By Staff / December 20, 2023
Police say they have identified the man who stole a 24-bottle case of beer from a convenience store in Mount Pearl on Remembrance Day.
That’s doubly bad news for the 50-year-old in question, as it turned out he already had eight outstanding warrants for his arrest and was allegedly “actively evading police,” according to a police spokesperson.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary was able to identify the suspect using CCTV footage from the store.
Santa reads to a library full of young readers in Mount Pearl. Chad Feehan photo
December 8, 2023 Edition
The Mount Pearl Lion's Club this week made a cash donation of $2,956 to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which operates three food banks in the area. Part of the donations were given by residents attending the Lion’s Mount Pearl Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, with Scotiabank also contributing $500 to the amount. On hand for the presentation were, starting in the front, from left: Robyn Kenny, Sandra Milmore, Bianca Castro; and in the back, from left: Back: Doug Evely, Roxanne Oates, Bonnie Evely, Sean Keats, Major Morgan Hillier, Doug Cantwell, Bob Lovette, and Lion's Club President Sasha Oates. Chad Feehan photo
By Chad Feehan
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
December 8, 2023 Edition
Gas tax funds originally allocated for Mount Pearl’s contribution to the 2025 Canada Summer Games have been sent back to the City’s coffers.
Funding from ACOA will take the place of the $475,298 in federal gas tax funding, and will be spent on upgrades to the Team Gushue baseball facility, as well as work on the Branscombe’s Pond and Power’s Pond trails.
Councillor Jim Locke said this will allow the gas tax money to be spent on other priorities and projects.
Council originally applied for permission to use the Gas Tax funds for the Summer Games this past August.
The work at the baseball pitch, meanwhile, will include increased accessibility to the facility, a switch from sand to clay in the infield, the addition of a second batting cage, and a remodeling of the bullpen which will see two pitchers mounds on each side for warmups.
By Chad Feehan
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
December 8, 2023 Edition
Mount Pearl council has approved a request from Newfoundland Power to power homes on Moffat Road overhead from the rear of the lot, while powering street lighting underground in the front.
Previously, streetlights have usually been powered overhead.
Newfoundland Power says it will be only servicing lots from the street in all subsequent developments, but in the case of Moffat Road, rear servicing was the only option.
Councillor Mark Rice made the motion to allow the design.
Engineering director Gerry Antle explained Newfoundland Power prefers streetside, underground service because it’s more convenient for maintenance and the equipment is protected from the elements.
Director Antle’s department is concerned with identifying any possible conflicts between Newfoundland Power’s underground utilities with that of the City’s underground infrastructure such as water and sewer lines.
“Our preference would be to try to avoid those conflicts,” Antle said. “We would prefer that the Newfoundland Power lines are overhead, and we keep our services underground.”
As heavy winds whipped through the city at the time of the meeting, Councillor Jim Locke asked if advanced planning for the to-be-developed Northlands will allow for underground service to avoid being affected by the elements.
“Given the climate changes that we’re seeing and the increased frequency and intensity of such episodes outside today, I just think it would be prudent if we went underground,” he said.
Mayor Dave Aker referenced instances where homes around Power’s Pond and Newtown Elementary could not get new cables installed because of the increased cost of underground maintenance, and wondered if all utility providers could work together in an ongoing partnership.
Director Antle explained that a partnership is the only way work of this manner gets done, and that managing risks such as repairing water and sewer lines in the presence of underground power is the primary concern.
“There’s a risk that you’re taking with it being underground,” he said.
The motion regarding Moffatt Road was carried unanimously after council agreed to discuss the servicing of ongoing housing developments sometime in the future.
“We just want to make sure we don’t get stuck with housing that's not fully serviced,” said Aker.
Chad Feehan
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
December 8, 2023 Edition
The 68th annual Mount Pearl Lions Club parade drew a crowd this past Saturday as excited children and adults lined the route from Mount Pearl Senior High to Mount Pearl Square. Among the many parade participants were minor hockey players, dancers, superheroes, animals, and everyone's favorite man in the big red suit, Santa. Also on hand were floats from local businesses including Dream Parties NL, which was represented by, from left: Natalie Smith, Eliza King and Jana Gillis. A favourite with the younger set was Melvin the Lion's Club Mascot, who is a good buddy of Lion Russell Corbett. Chad Feehan photos
A favourite with the younger set was Melvin the Lion's Club Mascot, who is a good buddy of Lion Russell Corbett. Chad Feehan photos
By Mark Squibb
December 8, 2023 Edition
Witless Bay council approved a contract for road repairs along Southside Track during November’s public meeting.
Council voted to award the work to the lowest compliant bidder, O’Brien’s Trucking Ltd., for $16,363, plus HST.
Councillor Ralph Carey explained the work will take place near the Puffin Centre. He noted there were a number of bidders for the job.
Gerard Dunne declared a conflict as the company he works for bid on the tender.
The motion was approved unanimously, excepting that Dunne did not participate due to the declared conflict of interest.
Council also approved a request for the installation of speed limit and ‘Children at Play’ signs on Gallows Cove Road.
Councillor Jacob Hayden suggested that residents who wish for signs along their road send in their requests.
“Over the years, you kind of have to move your ‘Children at Play signs’ around,” said Hayden. “As people get older, there may not be any children on that road anymore.”
Hayden said residents who want such a sign should make the request to council, as council does not know which roads have children living on them and which roads do not.
By Mark Squibb
December 8, 2023 Edition
The cost to keep the Town Hall up and running in Witless Bay has increased over $250,000 according to figures contained in council’s budget for 2024.
Compared to Budget 2023, monies allocated for local government have increased to $704,886 from $450,320.
The total spent on salaries is projected to increase from $188,254 this past year to $251,600, next year. The payroll burden, which includes the Town’s share of Canada Pension Plan contributions, employment insurance fees, and payroll taxes, has increased from $16,358 to $55,854. Employee benefits are going up from the $2,000 budgeted this past year to $18,375, while professional development and training costs will rise from $6,000 in 2023 to $37,200. Costs for professional services, which include consultant fees and legal fees, is forecast to go up from $54,500 this year to $72,000 in next year.
Across the board there are some variations expected between the two budget years.
The Town is anticipating about $79,000 more in tax revenue this year, and council is also working with a $71,700 surplus from last year.
The protective services budget is down to $189,940 from $294,888, while transportation services is down to $189,940 from $294,888. Environmental health services, which includes garbage collection, is forecast to go down to $151,000 from the $205,750 allocated this year. Recreation spending will drop to $57,500 from the $91,900 set aside last year.
The planning and development budget meanwhile is up to $46,000 from $37,500.
The budget and 2024 tax structure sees the residential and commercial mil rate held at 5 and 10 mils respectively.
Mobile Central High School treated residents of Witless Bay and beyond to a Christmas float of a different kind in last weekend’s Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade through Witless Bay. Members of the student council thought it a grand idea to ‘Shrek the Halls’ this year in tribute to the animated movie Shrek. Ogres, Humpty Dumpty, gingerbread men, the Three Blind mice, the Big Bad Wolf, a prince or two, and other fairytale creatures from the popular film franchise joined Santa Claus to wish residents their best. A number of Skilled Trades students helped make the float, and school principal Gary Petten said students were over the moon when they learned they had received the first-place float award for their festive and creative float, which was complete with a medieval castle. Petten said the Shrek theme allowed students to play a variety of different characters you don’t often see at Christmas time, and the students are considering a similar idea for next year’s float. In the back row, from left are Gary Petten, Denver Petten, Matthew Hayward, Kelton Power, Dominick Lundrigan, Charlene Power, James Sullivan, Jane O'Driscoll, Aiden O'Brien, Ava Power, Rowan Power, Cole Sullivan, and Bella Carter. In the front, from left, are Cathy Puddister Madeline Sharpe, Owen Petten, Nathan White, Abbi Sullivan, Liam Kielly, and Zoey Dowden. Besides those who rode the float, a number of Mobile students marched in the parade. Look for more pictures from the parade in next week’s Christmas edition of the Irish Loop Post. Submitted photo
By Chad Feehan
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
December 1, 2023 Edition
The City of Mount Pearl has received $6.5 million dollars from the provincial government for municipal infrastructure improvements.
In addition to water and sewer upgrades to Holden Street and Ingerman Street, more than $3.6 million will be spent on a new community center, which will replace Park Place.
Minister of Transportation John Abbott and City and provincial officials made an appearance at the Soccer Hut on Arena Road Wednesday to announce the money, which is part of the City’s 2023-2026 multi-year capital works funding from the Province.
“These types of investments not only benefit the city, the town, or community’s sense of belonging and well being, but also generate employment opportunities and economic benefits,” Abbott said.
Larger municipalities can avail of three-year blocks of funding as part of the program, which is designed to support planning and scheduling of work for major infrastructure projects.
“All of us depend on the infrastructure that surrounds us,” Abbot said. “We want good roads to drive on, clean and safe drinking water, and structures, buildings and facilities that support our community activities.”
Mayor Dave Aker said the City is taking steps to match up Mount Pearl’s old water and sewer pipes with the new infrastructure expected to come with the eventual development of approximately 1,800 homes in the Northlands area located north of Topsail road.
“This infrastructure is not integral for us to move into those new lands and develop it, but we don’t want to be connecting new infrastructure to old,” he said. “It’s due for a replacement and this will help with growth of the city to come.”
MHA Lucy Stoyles touted the benefits of new community centre for the city’s seniors, who she said are reluctant to use the current facility because of its age.
“Most of the seniors won’t get in that elevator because they’re afraid it’s going to break down,” said Stoyles.
