Forgotten no more

Members of the St. Mary’s Battery Restoration Committee were recently awarded The Historical Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Outstanding Heritage Project award. From left are David Fagan, Michelle Fagan and John Gibbons. Missing from photo is committee member Peter Buiteman. Submitted photo

Committee member Peter Buiteman.

By Mark Squibb

Within St. Mary’s, along the coast of St. Mary’s Harbour, is a park commemorating the historic St. Mary’s Battery, one of seven installed along the coast in the 18th century to ward off both American privateers and French marauders.

But not that many years ago, the now well groomed and cultivated park was nothing but a barren patch of land bearing a single plaque denoting its historical significance.

That changed with the formation of the St. Mary’s Battery Restoration Committee in 2018.

President Dave Fagan said the committee, through restoration of the historic site, set out to change the perception that St. Mary’s was an out of the way place where nothing ever happened.

“We used to say that St. Mary’s was the place that people drove through on their way to see the whales down in St. Vincent’s, or drove through on their way back from the Irish Loop,” said Fagan. “But we decided to make St. Mary’s a place that people will drive to, rather than through.”

The Historical Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador this May awarded the committee an Outstanding Heritage Project award for its work on restoring the historical site.

“It feels as if someone acknowledged that we were right all along,” said Fagan.

The battery, consisting of four large cannons, was erected in 1779 to protect the coast and fishing grounds from marauding privateers.

“The battery was built to keep American privateers at bay and keep them from messing with British access to the fishery,” said Fagan. “We also had trouble with the French, who would come over from Placentia and cause all kinds of havoc, and rob fishing gear and burn fishing stages, because the British in St. Mary’s were competing for the same fish in the same bay.”

Of the seven batteries established along the southern Avalon, it is believed the St. Mary’s Battery was the only one actively engaged during the American revolution. The battery also played a key role in the capture of an American privateer in 1782.

The battery was decommissioned in 1815, and in the following years little effort was made to preserve the site, and many of the cannons were lost.

The lone remaining cannon was at some point relocated to the town hall, and a single plaque was all that marked the land as historically significant. Few residents were even truly aware of the historical significance of the site, allowed Fagan. “Nobody really cared (about the battery) and fewer even knew what had been there,” he said.

In 2018, the committee was formed with the intent of restoring the site and bolstering community pride. The committee members dedicated hours upon hours, over 6,000 by Fagan’s reckoning, at The Rooms and the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, researching the history of the battery.

“We spent enough time at the Centre for Newfoundland Studies that the staff got to know us on a first name basis, and they were all really good to us,” said Fagan.

The members dug deep enough to find the actual handwritten log commanding that the cannons be installed way back in the 1700’s.

With financial support from both the federal and provincial governments, as well as local donations, the committee was able to acquire three cannons from other places and return the original cannon in St. Mary’s to its proper site. That cannon is cordoned off and marked with a plaque. The committee has also installed storyboards and picnic tables.

Much of the site work was completed using federal Job Creation Program (JCP) funding, and many of the picnic tables donated by local residents in memory of loved ones who have passed.

The committee also took care to ensure the park was made wheelchair accessible.

Since the restoration, the park has become a popular place for picnics and local events, such as the “The Invasion of St. Mary’s,” a day of pirates and family fun hosted by the committee last year.

Combined with reopening of the crab plant in 2022, the restoration of the park has been a boost to the community’s confidence and place on the Irish Loop.

Committee member Michelle Fagan said she’s especially excited to hear that young children have been enjoying the park and learning their local history.

“Hopefully, maybe next year, we would like to link up with the schools and be able to go in and have a talk and let them know the history of the St. Mary’s Battery, and all the other little folklores of the town,” said Fagan.

Mobile Central High School Career Fair

Mobile Central High School hosted a Career Fair last month after students had expressed an interest in learning more about different careers. Dozens of professionals, from childcare providers to engineers, nurses to lawyers, doctors to designers, and more, met with students over the two-day fair to answer questions and explain the in’s-and-outs of their work. From left to right are Erica Tee, Sarah Murphy, Abigail Courtney, Jessica Hodder of Bay Bull’s Arbour’s Restaurant and Lounge, Aiden O’Brien, Liam James, and Thomas O’Driscoll. Submitted photo

Witless Bay looking at second byelection call

Justina Nawaz, the newest member of Witless Bay council, was sworn in last week at the Town Hall by CAO Jennifer Aspell. Nawaz, who was acclaimed to council last month, was joined by members of her family for the occasion. Town of Witless Bay Photo

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council held a special meeting Monday night to request approval from the Province to delay this weeks by-election.

Councillor Jacob Hayden moved that council request ministerial approval to delay the by-election, which had been scheduled for June 5, until July 24, with a new nomination day to be held on July 3.

Council had held a nomination day on May 15 in the hopes of filling two of three vacant council seats.

Justina Nawaz was the lone candidate to step forward and was acclaimed to council, leaving one seat up for grabs but no more candidates to fight over it, thus nullifying the need for the June 5 by-election.

A third vacant seat, held formerly by Margaret Swain, can remain vacant until February 2025, the Department of Municipal Affairs has ruled, as Swain is appealing her dismissal from council earlier this year.

Nawaz, meanwhile, was sworn in at the Town Hall on Wednesday, May 29. Monday’s special meeting, which lasted just under two minutes, was her first public meeting since being acclaimed.

Council also has yet to name a new deputy mayor, following the resignation of former Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard back in March.

A date for the next public meeting has not yet been set.

Can’t rain on their parade

Members of St. Kevin’s High School’s Gay Straight Alliance/Social Justice Club are wearing their pride on their sleeves this month, as students and staff celebrate Pride Month. From left are teacher Tracy Nixon, teacher Donna Walsh, Hannah (Ace) Stanley, Autumn Clarke, Brianna Howlett, Leah Marsh, Em Putt, teacher Nicole Clake, teacher Matthew Judd, Melanie Lush, and Alex Fisk. Mark Squibb photo

By Mark Squibb

Rain, drizzle, fog, and some more rain, drizzle, and fog forced organizers to cancel the annual St. Kevin’s High School Pride Parade this week, but the sour weather did little to dampen the students’ spirits.

Instead, they celebrated inside, with decorations, a pride swag table, colourful outfits, and more.

Along the walls, words of affirmations attributed to gay icons from Audre Lorde to RuPaul encouraged students to be true to themselves, a major theme of Pride Month.

“Be who you are,” said student Brianna Howlett. “Be your authentic self. And it’s okay if you’re not ready to come out —just know there are people around for you.”

Howlett said Pride Month is a time for people to express themselves, a sentiment seconded by student Leah Marsh.

“I think Pride Month is a time when people in the LGBTQ community can come out and represent themselves and get the support they need, because they don’t usually get that support,” said Marsh.

Teacher Donna Walsh, a primary organizer of the school’s pride events, said it’s important for schools to recognise Pride Month and celebrate all students, gay, straight, or somewhere in between.

“These events show that we are inclusive, and that we are going to stand by our students,” said Walsh. “These events show students that school can be a safe space.”

Weather permitting, the students will raise the school’s Pride flag later this month.

Students will also repaint the rainbow crosswalk outside the school this month.

“Last year we were donated some paint and we got to put a crosswalk down for the first time in our history, but the foot traffic has just mangled it, so we’re going to repaint that and make sure that it’s fresh, not just for the end of the year, but for next year too,” said Walsh.

June is recognised as Pride Month in many westernized countries around the globe. Gay Pride events are banned in most Muslim countries where homosexuality is considered a crime under Muslim’s religious Sharia law, in some cases punishable by stoning to death, and not celebrated in some other traditional cultures. In China and Russia, the governments generally frown on public celebrations of homosexuality. Some 70 countries around the world have laws criminalizing gay sex.

In North America, Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall riots of 1969, when some people took to the streets to protest a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a Manhattan gay bar, in June of that year.

The first Pride events were held the year following the riots and marked a watershed moment in the fight for LGBTQ rights.

Fire department getting new uniforms and gear

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council approved a number of requests from its local volunteer fire department during the May public meeting held earlier this month.

Council approved the department’s request to have three members attend Fire School training and cover associated costs. That training was scheduled for May 25 thru to the 31st.

Council also gave the department approval to auction off two Drager self contained breathing apparatuses and four air bottles.

Town Manager Jennifer Aspell said the department had just acquired new equipment to replace the units being auctioned off.

Council also approved the purchase of 10 new uniforms at a maximum total cost of $2,000.

Councillor Ralph Carey said the department’s training regime is progressing well. He added the department is planning a thirtieth-anniversary ball this November.

In a previous meeting, Carey noted the department is also actively monitoring used equipment deals to make the most of available funds.

Since January 1, the department has responded to 114 calls for service, including four structure fires and three vehicle fires. Amongst those was a vehicle fire that spread to a structure.

The department boasts 29 members, plus Fire Chief Jack Gatherall.

In other council news, council contracted Martin’s Survey and Land Services Inc., to survey a plot of Crown land behind the Puffin Centre at a cost of $1,650 plus HST.

“This is a tiny piece of Crown land on back of the Puffin Centre that we have to have surveyed to include in our property,” explained Carey.

Council denied a request for road upgrades to Gallows Cove Road as Budget 2024 does not include funds for the requested upgrades.

Council did, however, approve a request for additional road signage cautioning motorists to slow down near the playground.

Council also issued a call for expressions of interest for a public hearing commissioner.

The successful applicant will preside over public hearings and relay the findings to council regarding proposed changes to the Town’s Municipal Plan and development regulations.

Witless Bay to honour late Mike Cahill

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council during this month’s public meeting held on May 14, approved a request for a memorial plaque at Upper Pond honouring the late Mike Cahill, who died this April.

Cahill was a founding member of Witless Bay town council and served a second term from 2005-2009. He was also a founding member of the local Kinsmen Club and helped establish the Harbour Authority, in addition to running his commercial refrigeration business, Cabot Refrigeration, and aiding other community groups.

Carey noted that council had applied for funding to beautify the Lower Pond area, which may be used to cover the cost of the memorial plaque.

Looking over across town, council also approved a concept design for the Lower Pond tourist lookout and gave Mills & Wright the greenlight to prepare and issue the tender package for the project.

Council appointed Mills & Wright as prime consultant on the Lower Pond tourist lookout project back in April at a cost of $17,150 plus HST.

Corrigan goes out on a bang, looks back at five years well spent

Bev Corrigan (right) hosted her fifth and final Strides for Melanoma fundraiser walk this past weekend along the Old Witless Bay Line. Pictured with Corrigan are Gen Corrigan, left, winner of the Landells Clinic skincare package valued at $415, and Wanda Squires, centre, winner of the $10,000 ticket draw. The event raised $16,737 for Melanoma Canada. All told, folks across Canada have raised $111,300 through 2024 Strides for Melanoma events. Submitted photo

By Mark Squibb

After helping raise tens of thousands of dollars for Melanoma Canada over the last five years, Beverley Corrigan of Witless Bay hosted her fifth and final Strides for Melanoma event this past weekend.

“I am very grateful,” said Corrigan. “The sense of accomplishment is quite amazing. I know I’ve done well, and I don’t think I’m leaving anything undone. I believe I did what I set out to do, and the support from people around me has been quite amazing.”

In 2019, Corrigan noticed what appeared to be a small mole on her left leg. Following a biopsy, her doctor confirmed it was melanoma, a form of skin cancer. The lymph nodes were removed, but just over two years later the melanoma returned, requiring further treatments.

Following her initial diagnosis, Corrigan made it her goal to raise not only funds, but awareness, especially as most forms of melanoma are preventable.

To protect oneself, Corrigan recommends applying broad spectrum sunscreen, which protects from both UVA (ultraviolet A radiation) and UVB (ultraviolet B radiation) rays, at least 15 minutes before heading out, and to re-apply frequently.

This year’s event was held last Saturday along the Old Witless Bay Line, with more than 200 people attending.

All told, Southern Shore folks raised $16,737 for Melanoma Canada.

“Even with inflation, we still did extremely well,” said Corrigan. “People are generous, and the figure certainly shows that.”

A portion of funds raised were from the sale of 50/50 tickets. The $10,000 ticket winner was Wanda Squires. The ticket draw took place at the Witless Bay Knights of Columbus Building, and the draw was witnessed by Grand Knight Jimmy Boland and past Grand Knight Barry Dillion. Former Ferryland District MHA Keith Hutchings drew the winning ticket.

Gen Corrigan, meanwhile, was the winner of the Landells Clinic skincare package.

Funds raised are to be used for special initiatives, such as the Mole Mobile, a mobile unit that will visit remote, Indigenous and underserved communities along with major cities across the country to educate people on sun safety and skin cancer.

Corrigan extended special thanks to the Knights of Columbus Dean Patrick Cleary Council 6672 and Msgr. Rawlins Assembly 2010 for fundraising support, and Monsignor Pat Kennedy for delivering the blessing.

Face painters, costumed characters, and a BBQ rounded out the event.

“Overall,” said Corrigan, “I couldn’t ask for anything better — although, I could have asked for better weather, but you can’t have it all right?”

Bay Bulls mayor, Town Manager bound for South Carolina

By Craig Westcott

Bay Bulls council has approved the travel costs for Mayor Keith O'Driscoll and Town Manager Ashley Wakeham to participate in the 'Towns in Tune' program in Newberry, South Carolina this summer.

The show, which runs on South Carolina public television, matches towns in South Carolina and Canada for historical and cultural exchanges. It is sponsored by the ETV Endowment of South Carolina, tax credits from the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation.

The show features interviews with local residents, business owners, artists, and others. Bay Bulls will see two segments filmed, including a songwriter’s circle and concert at the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre on June 22 which will incorporate two songwriters each and a band each from Newfoundland and South Carolina. The second event, the following day, will be an artists showcase of Newfoundland and South Carolina authors, painters and musicians.

The Town is paying a $15,000 sponsorship fee to participate in the program. The travel expenses are separate to that.

"All travel (costs) and meals will be reimbursed as per the Town of Bay Bulls travel and meal reimbursement policy," said Deputy Mayor Jason O'Brien who made the motion to approve the travel at last week's council meeting. It was seconded by councillor Corey Ronayne.

"We started off with two people – I'm not sure if anybody else is interested or able to go? We'll have to check our schedules," said O'Brien.

"I think it's a good opportunity especially (where) they're sending two representatives from their town to our town in the near future," said Mayor O'Driscoll.

"I believe there's actually four (coming), but there's definitely (at least) two," said Wakeham.

"I think it's fair to say that it's a good opportunity for whomever goes," added O'Driscoll, noting the number of Bay Bulls delegates to South Carolina can be ironed out later.

Newberry is a town of more than 10,000 people. The two episodes featuring Bay Bulls and Newberry will air on PBS late this year or early in 2025.

In other council news:

• Harbour Construction of Witless Bay has been awarded the tender to finish phase two of the Long Pond walking rail.

  Deputy Mayor O'Brien said the company was the lowest compliant bidder. It will be paid $405,220 plus HST for the work.

• Baird's Asphalt Sealing & Line Painting, meanwhile, is getting the contract to paint lines on streets and Town parking lots.

  Councillor Ethan Williams said the company was the lowest compliant bidder and will be paid $30,750 plus HST.

• Council answered the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department's request for donations for the firefighters' ball by offering free use of the Regional Lifestyle Centre for the event.

  The 35th annual ball is scheduled for November 16.

• Council also, meanwhile, approved release of the quarterly operating grant to the Regional Lifestyle Centre.

  This quarter's amount is $30,000.

  "Is there any reason we've gone over the (regular) quarterly amount?" asked Deputy Mayor O'Brien.

  Town Manager Wakeham said the Centre gets a total of $100,000 for the year and perhaps after experiencing a slow winter the centre needed a little more than the regular quarterly amount this time around. The Centre also drew down $30,000 of the grant in the first quarter.

  "They understand that they only have a limited amount left for (quarters) three and four," she added. "Summer will bring a profit. We're doing really well with registration for both soccer, which is up by 25 children, and there's a number of weeks of the summer program, after just three days of the online system being open, that we're full, at capacity. So, we're doing really well."

• And finally, council has deferred approval of the proposed outdoor ice rink for now.

  Deputy Mayor O'Brien asked his colleagues to defer the vote until more information is collected.

  "I think we're moving in the right direction of getting information," said O'Brien. "I just think there's pieces of this not fully covered to implement this project, some more budgeting and details so that we have a full package for funding overall."

Witless Bay denies agriculture permit after neighbour complains

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council last week denied an agriculture permit to a resident council had previously issued two Stop Work Orders to.

The Town issued Aloysius Carey a Stop Work Order to stop all farming and construction activities on his John C’s Grove Road property on May 9, 2023, which was the second such order.

The Town first became aware of the growing of hay and spreading of manure on the property in May 2022. No permit had been issued, and council issued a Stop Work Order on May 25, 2022.

The property is zoned as “Residential,” which allows for home-based agriculture so long as farming activities do not pose problems to neighbouring residents.

The work continued and council issued the second Stop Work Order on May 9, 2023.

Carey appealed that second order on May 23.

Adjudicator Clifford Johnson, weighing the evidence, confirmed council’s Stop Work Order on January 17 of this year.

In attendance at last week’s meeting were Gordon Crocker and Martina Aylward, both named as interested parties in the appeal document, along with Carey.

“I’m after making several calls and emails to the council about this property,” said Crocker, who lives alongside Carey. “There’s no permits in place, the zoning is wrong. It’s not a hobby farm up there by any means… It’s a commercial farm.”

Crocker said there is an abundance of neighbourhood pests on the nearby farm and blamed a recent washout of his driveway on land clearing at the property. Crocker was also concerned that the spreading of manure might compromise the water quality of his subsurface well.

Aylward echoed Crocker’s allegations, calling the farm a large-scale, commercial operation.

Carey himself also spoke and denied responsibility for Crocker’s driveway washing out.

“There’s no proper ditching,” said Carey, who added he only cleared land on his own property and that Crocker actually cut some of the land himself. “So, I’m not responsible for someone’s driveway washing out if there’s no proper ditching.”

Carey said, as per his application, that he wouldn’t spread manure on the meadow adjacent to Crocker’s property, but also defended the spreading of manure as a common practise.

“Manure has been spread all over this island,” said Carey, who cited local farmers who spread manure on their properties.

Carey also denied that his farm was a commercial operation and said he has to call in friends to spread manure with their equipment.

“I have an old, ‘73 farm tractor, a John Deere,” said Carey. “That’s all I got. So, there’s no pile of commercial equipment in any way shape or form.”

He said he was applying for a permit to grow hay to feed his horse and two ponies. He said he would also split the hay with another group.

Following the three presentations, councillor Ralph Carey put forth a motion to deny the application.

Town CAO Jennifer Aspell reminded the councillor that he needed to state a reason for denying the application, suggested a friendly amendment to the motion.

Councillor Carey, who allowed the motion “will probably get repealed,” moved to deny the application because it was outside the Town’s development regulations for residential areas, citing pollution and nuisance issues.

The motion passed unanimously.

Witless Bay council dismisses complaints against Carey

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council last week cleared councillor Ralph Cary of both a conflict-of-interest complaint and a code of conduct allegation.

Town CAO Jennifer Aspell said the first complaint alleged that Carey was in a conflict of interest when he discussed and voted on the Ragged Beach Crown Land Reserve earlier this year.

“The complaint was brought forward at a privileged meeting of council on April 25, 2024,” explained Aspell. “At that meeting, councillor Carey was given an opportunity to make a presentation to council. And when his presentation concluded, he left the meeting.”

Council, said Aspell, determined Carey had not acted in a conflict of interest, and during that same privileged meeting voted unanimously to dismiss the complaint.

A second complaint, this one alleging that Carey had violated the Municipal Code of Conduct Act, was also brought forward at that same privileged meeting. Carey again, according to Aspell, presented his case and then left the room. Council voted and again found him not guilty.

The complaint stemmed from Carey’s alleged involvement with activist groups protesting any and all development in and around Ragged Beach over the last decade.

Council concluded Carey was not a member of council during much of the time period refenced in the complaint and there was no substantive evidence he was a director or member of either the Save Ragged Beach or Friends of Ragged Beach groups.

Both motions to clear Carey were ratified during last week’s public meeting.

Both complaints were filed by the same individual, who was not identified.