Council awards line painting contract, focuses on tangly intersection

By Mark Squibb

Bay Bulls council this week voted to issue a request for proposals for line painting on a newly paved section of parking lot located behind the Regional Lifestyle Centre.

As the pavement has only been laid recently, direction will have to be given to the successful bidder on where to place the parking lines, directional arrows, accessible spots, etcetera.

Once awarded, the work will commence in the spring.

Council also added a new traffic layout for the intersection of Lower Road, Quays Road, and South Side Road to the request in hopes of bettering the intersection.

Champions all around

Athletes from Mobile Central High School claimed both the top spot and the runner up spot earlier this month at the Basketball NL East Coast Tournament Grade 6A competition. Because of the number of girls who play basketball at Mobile, the school sent two teams to the provincial tournament. Both squads went undefeated before going head-to-head in the championship game, with the Monarch White team earning the win. In the back, from left, are coach Nicole Martin, coach Laura Doyle, Rhea Doyle, Faith Gillespie, Kenedi Pardy, Abbi Sullivan, Bree Joyce, Reese Kavanagh, Raegan Dalton, coach Audrey Dalton, and coach Jennifer Sullivan. In the middle row, from left, are Ava Curtis, Faith Dalton, Jenna Keough, Olivia O'Driscoll, Italia Costello, Emma Ward, Ivy Brothers, Kayleigh Dalton, Molly Tobin, Mya Kenny, Lauren Johnson, Ava Lundrigan, Sara Aylward, and Mya Carey. In the front, from left, are Emilee Martin, Claire Carey, Callie Coombs, and Darcie Corrigan. Missing from the photo is Zoey Dowden.

Bell tolls notice of busy year ahead for Heritage Committee

By Craig Westcott

Plans are being made by the Witless Bay Heritage Committee to install new storyboards and replace the existing one on Lundrigan's Road.

That’s the little lane off the main highway through Witless Bay where the river that feeds down from the back country and through the town swimming pool eventually burbles ins way downhill to spill into the ocean near the convenience store on the main road.

Councillor Jacob Hayden, who is council's liaison with the committee, said a couple of the new storyboards, which will go up in the cemetery, will tell the story of the church bell from St. Patrick's Church. The group is also planning to make and install some new crosses at the cemetery and continue its maintenance program there.

Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Aspell noted that when the group was salvaging the old bell, the Town agreed to cover the cost of removing it from church and moving it to the cemetery. The committee is hoping to have the bell and beams cleaned and erected in time for the annual Cemetery Mass this summer.

“That was our in-kind contribution to the Heritage Committee's initiative up there," Aspell explained.

The CAO also pointed out the Town's application for an Accessible Community Grant from the Province for an accessible rest area at the Upper Pond where the river spills toward the sea, also involves the Heritage committee. Its members have agreed to create the content for the interpretative panels that will be installed at the site.

"As you know, we've already approved development of a tourism lookout at the Lower Pond, so we're going to be revitalizing that whole area, with new interpretative panels there," Aspell said. "They're also going to create the content for those. If there are any (others) that we do in town, they've agreed to do those also. It's wonderful to have that partnership."

Witless Bay council gives property owners more room to spread their things

By Craig Westcott

Witless Bay council has voted to amend the Town's development regulations to allow for bigger sheds, garages and other accessory buildings.

"This is something that we've been working towards pretty much since we got on council (in 2021)" said councillor Jacob Hayden, the chair of the planning committee, who gave a resume of the main changes.

"We've increased the total maximum floor area of an accessory building from 70 metres squared to 100 metres squared, per floor," said Hayden. "And in the case where there may be more than one accessory building on the property, the total maximum floor area will be a collective maximum of 150 metres squared."

The new rules also see the minimum clearance from the nearest point of a residential building going to three metres from the previous minimum of two metres.

Greenhouses and cold frames with areas of 16 metres or less will no longer require a permit and will not be included in calculating the total area of accessory buildings.

The motion carried unanimously at last month's public meeting held on February 20.

In related news, council approved a motion to delegate its authority for issuing fence and patio permits to Town staff to expedite small construction projects for residents.

"This is just something to streamline processes for our residents," said Hayden. "They're very straightforward applications when they come in and nobody wants to have to wait a month (for the next council meeting) to put their patio down."

That motion also passed unanimously.

Mr. Pat gets his due

Many people have got their start, so to speak, with Pat Ryan.

Last month, at Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrado’s annual conference, the former airline cargo manager turned golf starter and marshal received the Tourism Excellence Employee Award.

It recognizes a front-line employee who goes above and beyond in service excellence. The room was at capacity, filled with industry members who gave “Mr. Pat,” as he is known to golfers at The Wilds, a standing ovation. 

“It was so nice to be recognized in the industry,” admitted the 81-year-old. “It’s even nicer to still love my job.”

Ryan retired from a 30-year career in the airline industry as a 54-year-old whipper snapper.

He’d had a wonderful career, and many fond memories to look back on as he enjoyed his well-earned golden years.

But then golf happened.

Just days after hanging up his pilot’s wings, Ryan played a round of golf at The Wilds Resort with his son, Mike. After the round, he ended up having a chat with one of the co-owners of The Wilds. Shortly after, he began his “retirement” hobble, working at the golf course on the Salmonier Line.

Twenty-six years later, Mr. Pat is still a fixture on the 18-hole championship course. He has pretty much worked on every aspect of the course, but when asked, his favorite role has always been starter. 

“If there’s one position that provides an opportunity to meet and greet everyone, it’s the starter’s position,” said Ryan. “I love having the opportunity to say hello and get to know our golfers. I’ve made a lot of friendships over the years, most of which were on the golf course.” 

The owners and managers of The Wilds are pretty happy to have him too, and credits Ryan with having a hand in the course’s success.

“Everyone knows Mr. Pat,” said the resort’s general manager, Kelly Finlay. “His commitment and dedication to guest service over the years has been second to none; he goes above and beyond every day. We have appreciated all of his many years of service; he has been a true ambassador for The Wilds Resort and the tourism industry and is certainly deserving of the award. We are so proud of him.”

A man well known for his sense of hospitality received a special recognition award from Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador last month, during the group’s annual general meeting and awards gala. Pat Ryan, second from left, was accorded HNL’s Tourism Excellence Employee Award. With, Mr. Pat, as he is known, were, from left, Kelly Finlay, who manages The Wilds where Ryan works, federal cabinet representative Gudie Hutchings, and the resort’s co-owner, Glen Roebothan.

Whatever the start of crab season brings, Cape Boyle Harbour Authority ready as usual

By Craig Westcott

There may not be as many people interested in its operations as some past years, but the Cape Broyle Harbour is chugging on quietly serving harvesters and other mariners who use its facilities.

The group held its annual general meeting last month and elected a board to carry on with operations for the coming year.

"Everything went fine," said Harbour Master Kelvin Hayden. "We had enough people to do it (fill the board). Some people don't seem very interested, and you have to force their hand (sometimes), because you need to have a Harbour Authority."

Membership is open to everyone.

"You don't have to be a fisherman and you don't (even) have to be from the harbour, really," Hayden said. “A few fishermen joined up, and a few fellows with small boats, speed boats and stuff.”

About 20 craft of varying sizes – everything from longliners to speed boats – depend on the facilities.

The kayakers who were often seen around the wharf some years ago now mostly launch from the south side of the harbour instead.

That leaves the federal wharf to mostly commercial fishermen and the operators of smaller craft. Hayden said the nearby crab plant is busy in the summer and it's sometimes difficult to provide enough berths for harvesters who want to use the Harbour Authority's wharf.

Hayden, who is a commercial fisherman, said the facilities are good to go for the coming crab season. There are a couple of small issues that need fixing, and he has been talking to someone in the Small Craft Harbours Division of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to see what it can do to help. The federal department oversees the province's harbour authorities and provides capital funding for major projects.

"We’re looking for a breakwater for a nice few years now, and we need another extension on the wharf," said Hayden. "There's money there, but there are so many harbour authorities on the go, and they only have enough money for five or six jobs in one given year."

Wharf work almost by its nature is expensive, and Ottawa's budget can only stretch so far.

With one of the prettiest harbours on the island, Hayden admitted he "drools" when he sees the facilities in some other harbours and thinks about what Cape Broyle could have. A couple of extensions on the wharf would accommodate more boats, and a breakwater would protect the facility. "Cape Broyle harbour is a big harbour, but once you get an easterly wind, it's a job to park a boat there," he noted.

Besides the four or five local fishermen who keep berths at the federal wharf, skippers from other communities who steam into Cape Broyle to offload crab at the Royal Greenland plant often look to tie up their 65-footers at the Harbour Authority's premises too, especially if there is a bit of wind on the go. The Harbour Authority charges a small fee for the space.

"It's no big fee," Hayden admitted. "How much can you charge them, right?... They're not there very long."

Hayden said it’s the dues from the local inshore fishermen mostly that pays for the upkeep of the wharf.

With the boondoggle over prices that spun the crab fishery into a conniption of delays, recriminations, and financial worry last year, nobody is sure when the season will open this year, or how it will go. The crab fishery usually opens the first Monday after Easter. Hayden, like all harvesters, is hoping for the best.

Whatever happens at the bargaining table between the union and the processors, the wharf will be ready. And so will the harvesters.

"I'm at this probably 44 years now and I'm too old to give it up," said Hayden, laughing.

Witless Bay council in hiring mode

By Craig Westcott

The Town of Witless Bay has a new recreation coordinator on the job this week.

Kayla Noonan started work on Monday, February 26.

"This will be our first paid recreation coordinator on the Town staff and we're really looking forward to it," councillor Jacob Hayden said at the start of his recreation committee report last week. "We're very excited to be able to offer new programing and events for residents and visitors of all ages. We're looking forward to seeing what our new coordinator is able to come up with in the future.”

The hiring follows the split by council from its association with the Bay Bulls to Bauline Athletic Association, whose staff served as a defacto recreation department for both Witless Bay and Bay Bulls in offering sports and other programming. Witless Bay council decided last year to withdraw its financial support from the group, which was jointly funded by taxpayers in Bay Bulls.

Hayden said the coordinator will work with the various volunteer groups in Witless Bay including a rug hooking club, the local 50 Plus club, the Kinsmen and Witless Bay Days Committee, among other groups.

Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard said several candidates were screened and interviewed for the job. "And Kayla really impressed us with her enthusiasm and how much she plans to do for us," she said.

Yard noted that Noonan lives in Witless Bay with her partner and two sons and has a bachelor's degree in recreation from Memorial University.

"She is very passionate about creating recreation programming for her hometown and we're really excited Kayla to have you with us," Yard said.

"I'm excited to be here," said Noonan, who watched the council meeting from the gallery.

Noonan wasn't the only one to be appointed to a position with the Town last week. Council also appointed Laurene Dobbin to the role of Finance and Administrative Assistant, also effective this past Monday.

Dobbin, who is from Pouch Cove, has already been working with the Town as a contract worker supplied by an employment agency.

Yard said several candidates were screened and interviewed for the position.

"She has been filling this role with the Town on a temporary basis for a number of months and she's proven to be a tremendous asset to the Town," said Yard. "She's shown a lot of dedication and interest in the town and we're excited to have her join our team.

The Town is also in the final stages of recruiting a seasonal worker and a planning and development officer," added councillor Ralph Carey.

"We'll have those completed in the near future and then our staff will be complete, and we'll get down to business for a busy year," said Carey. "So that will be within the next number of weeks."

The Town is also applying to hire four students for eight weeks this summer under a provincial wage subsidy program.

"Why we're applying for this is because a hundred per cent of these wages are covered," said Carey, noting the Town has also applied to hire students under a federal job program which covers 50 per cent of the wages. "So, we're trying to get the most work done for the best value."

And still on the subject of staff, council gave approval to close the Town Hall for several days to accommodate staff who will be attending conferences as part of their professional development.

Deputy Mayor Yard made the motion to close the Town Hall from April 8 - 12 so that staff can attend the Provincial Municipal Administrators annual general meeting in Gander.

"I think we all recognize the importance of our staff, first of all being able to avail of other experts in the field, other municipal administrators and find out what's going on across the province and to bring what they learn and new ideas back to help run the Town of Witless Bay," Yard said.

The deputy mayor also made a motion for the Town to cover all the associated costs for councillors to attend a meeting of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador in Clarenville on March 1-2. Councillor Gerard Dunne second the motion, which passed unanimously.

And finally, council approved a resolution by councillor Carey to close the Town Hall this past February 23 to allow staff to attend the regional meeting of the Provincial Association of Municipal Administrators. That too was seconded by councillor Dunne and passed unanimously.

"Shattered"

By Craig Westcott

Margaret Swain said she felt “shattered” after a fellow councillor on Witless Bay council accused her of breaking conflict of interest rules and she was turfed from office last week.

The rookie councillor said she plans to appeal the decision and has been in contact with the Department of Municipal Affairs.

Swain was acclaimed to office in a by-election last November. At a planning meeting just after being elected, Swain allegedly remarked that she wouldn’t be voting on the Crown Land Reserve that was then proposed for the Ragged Beach area because she had friends with land in the area. No minutes were kept of the meeting.

When the subject of the reserve came up at her very first council meeting on November 15, Swain made a motion to delay the vote so that she could have time to get up to speed on the issue. All seven members of council approved that motion. However, at a private council meeting on January 30, councillor Ralph Carey accused Swain of being in a conflict of interest for making the motion and in another private meeting two weeks later, Carey, Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard and her husband and fellow councillor Alan Richards, along with councillor Gerard Dunne voted to boot Swain from council. Mayor Trevor Croft and councillor Jacob Hayden voted against the motion.

In a similar 4-2 vote last week, council made it official, and Swain was removed from office.

“At the planning meeting I may have asked about the conflict of interest and if I did say anything in the planning meeting that does not necessarily mean that I would be bound to declare a conflict in a public meeting,” Swain said. “Upon reviewing the Municipal Conduct Act I realized that I would not have to declare a conflict of interest because I did not have a personal relationship with any landowners of Ragged Beach. Council also stated that the Ragged Beach Dark Coast Land Reserve would not interfere with private landowners, and if it didn’t, how could I be in a conflict?

Swain said there was no vote taken at the November planning meeting on whether she was in a conflict of interest.

Mayor Croft said last week he voted against the motion to unseat Swain because its not clear the planning meeting, which he did not attend, was even an official meeting of council as there were no minutes taken. Croft confirmed Swain had received no guidance or training about the Municipal Code of Conduct. The mayor said he thinks council went too far.

“I was shattered to think that anyone would accuse me of a conflict for asking for a deferral to investigate the particulars of a plan that I would have to vote on,” Swain said. “This was my very first meeting as I was sworn in the first week of November.”

Swain admitted she was equally floored by the decision to vacate her seat and kick her off council.

“I was devastated to learn that I had lost my seat on council,” she said. “I offered myself to the Town of Witless Bay with interest in the growth of the community and was enjoying learning about the operation of the town. I did so with no bias whatsoever… No, I do not believe that I am in a conflict of the Municipal Conduct Act. (And) yes I will be appealing this decision.”

To appeal the decision, Swain will have to file a claim against council at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland. If she loses, the costs of the action will fall to her. If she wins, it’s likely her legal costs will have to be borne by the Town of Witless Bay.

Asked for her theory as to why Carey, Yard, Richards and Dunne got rid of her, Swain said she didn’t know.

“I wouldn’t be able to tell you,” Swain said. “I am still trying to figure that out.”

‘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.