‘Ragged Beach’ councillors fire rookie colleague over alleged conflict of interest

Husband and wife councillors Alan Richards and Lorna Yard, left, supported motions by Ralph Carey (blue shirt) and Gerard Dunn, right, to vacate the seat of rookie councillor Margaret Swain over a motion she made at her very first council meeting after being elected this past November. Carey and Dunne's motion passed 4-2 Tuesday. Craig Westcott photos

Husband and wife councillors Alan Richards and Lorna Yard, left, supported motions by Ralph Carey (blue shirt) and Gerard Dunn, right, to vacate the seat of rookie councillor Margaret Swain over a motion she made at her very first council meeting after being elected this past November. Carey and Dunne's motion passed 4-2 Tuesday. Craig Westcott photos

By Craig Westcott

Witless Bay council evicted a rookie councillor Tuesday, but the decision wasn't unanimous, and it wasn't clear that Margaret Swain had even violated the conflict-of-interest rules as she was accused of doing by a fellow councillor.

The grounds for the eviction date back to Swain's first council meeting just after she was elected by acclamation in November last year.

Swain attended a planning meeting ahead of her first official council meeting. At the planning meeting, when the subject of a proposed rezoning for a Crown Land Reserve for the Ragged Beach area came up, Swain allegedly indicated she wouldn't be voting on the matter, because she had a friend with property in the area.

It’s uncertain what Swain actually said, because there were no minutes kept of the meeting.

However, when the issue of the Crown Land Reserve arose at the public council meeting the next day, Swain made a motion asking to delay the vote so that she could have some time to get up to speed on the issue.

Her motion passed unanimously. And at the public council meeting held the following month, Swain voted with the rest of council to rezone the land for the reserve. However, two months later, in a private council meeting on January 30, councillor Ralph Carey accused Swain of having been in a conflict of interest when she asked for the delay at her first council meeting.

Council voted 4-2 Tuesday to evict Swain and declare her seat vacant. The motion to fire her was made by Carey, seconded by councillor Gerard Dunne, and supported by Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard and her husband and fellow councillor Alan Richards. Mayor Trevor Croft and councillor Jacob Hayden voted against the motion to fire Swain.

The motion to declare Swain in conflict and a follow up motion to vacate her seat were actually made at another private meeting of council on February 12 at which Swain was not present. Swain had been given a chance to answer the charge at the January 30 private meeting, but after a long discussion the meeting was adjourned without an outcome.

This week's public meeting formalized the two decisions of February 12 by ratifying them publicly with the vote again breaking down the same way, 4-2 against Swain.

"Councillor Swain, you are required to vacate your seat," said Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Aspell, who offered her the chance to watch the rest of the meeting as a spectator in the gallery, which Swain did.

In an ironic moment later in the meeting, Carey, who led the charge to toss Swain off council, eschewed any thought of himself declaring a conflict by making a motion to have construction work done on the road where he lives.

In most municipalities, councillors refrain from voting on roadwork affecting their own streets, or even streets where their relatives live, because of a potential conflict of interest considering such improvements could improve property values.

According to Section 5.1.a of the Municipalities Act, “A municipal official has a conflict of interest where in the making, or involvement in the making, of a decision… a decision may affect, directly or indirectly, a private interest where the decision may result in a gain or loss to the municipal official’s private interests, or the private interests of a relative.”

After councillor Dunne asked council for a ruling on whether he was in a conflict because he lives near Dunn’s Lane, Carey indicated he wouldn’t be bothering with such a request.

"What we're planning on doing is making a motion to devise a scope of work, so I don't see it being an issue," said Carey. "I live on Dunn's Lane and I'm not going to be (declaring a conflict). There's more than one person on council who lives on Dunn's Lane.”

In fact, Carey is the only member of council to live on the street.

Carey then moved that council "obtain price estimates for road infrastructure work to be completed at Dunn's Lane."

His motion passed unanimously.

After the meeting, Mayor Croft admitted he was uncomfortable with the motion to fire Swain, because it wasn't clear she had actually declared a conflict of interest in the first place.

Croft said he wasn't at the planning meeting when Swain is said to have indicated she planned to declare a conflict of interest on the Crown Land Reserve. He confirmed Swain had not been given any training in the Municipal Code of Conduct prior to her first public council meeting. And the fact she supposedly declared a conflict at a planning meeting, and not at an actual council meeting, also raises questions about the validity of council's decision to fire her, he suggested.

"That's where it's up in the air for me personally," said the mayor. “Because technically it is a meeting of council, but at the same time it's not a formal, formal meeting, because there are no minutes being taken.... I voted against this because it wasn't clear to me that a planning meeting should be a formal meeting if you don't take minutes. That's why I voted against it, personally. And I mean, it was her first meeting."

Croft said the Town did ask the Department of Municipal Affairs for advice on Carey’s allegation against Swain. But neither Croft or CAO Aspell would disclose the department’s response. They did confirm that no legal advice was taken.

Asked for his reaction to what had the appearance of a kangaroo court, Mayor Croft allowed he was disappointed at what had just occurred.

"I know councillor Hayden is as well," said the mayor. "We were against it. It wasn't clear cut for us. That's why we voted against it. I can't speak for any other councillors."

Croft wouldn't speculate on whether the move to oust Swain was an effort by Yard, Carey and their supporters to remove someone they perceived as not being fully on board with their long running campaign against private landowners near Ragged Beach.

"I can't speculate on it," said Croft.

It is illegal under the Municipal Conduct Act, which was passed by the Province in 2022, to make allegations of conflict of interest against fellow councillors in bad faith.

“A councillor or municipal official shall not file a complaint under this policy which is retributive, made in bad faith, or with malicious intent,” according to the guidebook for municipal councillors.

"It's not something I ever like doing, vacating the seat of a councillor,” said Mayor Croft. “It shines a lot of bad light on the town when we have a lot of good stuff going for us. Personally, I don't think it was a strong enough case to evict the seat, but I got outvoted. That's pretty much all I can really say."

Bay Bulls teams up with South Carolina in talent showcase

By Mark Squibb

The Town of Bay Bulls has been selected to represent the province in the "Towns in Tune” TV show.

A ‘twin’ town in South Carolina will also be selected for the program.

The show, formerly "From Inside the Circle," will feature interviews with residents, business owners, artists, and community representatives. Film crews will be on-site in both Bay Bulls and in South Carolina to capture the transformation of a workplace into a concert venue.

Two events have been scheduled to take place at the Bay Bulls venue. The first is a songwriter's circle on Saturday, June 22, featuring four songwriters, two from South Carolina and two from this province, followed by performances by a South Carolina band and a local band. The event will conclude with a small plate reception for the entire audience.

The second event is an artists showcase on Sunday June 23 featuring authors, visual artists, and songwriters from both this province and South Carolina. Each author will select a passage from one of their published works and share it with a musician and visual artist months ahead of the event. These artists will then create their own interpretations of the piece, which will be presented during the showcase.

Council has approved the $15,000, plus HST, sponsorship fee.

Councillor Jason Sullivan said proceeds from the door and bar will go to a local not-for-profit of council’s choosing.

“It is a bit of an upfront investment, but we have the money there, and I think it’s a small price to have an hour long special,” said Sullivan. “And basically, we’ll get the money back through a charity in the town.”

The two one-hour long episodes will air on PBS in late 2024 or early 2025.

The Town of Stephenville was featured in last year’s program.

Mavericks Charity Classic set for March 1

By Mark Squibb

The St. Kevin’s Mavericks and St. Kevin’s Mavericks Alumni All-Star Team are gearing up to hit the ice Friday, March 1, for the eighth-annual St. Kevin’s High Alumni Hockey Charity Classic.

“Right now, we’re gathering donations and reaching out to local community groups looking for their support,” said organizer Jason Snelgrove.

He said team rosters are being drawn up, and while a number of regulars play every year, each year new players are drafted as well.

As the event is now in it’s eighth year, players who played on the high school team in the early days are now looking for a spot on the adult team.

‘Which is really cool, to be honest,” said Snelgrove. “And so we try to get a few new people engaged every year.”

For the last number of years, the event has consistently raised over $6,000 for local community groups and families. All told, the event has raised over $37,000 since it’s inception.

Organizers commit a minimum of a $1,000 donation to the Curtis Hudson Memorial Fund each year. Last year, organizers donated about $2,600 to the fund, and about $5,300 to the Newfoundland and Labrador Down Syndrome Society, and will donate to both organizations again this year.

The organizers will also be donating to a family or cause within the Goulds.

“At the end of the day, we’re raising money for people or organizations or groups or families that need it,” said Snelgrove. “So, whether it’s $6,000 or $6,500 of $5,000, it’s going to a good place. Hopefully we can raise the most money yet, but at the end of the day, any money raised is a success.”

Last year, the high schoolers outscored the adults 9-4, but Snelgrove said this year’s game could be anyone’s contest.

“We’re looking forward to a good, competitive match,” he said.

Snelgrove said the opportunity to give back to the community makes the game worth the effort, and the event teaches young people they can make a difference in their community, even through something as simple as a hockey game.

He added that while donations are accepted at the door, there is no pressure to contribute if finances are tight.

“We want this event to be accessible to everybody,” said Snelgrove. ‘And so there’s no financial commitment at the door for a family that decides they want to come down and get out of the house and enjoy the hockey game.”

New this year, there will be a free general skate from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. ahead of the alumni game. Again, donations are accepted but not mandatory.

The Goulds Lions Club and Bidgood’s Supermarket donate proceeds

The Goulds Lions Club and Bidgood’s Supermarket recently donated proceeds from December’s 50/50 draw to a number of local community originations, including the 4H Challenging Pioneers, the Goulds Pacers U15 team for travel to Montreal, and the Goulds Lions Arena. Each group received $992.33. From left are Terry Putt with the Goulds Lions Arena, Dawn Mootrey with the Goulds Lions Club, Suzanne McCormack and Nancy Murphy with 4H Challenging Pioneers. Goulds Lions photo

Bay Bulls applying for green space grant

By Mark Squibb

The Town of Bay Bulls is applying for some green to make some green — a green space that is.

Councillor Ethan Williams, during last week’s meeting, moved that council submit an application to the Scotts Gro for Good Garden grant program for the development of a new community green space.

“It’s always great when there’s programs such as this that we can apply for to help add some nice little features to the town,” said Williams. “Gro for Good is an organization I’m a little bit familiar with and they seem to be a great organization with a good message and a good meaning behind them, so I’m glad that we’re able to take advantage of this application process.”

Councillor Jason Sullivan seconded the motion, and council approved it.

The lawn care company last year awarded five Canadian grants totalling $2,500, including one for Benoit’s Cove on the island’s west coast.

Successful recipients will also have a chance to compete in a social media contest for an additional grant of $2,500.

Bay Bulls gives go-ahead for subdivision expansion

By Mark Squibb

Bay Bulls council last week approved the construction of a 24-lot residential development as part of phase 3 of the Bristol’s Landing subdivision. The approval is contingent on further approval from the provincial government and installation of a septic system.

The Island Cove Road subdivision borders Maggotty Cove Pond.

Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien put forward the motion, which councillor Ethan Williams seconded.

O’Brien, Williams, and councillor Jason Sullivan all said they were glad to see more development.

The motion passed unanimously, excepting that councillor Corey Ronayne was not in attendance at the meeting.

Council limits call for bids to local contractors

By Mark Squibb

Bay Bulls council voted during the January 15 public meeting to issue a limited call for bids for a new standing offer agreement for equipment rental and material supply for 2024-2025.

Councillor Corey Ronayne, who put the motion forward, explained the motion was for a limited call for bids so that council could limit the offer to local contractors.

Approval of a standing offer would mean the Town would depend on one company for equipment rentals and the purchase of materials, as opposed to having to tender for the services or tenders each time the need arises.

New pizza restaurant is just ‘Ducky,’ says council

By Mark Squibb

A new eatery opening its doors in Bay Bulls has checked one more item off its to-do list.

During the public meeting of January 15, council agreed to provide municipal approval for the sale of Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation products at the Stone Ducky Restaurant and Lounge, which is to be located at 56 St. John’s Road.

The motion passed unanimously, excepting that councillor Jason Sullivan was not in attendance at the meeting.

The Stone Duckey restaurant will focus prominently on pizza, with other menu items on tap.

Grant will help Trepassey filmmaker get rolling

Trepassey singer-songwriter Lorne Warr is tackling his third short film.

By Mark Squibb

Lorne Warr of Trepassey was amongst those recently named a recipient of ArtsNL’s grant program for professional artists.

Warr is getting some $6,720 to help complete his film, Allie Alicorn, which he wrote last fall.

“The Arts NL grant is fantastic,” said Warr. “I have applications out for more funding, but once you get that grant it sort of anchors the film. You know you’re going to make the film at that point… This kick starts the project. You’ve got enough money now that you know you’re able to make the film.”

Warr said the film will be a 10-to-12-minute short centered around a young girl with autism. The film is autobiographical and reflective of the both the joys and trials he and Genevieve McCorquodale have had raising their autistic daughter Lili.

“It’s a film about our understanding of how she thinks and how she behaves,’” said Warr. “I wanted to make a film about her abilities and what she has. And she has an incredible imagination, this fantastic imagination, she’s writing stories all the time and making up stories all the time… And so I wanted to try and capture that — what it’s like to be autistic in this world, where she doesn’t always fit in, but she has this almost superpower of being able to see things and imagine things.”

Warr is waiting to hear back from another possible funder to know exactly what sort of budget he’ll have for the film. “I know the minimum budget, because I have the Arts NL grant, but the budget could get larger, hopefully,” he said.

With a budget in place, Warr will begin the process of securing a producer and cast for the film. He expects to shoot it in St. John's either in the spring or early summer and hopes to complete post-production by the fall to have the film ready to hit the festival circuits. He will also score the film himself.

Warr said he would like to invite members of the autism community to participate, although those details haven’t been worked out yet.

Meanwhile, Warr has followed a number of artistic endeavours during his life. At an early age he developed both an interest in music and in writing.

“I thought I would be either a musician or a writer, and I ended up being both at different times,” said Warr, whose father Alan Warr was also a writer.

“I remember growing up you would hear the click-click-click of the typewriter,” said Warr. “He would be off in his room writing. And mom would say, ‘Don’t disturb your father, he’s writing now.’ So, the thought of being a writer seemed completely normal and natural to me, because my dad did that.”

Warr spent 15 years touring Western Canada, first with the band The Streels and later as a solo artist. He has also written a number of dramas and comedies for radio, some of which have been adapted for the stage.

Warr got his start in the film industry writing film scores and scripts and doing voice over work, and released his directorial debut, Where There’s Tea There’s Hope, in 2019.

He released his second film, Look, in 2022.

He expects Allie Alicorn to be longer and larger than his previous works.

“Each film I do is a little bit more elaborate than the last,” said Warr. “Each time you want to try and stretch yourself as a filmmaker, make things a little more complicated, a little harder.”

All told, the provincial government funded 107 projects to the tune of $1.36 million.

Irish Loop students earn coveted 4-H scholarships

Olivia Taylor of Petty Harbour Maddox Cove, left, and Amy Bishop of St. Mary’s- Riverhead, right. Submitted photos

By Mark Squibb

Two young women, one from Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove and the other from St. Mary’s, have been named recipients of 4-H Canada’s L.E.A.D. (Leadership Excellence Awards of Distinction) scholarships valued at $20,000 each.

Olivia Taylor hails from Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove. A recent graduate of St. Kevin’s High School, Taylor joined the 4-H Club when she was nine and has participated in a number of 4-H projects and conferences over the years.

“As someone who grew up with a single mom, who saved up money for schooling, this is a burden taken off of us, knowing that a big chunk of my schooling will be paid for,” said Taylor, who is currently studying Journalism at College of the North Atlantic. “It’s a big weight lifted off our shoulders for sure.”

Taylor is a gifted public speaker and has won over 25 speaking competitions at both the provincial and national level since joining 4-H, where she did her first ever public speech.

“When I first joined 4-H, public speaking was mandatory,” said Taylor. “I joined this club to train cows; I didn’t realize that public speaking was required. So, it was a little intimidating but I did my first public speaking demonstration and won. I remember I did a demonstration on how to braid an American Girl Doll’s hair.”

Through her involvement with 4-H, Taylor said she has deepened her appreciation for farming.

“Agriculture is something that I’m really passionate about, whether if it will be as a job or as a hobby, and there’s not many organizations in Newfoundland that inform youth about agriculture and allow them to have hands on learning, so I’m very fortunate and thankful that I had that when I was young, and still do,” said Taylor.

To encourage others to give the club a try, Taylor recalls the words of former 4-H member Liam O’Brien, a native of Cape Broyle, who was named the recipient of a $100,000 Loran Scholarship in 2018, whom she heard speak when she was younger.

“One thing he said that stuck with me, that I still think about today, was ‘Apply. Apply. Apply,’” said Taylor. “Even if you think something is out of your comfort zone, your comfort zone is never going to grow if you don’t step out of it. And 4-H is a good way to grow your comfort zone.”

Taylor, meanwhile, was also recently named Newfoundland and Labrador's representative on 4-H Canada's Youth Advisory Committee (YAC).

As a member of YAC, Taylor will contribute to and help develop the 4-H Club at a national level.

Amy Bishop of St. Mary's-Riverhead was also named a L.E.A.D. scholarship recipient.

Bishop, who joined her local 4-H club over a decade ago, said she was shocked to learn she had earned the scholarship.

“There's so many amazing youths across the province and across Canada, I thought that I would have to be really lucky to be picked,” said Bishop. “It was an exciting experience.”

During her time with 4-H, Bishop has been able to travel and meet young people across Canada, participate in programs and events throughout the province, and take on leadership roles within the club.

“I love this program,” said Bishop. “I’ve grown so much as a person because of 4-H. When I first joined as a little girl, I didn’t know how to find my voice or make an impact. And after 12 years of being in 4-H, I’ve been taught to be confident in my abilities, and that one person can make big changes in the world. Hopefully, in my future, I can help other youth realize their potential. This program gives youth so many amazing opportunities to grow, to experience once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and I’m so thankful I was able to join this program.”

Bishop is working towards a Bachelor of Science degree at Memorial University of Newfoundland and plans on specializing in dentistry. She hopes to help make dental care more accessible in rural communities, and credits 4-H with attuning her more to the needs of others.

“I wanted to help combat a problem that I think there is in the dentistry industry,” said Bishop. “I feel that dentistry needs to be more accessible in rural towns. Dentistry is an industry where you get to help people out everyday, you get to meet people. I think that’s truly amazing, and so dentistry is really something that I’m excited to be a part of. I look forward to what the future holds.”

Like Taylor, she recommends youths join a local 4-H Club if at all possible.

“Give it a shot,” said Bishop. “Like with any organization, you don’t know the impact of joining that club or joining that group. And in 4-H, you get to experience some really cool stuff, and do some really cool activities. But there’s so much more to it. There’s a lot of personal growth from being involved… and you get to meet so many amazing people, so many amazing youth, some who are like you, and some who have very unique backgrounds that may be different from yours. So, give 4-H a try. There’s so much good in our program.”

Both women are invited to attend an awards presentation in British Columbia this April, where they will also be paired with a career mentor, another perk of being named a scholarship recipient.

4-H Canada hands out four L.E.A.D, scholarships annually. Besides Bishop and Taylor, Andrew Jones of Ontario and Victoria Pitsiaeli of British Columbia were named 2023 scholarship recipients. Each scholarship aligns with a pillar of the club — Taylor’s scholarship represented Community Engagement and Communications while Bishop’s represented Environment and Healthy Living.

The last youth from this province to be named a recipient of the scholarship was McAuley Bellows in 2018.

4-H, which enables young people ages 6-25 to participate in a number of local and national projects and activities, boasts over 20,000 members and leaders across Canada.