Southern Shore Legion asking for help identifying WWII vets

By Mark Squibb

November 10, 2023 Edition

In 2016, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 34 in Ferryland commemorated World War I veterans by placing crosses, each bearing the name of a known World War I veteran from the region, in the grounds around the Ferryland cenotaph.

Branch 34 member Guy Barnable said the response to that act of remembrance was so positive the Legion has taken it upon themselves to commemorate World War II veterans from Bay Bulls to Cappahayden.

“I think Newfoundland and Labrador has always been really good at commemorating military contributions,” said Barnable. “And a lot of these World War II veterans, our generation grew up with, so we have that connection to them. They were either our grandparents or great-grandparents, or our parents. And now that a lot of them have passed, people are recognising that we can’t forget their sacrifices.”

The Branch has assembled a list of over 200 World War II veterans who were either born on the Southern Shore or settled there after the war. That list has been posted to social media, and can be made available on request. Barnable is asking people to reach out to him at legionbranch34project@gmail.com or 709-763-6070 if they know of anyone missing from the list or if there are any errors on it.

“Please don't assume Legion Branch 34 has information on a veteran,” said Barnable. “We would much rather hear from someone with information they already have than not hear from them at all.”

Barnable said the Legion is also interested in hearing from family members or friends who may be able to provide photographs or further information such as dates of service.

Branch 34 is hoping to have all the information compiled by March 2024.

Baltimore Broncos

It’s been a good season for softball at Baltimore School in Ferryland. Both the boys and girls softball teams won their respective provincial championships this fall. The boys claimed the Boys 2A Provincial Softball Championship title two weekends back. In the back row, from left to right, are coach Wendy Walsh, Matthew Molloy, Connor Doyle, Lucas Shannahan, Zachary Ryan, Jackson Boland, Landon Reddy, Cameron Shannahan, Nathaniel Walsh, William Carey, Lynden Doyle, Daniel O'Brien, Kaleb Hawkins, Evan Power, and coach Liam Walsh. In the front row, from left to right, are Warren Hayden and Trent Walsh. The girls claimed the title earlier this October. In the back row, from left to right, are Olivia Ryan, Julia Kavanagh, Jane Coady, Isabella O'Leary, Rachel O'Brien, Shyanne Rossiter, and Addison Mayo. In the front row, from left to right, are Gracie Doyle, Ava Brothers, Kendall Walsh, and Allie O'Brien. Submitted photos

Schools, fire brigade on council’s donation list

By Mark Squib
November 3, 2023 Edition

Witless Bay council earlier this fall approved a number of different donation requests from various community groups.

Council donated $100 each to St. Bernard's Elementary and Mobile Central High School to support their breakfast programs operated by the Kids Eat Smart Foundation, for a total of $200.

“The Kids Eat Smart Foundation issued a call for donations, and all donations received are matched by Kids Eat Smart,” said councillor Ralph Carey. “So, every dollar donated is actually equal to two dollars.”

Council also donated $200 to the RCMP’s D.A.R.E. program to implement programming about the dangers of drug use to students attending the two schools.

Town CAO Jennifer Aspell noted the RCMP revamped the program during COVID. While it used to focus entirely on drug awareness, she said, it now also focuses on internet safety, bullying, bicycle safety, and more.

Aspell said the RCMP handed out bicycle helmets around the community last summer, and that the organization is very community minded.

Council also donated $1,600 for the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department — $100 of which is earmarked for the purchase of treats for the annual Pumpkin Stroll, while $1,500 will go towards the annual firefighters’ ball.

Council also offered the department free use of the Puffin Centre for the event. The brigade will also be requesting donations from neighbouring communities to support the ball.

Witless Bay council covers engineering fees for ATV group

By Mark Squibb
November 3, 2023 Edition

Witless Bay council has voted to lend a local ATV Association a helping hand by agreeing to cover the cost of having the Town’s engineering consultant advise the association regarding a potential bridge installation along the railbed.

“The ATV Association is completing repairs to washed out sections of the railbed, and one section of the trail requires the installation of a bridge,” explained councillor Ralph Carey, who moved that council foot the bill for the consultant’s time.

Town CAO Jennifer Aspell noted the engineer will provide the association with a proposed work scope and cost estimate. Members of council believe the association plans to apply for funding to complete the actual work.

Councillor Jacob Hayden, the chairman of the ATV Association, declared a conflict of interest and left the room during the discussion.

Witless Bay rec complex to see more upgrades

By Mark Squibb
November 3, 2023 Edition

The Town of Witless Bay has applied to the provincial government for over a million dollars in funding to help address flooding concerns at the town’s recreation complex off Southside Track Road.

The complex consists of a playground, sports field, dog park and outside swimming pool.

Council unanimously approved a request, moved by Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard and seconded by councillor Alan Richards, to apply for cost shared funding in the amount of $1.1 million for recreation complex upgrades through an email poll of council conducted on September 27.

Council ratified that decision during last week’s public meeting.

Town CAO Jennifer Aspell suggested council elaborate on what the application was for, and councillor Jacob Hayden explained the monies will be used to mitigate flooding in the area.

“Municipal Capital Works is our best bet and gives us the best bang for our buck,” said Hayden.

The project is cost shared at a 90/10 ratio as it falls under the category of ‘water, wastewater, and disaster mitigation.’

The Town’s 10 cent share comes to $117,484.

Costs above and beyond the approved project cost will be the full responsibility of Witless Bay.

That vote to ratify the email vote passed unanimously.

Besides addressing flooding concerns, council tackled other issues pertaining to the recreation complex in recent months.

This September, council received approval from the Gas Tax Secretariat to fund an accessibility upgrade to both the swimming pool and parking area, which will include the installation of a ramp in the swimming pool and paved accessible parking in the parking lot.

Council this September also awarded a contract for site work and fence installation for a new dog park to the lowest compliant bidder, Harbour Construction, at a cost of $12,840, plus HST.

The former dog park was located in the same general area but could only be accessed by trespassing over private property.

Swain acclaimed to Witless Bay council

By Mark Squibb
November 3, 2023 Edition

Margaret Swain has been acclaimed to Witless Bay council following Wednesday’s Nomination Day.

“I grew up in Gallow’s Cove, Witless Bay, and have lived here all my life,” said Swain. “I’ve always wanted to run for council, but the time was never right until now. I will do my best for all the people in the community.”

Swain is filling a seat left vacant by former councillor Nancy Burke, who resigned from council this August citing work commitments, and she will be sworn in in the near future.

Swain’s nomination to council brings the council complement back to seven. It’s the first-time council has had a full complement since former councillor Alex Troake resigned back in April. Troake’s seat was filled by Alan Richards in August, but since Burke resigned before Richard’s acclamation to council, council still had a vacant seat to fill, which will now be filled by Swain.

Fleet of Feet

Dunne Memorial Academy had a strong showing at a recent Newfoundland and Labrador Athletics Association (NLAA) X-Country Series held in Bowring Park earlier this month. Four young athletes from the St. Mary’s Bay school participated in the event — from left to right are Noah Ban De Bulk (who placed 6th in the Grade 7 boys 1900m run with a time of 8 minutes), Dalton Corcoran (who ran the Grade 5 boys 1400m run with a time of 8:10 minutes), Kellan Tobin (who placed 1st in the Grade 5 boys 1400m run with a time of 5:23), and Connor Corcoran (who ran the Grade 5 boys 1400m run with a time of 8:12). Kellan Tobin also placed first in his event last year at the NLAA X-Country Series, and recently placed first in the Carbonear Harvest Run in his age category. Coach Karen Hearn, who has coached cross country at the school for some years now, said she is proud of each participant, and every student is a winner when they choose to participate. Submitted photo.

Site work contract awarded for Bay Bulls rink

By Craig Westcott
October 27, 2023 Edition

Harbour Construction of Witless Bay has been awarded the contract to prepare the site for a new outdoor rink in Bay Bulls.

The company will be paid $15,978 plus HST, Bay Bulls councillors agreed last week.

Councillor Jason Sullivan, who made the motion to award the job, noted Harbour Construction was the lowest compliant bidder to respond to Bay Bulls' request for proposals.

Sullivan also moved a motion that the Town ask the provincial government for permission to use federal Gas Tax money to pay for the work.

Both motions passed unanimously.

In other council news:

• Two development applications have been approved. One is for a new house at 13-17 Hydes Lane, while the other is for a telecommunications tower at 79-87 Farm Road. Council also agreed to reconvey a parcel of land at Bristol Landing Phase III to Northland Holdings to accommodate expansion of the subdivision. The land comprises 54 square metres of roadway on Island Cove Road.

• Southeast Construction was the winning bidder on a contract to provide snow clearing and ice control in Bay Bulls this winter.

The company will be paid $329,900 plus HST for the work.

"I'd just like to point out that this tender has increased pretty significantly from last year’s, roughly 16 per cent higher than what we expended last year on snow clearing," said Deputy Mayor Jason O'Brien. 

• And finally, council approved more properties to be sold off to apply against their owners’ tax arrears.

Deputy Mayor O'Brien moved that staff undertake to sell properties at 257 Northside Road, 254 - 256 Northside Road, 13 O'Dea's Lane, 10A O'Dea's Lane, and 77-79 Gunridge Road. 

"I’d just like to let the public know that we're going through a similar process to what we did last year," said O'Brien. "That worked out pretty well for us in clearing up some backlog in our tax roll. These (latest ones) are some that we've identified so far in areas of the harbour that we can try to get cleaned up."

Witless Bay to install new security system

By Mark Squibb
October 27, 2023 Edition

Witless Bay council is tightening security on Town-owned buildings.

Councillor Ralph Carey, during last week’s public meeting, moved to approve the supply and installation of a new security system for the Town Hall, Fire Hall, and Puffin Centre to Babb Lock and Safe at a cost of $32,564, plus HST.

Carey said the town issued a request for quotes, and three suppliers were invited to complete an onsite assessment. Only two showed up, and of those two, Babb Lock and Safe presented the lower bid.

Town CAO Jennifer Aspell explained the security system will incorporate a new key card lock as well as new surveillance cameras and alarms.

Aspell said the cameras won’t be monitored “day-and-night,” but the footage will be stored electronically and easily accessible if need be.

“There will be an alarm system on the Town Hall, and the Fire Hall as well, and if the alarm triggers, someone like myself will get an update and we can check and see what’s happening,” said Aspell. “We don’t have any real security on any of our buildings at this time.”

Aspell added the Town will be installing security measures at the Puffin Centre as it is a Town-owned building but won’t be installing cameras near the community pantry out of respect for folks who may avail of the free food.

She also said that switching to a key card system will be especially helpful in cutting back the number of Puffin Centre keys floating around, as the building is rented out to community groups.

“So, with this key lock system, if you were renting the facility, we would give you a key card, and we can control that key card, we can allow you access for a specific time,” said Aspell.

The CAO said the measures will protect, amongst other things, Town records and millions of dollars worth of firefighting equipment.

“We have a lot to protect, and so $32,000 is not a big cost to protect all of that,” concluded Aspell.

Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard said that while the motion sounds expensive, there is a real need for the system.

Council unanimously approved the motion.

Witless Bay hopes to build two outdoor rinks

By Mark Squibb
October 27, 2023 Edition

Witless Bay may join the growing number of Southern Shore communities building outdoor skating rinks this winter.

At last week’s public council meeting, councillor Ralph Carey said the Town hopes to install two outdoor skating rinks on the softball field this coming winter.

Carey said the recreation committee is planning on using one rink as a general skating rink and designating the other rink as a hockey rink. He said the work will likely begin in November or December, and that materials have already been purchased.

“Kids have their own rinks in their own back yards, but it will be much more of a community feeling to see 10 or 15 down there on the community rinks after school,” said Carey.

He added that once the rinks are installed, he hopes that kids will get outside, get some fresh air, and give their thumbs a rest from all the electronics.

The Cape Broyle recreation committee has been operating a successful outdoor rink for several years now. Bay Bulls is also looking at building an outdoor rink this winter.