construction Ltd., in the amount of $12,525, plus HST.
Carey explained the trail runs along the Puffin Centre, and the Town had received Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) money for the project.
Councillor Jacob Hayden seconded the motion, and council, excepting councillor Gerard Dunn, who declared a conflict of interest on the matter as he works with the company, voted unanimously in favour of approving the motion.
A timeline for the work was not provided.
Gold Medal Champions
These Mavericks are gold medal champions. The St. Kevin’s Grade 9 boys basketball team claimed first place in the Newfoundland and Labrador East Coast Tournament this weekend. In the back row, from left, are coach Gerard Clarke, Keegan O’Brien, Ashton Chaisson, Jacob Kelly, Brody Pearce, Preston Clarke, Micheal Deir, Liam Guest, Aiden Putt and coach Joe Kelly. In the front row, from left, are: Jesse Bailey, Jesse King, Nathan Erasmus, Liam Cody, and Joseph Best. Missing from the photo is Olivia Clarke.
More Irish Loop towns get ‘age-friendly’ grants
By Mark Squibb \ May 5, 2023
Earlier this month, councillors in Bay Bulls acknowledged receipt of $16,320 in government funding to install solar lights along the Long Pond walking trail.
The money came from a pot of over $2 million the provincial government set aside in April for ‘Building Age-Friendly Communities.’
Bay Bulls was hardly the only community along the shore that successfully applied for funding through the program, as a number of other communities have also received grants.
In Petty Harbour - Maddox Cove, council is getting $16,320 for accessibility upgrades to the tourist information centre.
Ferryland meanwhile received $16,320 for accessibility upgrades to the Town Hall.
Cape Broyle received $16,320 for accessibility upgrades to the community centre parking lot.
St. Mary’s received $15,250 for accessibility upgrades to the Town Hall, while St. Vincent's - St. Stephen's - Peter's River received $16,320 for accessibility upgrades to Holyrood Pond Centre.
Initially, government had earmarked only $400,000 for the program, but bolstered the funding given the number of applications it received.
Over 130 projects were approved for funding.
And then there were six
Witless Bay councillor tenders resignation, no date set for byelection
By Mark Squibb \ May 5, 2023
Councillor Alex Troake has resigned from Witless Bay council.
Mayor Trevor Croft informed the public of Troake’s resignation at the tail end of last week’s public meeting, the first in-person, public session council has held since the start of the pandemic, in fact the first such public meeting since the group was elected two years ago.
Troake served on the finance committee, and worked closely on files relating to Town finances. It was Troake, along with Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard, who recommended council hire Sean Kavanagh as Town CAO, forgoing the hiring of a consultant, which, in Troake’s words, “saved the town thousands of dollars that would previously have been paid to a consultant.”
The Town has since parted ways with Kavanagh for undisclosed reasons and has struggled to keep other staff.
Troake and Yard also worked together on the hiring of a new fire chief, Jack Gatherall, again keeping the work in-house, after the former chief resigned.
Troake had also strenuously argued against increasing funding for the Bay Bulls to Bauline Athletic Association, claiming, amongst other things, that “the BBBAA chose to sit on their hands,” during the pandemic when it came to seeking financing from other sources, and that the organization was too “Bay Bulls-centric.” The BBBAA serves as a de facto recreation department for both communities.
With the multi-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) between council and the BBBAA set to expire at the close of 2022, Troake recommended council re-consider signing a new one arguing council should instead look at funding the group year-by-year.
The MOU has since been repeatedly delayed, and as of today no firm decision has been made as to whether Witless Bay will continue to partner with the organization when it comes to recreation services.
Troake did not attend last week’s meeting and had not attended the last number of meetings.
During last week’s meeting, Croft told the public Troake “has decided to move on to other opportunities… We will let the public know when there will be a by-election.”
Alex Troake has tendered his resignation from Witless Bay council. The rookie councillor was elected in September 2021 and served on council’s finance committee. Submitted photo
Trepassey mayor keeping up the good fight
By Craig Westcott \ April 28, 2023
Trepassey council has managed to fill the two openings it had in the chamber, and nobody is more delighted than Mayor Rita Pennell to have a full crew.
After the latest call for nominations went out last month, former councillor Colin Cheater and former town administrator Sharon Topping both put up their hands offering to serve.
"That's a relief," said Pennell. "It's been a struggle all along (to keep a full complement). We haven't had an election in years. We're lucky to just get enough (to get acclaimed)."
As for byelections, Pennell noted the Town has often had to make several calls at times to fill even one seat.
With the full complement, the council will still have a lot on its hands. Pennell and her crew often find themselves dealing as much with provincial issues, especially health care and transportation, as they do with routine municipal business.
Just this week, crews are working on yet another repair to an area called the Lower Coast, a spit of land that juts out into Trepassy Bay connected to the rest of the town by a narrow road that keeps getting washed as climate change makes storms bigger and stronger.
"It's looking pretty good down there," Pennell said of the reconstruction. “It looks like they're doing a great job."
But she knows it's probably not a permanent solution.
"They're not putting any cribbing there," she noted. "And there's going to be nothing to stop the force of the water. So, we're just going to have to wait and see (how it holds up). I guess we're just going to have to be positive, but it's hard."
About 35 people live on the Lower Coast, Pennell reckoned, too many to relocate to the other side of the harbour in any vacant homes that might be available.
"You wouldn't resettle some of them if you put a bomb down there," she allowed, laughing.
More serious is the state of health care. Because of a wrangle over compensation between the last set of serving doctors and Eastern Health, Trepassey hasn't had a physician in more than a year. Residents of the Town and its surrounding area, including St. Shotts, Biscay Bay and Portugal Cove South, have been left to reply on part time nurse practitioners for their medical needs.
"They were here from Eastern Health on the 1st of March and they politely told us that we didn't need a doctor, that we're well looked after," said the mayor. "They just told us we don't need a doctor. It was such a negative meeting. They were so negative and (their attitude was) they were right and there was no one else right. One of them even told us they had left their family doctor and had gone with a nurse practitioner. I said you must be some foolish – I wouldn't leave mine."
Like many residents who have been lucky enough to find one elsewhere, Pennell goes to Kelligrews to see her family doctor, Dr. Heather Cuddy, the last family doctor to serve Trepassey and who felt forced to give up on the clinic because of Eastern Health's refusal to cover some of her expenses.
Pennell said the nurse practitioners man the clinic sometimes two days a week, sometimes three days a week.
On March 6, a resident showed up at Pennell's home after going to the clinic with a bad pain and finding no nurse practitioner available. "They could see one of the nurse practitioners in 15 days times, or 21 days later to see the other," Pennell said.
On March 22 a person who called the clinic looking for an appointment was told a nurse practitioner would be available on April 24, Pennell said.
"We're the furthest from a hospital on the island," said Pennell. "It's unbelievable, I tell you."
The other big issue Pennell and council has been grappling with is a looming deadline of mid-July for the withdrawal of the ambulance service by the operator, Fewer's. But in this case, Pennell is hopeful she has found a solid ally.
"I don't know if everything is going to work out or not, but the premier did call me himself on the 29th of January," Pennell said. "He told me they couldn't interfere with Fewer's while they had the contract."
But he did commit to ensure Trepassey has an ambulance service after Fewer’s pulls out.
Andrew Furey explained that Fewer's contention that it was short of staff wasn't a good enough reason for the government to end the contract early, or punish the company. But the premier promised the Trepassey area would be covered by two ambulances from St. John's.
"I kind of have to believe him," Pennell said.
She hasn't talked with Premier Furey since then but expects to see him Tuesday next week at a breakfast to which they are both invited.
Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: Pennell isn't the type to give up.
"Well, no," she admitted, laughing. "They know they won't get rid of me."
Bay Bulls approves patch pavement
By Mark Squibb \ April 28, 2023
Folks in Bay Bulls can expect to see crews laying asphalt around town, but when council had awarded the contract earlier this month, they had yet to determine which areas exactly would be addressed.
The item was put to a vote during April’s public meeting, held on April 10.
Councillor Shannon O’Driscoll motioned that council award the contract to English’s Paving, the lowest compliant bidder, at an estimated amount of $39,980, plus HST.
O’Driscoll noted the bid is an estimate and not a firm price because the scope of work had not yet been finalized.
Town Manager Jennifer Aspell noted that council would meet later to discuss the work scope of the project.
The motion passed unanimously, with the ex caption of councillor Jason Sullivan who was absent and thus did not vote on the matter.
Bay Bulls getting $1.8 million for roadwork
By Mark Squibb\April 14, 2023
The Town of Bay Bulls will undertake some $2 million worth of road work without hardly dipping into its on coffers thanks to the provincial government.
Council voted this week to accept the funding agreement for the Phase 1 and 2 upgrades to Northside Road.
The project is valued at $2 million, but the Town will only be on the hook for $184,000 thanks to the funding split with the provincial government.
“I think it’s notable to say that we just received $1.8 million in funding over a 90/10 share,” said Town Manager Jennifer Aspell, to the agreement of councillors.
The motion, moved by Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien and seconded by councillor Corey Ronayne, was approved unanimously, excepting that councillor Jason Sullivan was absent from the meeting.
Veterans representing the NL Branch of the CPVA presented certificates of appreciation to Frank Roberts Junior High School students
During a special assembly held on April 5, a number of veterans representing the Newfoundland and Labrador Branch of the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association (CPVA) presented certificates of appreciation to Frank Roberts Junior High School students for an initiative undertaken by students last February, when five classrooms made Valentines Day cards to present to veterans throughout Conception Bay South. The initiative was spearheaded by Grade 8 Frank Roberts Junior High School student Paige Haines. From left to right are Gary Best, Sarah Chafe (Grade 7), Don Neimor, Sammy Noel (Grade 7), Wayne Miller, Sophie Wiscombe (Grade 7), Gord Wheadon, Kaden Tarrant (Grade 8), Woodrow French and Paige Haines (Grade 8). Submitted photo.
‘The plays the thing’ for award winning St. Kevin’s drama troupe
The St. Kevin’s High School Drama Troupe won a number of awards during this year’s Provincial Drama Festival. The group performed “Free Trial,” based on an original script written by St. Kevin’s High School teacher Greg White. In the back, from left to right are: Brianna Howlett, Parker Gosse (Best Dramatic Role award winner), Marty Murphy (Overall Excellence in Acting Award winner), Melanie Lush (Best Tech Crew Award winner), and Parker Murphy. In the front row, from left to right, are Olivia Bishop, Emily Putt, Julia Kennedy, Ace Stanley, Maddie Whelan, Morgan Guest, and Emily Sinnott. The group also won an award for Best Original Script. Submitted photo.
By Mark Squibb\April 14, 2023
The St. Kevin’s High School Drama Club won a number of awards during this year’s provincial drama festival.
This years festival is the first since COIVD slammed shut the theatre doors back in 2020, meaning it’s the first festival of its kind for most high school students across the province.
“Seeing them experience it in person was a very satisfying thing as a teacher,” said St. Kevin’s teacher Greg White, who leads the St. Kevin’s drama troupe. “You see the hard work that students put in during rehearsals make sense, and you see how proud they are of their work, as their peers cheer them on, and be a part of that whole experience. Probably the most rewarding thing as a teacher is to be able to say, ‘I know you’ve never done this, but when we do, it’s going to be worth it.’ And at the end of the day, and my colleagues from other schools agreed, it’s almost like there wasn’t a break. The energy going into the theatre was exactly the same as the energy going into the theatre in 2019. It was great to be able to do it again.”
White wrote the drama, “Free Trial,” that the students performed, for which he would receive an award for Best Original Script.
White writes his scripts in coordination with the students, and credits them for the result.
“The students come up with the ideas, and I just roll with it,” he summarized. “It 100 percent comes from them.”
He was working on the script with a group of Gonzaga High School students back in the 2019/2020 season for that year’s provincial drama festival, little knowing that COVID-19 would soon shut theatres across the country.
The story is about a young man Adam (played by Grade 10 student Parker Gosse) who uses a mobile phone app to help him cope with social anxiety. Through the app, Adam can play out different social scenarios in virtual reality.
“The entire experience was so fun, and completely new,” said Gosse, award winner for Best Dramatic Role. “I had never done anything like this before. It was so fun to act on stage, and the support even from other schools, and our own school was fantastic. The workshops also were a lot of fun. Overall, it was a great time, and I cannot wait to do it next year.”
“It was definitely a different experience, because I had never done anything like this before,” concurred Grade 11 student Marty Murphy, who won an award for Overall Excellence in Acting. “But it was a very fun experience, and all of the schools that competed showed very good sportsmanship and were very friendly.”
White applauds the good job done by his students, especially considering they had never before participated in a festival.
“These guys have never performed on a stage in front of an audience before, but they just worked incredibly hard,” said White. “They truly, 100 percent, earned that recognition they got from the adjudicators. So, what a better advocation for any student to get involved than saying, ‘Hey look, these guys never did this before and they had a blast, felt supported, and at the end of the day, walked away holding their head high.”
While public speaking and stage acting may strike a chord of fear in many of us, White’s students encouraged others to give it a try.
“Just give it a try, because once you’re in a drama group, it’s a completely different feeling than being in a classroom,” said Grade 11 student Melanie Lush, who received a Best Tech Crew award. “It feels more like acting in front of family members than a bunch of random strangers.”
Grade 11 student Julia Kennedy noted one piece of trivia that may folks feel a little less nervous performing on stage.
“You’re not so intimidated by everyone watching you because all you can really see are a bunch of bright lights,” said Kennedy.
Awards and accolades aside, White said the drama club is good for students and school communities.
“There are a particular group of students for whom drama is their thing,” said White. “They find their community within the club. And as with every group I’ve had in the past, there’s a real sense of belonging and community within drama and drama festival. The students develop social skills and communication skills, wonderful things the students take with them the rest of their lives whether they become an actor or not.”
As a teacher who has been involved in drama for a number of years, White said he’s seen countless students grow and mature through their involvement with drama clubs.
“You get to see your students grow immensely, from the Grade 9 student who is too afraid to audition to, in just a short amount of time, the Grade 10 or 11 student walking across the stage with their hands in the air getting an award,” said White. “It’s an awesome thing to be a part of.”
White said the festival also builds relationships between schools and helps likeminded students across the region keep in touch with one another.
The club hopes to put off a production of “Free Trial,” for the public this May.
The Goulds Lions Club undertakes 50/50 ticket fundraiser with Bidgood’s Supermarket
The Goulds Lions Club has undertaken a 50/50 ticket fundraiser in conjunction with Bidgood’s Supermarket to raise money for local causes. In March, the Gould’s Lions Club presented St. Kevin’s Junior High School with $558. The donation represented proceeds from the February draws. From left to right are Goulds Lions Club President Jeff Marshall, Joe Philpott of St. Kevin’s Junior High School and daughter Kennedy Philpott, and Roberta Noftall of Bidgood’s. Submitted photo
MUN and Bay Bulls planning joint archaeological presentation
By Mark Squibb \ April 21, 2023
If you’ve wondered what’s hidden in the depths of Bay Bulls Harbour, now is your chance to find out.
The Town of Bay Bulls and Memorial University will be hosting a public presentation on May 24 at 6:30 p.m. related to a recent exploration of the harbour by MUN students.
Council set the date during last week’s public meeting.
“As most people know, the MUN Archeology Department has been conducting an archaeological assessment of both sides of Bay Bulls Harbour since the fall of 2021, and that’s concluding later this summer,” explained Town Manager Jennifer Aspell. “That’s concluding later this summer, and the master’s student whose been leading the project will be making a presentation for council, staff, and members of the general public to present the findings to date. And apparently, they’ve come across some pretty interesting stuff.”
Following the conclusion of the project, MUN will provide the town with a Geographic Information System (GIS) map that will identify the location of all discovered artifacts.
The presentation, which will be held at the Lifestyle Centre, is expected to last an hour, with an opportunity for questions-and-answers following the presentation.
The harbour has been identified as a provincial historic site and is the site of the wreck of the HMS Sapphire, which is believed to be the only vessel of its size sank in the province in 1696 during the second ‘Hundred Years War’ between England and France.
Bay Bulls receives funding for lights along Long Pond trail
By Mark Squibb \ April 21, 2023
Things are getting brighter for folks in Bay Bulls— literally.
The provincial government last week at a special event in Mount Pearl announced some $2 million in funding in Building Age Friendly Communities grants, a one-time grant designed to help municipalities make upgrades to better accommodate seniors.
Earlier this year, Bay Bulls had requested funding for solar lights along the Long Pond walking trail to the tune of $27,700. Minus the GST/HST rebate, the cost comes to $18,130, of which government will pay $16,320. The Town of Bay Bulls will be on the hook for only $1,810.
Council agreed to accept the funding arrangement during last week’s public meeting, and also agreed to submit a Gas Tax Capital Investment Plan application to the Gas Tax Secretariat in the amount of $7,300 for the project.
Town Manager Jennifer Aspell said that work is expected to begin once the weather clears up.
Work on the design began in 2020 and the trail will be a combination of compacted granular and boardwalk with a focus on accessibility.
Phase I of the project was 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). Phase II is valued at $144,229, and of that cost, the Town only has to contribute 10 per cent — $14,422. The rest of the cost of Phase II was covered by provincial COVID stimulus funding.
Southern Shore Breakers U11 tier 1 girls
The Southern Shore Breakers U11 tier 1 girls hockey team won the Metro League championship last month against the Northeast Eagles taking the series 2-0. Both games were won via a shoot out. The girls also won the bronze medal in the U11B provincials hosted at the Southern Shore arena March 17-19. The team includes, starting from left: Coach Glen Sullivan, Mya Carey, Ava Curtis, Faith Kieley, goalie Rachel Coady, Maggie Carter, Bree Joyce, Jenna Keough, Kayleigh Dalton, Lyndon Kieley, Manager Laura Mullowney, Emma Ward, Zoe Brennan, Grace Boland, Lauren Johnson, Coach Jonathan Carter, Lexi Burke, Abbi Sullivan, Callie Coombs, and Trainer Jed Kieley. Missing from the photo is Head Coach Jennifer Bidgood. Photo courtesy of Laura Mullowney
Police seize bikes, charge two youths with flight from police
Two youths operating off-road vehicles are facing criminal charges after fleeing from the RCMP in Witless Bay on Sunday, April 2.
Police were patrolling the Witless Bay Line when they observed ATVs driving on the roadway, said RCMP spokesperson Glenda Power.
“Upon the activation of police emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop, the three ATVs fled at a high rate of speed,” she said. “In the interest of public safety, officers did not pursue the vehicles.”
Power said additional officers parked and waited for the ATVs at the intersection of Witless Bay Line and Route 10. Two of the three ATVs came upon the intersection, failed to stop at the stop sign and continued to flee. They were last seen turning onto Deans’ Road. Police made a patrol on Dean’s Road and observed the ATVs parked by a guard rail at the end of the road. Two youths were arrested for flight from police and were transported to the RCMP Bay Bulls Community Office. They were released from custody and are set to appear in court at a later date to answer to the charges. The ATVs were seized and impounded.
The third ATV operator was not located. The investigation is continuing.
Power said according to the provincial Off-Road Vehicles Act and Regulations, it is illegal to operate any off-road vehicle on a roadway and offenders could be liable for $325 summary offence ticket.
“Operators who fail to stop for police put themselves and others at unnecessary risk and place themselves in breach of a criminal offence – Flight from Police – which can result in a criminal record,” Power said.
Ronayne feels new policy for demolition permits is a dynamite idea
By Craig Westcott/March 31, 2023
Bay Bulls council is moving to speed up part of the development process by handing over its authority for the issuance of demolition permits to Town staff.
Councillor Corey Roynane made the motion to devolve that responsibility, which was seconded by councillor Shannon O’Driscoll.
Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien asked whether council will still be informed when the permits are issued.
Town Manager Jennifer Aspell said the permits will be included for council’s review in the monthly permit report.
“It’s really just an effort not to hang people up,” she explained. “Demolition is usually the first step in the process for a development. So, if we can get demolition permits out the door quickly, the individual can get their application (to build) tabled (before council earlier) if they want to do a development.”
Roynane said he thinks it’s a good idea as it will speed up the process for residents.
In other council news:
Council has denied a request to waive interest on a tax account.
“I’m going to motion to deny waiving that interest,” said councillor O’Driscoll, “due to the fact it has been outstanding for a while with no effort to make payment on this account.”
Deputy Mayor O’Brien seconded the motion.
“I think it should be noted that there has been no cooperation from the individual to make a tax payment plan,” said O’Brien.
Town Manager Aspell pointed out the Town does offer a number of options for people who are struggling to pay their municipal taxes. “The interest relief one is one that we’ve had great success with over the last few years,” she added. “So, we do work with account holders quite frequently.”
In other tax related news, Gully Designs, which was located at 151 Southside Road, has been removed from the business tax rolls effective January 2023.
Deputy Mayor O’Brien made the motion to remove the business and to provide remission of $450 for the company’s 2023 taxes.
Councillor O’Driscoll seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
And in the monthly report on the Bay Bulls to Bauline Athletic association, Mayor O’Driscoll noted the organization’s after school program had to be discontinued.
“But moving along for the month of April and into Easter, they are opening up for the Easter Camp,” said O’Driscoll. “That’s a positive event there.”
The BBBAA’s indoor soccer program is also continuing, he noted.
Council getting cautious with speed bump policy
By Craig Westcott/March 31, 2023
Bay Bulls council has approved new speedbumps for three more places intown.
Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien made the motion to implement the so-called Speed Bump Location Plan at last week’s monthly public meeting.
The speedbumps will be installed near the playgrounds on Sheldon Drive and Island Cove Road, as well as near O’Brien’s Boat Tours on Lower Road, “as that is a busy pedestrian activity (area) in the summertime,” said O’Brien.
Town Manager Jennifer Aspell asked council to clarify whether it is only approving speed bumps for the three areas identified.
“It’s just my opinion, but I think we have too many on certain roads,” said O’Brien, adding that unless there is a concentration of children in the area, the bumps are probably not needed.
“That’s fine. I just wanted to make sure we had the list complete there,” said Aspell.
“I think we should focus around playground areas and busy pedestrian areas that cross local roads,” said O’Brien.
The list was approved unanimously.
