Longtime face of St. John Ambulance calls it a day

St. John Ambulance Goulds Superintendent and Unit Chief Gerry Antle (centre) is calling it a day after 35 years of service with the volunteer organization. St. John Ambulance and the Goulds Lions Club hosted an appreciation event last month in recognition of his many years of service. Flanking Antle are newly minted Division Unit Chief Jack Hearn, left, and Community Services Officer Josh Williams. St. John Ambulance photo

By Mark Squibb

Gerry Antle of the Goulds has retired from his position as St. John Ambulance Goulds Superintendent/Unit Chief after 35 years service with the volunteer group.

Antle began volunteering with St. John Ambulance as a young fellow and was instrumental in the formation of the Goulds chapter.

“There comes a time when you step aside and let somebody else take the reins,” said Antle. “I’ve enjoyed the last 35 years. I’ve watched the division grow, and I got a lot of gratification watching people come and go on to bigger and better things in their careers and knowing that I played a little bit of a part in that.”

Volunteers with St. John Ambulance provide onsite medical help during community events such as the Tely 10 road race and the Royal St. John’s Regatta.

Antle said members may be called upon to do anything from applying band aids to helping people undergoing cardiac arrests.

“We handle it all,” said Antle. “We train for it all… if anything happens, we deal with it and do what has to be done.”

Antle said one of the most rewarding things about being involved with St. John Ambulance has been watching young people who join the organization going on to pursue full-time careers in the medical field.

“Most young people come in and use this as a stepping stone to go on to bigger and better things in their career,” said Antle. “I can sit down all night and tell you success stories of people who have come through the organization… We’ve had five people who have gone on to become doctors. We’ve had numerous people come through and become nurses, paramedics, firefighters, that type of thing.”

The Goulds Lions Club hosted St. John Ambulance at a special event this May, with many paying tribute to Antle and his many years of service.

On hand for the event were new Division Unit Chief Jack Hearn and Community Services Officer Josh Williams, who will be working together to lead the Goulds chapter.

“They’re the right fellows to take it over,” said Antle. “They’re smart, and they know this business like the back of their hands. I’ve served my 35 years, and I’m delighted to pass it over to these two guys and let them take it to the next level.”

Antle is also a long serving member of the Goulds Volunteer Fire Department — 2025 marks 30 years with the department.

St. John Ambulance meanwhile boasts over 100,000 volunteers across Canada.

Witless Bay approves new garage, and new subdivision

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council this May approved a business application for a combined garage and car lot at 194-200 Southern Shore Highway. The application was subject to a total of 16 conditions, including a minimum requirement of one parking space per employee and three parking spaces for customers, in addition to the car lot itself.

Other conditions include a two-metre fence and 10-metre-wide landscape buffer along the side and rear of the property, with the property owner responsible for maintaining the buffer, and onsite signage. The applicant will not be permitted to repair vehicles outside the building, and vehicles in a state of disrepair will not be permitted to be stored on the property. Waste oil and lubricants must be stored in containers and disposed of offsite.

Councillor Ralph Carey said the conditions were imposed for the benefits of residents living in the area.

Council also approved a commercial development application for the actual construction of the garage. Construction will be subject to a number of conditions, including a commitment from the developer to move the proposed location of the building two metres to meet the minimum five-metre side yard requirement. The applicant will also have to submit a revised site plan showing the new location. The permit will be issued once the purchase of land is complete and all conditions are met.

Later that same meeting, council also approved phase one of a proposed subdivision at 45-57 Southern Shore Highway consisting of 56 single-detached lots, an open space area, roads, and detention area, subject to a number of conditions, including a ground water assessment and a tree buffer along lots 7-12, which back on Southern Shore Highway. Natural vegetation in the area zoned as conservation will also remain.

Three accessory building applications, an extension application, and a variance application were also approved.

Bay Bulls approves more work on Northside Road

By Mark Squibb

Bay Bulls council has approved additional work on the Northside Road upgrading project a cost of $169,900 plus HST.

Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien said the work will include more guardrails, repaving, drainage improvements, and more.

Council approved the expenditure at its May meeting.

Councillor Ethan Williams said the extra cost is money well spent.

“This is good work that we’re doing,” said Williams. “We’re spending the extra money to make sure the road holds over the next couple of decades, especially given the state of the erosion along that north side there. We’re making sure the work that we do is sustainable moving forward.”

The project, initially valued at $1,840,875, is cost shared between all three levels of government, with the Town only on the hook for about 10 percent (up to $184,088.) Council awarded the original contract to lowest compliant bidder Dexter Construction Company Limited for a total cost of $1,555,685, plus HST, which was less than the initial project estimate, back in November.

Council approved two change orders to the project in March. The first was for installation of additional culvert and rockfill at a cost of $6,885, plus HST. The second was to increase the area of the retaining wall installation to match the supplier’s pre-cut paneling. This move increased the area by 65.2 square metres for a cost of $63,244 plus HST.

As the construction tender came in underbudget, the change orders are being absorbed by surplus funding.

Work began on the project in April.

Williams welcomes new tourism establishment for Bay Bulls

By Mark Squibb

Bay Bulls council approved a number of applications, both residential and commercial, during the May public meeting.

On the commercial side of things, council approved applications for a welding and fabrication shop at 130 Winnonish Drive and tourist accommodations at 50B Bread and Cheese Road.

Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien said it is always good to see new business open up in town. Councillor Ethan Williams added he was excited to see an additional accommodation for tourists, especially given the upcoming Canada Summer Games.

“I imagine it will be a busy summer,” said Williams. “With the Canada Games coming to the St. John’s and metro region, I think we’ll see a lot of influx from the metro area, on top of our usual tourism. Hopefully we have a good summer in terms of weather as well. That would be a big help to tourism as well. So, it’s great to see some residents take the initiative and have some more accommodations for folks visiting our wonderful town.”

Mayor Keith O’Driscoll concurred.

In other development news, council also approved two residential accessory buildings and four new residential builds.

Goulds students help Seniors Advocate launch poster campaign against ageism

Ms. Erin Etchegary’s Grade 5 Goulds Elementary class helped Seniors Advocate Susan Walsh launch a new provincial contest to celebrate senior’s month earlier this month. In the back, from left, are Alexander Burgess, Alyssa Vincent, Laci Clarke, Hannah Kennedy, Isabella Callahan, Seniors Advocate Susan Walsh, Kurtis Fitzgerald, Parker Galway, Elliot Putt, Nathan Chubbs, Lennon Barbour, Preston Milley, Chase Boland, and Kane Snow. In front, from left, are Kiera Lynch, Marissa Lee, Benjamin Madden, Ethan Raymond, and Seniors Advocate representative Gabrielle Dupont. Missing from photo are Ireland Raymond and Lily Perry. Goulds Elementary photo

By Mark Squibb

Ms. Erin Etchegary’s Grade 5 Gould’s Elementary class had a special visitor earlier this month — Senior’s Advocate Susan Walsh.

Walsh was in the Goulds to launch the Seniors’ Month Growing Bolder - Young Eyes on Bold Lives Art Contest, with a little help from students, who shared stories with Walsh of grandparents who still farm, garden, or drive them to school each morning.

Through the contest, the Seniors Advocate Office (SAO) is inviting students from across the province to submit drawings that illustrate something they love or admire about their grandparents – or another older adult.

“The whole point of this campaign is to address ageism,” said Walsh. “And in order to do that, we have to start with the younger people.”

Ageism, said Walsh, is a prejudice, a negative view of people of certain ages. Walsh said that while young people can be victims of ageism, the overwhelming majority of victims are seniors.

“The World Health Organization tells us that one in every two people are ageist,” said Walsh, who said that seniors are sometimes not offered programs and services because of their age.

Applications opened Tuesday, May 20. Students can enter the contest by visiting www.seniorsadvocatenl.ca. All students who enter will also have a chance to win a prize through random draws.

The launch of the art contest coincided with the launch of the SAO’s 2025 Growing Bolder social media campaign. Seniors are encouraged to submit a photo and application showcasing how they are choosing to Grow Bolder to the SAO for a chance to be featured on the organization’s social media platforms.

Walsh said that campaigns such as this are especially important in Newfoundland and Labrador, which has one of the oldest populations across the country.

She said that seniors interested in getting more involved in the community ought to reach out to see if there are local seniors groups in their area or contact Seniors NL.

June, meanwhile, is recognized as Seniors Month across the country.

The Goulds Lions Club donate to Curtis Hudson Memorial Fund

The Goulds Lions Club donated $50,000 to the Curtis Hudson Memorial Fund earlier this month. The fund strives to honour the memory of Curtis Hudson, 6, of the Goulds, who passed in 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer. The money will be put towards construction of a state of the art playground at Goulds Elementary in honour of Hudson. In the back, from left, are Chris Blundon, Patrick Putt, Cindy Vickers, Maureen Hynes, Krista Finn, Wayne St. Croix, Jamie Finn, Jim Chafe, Derrick Rideout, and Clev Ingram. In the front, from left, are Roy Abbott, Bill Ryan, Barbara Hearn, Charlie Phillips, Curtis’ mother Krista Hudson, Dave Oake, Carl Chafe, Peggy Kinsella, Marlene Chafe, Emily Chafe, and Aiden Hynes. Goulds Lion Club Photo

Witless Bay to buy new high angle rescue equipment

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council last week approved the purchase of high angle rescue equipment for the fire department at a total cost of $950, plus HST.

“If they don’t get the gear, they can’t do the training,” said councillor Ralph Carey.

The motion was approved unanimously.

As per the monthly fire department update, presented by councillor Justina Nawaz, the team responded to a total of 139 emergency calls from January 1 to May 1 of this year. Calls included traffic accidents, vehicle fires, brush fires, and medical emergencies. Some 17 members recently completed a comprehensive traffic management course designed to help them manage traffic during emergency incidents. A number of other training activities have been planned for this spring and summer.

In light of recent fires, the department advises residents to not burn during dry or windy conditions, adhere to burning restrictions issued by local authorities, clear the area of combustible materials such as vegetation before starting a fire, keep a fire extinguisher on hand, and allow ashes to cool completely before disposal. The department is also encouraging people to report suspicious burnings.

Witless Bay approves fifth change order for tourism project

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council last week approved a change order in the amount of $3,250, plus HST for the Lower Pond Tourist project.

It’s the fifth change order for the project.

“We’re looking to get this completed soon, so this will be the last — or at least we’re hoping it’s the going to be the last change order — for the project,” said councillor Ralph Carey, who allowed folks will be impressed with the final product.

The change order was for site work.

Council initially appointed Mills & Wright Landscape Architecture as prime consultant on the project at a cost of $17,150 plus HST.

The upgrades will include new seating, a spotting scope (non-coin operated binoculars), and interpretative panels.

Work on the project is expected to resume soon.

On a similar front, the Town purchased $2,113, plus HST, worth of material for new outdoor furniture. The furniture will be constructed by inmates at the provincial penitentiary through the jail’s carpentry program.

Town of Bay Bulls presents Certificate of Appreciation

The Town of Bay Bulls last week presented Chief Petty Officer David Kennedy with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his remarkable 34 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces. A native of Bay Bulls, Kennedy served across all three branches of the Armed Forces — navy, air force, and army. He retired in March. “Your unwavering dedication, leadership, and commitment to protecting Canada and upholding the values of duty and honour are a source of great admiration,” read the letter presented to Kennedy. “As a proud native of Bay Bulls, your accomplishments bring distinction not only to your family and fellow service members but to our entire community.” Presenting the certificate is Bay Bulls Mayor Keith O’ Driscoll. Town of Bay Bulls photo.

Bay Bulls council awards trail contract

By Mark Squibb

Bay Bulls council last week awarded a contract to install a new trail connecting Lower Path Road to Winnonish Drive.

Harbour Construction Ltd., of Witless Bay will perform the work at a total cost of $19,495, plus HST.

The trail will connect the Long Pond Walking Trail off Lower Path Road with Winnonish Drive, allowing for easier access to the Long Pond trail.

“We’re trying to enhance our trail and add to our existing network, and connect it to more of the town,” said Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien.

Last year, the Town completed over $484,000 worth of upgrades to the Long Pond trail, including the installation of 1.5 kilometres of granular trail, which effectively closed the entire loop. The Town received $290,575 in provincial funding for the project and also received $193,717 in other government funding to cover the remainder of the cost.