Getting to work

Bay Bulls hopes to double down on work projects in 2020

By Mark Squibb | Vol. 13 No. 2 (January 23, 2020)

Bay Bulls mayor Harold Mullowney admits that 2019 was a year of challenges.

Perhaps biggest of all was a piece of roadwork along Lower Road that remains unfinished.

“We’ve had a lot of challenges when you look at the bit of road work we’ve tried to do this year,” said Mulloweny.

Bay Bulls Mayor Harold Mullowney anticipates a busy 2020 after some disappointing setbacks in 2019.

“It was supposed to be finished before tourism season started, but because of a number of circumstances beyond control, it dragged on and on and on.”

The largest concern was that the Town had to switch contractor’s mid-year, slowing down the project considerably.

“That was a bit disappointing, because we had intended to do a considerable amount of work this year.”

“It occupied a tremendous, tremendous amount of our time. It was frustrating. We started the year with three or four projects that we wanted to knock off, and because of this one we never got them done.

“All that being said, we’re looking at a very active year coming,” said Mulloweny, hoping that many of those projects, including the resurfacing of Cemetery Road by the Regional Lifestyle Centre, and updating of St. John’s Road, will be picked up in 2020.

He adds that the Forotten Corner restoration project on the Ryan Property is scheduled to be completed, the Town is planning to preserve the last vestiges of the Southern Shore railway as a heritage site, and work is scheduled for community walking trails.

Near the top of Mullowney’s 2020 wish list is more regional partnerships.

Bay Bulls had recently floated out the idea, once again, to cost share with nearby communitiies for a regional municipal enforcement officer.

So far, no one else has come on board with that idea.

 “We’re still hopeful that we can do a deal with some other towns in the area because we’ve always looking at the fact that we could use some enforcement,” said Mullowney.

 “It’s too much for small towns like Bay Bulls or Witless Bay to take on their own. But if we were to share, and do something regionally, I think it’s possible.”

Mulloweney suggested that the cyclic nature of councils stalls the movement towards regional partnerships.

“The unfortunate thing is, every time you have an election you get new people around the table, and even if there’s a lot of planning went into something, you basically need to re-educate everyone as to the necessity, and by the time you’re ready to move again, you’re into another election,” said Mullowney.

“And you got to start all over again,”

“Doing things regionally makes more sense,” he said, noting that regional groups such as the Bay Bulls Bauline Athletic Association (BBBAA) and the Witless Bay Regional Fire Department are quite successful.

“Anything we can do by working together, as small towns, is to the benefit of all. Because we cannot do everything in our own little silos.”

Meanwhile, Bay Bulls has their own election woes.

There has been a vacant seat on council since August of 2018, and at least seven unsuccessful attempts to fill it.

“We’ve gone out to the market a number of times on that, and we’ve had no one bite. We’re getting closer to the next election, so maybe people are waiting for that. But the reality on that piece is that there are still issues where we can’t vote effectively on things, because in a small town, many people have connections, and there are conflicts here and there, and so you have to step out. That one extra councillor will make things run so smooth. I’m disappointed we haven’t ben able to pick one up.”

For example, council needed to seek permission from the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment for council to act on matters related to work being done on St. john’s Road— of the six councillors, three are found to be in conflict of interest, leaving only three councillors to vote on the matter.

Meanwhile, a decision made at council chambers down the road in Witless Bay (who, this past fall, did hold a successful election) will affect not only Bay Bulls, but many communities in the region.

Council is looking to hire a fire chief (as opposed to having volunteer man the position).

The decision would require communities who avail of the regional service to dip into their pockets.

“This is something I’d have to run by the whole council, obviously, but personally the way I look at it is the whole region is growing. This is the fastest growing region in the province right now, the region between Bay Bulls and Witless Bay, up to Mobile, Tor’s Cove… as we move forward, yes, we’re going to need to step up and have more services available. We have a great fire department, they’re absolutely fantastic, but the reality is, like the councillors, they’re all volunteers. And they don’t have the ability, sometimes, to do what needs to be done on a regular basis,” said Mullowney.

“If we can in any way shape of form facilitate them becoming more efficient, if a paid fire chief will help that, I think I’m all for that.”

Settling arrears

By Mark Squibb | Vol. 13 No. 2 (January 23, 2020)

A number of property owners owe property taxes in Petty Harbour— Maddox Cove, including one piece of property that has unpaid taxes going as far back as 2011.

Council discussed the possibility of putting several properties up for tax sale – a sale of the property by the town.

“Whatever the cost of legal fees and everything else is all billed to the property owner before he gets any more out of it,” noted mayor Samuel Lee during the discussion.

That would include what’s owning on the property tax owed.

If the property did not sell, the fees would be added to the owner’s bill.

One problematic piece of property has had taxes outstanding since 2011.

“It’s a piece of property in behind the Maddox Cove ballfield,” noted Stack.

“I don’t have any contact with this person. My only concern with regard to a tax sale is that the property may not be of much value to anyone because it has no access.”

Mayor Samuel Lee noted that the parcel of land was not entirely inaccessible— just inaccessible by any easy route, as an entrance may need to be purchased through another property owner, or through Crown lands.

“But just because there’s no easy access doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay your taxes on it,” added David Green.

“Especially if they haven’t paid taxes since 2011.”

The idea was floated that perhaps the town could purchase the land, but Lee felt they had no sue for the piece of land.

Deputy Mayor Samuel Stack noted that council had discussed the very same property before.

“We’re after discussing this before, and it’s been since 2011 [that taxes have not been paid], and I think it’s probably time for us to move on this,” said Stack.

Council voted unanimously to put the property to a tax sale.

Another property has had taxes outstanding for a number of years.

“The property owner had passed away in the last couple of years, so its in trust to a legal firm,” noted CAO Stephanie Stack.

She noted that she had sent a letter to the firm the prior week but had not head anything back as of the Jan. 6 meeting.

Council was going to hold off until they heard back from the firm before making the decision.

Another property, a piece of vacant land along Main Street in Maddox Cove, has had taxes outstanding for a year.

Stack noted that she did not have contact information for the property owner.

“I tried to get a hold of some family members, and they don’t seem to have any contact information either,” she added.

Stack noted that due to it’s location along the main road, the parcel of land should sell.

Council discussed how long they should hold off before putting the property to a tax sale, with Stack again reminded council that she had no contact for the individual, and as such he was not receiving statements indicating how much he owed on the property.

Councillor Harry Chafe, meanwhile, was under the impression the owner was no longer living in Petty Harbour— Maddox Cove, but had moved to Bay Roberts.

Council agreed to put off making a final decision until April, after the next tax billing.

Another property had taxes owing for just under a year, although Stack explained that the town had been in communication with the owner and he had indicated he would be paying the bill.

Council voted to write off an outstanding business tax as the business was no longer in operation.

For other property owners who owed only six months worth of taxes, council voted to discuss again in the future, while other property owners had paid their taxes before the meeting.

Witless Bay recruiting a CAO

By Mark Squibb | Vol. 13 No. 2 (January 23, 2020)

The Town of Witless Bay is looking for a Chief Administration Officer.

Council voted unanimously to approve LW Consulting proposal.

Councillor Lucy Carew noted that LW Consulting also, in the proposal, offered to assist with the process of hiring the new fire chief as well.

Council decided to hold off requesting consulting services for the search for a new fire chief.

“Because we’re not clear on where we’re going yet, and we have to have meetings and everything, can we just limit this to a CAO first?” asked deputy mayor Maureen Murphy.

Council voted unanimously in favor.

Witless Bay moving forward with changes to fire chief position

By Mark Squibb | Vol. 13 No. 2 (January 23, 2020)

Shane Cole is holding the fort at the Witless Bay Regional Fire Department until a paid fire chief is hired.

Though the details have not be ironed out yet, Witless Bay town council are moving ahead with the plan to transition the position of volunteer fire chief to a paid position.

“We intend to have a meeting with all the various major players,” said Mayor Derm Moran during a Jan. 14 council meeting, the first of the new year.

“We don’t know yet, it’s down the road, as to the financing, whether full-time or part-time; once again, that’s all to be determined. There will be a meeting with the towns, and local service districts, and the fire department themselves.

“We will be setting a date for that, because everybody needs to know what the intent is,” he added.

“We need to generate revenue to cover the cost for the particular individual, whoever he or she is,” he noted

Former volunteer fire chief Paul Evoy, who had served for the last couple of years, informed the council earlier the fall that he would be stepping down due to work and family commitments.

Since then, Shane Cole, assistant chief, has taken the role of acting chief, with Evoy still on hand to help the transition.

Cole was at the meeting of council.

Councillor Vince Swain asked what kind of timeframe council should be looking at moving forward.

“As soon as possible would be nice, but however long it’s going to take it’s going to take,” said Cole.

Moran suggested that a consulting firm be hired, but that decision would be made at the as yet unscheduled meeting.

Breakers start New Year at top of standings

‘We have a deep team’

By Mark Squibb | Vol. 13 No. 1 (January 8, 2020)

This past fall as he looked ahead to the season, Southern Shore Breaker’s president Ian Sullivan anticipated a successful run, and time has proved him right.

Southern Shore Breakers were the 2018-19 East Coast Senior Hockey League champions and went on to battle the Grand Falls Windsor — Cataracts for the coveted Herder Memorial Trophy last season. They hosted a banner raising in the Ken Williams Southern Shore Arena near the start of this season. From left to right are Daniel Cadigan, Jeremy Nicholas, and Mike Chafe.

The senior Breakers closed out 2019 at the top of the six-team East Coast Senior Hockey League (ECSHL), winning eight of their nine games and losing the other one in overtime.

“It’s been a good year so far. The boys are playing well. There’s a lot of good teams in this league too,” said Sullivan.

He praised the team for its depth— meaning that from the first line to the fourth, including the netminders, all players are playing well.

“We have a deep team. We’ve been playing great hockey. And the goaltending has been fantastic,” he said, noting that goalie Mark Yetman has two shutouts under his belt so far this season, and back up goal tender Mark Power also picked up two wins.

 “I think we’re a deep team in all departments… it’s been a big team effort. Everybody’s done their job, from the bench staff to the goaltending to the defense to the forwards. Everybody’s done their job, and it’s worked out really well.”

Sullivan said the team has picked up a couple of extra bodies since the beginning of the season, including Andrew Brennan of the Goulds and James Cadigan of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove.

He expects the pace will pick up after the holiday season, especially given a recent switch up in the league’s playoff policy.

“This year’s a little bit different, because there are no teams that are not going to make the playoffs,” said Sullivan.

“A lot of teams don’t make money if they don’t make the playoffs,” he explained.

Sullivan noted that before, with a five-team league, only one team would sit out the playoffs. With a six-team league, there would be two teams sitting out (and losing playoff revenue).

This time the first and second place teams will sit out a few weeks while the remaining teams battle it out to see who will go up against them.

“It gives every player a chance to play in the playoffs, and every team an opportunity to make a few dollars,” said Sullivan. “And you never know, you might have a Cinderella story, and that builds up the hype.”

The Breakers hit the ice again on Friday at 7:45 p.m., giving them some time to shake off any holiday turkey leg syndrome when they battle the CeeBee Stars.

Remembering them

By Mark Squibb | Vol. 13 No. 1 (January 8, 2020)

Several students from St. Kevin’s high School in the Goulds participated in the annual Remembrance Week Poster and Literary Contest hosted by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 34 Southern Shore and the Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Command.

The contest is open to all Canadian children as a means to honour Canada’s veterans through creative art and writing and help perpetuate remembrance of the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers and their families. 

In the Intermediate Poster Contest division, Cheyenne Edmunds-Cull placed first, Adriana Power placed second, and Ethan Evans placed third. At the senior level, for Black and White Posters, Brooklyn Follett placed first, Brianna Hennessey-Hawkins placed second, and Anna Kirby placed third. In the Senior Colour Poster Contest, Brianna Frizzell-Ryan placed first, Caeden Howlett placed second, and Morgan Penney placed third. In the Literary Contest, Sophie Nitschke placed first for her senior essay, while Julia Daley, Abigayle O’Connell, and Madison Brown placed first, second, and third receptively for their senior division poetry entries.

St. Kevin’s teacher Tracy Dixon encouraged students to submit their work.

Front Row (L-R): Cheyenne Edmunds-Cull, Caeden Howlett, Madison Brown, Julia Daley, Abigayle O’Connell, Sophie Nitschke, Morgan Penney, Brianna Frizzell-Ryan

Back Row (L-R) Mr. Tony Power (principal), Ethan Evans, Adriana Power, Brianna Hennessey-Hawkins, Brooklyn Follett , Ms. Tracy Nixon

Missing: Anna Kirby

No sharing for now

Petty Harbour says it may reconsider Bay Bulls’ proposal down the road

By Chris Lewis | Vol. 13 No. 1 (January 8, 2020)



The Town of Petty Harbour recently received a letter from the nearby community of Bay Bulls, inquiring as to whether or not it would be on board with the idea of sharing the cost and services of a by-law enforcement and occupational health and safety officer.

This is something that has come up in previous meetings of council in Bay Bulls, including the final meeting of 2019 in which it was admitted that Bay Bulls was not having much luck in stirring up interest in the idea with its neighbouring communities.

However, in the letter addressed to the Town of Petty Habour, it was indicated they hope to have at least three other communities on board soon enough.

Although occupational health and safety and by-law enforcement are the services that Bay Bulls hopes to provide with the service, it was outlined in the letter that the services potentially available by hiring a shared worker are not limited to just those two areas.

Among the main responsibilities of such an officer would be ticketing, included under the by-law enforcement aspect of the role.

Ticketing is a subject that strikes a chord with Petty Harbour council, given that it has been fighting for the right to ticket vehicles along Main Road, which is currently managed by the provincial government.

In hopes of remedying this issue, and gaining the right to ticket along Main Road, Petty Harbour council has plans to meet with the Department of Municipal Affairs in the coming weeks.

“I was speaking with (Town Manager) Jennifer Aspell with the Town of Bay Bulls … and I told her that when we have that meeting with Municipal Affairs, we’d have a better understanding on where we stand with the ticketing, and whether or not we could actually make use of this in the coming year,” said Petty Harbour Chief Administrative Officer Stephanie Stack.

Mayor Samuel Lee pointed out the Town has budgeted around $2,500 to the RNC trafficking unit’s enhancement proposal, and worried that this shared service may create unnecessary complications with that.

The cost for the shared service pilot project proposed by the Town of Bay Bulls would come in at around $45 for every hour the officer would spend in the community.

Councillor David Green pointed out the RNC initiative was put in place more or less to get some extra RNC vehicles patrolling the roads on the Northeast Avalon, and not to have them out walking about the town and checking up on things, as a proposed municipal enforcement officer would supposedly do.

“This person would be dedicated for however many hours we would want a week, to come down and physically do whatever we needed them to do,” Stack said. “So, if we want them for three hours to drive back and forth and ticket people who are parked illegally, that’s what they’d be doing.”

However, Lee argued that until the Town has the right to issue tickets without the intervention of the provincial government, the service proposed by Bay Bulls would not be of much use to them.

“With regards to the program we’ve involved ourselves in with the RNC, hopefully that’s going to send more patrols down here, and hopefully, even if we don’t get the right to ticket, they will be able to do some when they are patrolling,” Lee said. “If we had that all in place, with the ticketing especially, then yes, we could use this (proposed municipal enforcement officer) for some jobs. But without that, what are we going to pay $45 an hour for? They wouldn’t be able to do much, really.”

While Petty Harbour council ultimately decided to reject the offer for now, councillors did agree it is something worth re-visiting in the future, once they have their internal ticketing problems sorted out.

A motion was carried unanimously that Petty Harbour would thank Bay Bulls for offering the shared service, and would reconsider the offer in the coming weeks following their meeting with the Department of Municipal Affairs.

Playing it by ear

Rookie Ferryland MHA hoping province escapes early election call

By Mark Squibb | Vol. 13 No. 1 (January 8, 2020)

When news of an early election broke in the spring, Loyola O’ Driscoll was probably in the most appropriate place possible for a man of his reputation — on the ice.

“I was away at a hockey tournament in Florida,” said O’Driscoll, who helped the Southern Shore Breakers to five Herder Memorial championship wins during his years playing with the senior hockey team.

“I had aspirations before to run, and I didn’t,” said O’Driscoll, who admitted to being on the fence about putting his name forward for nomination, being in another country at the time.

But like a sniper seeing the five hole open up and little time to shoot, he decided to take a shot.

“Once the championship game was over, I went into the dressing room, showered, and went to the airport,” said O’Driscoll, who would go on to win both the PC nomination, which was one of the few contested nominations in the province, and then the election, with over 60 percent of the vote.

O’Dricscoll’s win reflected both the longevity of the PCs in Ferryland district (constituents have voted blue since the early 1970s) and the provincial political ripple which saw the Liberals lose enough MHAs to lose their majority status.

“It’s been a real learning experience,” said O’Driscoll, one of many first time MHAs now serving in the House of Assembly.

O’Driscoll said one of the challenges is getting to all the different community events he would like to attend. Keep in mind, that although there are less than 10,000 constituents in the district, they are scattered over a large geographical area comprised of over two dozen communities. That means sometimes having to choose between which Remembrance Day Ceremony, or Canada Day celebration, or Santa Claus parade to attend.

“You can only go to one spot… so you try to spread it out,” said O’Driscoll. “You’re trying to help people as much as you can, when they get into areas where they need some help. That’s the most gratifying part, when you get something accomplished.”

He said sometimes the answer he has for a constituent may not always be the answer they want to hear, which can be difficult to deal with.

“I’m in the Opposition. So, it’s always hard to get stuff for your district. You always got to be fighting for it.”

One thing he said he’s currently fighting for is an upgrade of the Witless Bay Line— a slab of highway many motorists avoid to spare damage to their rims and chassis.

He’d also like to see road conditions near the Mistaken Point UNESCO site improved.

“They’ve had some pavement put down this year from former MHA, Keith Hutchings, so they’ve done that this year, which is great. But you always try to get more,” O’Driscoll said.

When it comes to such things, however, the resources of the governing party and the desires of the Opposition parties don’t always line up.

“There doesn’t seem to be a lot of conversation, in my mind, a lot of conversation between the groups. They’re government, and they make the decisions,” said O’Driscoll. “They’re making decisions, and they want you to come onboard.”

Playing hockey as long as he did, O’Drisocoll is used to seeing the rough stuff up, but said he is surprised to see it in the House of Assembly.

“The House is eye-opening, and sometimes disappointing, with the behaviour that goes on there,” he said. “You’re brought up to be respectable, and have your opinion and speak to it, but sometimes some of the stuff that goes ahead out there, like in the last few weeks, is a bit disappointing. Sometime there’s people there who seem to sit there and don’t even listen… Sometimes you’re talking to an empty room. I think it’s inconsiderate.”

That said, he hopes that with so many new MHAs on both sides of the House, there will be a change in House decorum over the coming year, or years, but acknowledges it gives the legislature, and it’s representatives, a bad image.

“I’m tarnished with that the same as the other 40 people. And some of those 40 people are not that way inclined, to be that controversial,” he said.

When talk turns to the economy, O’ Driscoll admitted one thing constantly thrown back in the face of the PC Party is the Muskrat Falls boondoggle.

“Every time we bring something up as a group (regarding the economy) in the House, they always bring back Muskrat Falls,” h said. “I wasn’t there for Muskrat Falls. I wasn’t a part of it… They did bring that in there’s no question about it, as a previous PC government, but we weren’t a part of that, or involved in any way, shape, or form. That gets thrown at us a lot. Hopefully we can make some good decisions along the way to boost the economy get it going. We need to make it local, and keep our Newfoundlanders here. That is certainly an issue we’ve seen along the way.”

As for speculation that Newfoundlanders could be heading back to the polls for another provincial election in 2020, O’Driscoll isn’t embracing it.

‘It’s not something that we as a party want to see, to go back to another election,” he said. “People don’t want it first of all. They tell us they don’t want it. And it’s a money cost for the province as well. People don’t want to go through another election. They just came off a federal election, and a provincial one as well. They don’t want to go back to another one in another year. It’s a lot of money, time, and effort.”

Unwanted, said O’Driscoll, but not impossible.

“If the parties can’t cooperate and get along, and pass some good legislation, maybe that can happen. We’ll see where that goes,” he said. “Our intention as a party is not to go to another election (this year).”

A fitting legacy

Life saving donation made in memory of Goulds volunteer Justin Blundon

By Mark Squibb | Vol. 13 No. 1 (January 8, 2020)

The legacy of a Goulds man remembered for his kindness and community spirit will live on through a donation to a local parish.

Justin Blundon, 29, passed away from heart complications in February 2019, just days after returning from a month in Ottawa, where he was being tested for candidacy for a heart transplant.

The process would have started up again in April, and doctors advised it could have lasted from six months to three years

“He wasn’t planning on going back,” said Chris Blundon, Justin’s father, noting that Justin just wanted to be home and helping out in the community he loved.

While in hospital, Justin had even asked the doctors about volunteering, and was told he could volunteer at the hospital.

On hand for the donation of an automated external defibrillator to St. Paul’s Church in the Goulds were, from left: Reverend Sandra Tilley, Chris Blundon, Linda Blundon, Janean Blundon, William Blundon, and Kirk Stokes, Keith Wrice, Colin Parson and Don Antle of Wolselyey Waterworks. The donation was made in memory of well-known Goulds volunteer Justin Blundon, who passed away last February because of heart complications.

Justin passed away suddenly on February 2 last year— ten days shy of his birthday— at his parents’ house in the Goulds.

“He came home and died in our arms,” said Chris.

Chris said they didn’t have a funeral for their son, but instead a celebration of life, a life spent volunteering with St. John Ambulance, the Goulds Volunteer Fire Department, the Lion’s Club, St. Kevin’s Parish, and anyone else who needed a helping hand.

“Any fundraiser in the Goulds, he was into. He was that type of individual. And everybody loved him,” said Chris, who noted that Blundon would volunteer to help with any political campaign, or any church group, just so long as he got to help out.

“He didn’t care, so long as he was helping someone. He had that big heart of gold.”

Chris said that it’s only since Justin’s passing that the family has really understood his impact on the community.

“We knew how good he was. But we didn’t know how great he was within the community… this is what God had intended him to do — to be a good community builder and inspire a lot of people,” said Chris, explaining that the family’s faith has kept them strong over the last year as they honour Justin’s memory.

“The Lord needed a right-hand man up there to help him,” he said.

Chris said that the company he works for, Wolsely Waterworks, an international company that provides waterworks products and services, wanted to do something special in Justin’s memory.

“They heard about what Justin was all about in the community, and they wanted to try and do a little something different,” said Chris.

The company approached him about donating an automated external defibrillator, a life-saving device that is used to help a heart find its regular rhythm during a medical emergency. The family settled on donating it to St. Paul’s Anglican Church.

In a move Justin would no doubt have been proud of, his brother, Jason, a paramedic, volunteer firefighter, and instructor with St. John Ambulance, will donate his time to host a training session on how to properly use the defibrillator.

The presentation was made Friday, Dec. 20 with members of the Blundon family and Wolseley staff on hand.

It’s fitting that such a device would be donated in the name of one who always gave himself to help others.

“This could save somebody’s life in the next month, or two months, or years down the road,” said Chris. “His legacy will live on through that.”

Holyrood Pond Park to go to tender

Residents hope park will be revitalised

By Mark Squibb | Vol. 13 No. 1 (January 8, 2020)

For several people who live in St. Mary’s Bay, it might just have been a Christmas miracle.

Holyrood Pond Provincial Park on Route 90 near St. Marys, which was sold off by the province as a cost-saving measure in the early nineties and has grown wild and unkempt since, will be going to tender.

Placentia – St. Mary's MHA Sherry Gambin— Walsh said in an end-of-year interview, that her understanding from Fisheries and Land Resources was that the land will be going to tender soon.

“I understand that yes, the people down there do what it revitalized, and my understanding is, from Fisheries and Land Resources, that we will put it out to tender, and see who will bid on it,” said Gambin—Walsh.

“We have a lot of land and parks and things that government can no longer financially take care of, so giving them over to a private investor through a fair and equitable process to develop, I do believe is the right thing to do.”

A follow-up email to Gambin—Walsh’s office on Dec. 18 confirmed that request for proposals had been prepared and would be posted in the near future.

Over the years, many individuals have expressed concerns over the dilapidated state of the once beautiful provincial park, even forming a Holyrood Pond Development Inc. committee to, amongst other objectives, salvage the park.

Madonna Martin of St. Vincent’s is one resident who wishes to see the park restored to its former glory.

“It’s supposed to be a provincial park. And, on the map it is. But it’s jut been left there like an orphan, left out in the cold, and nobody seems to care,” said Martin.

“I’m just concerned about getting this park cleaned up. It’s a sin, it’s a waste of a beautiful area. It’s right on the Irish Loop, and tourists pass through here in the summer. I don’t know why this can’t be used even as a day park.”

Martin said that people would still visit the park and use it as a place to have picnics and bonfires, but that the blow downs and overgrowth will soon render the land unsafe.

Last winter, she said her husband Dan attempted to clear away some of the brush and overgrowth.

“Last winter I went over there with my dog, and I couldn’t walk through the path any more because of the blow downs. I complained to my husband, and he took his power saw one day and said, ’I’ll go over and clear a path for you.’”

For his efforts, Dan Martin was awarded a ticket and a fine.

“We did pay the fine. We went out to the forestry office at Paddy’s Pond. We paid the fine, and he did explain what was going on. And buddy said, ‘I know b’y, but that’s the law, no cutting at a provincial park.’”

She said that the park has untapped potential to serve both residents and tourists, and provides ample opportunities for hiking, swimming, and even fishing.

“It’s still beautiful down there. It just needs some tender loving care to spruce it up.”