Bay Bulls 'comes home' to new pavilion

By Chris Lewis | June 10, 2021

The Town of Bay Bulls cut the ribbon Monday evening on a brand new community pavilion, freshly constructed and set up right alongside the town hall. It comes thanks to a donation from the Bay Bulls Come Home Year committee, whose event back in 2015, brought many former residents back to the community.

Bay Bulls Mayor Harold Mullowney said the committee, at the end of the event, still had some leftover funds and approached the Town with the goal of using that money to provide the town with something solid that residents and visitors can make use of for years to come.

After some ideas were floated between the committee and council, Mullowney said the idea for a community pavilion was landed on.

The committee ultimately donated $12,000, with the Town pitching in on any other minor costs after that money was used up.

“It took a while, but we’ve got a beautiful pavilion here now,” Mullowney said. “We’re quite pleased with it.”

The planning of the pavilion itself took about a year, according to the mayor, and as the COVID-19 pandemic hit the province, it put everything – including the pavilion – on hold.

The site of the pavilion is what is known in the community as the Ryan property, which was purchased by the Town when it became available and ultimately went on to win a contest to become the first “forgotten corner” in the province, designated as such by the Landscape NL Horticultural Association back in 2019.

Inside the pavilion, there are a number of wooden patio furniture pieces. While the pavilion itself was built by residents of Bay Bulls, the wooden furniture came as a result of a partnership between the Town and Her Majesty’s Penitentiary (HMP).

Mullowney explained the Town had partnered with HMP a few years back to take advantage of a program they offer that aims to give inmates important life skills. Among them is carpentry.

“So, the benches, picnic tables, garbage boxes, all that you see around the Town was all built by HMP,” Mullowney said.

Come Home Year Committee member Kevin O’Brien said the aim of the pavilion was to make sure the town benefited from the leftover funds with something that could be enjoyed by anyone and everyone – residents and visitors alike, regardless of age.

“As a committee, we wanted to give back to the town and include everybody,” he said. “This is what we came up with … This, I think was the best fit to make something that everybody could enjoy. So, after four years, this is the last thing to come from our Come Home Year event. I think it’s a good way to end it off, and hopefully in a few years we can all get together to do it again.”

Province makes Witless Bay eliminate seniors tax discount

By Mark Squibb | May 27, 2021

Witless Bay council says it had no choice but to eliminate the senior’s tax discount.

“There’s been some discussion in the town, and I will tell you that several people have approached me, with respect to why the seniors discount was discontinued,” said Town CAO Pat Curran, who noted council did not have authority to offer the discount in the first place.

Curran said the Municipalities Act does not provide for discounts on the basis of age, or other classes of residents, such as low-income residents or persons with disabilities.

“This guidance provided not only to the Town of Witless Bay, but all municipalities increasingly across the province over the last several years, means that councils are not allowed to provide the discount in the first place, and this council was directed to fix this problem,” said Curran in a follow up email to the Irish Loop Post. “Our sense from the Department is that it was not rigorously enforced until recent years. In short, the Act does not provide councils with that authority. We can offer discounts on basis of early payment, but not otherwise.”

Council does indeed offer discounts for early birds. In the 2021 budget, council offered a discount of eight percent, an increase from the five percent discount of prior years, to those who got their taxes in early. Council also extended the early bird deadline from March 31 until May 31 due to the pandemic, and that deadline extension carried into this year as well.

“I would encourage any resident who has a question or concern with regard to provision of discounts to call the office and, to the extent that I can, readily explain how this works,” said Curran. “It ultimately comes down to the fact that council really didn’t have a choice but to eliminate the seniors discount. It was outside the authority of the town to allow the discount in the first place.”

“I think that pretty well explains the reason,” summarized Mayor Derm Moran. “We would love to be able to give it, but we can’t give it.”

Plenty of towns offer seniors discounts, so how was it that Witless Bay was ‘found out’?

In another follow up e-mail, Curan noted that in the fall of 2018 the Department would have carried out a standard Municipal Review, and it was then the Town's approach to discounts was noted by the Department.

“There is a reference within the summary note on the Town processing discounts without individual application to the Town, as provided for within the Act,” said Curran. “Discounts are reflected within the schedule of fees and taxes and I must assume that it would have been flagged at that point in 2019 budget adoption given the earlier Municipal Review.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for The Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs confirmed the legislation does not allow Seniors Discounts.
“There is no provision under the Municipalities Act to allow for discounts on the basis of age or other classes of residents,” read a statement from an official. “The Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs will remind municipalities about the stipulations under the Act, as they become aware of incidents of discounts being provided, contrary to legislation.”

The official added that councils, by two thirds of a vote, can grant an exemption, remission or deferment of taxes and interest on taxes, but only when a resident requests it.

“This is at the discretion of council and does not specifically reference factors such as age, income, disabilities, etc.,” reads the release.

On Thursday, May 13, The Irish Loop Post requested an interview with Municipal Affairs Minister Krista Lynn Howell, but a spokesperson said she would not be available by the May 18 print deadline because she was travelling.

However, Howell did have time to phone into the VOCM Open Line Program to wish everyone a happy Municipalities Day, briefly field a question on regionalization, and offered no comment when asked about the unfolding Ragged Beach situation.

The Department, in lieu of Howell’s unavailability, did offer some further clarification on the legislation.

“The rationale for the legislation is to ensure property owners pay taxes to support municipal services, while still allowing individuals to request exemptions, deferrals and remission of taxes in appropriate circumstances,” read a statement. “This provides a way for people in extraordinary circumstances to access some tax relief. As noted, there is no provision allowing for seniors discounts specifically.”

Meanwhile, the Department admits it does not actually have an enforcement policy.
“Regarding enforcement, there are no provisions in the Municipalities Act allowing the Department to enforce legislative compliance,” said the official. “When the Department becomes aware of an issue, it is brought to the attention of the town. It is the town's responsibility to take corrective action. As elected officials, councilors have a responsibility to be familiar with municipal legislation and to help ensure that their respective municipalities are in compliance. The Department is aware that municipalities would like more flexibility in their ability to offer tax discounts. This is something the Department is evaluating as part of the ongoing review of municipal legislation.”

Fermeuse girl an award-winning volunteer

By Mark Squibb | May 27, 2021

Robyn Kenny, 17, of Fermeuse has been awarded the Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador Leadership Program 2021 Volunteerism Scholarship, a $1,000 cash prize.

“It’s really great,” said Kenny, a Grade 11 student at Baltimore School.  “I’m from a small town, so there’s not many opportunities for big scholarships.”

Kenny is an active member of the Fermeuse-Renews Girl Guides. She joined the Sparks program when she was five, but she actually started coming to meetings with her mother when she was only three. She has moved up through the ranks of Sparks, Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders and is currently in her second of three years as a Ranger.

Within the program, Kenney has been involved with fundraisers such as the Janeway Telethon, Children’s Make a Wish Foundation, mental health walks, and more, including Threads for Gemma, a non-profit that collects donations of clothing for premature babies.

Kenney helped spearhead a drive in the whole community rallying friends, family, and neighbors in Fermeuse and neighboring communities to donate knitted caps, booties, sweaters, and homemade tiny blankets and diapers, as well as knitting some of her own.

She has received many prestigious awards with the organization, including the Lady Baden Powell Award, the Canada Cord (the highest award given to Pathfinders,) and the Trailblazer Bronze award for Rangers. Along with Brooklyn Kane of the Fermeuse-Renews group and other girls across the province, she is set to receive the Silver Trailblazer award in early June.

Kenny was recently chosen to be part of a trip to Our Chalet World Center located in Switzerland, which was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID-19, and in the past has travelled to the Pax Lodge in England, a Guiding World Center, as one of only two provincial representatives.

Fermeuse-Renews Guide leader Madonna Ryan wrote refences to the scholarship program on behalf of Kenney.

“When a situation or event presents itself which requires assistance at a charitable event, Robyn is the first one to volunteer suggestions on how our Guiding group can help and to be physically present to carry out these plans,” Ryan explained.

Outside of the Girl Guides, Kenny often volunteers at school and elsewhere in the community.

“It’s good to volunteer because you’re helping people out, you’re helping the environment, and you’re contributing to your community and helping out your province,” said Kenny. “You’re giving back some of what you’ve received.”

Witless Bay hires female fire chief

By Mark Squibb | May 20, 2021

After a months long process, the Town of Witless Bay has hired the region’s first paid fire chief.

Maria Churchill, who previously served as Stephenville’s deputy fire chief, will begin work on May 31.

“I think it’s wonderful that we have a female in a significant role in the town,” said councillor Colleen Hanrahan when the news was announced during last week’s council meeting.

L.W. Consulting was contracted by council to oversee the recruitment of the region’s first paid fire chief and received over 30 applications. From those resumes, a short list of candidates was identified for further screening. From that, an even shorter list of candidates was chosen for further interviews.

The decision to hire a full time, paid chief, which council argued was critical to the sustainability of the region’s fire department, was part of a major overhaul of the region’s fire and protective services in the 2021 budget.

Included in that overhaul are plans for a new regional fire station, more investment in volunteer recruitment and training, new equipment, and new training grounds. Already, the Town has borrowed $370,734 to cover the cost of a new tanker and volunteer firefighters have constructed a new smokehouse training room.

The Witless Bay Regional Fire Department serves close to 5,000 residents and over 2,000 homes and businesses in Witless Bay, Bay Bulls, Mobile, Tors Cove, Burnt Cove, St. Michael’s and Bauline East. The department provides services in three key areas including fire, medical and rescue and road traffic accidents. In 2019, volunteers responded to 190 calls for service; a jump from the 161 calls received in 2016.

There are currently about 26 volunteers with the department. Shane Cole has been serving as the acting chief at the department while the town sought a full-time occupant.

Bay Bulls to redesign town flag - but not right now

By mark Squibb | May 20, 2021

The Town of Bay Bulls has held off on a motion to ask residents to help redesign the town’s flag for the time being.

During the May 10 council meeting, Deputy Mayor Wendy O’Driscoll made the motion that council initiate a flag design contest. Folks would be asked to submit designs for a new town flag that include the current town logo.

Councilor Joan Luby, however, suggested that council postpone it for now.

“Why don’t we wait until we get our strategic plan done?” asked Luby. “They’re doing up all the signs and everything else.”

O’Driscoll said the flag is different than the town logo, or branding.

Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Aspell explained the strategic plan will likely include a section on branding, especially as it relates to tourism initiatives.

‘So, you could certainly postpone this for a couple of months,” said Aspell. “We had talked about the town flag we have now, which has some damage on the ends, it’s a bit tattered, so we were suggesting moving ahead with it now. But, if you think that there’s a possibility that we might be doing a rebranding, it might be worth waiting.”

Mayor Harold Mullowney said the timing of the redesign isn’t a big issue, and that it can certainly wait.

After the discussion, council decided to vote down the motion to move ahead with the contest.

St. Kevin's student lauded for public speaking skills

By Mark Squibb | May 20, 2021

Olivia Taylor, 16, has been busy this month, having earned not one, but two, speaking awards.

The Grade 10 St. Kevin’s High student was awarded the Miss Achievement NL Leadership Program Communications Scholarship earlier in the month, and last week earned gold in the Public Speaking category of the 2021 Skills Canada Virtual Provincial Competition.

For the Communications Scholarship, participants had to submit a recorded two-minute speech about something they were passionate about.

Taylor did her speech about her passion for nature.

That award comes with a $2,000 Dale Carnegie Program and a $500 Cash scholarship.

For the Skills Canada competition, participants, via Zoom, competed in three speaking categories.

The first was a prepared speech. Students were asked to write a speech in response to the question ‘How can you ensure more people from underrepresented groups can participate in skills trades and technology?’

“My speech focused a little bit more on women getting in careers in skilled trades and technology, because I want to see more women in these careers, but it also touched on lots of different ethnicities and different genders,” said Taylor.

Students then had to be prepared to answer a question about their speeches, and then, for the final competition, in an impromptu session, students were given a prompt which they then had to address.

“The prompt was, ‘If you were to make a social media post about Skills Canada, what would you say and why?’” said Taylor. “So, you had two minutes to write about that, and then speak to it for at least a minute to three minutes.”

Students were evaluated not just on their written speeches and vocal delivery, but also their stance, eye contact, and body language.

Some institutes believe that a fear of public speaking (or glossophobia) may be the most common phobia. Most people will admit to becoming a little nervous (or really nervous) if asked to speak in front of others.

Taylor said she’s no different.

“You’re always a little bit nervous in the back of your mind,” said Taylor, who began public speaking some years back in her local 4H Club.

 “I’m usually a little bit nervous to speak, but once I start speaking, I just get in a mode, and nothing can stop me,” she laughed. “There’s only so much you can do, just practice, and do your best, and hope for the best.”

Taylor said that doing the speeches through Zoom, rather than in a roomful of people, for the Skills Canada competition was actually more intimidating, because it added a layer of potential technical problems.

“I didn’t know if my internet was going to lag or if I would freeze up or anything, so I was nervous about that aspect as well,” she said.

When she was younger, Taylor won gold for public speaking in the Intermediate category (open to students in grades seven through nine), but winning in the provincial category means she’ll be eligible to compete in the national competition.

“I’m not sure what to expect just yet, because this is my first one,” said Taylor. “So, I think it’ll be a little bit different and more competitive than the provincial one.”

That competition will be held on May 26.

Regardless of the outcome, Taylor said developing skills through programs like Skills Canada, helps prepare youth for their futures.

“It prepares you for so many different things in life,” she said. “Whether I work as a veterinarian or whether I’m working in an office, all these are skills you’ll use in your career and you’ll use in your life. And it’s such a great experience to practice these skills and it’s really beneficial in my opinion.”

Goulds staple Keith's Diner set for summer reopening

By Mark Squibb | May 6, 2021

If you’re dying for a feed of Keith’s, you hopefully won’t have to wait much longer.

Owner-Operator Mallory Ward says they are scheduled to reopen the doors of the Goulds institution in  mid-August, sooner if possible.

The eatery closed back in January following an overnight kitchen fire, but in addition to the repairs, Ward said the building is being refitted to better serve its customers.

Perhaps the biggest change will be the addition of a second kitchen.

“Our biggest challenge in the last couple of years has been trying to meet the demand of our customers,” said Ward. “We’ve been closing earlier, we’ve been selling out on a daily basis, and we felt that we could provide a better service to our customers. So, the biggest goal of this extension is a brand-new prep kitchen. So, this kitchen is solely used for prep purposes. This is going to allow us to be open later, and increase our hours, and keep up with the demand, and give our customers what they love… We’re going to have the capacity to take on catering, weddings, special events, corporate functions. This kitchen is opening a lot of doors for us to expand into other avenues as well.”

Those who have made Keith’s Diner a staple in their lives will be glad to hear that, amongst the changes, there are no plans to change the menu or the recipes that make the joint a regional staple.

“These are the traditional, family recipes that we’ve been using literally since the 60’s,” said Ward. “The same recipes have been used in the kitchen since my grandparents, Betty and Reg Ward, opened the doors in 1963, and they’re the exact same recipes that we’re going to be using when we reopen this summer.”

Those recipes have been passed down through three generations of Wards, from Betty and Reg to Keith and now to Mallory, which means that the Ward family has been feeding the Goulds for as many generations.

“Residents from the Goulds and the surrounding communities grew up eating here, and that’s something we’re really proud of,” said Ward. “We’ve served generations of families, because we ourselves are in our third generation. And they’ve seen the hard work that our family and staff have put in over the years, and I know they appreciate that too.”

That community closeness has been evident in recent months,

“We had customers reach out and offer to volunteer and assist in any way shape or form since the day we announced the fire,” said Ward. “I can’t even explain how good that made us feel.”

She said the community support has been humbling and overwhelming.

“I never anticipated the amount of support, and how much people would miss us,” said Ward. “You don’t realize how involved we have been in people’s lives. We’ve got customers who eat here regularly. We didn’t anticipate that people would be feeling the loss without us … A big day for us, and a big day for many people in this industry, is of course Good Friday. For us, obviously we were down and out this year. But we had people say, “I’m not going anywhere else this year. I’m not ordering fish and chips anywhere else. I’m going to wait until next year. Those types of things really, really pull at our heartstrings. Because that’s the loyalty we have from our customers, and that’s incredible.”

In addition to extra kitchen space, Ward said a new take-out entrance will help ease congestion.

“What we’ve done to alleviate some of the congestion on the lot is we’ve built a separate take-out entrance,” she said. “So, now we have two separate entrances for our dine-in and take-out customers, which is going to help us tremendously improve our takeout and delivery services, along with our dine-in service, because it keeps those areas separate, which is something that we felt is important.

“We just really wanted to bring Keith’s Diner to where it should be. It’s more than just a makeover. Everything makes more sense, we’re more accessible, we’re better equipped to handle orders and to serve our customers. So, we’re really excited about what’s going on and show everybody what we’re up too.”

Witless Bay swamped with appeals

By Mark Squibb | May 6, 2021

Witless Bay town staff have been busy this year defending council’s actions before the Eastern Regional Appeal Board.

Not even five months into 2021, the town has had to appear before the Appeal Board eight times, with two more appeals pending this month. A number of the appeals have involved two residents who have been taking the Town to the Appeal Board, and sometimes court, for years.

For reference’s sake, staff members of the Town of Conception Bay South, which boasts about 26,000 residents, roughly 26 times the population of Witless Bay, faced only three appeal board hearings, with one pending for May.

It’s a steep increase for Witless Bay over last year when it faced only one appeal.

Of the eight appeals scheduled thus far for 2021, decisions have been returned on four, three have been postponed, and one remains pending.

Last week, The Shoreline reported on one of the appeals, in which a couple sought to overturn the decision of council to issue their neighbour a permit to build an accessory building. The couple felt the accessory building would hinder their ocean view, and harm their property value. The Appeal Board upheld the Town’s decision.

In another appeal heard by the Board on March 23, the appellant, Melanie LaFosse, whose parents live on Mullowney’s Lane, tried to overthrow the Town’s decision to issue a tender to extend a portion of Mullowney’s Lane and upgrade a right of way. LaFosse was represented by Gallows Cove resident Noel O’Dea, who has been fighting with council for years against any development in the area. O’Dea presented the board with “ten categories of arguments with sub-bullets.”

However, he failed to sway the three members of the Appeal Board. Instead, the Board accepted the advice of a municipal planner, who advised that infrastructure work on town roads is not considered “development” and that towns have the authority for the construction and maintenance of public roadways within their jurisdiction.

The Town’s chief administrative officer, Pat Curran, informed the board the purpose of the proposed extension is to allow access to multiple property owners in the area “and to improve the general public access to the beach and hiking trails.”

In their joint decision, the Appeal Board members ruled that under the Urban and Rural Planning Act it had no jurisdiction to hear LaFosse’s appeal. “Council has the authority for the construction and maintenance of public roadways, and for taking over privately developed roads to be used by the public and vested in the Town Council, as provided by Sections 163, 164, and 165 of the Municipalities Act,” the board ruled.

LaFosse and O’Dea and have since signified they intend to appeal the Appeal Board’s decision at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland. Their application for a court-ordered injunction to stop any work on Mullowney’s Lane is scheduled to be heard today, May 6.

Another appeal, also heard on March 23, sought to overturn the decisions of the Town to allow the reconstruction of a home at 215-217 Gallows Cove Road, which had been damaged by weather and then fully removed. The house is located next to property owned by O’Dea. However, the appellant was Ed Vickers, a Witless Bay property owner who has been part of a small circle including O’Dea, who have opposed development in the area for years. Vickers appeared as an interested party in the LaFosse appeal.

Vickers told the Appeal Board the Town had acted beyond its authority when it approved a permit for the reconstruction of the house. Vickers contended the proposed re-construction does not meet the Town’s development regulations. He further argued that the background history of the property should not have any bearing on the decision of the council, or Appeal Board, to approve the application.

In looking at council’s decision, the Appeal Board members noted the area in question is zoned Residential, which allows a single detached dwelling as an approved use. They agreed the Town does have the authority to approve the building application on the existing lot as long as it meets all the regulations pertaining to substandard lots. The Town was ordered to review the application again to make sure it meets those rules.

In still another appeal, former town councilor Ralph Carey fought the Town— and won, at least temporarily.

Carey fought a decision of council to grant approval in principle of an application from Stephen Dunne to build a family home on Dunne’s Lane. Carey argued that council had not responded to his concern that the well for the proposed house would be too close to his well. Carey also contended the development required a bigger variance from development standards than the Town is allowed to give.

The Board ruled the Town had not correctly followed procedures in its development regulations and ordered the approval be reversed. The Board further ordered that the application be referred back to council, and furthermore, that council pay Carey $230 to cover the cost of the appeal fee.

Dunne has since launched an appeal of his own and is scheduled to appear before the Appeal Board on May 21.

The Easter Bunch

Members of Alderwood Estates poultry club were busy over the Easter Weekend hatching a brood of chicks. Pictured from left in the back row are John Dunphy, Terry Pennell, Garry Malloy, and Ingo Kuehr. In front, from left, are, Michael Kieley, John Walsh, Kevin Bennett, and Sam Skinner. The chicks hatched over the Easter weekend, to the eggcitement of all.

Ferryland garbage concern quickly addressed

By Mark Squibb | April 8, 2021

Deputy Mayor of Ferryland Harry Bryan said a concern over garbage collection in the town was addressed almost as soon as it was raised.

During the March council meeting, councilor Otto Clowe reported that garbage had not been picked up at the RCMP detachment for some weeks and that several residents had complained of issues with garbage collection.

Staff were instructed to forward those complaints to the Eastern Regional Service Board.

“That was a bit of a misunderstanding I think,” said Bryan. “Every once in a while, a driver will change or something like that, and they won’t realize they need to stop at a certain place. There was one phone call, and they were down the next day and picked up the garbage and it’s been back online ever since.”

Bryan noted that the no residents had officially logged complaints with the Town office in regards to issues with garbage, and that the Town receives very few complaints about garbage collection overall.