Councillors denied access to plow monitors

By Mark Squibb/April 28, 2022

Councillors in Bay Bulls will no longer have access to a snow equipment monitoring system following an investigation from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.

At their April 13 public meeting, councillors acknowledged the results of the investigation and rescinded a February motion in which they had granted themselves access to the AVL (auto vehicle locator) login system. The system tracks snow clearing equipment.

Back in February, the decision to access the AVL system caused a fair amount of debate.

Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien moved the motion to give councillors access to the system, while councillor Keith O’ Driscoll, opposed the idea, but seconded O’Brien’s motion so that council could discuss it.

“For myself, I don’t know if we actually really need to have a log in,” O’ Driscoll argued at the time. “At our last meeting that we held, we requested to see if the software could provide us an email or text message. If that’s something that the software is unable to do, maybe we can be given the ability to contact the contractor if we were to have a request from any of our residents.”

O’Driscoll suggested that if the AVL system is unable to e-mail or text councillors as to the whereabouts of snowclearing equipment, perhaps they could contact the snowclearing contractor directly to pass on requests from residents.

Mayor Neil O’Brien, however, countered that AVL is a common tracking system, and that if councillors had access to it, they could use it to keep residents updated on snow clearing, or answer specific snow clearing questions.

“With a log in you could do on your phone, you could answer some questions, like if someone had a question on if equipment is working or not, it would be easy to address,” said the mayor. “We have the tools and we’re paying for the service.”

Councillor Jason Sullivan said that as the motion involved access to a private contractor’s equipment information, the Town should check with the Privacy Office before proceeding. He also suggested that maybe just the chairperson of the Public Works committee have access to the log in code.

“Again, he’s a private contractor, yes, but he’s doing a public service,” said Mayor O’Brien. “He’s providing a duty to the residents of the town.”

Sullivan said he was just suggesting council tick all its boxes before moving ahead with the action. Councillor Keith O’ Driscoll voiced his agreement with Sullivan’s idea.

“I don’t see why elected town officials can’t have that same access,” said O’Brien. “I just don’t see why this is such a roadblock. I don’t see it.”

O’Driscoll made a motion that the Town make any inquiry to the privacy commissioner before voting on the matter.

Aspell then said that as a motion had already been made to grant access to the AVL log-in, council could either amend the first motion, or let it go to a vote, and, should that motion fail, make a second motion to check with the privacy question.

“Let’s go ahead for a vote,” said the mayor. “All in favour?”

Mayor O’Brien, Deputy Mayor O’Brien, and Jason Sullivan voted in favour of the motion to grant councillors access to the system. Councillors Keith and Shannon O’ Driscoll voted against it.

That vote set up the debate and vote for the April meeting.

Councillor Keith O’Driscoll noted the Privacy Commissioner’s ruling that councillors’ access to the AVL system was prohibited and that the Town should limit the number of staff who have access to it.

He then moved to rescind the February motion, which was seconded by councillor Shannon O’ Driscoll. Council then voted unanimously to rescind it.

Dunn may have picked wrong meeting: Commissioner

By Mark Squibb/April 28, 2022

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner has found no evidence that the Town of Witless Bay withheld documents related to a recent Access to Information request.

Resident Anita Dunn requested the town to provide “all emails, phone records, texts, and any forms of communications, both on private forms of communication that were used for official town business and official forms of communication, prior to and after the swearing in of officials, between all members of the Witless Bay town council, including the mayor and deputy mayor, and between all members of the Witless Bay council and any employee or former employee, and between the Witless Bay town council and any private citizen, regarding the motions that were rescinded in the first and second town meetings by the new council.”

In the early months following the September election, the new council rescinded half a dozen motions that had been passed by the former council, some at the behest of an unidentified resident. By rescinding two of those motions, the new council effectually reinstated a 99-hectare Crown Land Reserve in the Mullowney’s Lane area that essentially halts any potential development in the area. It was information relating to those motions that Dunn was in search of.

That search turned up dry, though the town provided Dunn with statements from councillors saying they did not have any records related to her access request.

The response did not sit well with Dunn, who then requested a formal investigation.

“With all due respect, it is unreasonable to assert that not one phone call took place, no texts or emails, no social media messages happened in the wake of such a flurry happening over 3 days, especially during a pandemic,” Dunn was quoted in the Privacy report. “I fear that information I requested is being deliberately withheld.”

The formal investigation dug a little deeper and shone a light at how the town operated (or didn’t operate) in mid-to-late 2021, a time marked not only by the transition of a new council in the fall, but by the resignation of almost the entire town staff.

The Town acknowledged that there was a brief period in early October when newly-elected councillors did use their personal email accounts to coordinate their first meeting, as they had not yet been issued Town emails. The coordinator requested those emails, and found no reason to believe that councillors withheld records.

The Town also claimed that the Town Office was closed for four months in 2021.

“The Town Office was closed from June 11, 2021 to October 11, 2021 and the Town explained that, during this time, the Office was not staffed, and that councilors were not sending correspondence to, or receiving correspondence from the Town,” reads the report.

The new councillors also advised the Acting ATIPP Coordinator that they had discussed rescinding motions when they gathered prior to their first formal meeting.

In the end, the Office belived the Town “demonstrated reasoned efforts to assist the Complainant.”

“There has been no evidence to support the Complainant’s claim that responsive records were ‘being deliberately withheld,’” reads the report.

However, the report did note that the two October council meetings, the ‘first and second meetings’ referenced in the initial request, did not focus on rescinding motions.

“It is possible that the Complainant mistakenly thought that the November 9, 2021 meeting would fall within the parameters of the access request,” reads the report. “If the Complainant would like access to records relating to this, or any earlier or later meetings of the new Town Council, she must file a new access request with the Town.”

During that November 9 meeting, council voted to rescind four previous motions of council, and delayed rescinding of two (which were rescinded at a later meeting)

Council rescinded a 2018 decision of council which stated that road standards within the town of Witless Bay, including all public rights-of-ways, shall be at the discretion of council.

Council also rescinded a 2021 motion (which was made to rescind an even earlier motion) to provide conditional approval for a single family dwelling at 215-217 Gallows Cove Road.

Council then made a new motion to approve the home.

Council also rescinded a 2020 motion of council to demolish a barn on 41 Dunn’s Lane. Councillor Gerard Dunn declared a conflict of interest and did not vote on that motion as his son owns the property.

Two further motions of the former council were rescinded during the December 14 meeting. Those moves effectively reinstated a 99-hectare Crown Land Reserve near Mullowney’s Lane. One of the decisions rescinded was a 2020 decision to rescind a former motion, made in 2014, that established the Land Reserve in the first place. The second motion rescinded was a 2020 motion to send a letter to the Department of Municipal Affairs asking to remove the Land Reserve from the regional plan.

With that last motion rescinded, councillor Ralph Carey, who was also part of the council two terms back that created the Land Reserve, requested that a letter be sent to the Department of Municipal Affairs to inform it of the move and to request a meeting with officials.

That motion was passed unanimously.

Since April 15th, Portugal Cove South has been hosting some avian celebrities from the East, namely four Barnacle Geese (above) and six European Golden-Plovers. “The Geese were probably enroute from their wintering grounds in western Ireland to their breeding area in eastern Greenland when they got blown off course,” said Richard Thomas, who took this photo. “Together with other Barnacle Geese and Black-tailed Godwits on the Bonavista Peninsula and several other species, they are part of a significant incursion of European vagrants that has got the Province's birders and bird photographers very excited. As I write, the four Geese in PCS are still around. Hopefully they'll find their way back to where they should be at this time of year. Photo courtesy of Richard Thomas

Woman praises Witless Bay firefighters after Good Friday incident

By Mark Squibb/April 28, 2022

Rosemary Ivany is singing the praises of the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department and other emergency personnel after they helped her and two others at the scene of a rollover accident on Good Friday.

“They give freely of their time, and they’re there when you need them,” said Ivany. “They give up doing things in their own personal lives to help others. They were remarkable.”

The Bay Bulls woman and her two passengers were heading to a hockey game in Mobile when a burst of blinding sunlight caused Ivany to go off the road in Witless Bay.

“It was no time and the volunteer fire department was there,” said Ivany. “They had to cut the windshield out, and then cut the roof back to get everybody out… One of the firefighters, and I’m not trying to single someone out, but he stayed with me and held my hand the whole time while another was still tending to my passenger in the back, and making sure he didn’t move too much because he clearly had injuries that were visible.”

Ivany and another passenger were trapped in the vehicle for maybe 40 minutes before they could be safely removed.

“They performed their duties so professionally and without hesitation,” said Ivany. “They knew exactly what to do and they took complete control… they’re wonderful, just wonderful people,”

She said that most everyone knows in the back of their minds that emergency personnel, many of whom are volunteers, will help them in their time of need, but that your appreciation for such people becomes much more real once you’ve lived through such an experience.

“We are very blessed to have such wonderful volunteers,” said Ivany. “They were just awesome.”

The office is closed, but the doctor is in

By Mark Squibb/April 21, 2022

Anybody listening to last week’s Bay Bulls public council meeting might have gotten a fright when they heard that council was in receipt of notification of the business closure of Morry’s Walk in Clinic along the main road.

In a province where ‘doctor shortage’ seems to be a commonly accepted fact by everyone but the politicians, news of a clinic closure on the Southern Shore would doubtless raise concerns.

The clinic, which opened in 2015, is indeed closed — and as of last week has been removed from the town’s tax roll — but Dr. Peter Morry is still practising.

The Irish Loop Post spoke to a staff person at the clinic, who confirmed that though the clinic building is closed, Morry is still seeing patients by virtual appointments.

Like many doctors, Morry, originally of Ferryland where he now resides with wife Jo, has been seeing patients largely through virtual appointments through the pandemic.

The Irish Loop Post did not hear back from Morry himself by publication deadline.

Witless Bay Fire Department firing on all cylinders

By Mark Squibb/April 21, 2022

Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department liaison Lorna Yard gave an update on recent happenings at the department during last week’s council meeting, painting a picture of an exciting and productive fire hall.

First off, Yard said the department has been given the go-ahead from Eastern Health to resume full services.

“During the COVID pandemic, volunteer fire departments were placed on limited dispatch calls by Eastern Health to protect both members and the public,” said Yard. “Eastern Health recently contacted a number of volunteer fire departments, including Witless Bay, to see if they were prepared to go back to full service, including medical dispatch. And the supervisor of Eastern Health was notified that we are in a position to go back to full service.”

Back in March, council gave the department the green light to purchase 13 used sets of bunker gear.

“The fire department is extremely pleased with the quality of the suits,” said Yard. “They’ve all been cleaned and put into service. They actually included two free sets that only have small tears, so they have been sent to a tailor to be fixed and put into service. Also, included, at no extra charge, were some new boots and other equipment.”

Since November, the fire department has had ten new recruits, six who are currently in training and four who are still working through the interview process.

“This recent round of new recruits, and keep in mind the fire department weren’t actively recruiting or advertising, will bring the number of volunteer fire fighters in the department to its highest level in at least seven years, likely longer, but we only have the data for seven years,” said Yard.

The councillor, along with Fire Chief Jack Gatherall, hired by council in February, have designed a new logo for the fire department, which they hope to be unveil soon.

“It incorporates normal fire fighting imagery, as well as imagery unique to Witless Bay in the form of a whale tail in the centre,” said Yard, who said the design was created with input from the department.

Between January first and March 31, the department received 50 calls, putting them on track to received over 200 calls for the year.

The department has held several training sessions over the last few months, and even welcomed local Sparks and Brownies for a tour of the fire hall — their first community visitors since the beginning of the pandemic. They’re also resumed holding their meetings in person at the fire hall.

St. Kevin's charity hockey game a go

Alumni team hungry for win after loss

By Mark Squibb/April 14, 2022

April 29 is hockey night in the Goulds, as Mavericks both past and present hit the ice for the sixth annual St. Kevin’s High Hockey Alumni Charity Classic.

The tournament didn’t go ahead in 2021 due to pandemic restrictions.

“The game had built a lot of momentum over the last number of years, and to have COVID stall it was a little bit nerve wracking, because you wonder if you’re going to be able to get it back on track,” said organizer Jason Snelgrove. “But as of right now, we’re just excited to get the game going, and getting funds to help families in the community, which was always the goal.”

The money raised will go towards the Hollett family – Vikki, Mark, Camryn, and Declan, following a recent medical diagnosis of Vikki’s. As per usual, $1,000 will go to the Curtis Hudson Memorial Fund.

Having raised over $6,500 in each of the last two games, the goal for this year has been set at $7,500.

“If we don’t reach our goal, and only raise $5,000, that’s $5,000 that we’re using to help somebody,” said Snelgrove.  “At the end of the day, whatever money we raise is money that’s going towards a good cause.”

Snelgrove said they’ve received plenty of donations so far, but as most donations are made at the door, it’s hard to tell yet whether they will hit the goal.

And while the hockey is guaranteed to be good, what’s not guaranteed is how comfortable folks are coming out to big events.

“We had a really great momentum going the five years prior when there was no such thing as COVID,” said Snelgrove. “But there is an uncertainty of whether we will get the same turnout.”

Nevertheless, Snelgrove said he’s optimistic with how things will turn out.

“Any money you raise is good money,” said Snelgrove. So, we’ll be happy with whatever happens.”

Once all the dollars have been counted, Snelgrove hopes the tourney will have raised over $30,000 since its incarnation.

While the community is the clear winner at the end of the day, the game-winner is still up for debate.

In 2020, the high school boys put an end to the Alumni’s four-year winning streak, defeating them with a game winning goal scored in the third period.

“We’ve put together a strong alumni team, but listen, the group of hockey players on the other side, the young fellows, are a great group of hockey players themselves,” said Snelgrove. “Every year it’s been close. Last time they won by a goal towards the end of the game. And the alumni players didn’t like the loss. They’re certainly coming out to try and get the win.”

Snelgrove, the excitement palpable in his voice, said the game is all about teaching youth about the kind of an impact that they can have in the community.

“The St. Kevin’s team over the last number of years have done some great things in terms of charity and helping people out, whether it’s Christmas fundraisers or the alumni game,” he added. “That’s the best part for me, just seeing the players stand on the blue line at the end of the game and witness the handing over of the money, and witnessing families saying thank you. Those are the things I think they’ll remember, and those are the lessons they can take well beyond high school hockey. Yes, you can be a great hockey player, but you also want to be a great human being, and this event creates that atmosphere for the players.”

The April 29 action begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Goulds Arena.

Mobile Girls Got Spirit

The Grade 8 Mobile Girls Basketball Team was the overwhelming favorite to win the inaugural Most Spirited Team Award at the Brother Rice Junior High Winter Snowjam, held over the last two weeks of March. Sixty-four percent of the 8,300 votes cast went to the Mobile Monarchs. Nine teams competed in the tourney. From left to right are coach Geri-Lynn Devereaux, Abby Mullowney, Jane O'Driscoll, Gracie Dalton, Eve McEvoy, Brooke Swain, Erin O'Driscoll, Zoe Crane, Norah Lundrigan, Audrey Molloy, Rebecca Nauyul, Gracie Warford, Sarah Jane Murphy, Neela Mullowney, Sophia Fleet, Kate Dalton, and coach Audrey Dalton.