Bay Bulls council getting in the Christmas spirit

By Mark Squibb

Members of Bay Bulls council may have avoided being visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, after approving a number of donation requests during the November public meeting.

Firstly, council approved a donation of 55 vegetable hampers for the local Knights of Columbus at a cost of $18 per hamper, for a total of $990.

“Young families and seniors alike have received these hampers over the years,” said Town Manager Ashley Wakeham. “It’s quite needed at this time of year. And it’s not just vegetables in the hamper; that’s just one part of the entire package that’s dropped off.”

Council agreed the donations would be especially welcomed given the closure of the Kinsmen Club food pantry in Witless Bay. The pantry was struck by vandals this past summer.

“This is a great thing for the Town to contribute to, for sure,” concluded Mayor Keith O’Driscoll, before the matter was put to a vote and approved unanimously.

Council also approved a donation to the Mobile Central High School Scholarship Fund. Council was initially set to approve a donation of $250 to be divided evenly among five students.

Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien, however, suggested increasing the donation amount, noting the Town has held its donation amount steady over the years while the cost of living has increased.

Wakeham suggested increasing the donation to $375, meaning that each student would receive $75 rather than $50.

Council was agreeable to the suggestion, and the new donation total was approved.

Council also approved a donation of $400 for the annual ‘Kidmas’ event scheduled from December first to the fifth.

The Kidmas festival is hosted by the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre and includes a number of kid-friendly Christmas events, concluding with the Town of Bay Bulls tree lighting ceremony. This year’s schedule of events is still in the works.

To cap off the festivities, council voted to once again host the annual ‘Light it Up’ challenge and announced $500 worth of local gift cards that will be handed out to residents who best decorate their homes.

The life of the party

Jose Waddleton, 90, is marking her 30th year as president of the Trepassey 50+ Friendship Club.

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Jose Waddleton, 90, of Trepassey has been president of the town’s 50+ Friendship Club for almost 30 years.

She was too young to get involved when it was formed in the seventies and was initially called the Hillview Senior Citizens Club. But once she became a member in the 1990s it wasn’t long before she became president. That happened when the president resigned in 1996. Waddleton was nominated for the position and accepted the role for one year on a trial basis. She has been president ever since.

Waddleton said the club is involved with many events and occasions in people’s lives. They hold birthday parties twice a year, and also do bereavement gatherings.

“We have a social get-together where we supply everything for a meal for bereaved families after a funeral,” she said.

The club also holds exercise classes once a week. They also host dances with entertainment by a band or DJ. When Waddleton became president in 1996, the club had 20 members. Today, it has 120.

“We do different things, and I was the one who organized everything,” she admitted. “I don’t like to brag about myself, but I did.”

Waddleton recently helped secure funding for the club, as well. The Trepassey 50+ Friendship Club applied for the New Horizons for Seniors grant last year and was successful, receiving $25,000.

“The grant was mostly for parties, meals, and guest speakers to come in and give us information on anything of interest to a senior,” Waddleton said.

On November 11, the club used money from the grant to provide a big meal for Remembrance Day. “And we had a caterer, too, all because of our grant, which was wonderful,” said Waddleton.

The club fed 100 people, which is what they would expect if the weather was fair. Though the weather that day was bad, they still had a turnout of a hundred.

Waddleton allows that being involved with the club is pretty fulfilling. It allows her to meet new people and keep in touch with the world.

“I love to help people,” said Waddleton. “I always loved to help seniors. Now I’m a senior myself.”

Next month the Trepassey 50+ Friendship Club will hold its annual elections. Waddleton said she is considering stepping down as president after three decades.

“But I still feel capable of carrying on the work,” she said. “So I’m not really sure if I will step down or if I’ll continue on for another while.”

Witless Bay council hit with case of teleconference interruptus

By Mark Squibb

Residents were unable to dial into the Town of Witless Bay’s public council meeting on November 12 as Bell has discontinued its teleconferencing services in the area.

Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Aspell said while it is not a requirement for towns to broadcast meetings, staff are currently looking at other options.

The meeting, which was rescheduled due to the Remembrance Day holiday, was still open to in-person attendance, and the agenda is available on the Town’s website.

New government jumps in fast to fix Trepassey breakwater

Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and Ferryland MHA Loyola O’Driscoll, left, and Minster of Transportation and Infrastructure Barry Petten speak to reporters on the heels of an announcement to construct a new breakwater in Trepassey following the havoc cause by Hurricane Melissa earlier this month. Mark Squibb photo

By Mark Squibb

Newly minted Minster of Transportation and Infrastructure Barry Petten and Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and Ferryland MHA Loyola O’Driscoll announced last week that a tender for the new Trepassey breakwater has been issued, and construction will begin this fall.

Moreover, the new provincial government will cover the full cost of the project.

Petten said the initial estimates were about $750,000, but the major windstorm of November 4 had driven those estimates up slightly. Engineers had yet to fully assess the situation, but Petten didn’t think the increases will push the project over the million-dollar mark.

“We’re not sure of the exact amount, but we still anticipate it will be less than a million dollars,” said Petten, who noted the Liberals failed to address the matter when the breakwater was damaged in 2024.

A handful of residents living out on the battery had to be evacuated during Hurricane Melissa, as crashing waves threated to overcome the breakwater and wash out the lone road connecting the area known as “the Lower Coast” to the mainland. Those residents, said Petten, travel with their bags packed, in case a storm rises and the road becomes inaccessible.

Lifting that road above sea level, said Petten, would be a huge cost. The provincial government meanwhile has no appetite yet for relocating residents from the battery, and so the breakwater remains the only viable option.

“We hope this (the breakwater) will work,” said Petten. “Nobody is ever one hundred precent certain, but our engineers are good engineers, and they feel confident that this should hold up.”

O’Driscoll added the breakwater had lasted a good number of years but had become compromised in recent years due to a number of storm surges.

“Hopefully this time it will work,” said O’Driscoll. “With a wall put up, and cribbage behind it, and armour stone in the front, I think it can last, for sure, as long as we do it properly.”

There is no project completion date as of yet, but Petten and O’Driscoll say they hope to get the job finished sooner rather than later.

Petten admitted he was unaware the federal government would be announcing an $8 million breakwater in Petty Harbour just days before the Province announced funding for the breakwater in Trepassey.

Portugal Cove South’s taxi man calls it a career as mayor after 50 golden years

Clarence Molloy has retired after 50 years serving as mayor.

By Mark Squibb

After 50 years of municipal service, former Portugal Cove South mayor Clarence Molloy has handed over the chain of office.

“I’m 79 years old, so I’ve put in my term,” said Molloy. “But I’m still here to help. The community just had a big dance in my honour, celebrating 50 years. We had a band, and it was a lovely time.”

Molly first put his name forward for elected office in 1975.

“What happened at the time was that the council here in Portugal Cove was having problems, and there was a couple of people after resigning,” said Molloy. “So, we didn’t have a council, and for some reason people started to say that if we didn’t get a council the government would get Trepassey to take us over. I know that that would probably never happen, and I don’t know where it came from. And you know what small communities are like. We got along and we helped each other out, but the way it was, even playing hockey with Trepassey back in the old rink, we had to beat Trepassey. And it was sort of the same thing. People said that we got to get a council.”

Molloy, who was driving a taxi at the time, said he put his name forward and the rest, as they say, is history.

“We had the first meeting, and they wanted me to be mayor for some reason,” said Molloy. “At that time, we were a community council. The government changed it to a town council years ago. But back then you were considered a community council. You had a chairperson, and a vice-chair and a secretary and whatever else. You weren’t considered mayor and deputy mayor, but you were. It was the same thing. You were considered chairperson of the community."

Molloy said there were times over the years when he considered not putting his name forward again, but a drought of candidates forced him to reconsider. Other years, elections came in the midst of big projects council had undertaken and Molloy stayed on to see the projects through to the end. He did all that while driving his taxi and delivery van back and forth to St. John’s every day.

The council, said Molloy, was initially formed in 1963. One of the first orders of business was the installation of a waterline in the town so that folks would not have to rely on their wells.

“And it was all done with picks and shovels,” said Molloy. “There were no backhoes back then in ’63. Everyone in the community was hired to go to work.”

Molloy recalled that back in the day one could simply walk into Confederation Building and stroll into a Minister’s office and have a chat and request funding for different projects.

“You probably wouldn’t be able to do that now,” said Molloy. “Everyone is barred off.”

During Molloy’s time as mayor, the town gained a fire department, fire hydrants, and garbage collection, and rebuilt its community centre. Molloy was also an active figure in the more recent battle to keep the Holy Rosary Church a community building, a battle that was won thanks to am anonymous buyer.

Molloy said that when he put his name forward for re-election 2021, he had already decided it was to be his last term on council.

“I said that this would probably be my last time,” said Molloy. “I told people that I wouldn’t be running again. So, I had my mind made up, but then I almost went in again because they only ended up with four members.”

Those four members are William Hartery, Rowena Nichol, Keith Stampe and Michael Ward, who were acclaimed to council in September.

Genny Coombs, Elaine Nichol, Charlene Power, Lucas Ward, and Cynthia Power were acclaimed during the October 28 by-election, making for a complement of nine council members.

Meanwhile, the Town of Portugal Cove South will be naming the community centre after Molloy.

Given his 50 years of service, it only seems fitting.

Remembrance Day attendance growing

By Mark Squibb

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 34 based in Ferryland, more commonly known as the Southern Shore Legion, will be hosting the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Ferryland cenotaph at 11 a.m. on the morning of November 11, and secretary Heather Sullivan says that attendance at the ceremony seems to be growing.

“In recent years it’s grown,” said Sullivan. “There was a bit of a lull for a few years, but now it’s bigger than ever. We’ve had anywhere from 60 to 75 wreaths laid on Remembrance Day.”

Sullivan ventured to guess that the growth could be due to young people who desire to pay their respect to those who served in recent peacekeeping missions, as her generation paid its respects to those who served in WW II and the Great War in years past.

In the lead up to Remembrance Day, Branch 34, which serves Renews-Cappahayden as far as Petty Harbour - Maddox Cove and every community in between, will be hosting it’s annual Remembrance Week kitchen party on Saturday, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Legion building. There is no cover charge, however, 50/50 tickets will be sold.

The Legion also hosted a free technology assistance class on Wednesday, November 5.

“We’ve been doing this once a month for the last year,” said Sullivan. “We have a girl that comes in and helps seniors with tech issues. Sometimes we have a special guest come in. We’ve had the RCMP and a folklore specialist come in so seniors could research their ancestry.”

The Ferryland Legion is also busy this time of year fielding entries for the national poster and literary contests. The Ferryland Legion accepts entries from students in Mobile Central High, St. Bernard’s Elementary, Baltimore School, Goulds Elementary, St. Kevin’s Junior High and St. Kevin’s Senior High. Members of the Legion also attend school remembrance ceremonies in full uniform.

Meanwhile, the Heritage Committee of Witless Bay will host a prayer service to honor Witless Bay veterans at the Holy Cross Cemetery on November 11 at 11 am. Flags will be placed on veterans’ gravesites beginning at 10:45 a.m.

In Bay Bulls, the memorial parade will leave Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church around 10:30 a.m. and the wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial will begin at 11 a.m.

In Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove, the Remembrance Day ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. at the war memorial. Those wishing to place a wreath at the service are asked to call Ron Doyle at 745-1106.

In Witless Bay, anyone wishing to place a flag can reach Maureen Walsh at 689-5087.

In Bay Bulls, anyone wishing to lay a wreath may contact Patricia Hearn at 334-2833.

In Ferryland, anyone wishing to lay a wreath may contact Heather Sullivan at 682-0387.

Mystery Samaritan saves the day in Portugal Cove South

The battle for ownership of Holy Rosary Church in Portugal Cove South has come to a close after an anonymous buyer with ties to the community purchased the building for continued community enjoyment. From left are former mayor Clarence Molloy, Royal LePage realtor Clifford Power, Portugal Cove South Historical Corporation chairperson Cynthia Power, and Town Clerk Ida Perry. Portugal Cove South Historical Corporation photo

By Mark Squibb

The Holy Rosary Church in Portugal Cove South has been sold to a mystery buyer who has promised that it will remain a place of worship, bringing to a close a story that will be talked about in the community for years to come.

“I’m feeling very happy, excited, and relieved,” said Cynthia Power, who has been at the forefront of the battle to keep the church as a church after the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. John’s put it, along with dozens of others, up for sale in 2022 to compensate child abuse victims.

“It’s been a long road, that’s for sure, but it all turned out good in the end,” said Power.

Members of the Portugal Cove South Historical Corporation received the keys last month, roughly six months after the Supreme Court granted an injunction prohibiting residents from interfering with the sale of the building after residents changed the locks to deter potential buyers.

“When the court ruling came down last spring, that was very difficult,” said Power. “It was very hard. But we respected the decision of the court, and we felt we had done the best we could to try and keep the church. I used to say to myself, ‘Maybe, just maybe, someone would come along and buy it for us.’ And, lo and behold, we had someone contact us and say they had a family connection to our community and that they would like to buy the church for the community and have it remain a place of worship.”

Power said it was imperative that the church continue as a church.

“We wanted it to remain with the community and to be a place of worship,” said Power. “So, please God, down the road we will continue to have Mass, maybe not on a regular basis, but as long as Father Peter (Golden) is around, I’m sure he will come out and have Mass with us on Christmas, New Year’s, Easter Sunday, things like that. Anyone who wants to get married in our church, that can happen, as well as baptisms and funerals. It’s a very happy time for our community.”

As to the mystery buyer, Power said she’s as much in the dark as anyone.

“I don’t actually even know the person’s name,” said Power. “Someone contacted us on their behalf. They do have a family connection to our community, but they wished to remain anonymous at this time, and we’re fine with that, we respect their decision.”

The cost of keeping the lights on, meanwhile, will be split between the Town of Portugal Cove South and the Portugal Cove South Historical Association.

Former Mayor Clarence Molloy, who was also involved the battle to keep the church, said he too was pleased with the sale.

“We’re certainly delighted to have our church back,” said Molloy. “Even though someone had to pay for it.”

Molloy said that while he always had a feeling that things would work out, the Supreme Court ruling certainly took the wind out of the group’s sails.

“We did all we could do, and there wasn’t much else we could do about it,” said Molloy. “But then this person came forward and purchased it for us.”

Folks in the community and beyond had raised nearly $130,000 for upgrades to the church shortly before it was put up for sale, and so Power doesn’t expect big maintenance bills in the near future.

“We are very, very grateful for the kindness of these people who bought the church for us, and for all of the support we have received since we made our stand,” said Power.

New Witless Bay council jumps into busy agenda

By Mark Squibb

The newly minted Witless Bay council wasted no time getting to work following this month’s municipal election.

Following the selection of mayor and deputy mayor – Jacob Hayden and Justina Nawaz respectively – during the opening minutes of the October 15 meeting, council tackled a full agenda that included development applications, committee appointments, and more.

First, council ratified an earlier e-vote of council to approve a single-family home at 29-33 Carter’s Road. The permit will be issued once all other applicable government approvals have been received by the Town.

Council approved construction of accessory buildings at 67 Country Path Drive, 94-96 Gull Pond Road, 12 Island View Place and 41-45 Dunn’s Lane, all subject to various conditions, and approved an application to subdivide land at 1-17 Southern Shore Highway, pending provincial government approval. No development applications will be considered until the land has been subdivided.

Council also approved the purchase of an M18 chainsaw for the fire department at a cost of $499, plus HST, and approved the installation of a back power generator for the Town Hall at a cost of $3,043 plus HST.

Council also approved a number of new committee appointments. Margaret Swain and Susan Byrne will sit on the recreation committee, Robert Thor and Gerard Dunn will sit on the public works committee, Ralph Carey and Justina Nawaz will sit on the finance committee, Susan Byrne and Justina Nawaz will serve on the human resources committee, and Susan Byrne and Margaret Swain will represent the Town on the Southern Shore Joint Council.

Most items put to council were approved, however, a request for the Town to provide materials and manpower to extend the Carey’s Road culvert was denied.

Meanwhile, bank signing authority was granted to Mayor Hayden, Deputy Mayor Nawaz, and councillor Carey.

Sullivan doubts he’ll make another foray into municipal politics

By Mark Squibb

FFAW Vice President and former Bay Bulls councillor Jason Sullivan was 25 votes shy of keeping his council seat in the municipal election earlier this month.

Sullivan was edged out by incumbent Corey Ronayne, who scored 206 votes to Sullivan’s 181 votes in a field of seven in which five seats were open.

Sullivan said that given the popularity of newcomer Johanthan O’ Dea, who placed third in the polls, and his own lacklustre campaign, which he said he didn’t have time to commit to, he wasn’t surprised at being handed a loss.

“I figured I would be the one out,” said Sullivan. “It’s not the end of the world, but it’s unfortunate.”

Sullivan was first elected to council in 2013, expelled late in that term for missing three meetings in a row, then ran again successfully in 2021.

Had he been re-elected this time around, he said he would have worked towards getting the town a new soccer field and improved sports complex.

When asked whether he will ever run again, Sullivan replied, “Not a chance.”

“It’s a volunteer position and a thankless one,” he said.

Sullivan wished the newly minted council the best of luck moving forward.

“Johnny (O’Dea) is a good guy, and the last four years we had a good bunch on council,” said Sullivan. “We have good staff. Ashley (Wakeham) and them are great. I wish them the best and that they continue as they were and that they don’t raise taxes and stuff like that. The only way I’m ever going back on is if they get into a mess like they were before, and I hope we don’t ever get there.”

Interestingly, Sullivan would still be part of council if the Town had not appealed to the Department of Municipal Affairs in late 2020 to reduce its allotment of council seats from seven to five, following several years of difficulty in filling all seven seats during a contentious term of council. If not for that, Sullivan, along with all of the other six candidates who offered themselves this election, would have been elected by acclamation.

Former Bay Bulls councillor Jason Sullivan attributes his election loss to not having had time to properly campaign. Irish Loop Post file photo

Conference call system overloaded

Some residents in Bay Bulls last week were so eager to learn who their new mayor and deputy mayor would be that they overloaded the Town’s conference call system. The system allows up to 25 people to call into the public meeting and listen in at home. A number of people dialing in last Wednesday night were met with a busy signal as the conference call had reached its limit. For those who missed the action, Ethan Williams, who earned more votes than any other candidate this election, was nominated by former mayor Keith O’Driscoll for the position of Mayor. Williams, however, declined, citing his young age and status as a full-time student. O’Driscoll, in turn, was nominated for the position by Jason O’Brien and Williams. O’Driscoll accepted the role, and will once again serve as mayor. Next, both Williams and O’Brien accepted nominations for the role of deputy mayor, and the matter was put to a secret ballot vote. Williams claimed that victory, and will serve as deputy mayor. Pictured, from left, are newcomer Johnathan O’Dea, Jason O’Brien, Mayor Keith O’Driscoll, and Deputy Mayor Ethan Williams. Missing from the photo is councillor Corey Ronayne. In neighbouring Witless Bay, former Deputy Mayor Jacob Hayden was acclaimed as Mayor and councillor Justina Nawaz was acclaimed as deputy mayor. Town of Bay Bulls photo