Bay Bulls council seeking money for trail upgrades

By Mark Squibb

Bay Bulls council has applied for funding to upgrade a trail connecting Lower Path to Winnonish Road.

Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien last week moved that the Town submit a Capital Investment Plan (CIP) to the Gas Tax Secretariat for $5,775, exclusive of HST, to finance the work.

Mayor Keith O’Driscoll said the trail would feed into the Long Pond Trail, and would provide users with access to the trail without having to park on the Long Pond parking lot.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said the mayor.

The Town had to seek permission from NL Power to conduct the upgrades to the existing transmission line, which is already frequented by ATV users, to bring it up to a walkable standard.

The Town has recently undertaken phase 2 of the Long Pond Walking Trail upgrades, valued at $484,290. Of that, the provincial government pitched in $290,575, representing some 60 percent of total project costs. The Town, meanwhile, was approved for CIP funding to cover its portion of $193,717.

Witless Bay undertakes second fire hall feasibility study

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council last week voted to go ahead with a feasibility study to help determine a more up-to-date price for a new, regional fire hall.

Councillor Jacob Hayden moved that the Town undertake the feasibility study based on a 70/30 cost split with the Province.

The Town’s portion will be $27,666, plus tax.

“We did have a feasibility study done back in 2019, but as everybody knows, 2019 prices do not reflect 2024 prices,” said Hayden.

In 2022, Witless Bay council accepted $2.4 million in cost-shared funding from the provincial government for the construction of a new fire hall and agreed to pay its share of the project, which at that time was $815,640. That funding was based on the 2019 feasibility study.

Hayden said that conducting a new feasibility study will not negate that funding, but project overruns would fall to the Town, and so it would be best to get an updated idea of just how much the project will cost before moving ahead with construction.

Bay Bulls calls tender on coastal erosion project

By Mark Squibb

Members of Bay Bulls council last week ratified an e-mail vote taken July 26 to approve a public tender call for work on Northside Road.

The so-called ‘Coastal Erosion and Upgrading’ project is valued at $1.8 million.

The cost for the project is being split among all three levels of government, with the federal government pitching in half of the total cost, some $920,437. The remaining cost will be a 40/10 split between the Province and the Town – $736,350 and $184,088 respectively.

The aim of the project is to improve road stability and storm water management in the area.

The contractor, once hired, will replace 300 metres of retaining wall currently in place and install an additional 50 metres of retaining wall in the Bread and Cheese area, as well as replace the existing culvert.

Concern over coastal erosion and its potential impact on both Northside Road and Bread and Cheese Road dates at least as far back as 2020 when council first applied for funding for the project.

The current funding was applied for in 2022 and approved in April of last year.

27th annual Youth Ventures Award Ceremony

The Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) Celtic was well represented at the 27th annual Youth Ventures Award Ceremony held at the St. John’s Farmers Market last week, as two of its members were named award recipients. Pictured is Cameron Whelan of Whelan’s Lawn Care, located in St. Mary’s, who was awarded the Excellence in Customer Service Award. Presenting the award is sponsor Allison Chislett of iDesign Ltd. CBDC Celtic’s Youth Ventures mentor, Katie Barbour of Renews, meanwhile, was named Mentor of the Year. Youth Ventures Newfoundland and Labrador photo

Swain gets her legal fees back

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council has paid out $3,324 for the wrongful dismissal and reinstatement of councillor Margaret Swain.

Swain was kicked off council this past February after an alleged conflict of interest regarding a proposed Ragged Beach Crown Land Reserve. Soon after being acclaimed to council last November, Swain had allegedly remarked, during a private meeting of council, that she would not be voting on the matter because she knew landowners in the area. Shortly after, during her first public meeting of council, Swain proposed council delay voting on the matter so that she could get up to speed on the issue.

During a private meeting held on January 30, councillor Ralph Carey accused her of being in a conflict, and at yet another private meeting in February, Carey, then Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard and her husband and fellow councillor Alan Richards, along with councillor Gerard Dunne voted to fire Swain over the alleged conflict. Mayor Trevor Croft and councillor Jacob Hayden voted against the motion to dismiss Swain.

Yard and Richards have since both quit council.

Following her dismissal, Swain indicated to the Irish Loop Post that she intended to appeal the decision and bring the matter to Supreme Court, paying for her lawyer’s fees out of pocket.

However, in June, before the matter made it into court, council reinstated Swain, and has since agreed to cover her legal costs.

The motion to reimburse Swain the $3,324 worth of legal fees was moved by new councillor Justina Nawaz at a private meeting held on July 29. Both Carey and Swain declared a conflict of interest on the matter and did not vote on the motion to pay the legal bills. The remainder of council voted unanimously to pay the bill.

As the Municipalities Act requires that decisions of council made in private be ratified in public, council did just that during Tuesday’s public meeting

Carey and Swain again both declared conflicts and did not participate in the public vote. The remaining four members of council all approved the motion to ratify the decision.

Prisoners to build benches for Long Pond Walking Trail

By Mark Squibb

Bay Bulls council this week approved a number of upgrades to the ongoing construction of the Long Pond Walking Trail.

Councillor Ethan Williams moved to ratify an earlier e-mail vote of council to approve a change order for the installation for additional culverts and landscaping at a cost of $7,000 plus HST. Williams also moved that council ratify a second e-mail vote of council to install lights along a 1.3 kilometre stretch of trail, at a cost of $41,800, HST included. Bay Bulls is on the hook for $22,642, with the rest cost-shared with the provincial government.

Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien added the goal is to install lights along the whole length of the trail from start to finish. Mayor Keith O’Driscoll said the lighting will be a great addition to the project.

Later in the meeting, council approved the purchase of $2,373, plus HST, worth of building materials from Hickey’s Timber Mart to build six benches and two garbage boxes to be placed along the trail.

Councillor Williams said he was glad to see council purchase from a local business, while O’Brien noted that all three bids were close.

The materials will be delivered to inmates at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary, who will assemble the benches and boxes.

“This gives some incarcerated adults an opportunity to hone their skills while they are completing whatever sentencing they are required to,” said Town Manager Ashley Wakeham. “It’s always nice to see a program like that that helps people better themselves for when they do actually get released back into society.”

Just over a million dollars has been allocated for the project thus far, much of which has come courtesy of the provincial and federal governments.

Second annual Witless Bay Days well attended

The Torque Titans was one of six softball teams that registered for the Witless Bay Days Adult Softball Tournament. In the back, from left, are Courtney Stevens, Robyn O’Rielly, Alax Giddens, Alyssa Dalton, Desiree O’Brien, Cheryl Harrigan and Erica Rideout; and in front, from left, are Alyssa Power, Erica Ryan, Leona Carew, Hilary Tobin, Brittany Bennett and Ashley Lundrigan.

The second annual Witless Bay Days was a great success, says committee member Meagan Carew. The organizing crew included, starting in the back, from left: Anne MacFarlane, Lucy Carew, Cathy Campbell, Lena Doyle, Meagan Carew, and Lisa Putt; and in the front, from left: Rosalie Walsh, Hilary Tobin, Hilda Carter, and Sharon O’Driscoll. Missing from the photo is Mark Tobin.

By Mark Squibb

The second annual Witless Bay Days, held earlier this month, went off without a hitch, said committee member Meagan Carew.

“We had incredible weather, we had beautiful weather the whole week,” said Carew, excepting that one event had to be rescheduled.

There was something for everyone over the four-day festival.

“The softball tournament always brings lots of people out whether they play softball or not,” said Carew. “The flotilla and fireworks on Friday night is always a big one that gets folks out on the beach.”

Carew said that over 90 people registered to play softball, with upwards of 100 watching at any given time. Over 75 people registered for cornhole, and over 100 passed through the Fire Hall during an Open House. About 70 youths participated in the sports day, and about 80 people came out to the Captain’s Table for the community breakfast.

Carew said there are more volunteer hours put into hosting a festival of events like Witless Bay Days than one might think, as folks need to plan the events well in advance and work at the events on the day to ensure things run smoothly.

She said the committee is already looking ahead to next year’s festival.

“Folks are more than welcome to join the committee,” said Carew. “We can’t be thankful enough for the support from the community and from the businesses in the community.”

The first ever Witless Bay Days, held in 2023, was an offshoot of the 2022 Come Home Year Celebrations.

Annual Golden Tulips Awards

The Town of Bay Bulls has announced the winners of the annual Golden Tulips Awards. Pictured is Mayor Keith O’ Driscoll (right) presenting Mark Traverse the 2024 Golden Tulip Award for Best Beginner Garden. Traverse was accepting the award on behalf of his wife Kelly, who has the greener thumb of the two. Mary and Armand Williams were awarded the 2024 Golden Tulip Award for Best Vegetable Garden. The 2024 Golden Tulip Award for Best Overall Residential Property went to Greeley’s Garden. Aimee Greeley nominated the garden in honor of her late husband, musician Justin Greeley, who passed following a short but courageous battle against cancer. Town of Bay Bulls photo

Father-son duo strike softball gold in national competition

Father-son duo Chris and Ryan Maher of Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove celebrate a national fastpitch win in Kitchener, Ontario, this past week. Submitted photo

By Mark Squibb

The Murno Mariners have been named the 2024 U23 Men’s Canadian Fastpitch Champions after an intense week of competition in Kitchener, Ontario, made none the easier by the sweltering heat, but the win is especially sweet for father-son duo Chris and Ryan Maher of Petty Harbour— Maddox Cove.

“The guys fought hard the whole week through the heat,” said assistant coach Chris Maher. “The guys were exhausted by the end of the week, but in the end, we took it home. The boys played great. Winning a national title is pretty amazing and winning it with your son on the bench makes it a little more exciting.”

Ryan said that having his dad on the team made the gold medal win all the sweeter.

“As soon as the gloves went up in the air and we were celebrating he was the first one I was looking for on the diamond to go give a hug,” said Ryan.

Chris has been playing ball for over 30 years and has competed on national and world stages, and has evidently passed his love for the game onto Ryan.

“Ryan loves the game, just like I do,” said Chris. “That’s pretty much all we think about, is softball. It is pretty amazing to see the young man he’s become. He’s a leader on that team.”

Ryan, meanwhile, credits his dad with the success he’s found on the diamond.

“He was someone to talk to after every single game,” said Ryan. “We talk ball almost every day. He’s my coach, my mentor, he’s taught me pretty well everything I know.”

The team members have been playing together for nigh on a decade, and have formed a close bond over the years.

“This group is very close,” said Ryan. “The comradery on the team is second-to-none. Outside the field, and on the field, we were cracking jokes. We didn’t feel the pressure, the moment didn’t feel too big for us. We were just having fun and playing together, and I think that’s what helped us win.”

This year’s gold medal win marks the first time a team from Newfoundland has won the tournament since 2012.

Despite the win, Ryan isn’t packing away his gear and calling it a season just yet. He’ll be heading to Saskatoon at the end of the month with the Galway Hitmen for the Senior Men’s Nationals.

‘We are not letting our church go’

Portugal Cove South group in fight to keep the community’s church

By Mark Squibb

Charlene Power of Portugal Cove South said that, contrary to rumours, Holy Rosary Church in Portugal Cove South has not been sold.

“We had a community meeting with Father Peter (Golden) this week, and no, the church has not been sold,” said Power, a member of a committee that aims to keep the church ownership within the community.

“Right now, we’re concentrating on making sure our church isn’t sold,” said Power. “Myself and Cynthia Power, the chair of our church committee, composed a letter and sent it to the archbishop stating that we are not happy hearing that our church is still up for sale, and as a committee, and as a community more so than a committee, we are not letting our church go.”

Holy Rosary Church, along with Our Lady of Fatima in St. Shotts, and Holy Redeemer Church in Trepassey, were among church properties listed for sale in 2022 by the Roman Catholic Archdioceses of St. John’s to raise money to settle numerous claims from people who suffered abuse as children at Mount Cashel Orphanage and from some Catholic priests.

Power said that although the building has not been sold, the committee has very little information on the goings on behind the scenes.

“Right now, we’re in limbo,” said Power. “We don’t know if a bid has gone in on the church, and if it was rejected or if the person pulled out and took their bid back. But right now, we’re just going to concentrate on keeping the church in the community. We told the bishop that we will not welcome anybody that buys our church in our community, and we are going to make that known.”

Power said the committee is looking to host fundraisers to pay for the monthly heating and bills of the building. Several years ago, prior to the church being put on the market, the community had raised and spent over $130,000 to complete renovations to the church.

“We were under the assumption that the church would remain ours,” said Power. “Nobody ever expected this coming up, with the churches having to be sold.”

Committee chairperson Cynthia Power said people in other communities have floated the idea of raising funds to purchase churches back from the archdiocese.

That would be easier, she admitted, had the community not already just invested so much in bringing the church up to shape.

“We raised $130,000 to upgrade the church when the church was in deplorable shape,” said Cynthia Power. “At the time, when we did that fundraiser, we were under the impression that the church belonged to the community, that it belonged to the people.”

She added that whether or not Father Peter’s role was filled upon his imminent retirement – he is in his 80s – the community thought it important to preserve the building. In a perfect world, she said, the church will not be sold and remain the focal point of the community that it is today.

“As a community, I don’t know that anything will be welcomed there, other than what’s there,” she said.