Bill Guiney had a bit of company as he completed his 331 km loop around the Irish Loop in aid of mental health causes last Saturday. By the time he managed the final trek up Signal Hill, Guiney had logged some 500,000 steps on his counter. “We will be continuing to look for donations and stories for the upcoming book titled PUSH which we hope to have on the shelves by spring 2024,” said the mental health advocate from Renews. On hand with Guiney for the final steps were supporters, from left: Emma Lake, Ferryland MHA Loyola O’Driscoll, Kim Kelly, Pauline Lake, Guiney’s wife Susan Guiney, and Darla Chidley of Ferryland. Guiney plans to self-publish the collection of some of the stories that people have shared with him during his many fundraising walks, push-up feats and other adventures in aid of mental health promotion. You can reach him at wilguiney@gmail.com.
Goulds blue frog highlight of family vacation
By Mark Squibb
October 6, 2023
Many a frog calls Second Pond home, but only one of them, as far as is known, is blue.
Leanne Murphy and her husband Jeff Cahill live in Calgary, Alberta, but hail from the Goulds.
The family makes the trip to Newfoundland each summer with children Jude, 10, and Layla, 7, in tow.
“Last summer when we were home, Jude and Layla had discovered a frog pond down at the end of Donovan’s Road, and so they caught a few frogs, and fell in love with catching frogs, because they live in Calgary, and you just can’t do that there,” said Murphy, who maintained it’s important that her children experience a true Newfoundland summer each year.
Returning to the Goulds this summer, Murphy said the kids were both eager to get back to the frog pond and were diving into the gully chasing after frogs on only their second day back.
And although frogs are unique in their own right, there was one that stood out from the rest — a rare blue frog.
Catching the blue frog, which appeared to be larger than many of the other frogs in the pond, became a top priority, and with the aplomb of Ahab chasing after his whale, Jude set himself about the task.
“He kept spotting this blue frog, and eventually he caught it, and he was over the moon with excitement,” said Murphy.
After taking some pictures of the frog, they released it back to its habitat so it could go about whatever business it is that frogs attend to.
Of the dozens of frogs in the pond, there appeared to be only the one blue frog to be found.
Blue frogs are incredibly rare. Scientists say that most frogs appear green because they sport a layer of yellow pigment atop their grey skin. Frogs lacking this yellow pigment, however, appear blue in colour.
Brian Murphy, who is Jude and Layla’s grandfather, said that catching the blue frog was definitely a highlight of the trip, and that out of the blue (pardon the pun,) Jude would say, “I can't believe that I caught a blue frog,” for days afterwards.
Outside of catching frogs, Jude and Layla enjoyed hiking the Manuel’s River trail in CBS (“they wanted to go there everyday,” said Leanne), looking at fossils at the Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, watching whales at St. Vincent’s, visiting Bowring Park, and exploring the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium.
Some protection for private landowners in Ragged Beach reserve
By Mark Squibb
October 6, 2023 Edition
Some details have been clarified about the Ragged Beach land reserve announced by the Province this week to protect the puffin colony off Witless Bay.
For the last decade, special interest groups and private landowners have butted heads over land between Mullowney’s Lane and an area inland from Ragged Beach.
In a press release, the Province said it was establishing a new land reserve “in the area of Ragged Beach in order to further protect the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve bird populations from potential impacts of future development.”
The release noted that 82 percent of all North America’s puffins breed around the coastline of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, located one to two kilometres offshore from the Ragged Beach area, is home to North America’s largest colony of Atlantic Puffins with over 600,000 breeding birds calling the area home.
The release said as a result of the reserve status, new development of Crown land in that area will be restricted to ensure light pollution in the area is minimized and protections are enhanced for the Atlantic Puffin and Leach’s Storm Petrel populations of the nearby Witless Bay Ecological Reserve.
Asked how the new reserve will affect private landowners, Mayor Trevor Croft and Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard directed questions to town staff.
A request for details was also sent to the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, such as whether the dimensions of the reserve have been determined and how the reserve may affect private landowners in the area.
In an e-mail reply, staff informed the Irish Loop Post the new land reserve is 75 hectares and is currently being uploaded to the Provincial Land Use Atlas. Staff also said that private land is not included in the reserve. And while development will be restricted, the Minister may issue grants, leases, licences and easements where required on an urgent basis for the public good, if a person has acquired interest under section 36 of the Lands Act, if an application for Crown land was received prior to September 26, 2023 ( the date the reserve came into effect) or for improvements or maintenance of the East Coast Trail network.
The area has long been contentious. A council two terms ago tried to implement a 99-hectare reserve there and was accused of trying to prohibit private landowners from accessing their properties. The council that succeeded them in 2017, passed a motion throwing out the plans for such a reserve. More recently, the new slate of councillors elected in September 2021, themselves passed a motion overturning that previous motion, in effect reinstating the plan for a Town-initiated Land Reserve.
St. Kevin’s High School student earns number of accolades for soccer prowess
September 29, 2023 Edition
Autumn Clarke of Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove has earned a number of accolades for her soccer prowess this past season. This week, the St. Kevin’s High School student was named as one of two goalkeepers for Newfoundland and Labrador to compete in the Canada Summer Games.
Culverts and catch basins
By Mark Squibb
September 29, 2023 Edition
Bay Bulls council last week awarded two maintenance contracts and issued a request for proposals for prime consultant services for an upcoming project.
First off, council awarded a contract for catch basin cleaning services to the lowest compliant bidder, GFL Environmental Services, for a total cost of $2,616, plus HST.
Council also bought a number of corrugated pipes to have on hand for culvert maintenance purposes from the lowest compliant bidder, Witless Bay Home Building Centre, at a cost of $5,400, plus HST.
Speaking of culverts, council fielded a request from a resident asking council to install a culvert near a previous right-of-way on Bill Joy’s Lane.
Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien believed a former council had moved the right-of-way for one reason or another, and so made the motion to reinstate the culvert, which was approved.
Council also issued a request for proposals for prime consultant services for the Northside Road project.
Bay Bulls approves bevy of development applications
By Mark Squibb
September 29, 2023 Edition
Bay Bulls council last week approved a number of development applications, both residential and commercial.
First off, council ratified an e-mail vote of council conducted this past August to approve a Crown Land application for a half acre of land to build a single-family home along Tract Road.
Council also approved a Crown Land application for reconstruction of an access road along Tract Road.
Council approved a residential development on Island Cove Road pending receipt of the certificate of approval from the provincial government for the installation of septic and well systems.
Council also approved a variance application from a resident on Groves Road to reduce a required lot area by two percent. Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien noted the variance was minor, and that Town policy allows for variances of up to 10 per cent.
Three residents wrote letters to council opposing the variance.
“They said they don’t agree with it, but didn’t tell us the reason why,” said O’Brien.
There was a brief discussion on whether council shouldn’t give the residents another opportunity to explain their opposition, but as the variance had been advertised for seven days as per Town policy, council decided to approve the application.
Council then approved an application for a residential development on the same piece of land, pending approval from the provincial government for installation of septic and well systems.
Council next approved a childcare business on Dunn Drive, followed by an approval in principle for a new residential development on Island Cove Road, pending approval from the provincial government for the installation of septic and well systems.
The final item was a Crown Land application for development of 12.39 hectares of land for commercial use along Winnosh Drive, which council approved.
Bay Bulls calls by-election
By Mark Squibb / September 22, 2023 Edition
The Town of Bay Bulls has called a by-election following the resignation of councillor Shannon O’Driscoll.
Mayor Keith O’Driscoll, Shannon’s husband, explained during the opening minutes of this week’s public meeting that his wife had resigned due to work and family commitments.
Later in the meeting, council set Tuesday, October 10 as nomination day.
“Hopefully we get some interest,” said Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien. “Last time we had a round of this, we only had one nomination, so hopefully we get some more interest this time.”
That last call for nominations O’Brien was referring to was in August of 2022, when Corey Ronayne stepped forward to fill a seat left vacant by former Mayor Neil O’Brien.
Shannon O’Driscoll, meanwhile, served as a town representative, along with Jason Sullivan, on the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre board. She also represented council on the heritage and youth advisory committees.
Back in February of 2022, she, along with her husband Keith, had voted in favour of reinstating council’s normal complement of members to seven from five, a motion which was defeated by then Mayor Neil O’Brien, Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien, and councillor Jason Sullivan.
Petty Harbour student wins award for his finance management
By Mark Squibb / September 22, 2023 Edition
A young man from Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove has found a way to help keep his community clean and tidy while earning a few bucks for himself in the process.
Preston Clarke, 15, has been offering lawn care services for the last several summers through his business Precision Ground Care.
The business started a few summers ago when a lady inquired about who around town could mow her lawn.
Clarke thought he was just the man for the job.
“So, I went down after school one day and helped her out with that, and from that, I thought this was something I could make some money out of,” said Clarke.
And while many might groan at the thought of having to mow their lawn or spread fertilizer, Clarke said he enjoys the work.
“I like having fun with it,” said Clarke, who’s been known to draw his initials with his lawnmower on his family’s lawn before giving it a final go over. “And I like tidiness, so I like helping people out by making their properties look nice.”
Just this fall, Clarke was awarded the Youth Ventures Award for Excellence in Financial Management, an award given to a young person savvy with the way they handle the finances of their business.
Clarke uses different software tools to manage his finances, issue invoices for his customers, and keep track of his income, and added that winning the award came as a surprise.
The St. Kevin’s High School student encouraged others to not hold off on pursuing a business venture they think they might enjoy.
“If you have an idea, try it out; if it doesn’t work out, oh well, find another idea,” said Clarke.
Preston Clarke of Petty Harbour enjoying a moment of free time with his buddy Dexter. The St. Kevin's student has won a Youth Ventures Award for the way he manages the finances of his lawn care business.
Bay Bulls laying ground for outdoor rink
By Mark Squibb / September 22, 2023 Edition
Lace up your skates because preparations are underway in Bay Bulls for a new outdoor community skating rink behind the Regional Lifestyle Centre.
Council issued a request for proposals for site preparation work for the new outdoor community rink during Monday’s public council meeting.
Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien said the Town is planning on leveling off some ground before erecting the rink.
“This is just the first step along the way to make the ground more suitable,” said O’Brien.
Mayor Keith O’Driscoll noted the Town was able to secure a donation of leftover boards from the Mary Brown’s Centre for the rink. Members of council expressed their gratitude for the donation.
Furthermore, the Town agreed to submit an application to Active NL for funding for the rink.
Witless Bay calls another byelection
By Craig Westcott / September 15, 2023
Witless Bay council will make a second attempt to fill a vacancy in the chamber, this time following the rules set out in the Municipalities Act.
Council voted Tuesday to hold nominations for the vacant seat on October 5 with the by-election, if enough candidates come forward to make it a contest, scheduled for Wednesday, November 1.
The previous call for nominations this past August, in which Alan Richards, the husband of Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard, was acclaimed to council, didn't meet the 10-day notice period for nominations, nor did council properly advertise the nomination call. However, a spokesperson for the provincial Department of Municipal Affairs said the department would only intervene if someone complained. Richards remains on council and voted on the resolutions for the latest byelection call.
It was Yard who made the motion this time to schedule a nomination call with a proper notification period. Council also agreed to appoint Linda Carter as the Alternate Returning Officer for the by-election.
In other council news:
Council approved an application for a backlot development at 156 Harbour Road. The application was advertised for public comment and no objections were raised against it.
Council also approved a Crown Land application at an address it did not disclose at the public meeting. Councillor Jacob Hayden made the motion to approve the application, but with a reduced size from what the applicant was originally seeking. The motion was seconded by councillor Ralph Carey.
"We kind of just reviewed this application and because of the area that the application is entailing we had a meeting with the resident that was applying for the land, and we came to an agreement that we would modify the map in order to provide potential access to land that would be behind this area," said Hayden.
Council said no to a request from a seasonal business to change its tax status, but did agree to refund $1,284 of its taxes.
"If anytime the business operates beyond the six months of the year, the full amount of taxes owing for 2023 will be due," said Hayden. "This business is basically a winter only seasonal operation. The reason why we had to deny the request for business tax reclassification is basically because it's so far into the year we can't reclassify something that's before March 31, when our budget is finalized. We do understand that the resident is not making a lot of money off this operation and the amount of taxes we were going to take from them was substantial for the amount of money that they're taking in. So, we recognized that and that's why we brought in the remission of the taxes."
Council approved a motion from Yard to pre-approve invoices from Advantage Personnel. It was seconded by Richards.
"This is just to set up a proper payment plan with the temp agency who is currently providing us some staff assistance until the end of our bargaining year with our union coming up," said Yard. "So, we're looking at how we're going to staff the office, and how that's going to look. But for now, we just need some extra help to speak to the public, take tax payments and keep the office running."
A check with the Town Hall after the meeting however, clarified that the staffing arrangement with Advantage Personnel has nothing to do with the Town’s collective agreement with the union, which expires this year. Rather, a temporary worker has been retained from the company to fill in for a Town employee who is on leave.
Council also agreed to award a $21,390 plus HST contract to Pinnacle Solutions to upgrade the technology at the Town Hall and Fire Hall.
The motion was made by Richards and seconded by Yard.
"This is a sorely needed upgrade for us," said Richards. "We've been on antiquated technology that's just destined for the bin, essentially. This will give us some added security and will take some load off (chief administrative officer) Jennifer (Aspell) hopefully in searching for records."
That comment made Aspell chuckle.
"The important thing is that we will be able to back up everything that we're doing," said Aspell, "and centralize access through a server."
Richards noted he has worked with Pinnacle in the past "and they have a very good reputation."
Council has agreed to delegate authority to Town staff to issue routine permits for home renovations and to extend the closing period for permits when necessary.
"We're hoping to streamline for anybody who is coming in for a basic permit (so that) it doesn't have to go through a public meeting," said Carey. “We're only meeting once a month so we're trying to be helpful to the residents."
The Town has awarded a $4,441 + HST contract to GFL to clean out Witless Bay's catch basins.
"We have 32 catch basins in town, and they need to be cleaned out generally annually," said Hayden. "It's coming up now for storm season and it's a good idea to get those done now so that we don't end up with any flooding issues around town."
