Broken bottle closes Summit Centre pools for two weeks

By Mark Squibb

Staff re-opened both Summit Centre pools last Tuesday after a smashed glass forced their closure.

The pools were shut down for about two weeks as staff had to drain, clean, and refill both pools after a bottle shattered on the deck.

“It’s very unfortunate that something like that happened, and I know there was a lot of talk amongst residents, and many were very understanding, as this was a complete accident and these things do happen, but unfortunately there was also a lot of people who were angry about the length of the process and the missed lessons,” said councillor Chelsea Lane during last week’s public council meeting. “But unfortunately, if glass gets in the pool, the staff has no choice but to drain it and then rebalance the chemicals. And it is a process.”

Lane expressed her gratitude to staff for getting the pools open again in a timely manner and added the workers were also able to reschedule some lessons that had been missed.

“And I think that’s fabulous because I don’t think people realize the amount of work that goes into scheduling and trying to get things situated, and I think it’s amazing that everyone was able to pull it together and get it happening,” said Lane.

Mayor Dave Aker, noting that “a little glass can do a lot of damage,” asked Recreation Director Jason Collins for a further explanation of the cleanup process.

Collins, who allowed that the process is a complicated one, said the bottle, which was brought into the building in a child’s backpack, was dropped in the laneway between both pools, and that glass was found in both pools.

Collins said that all the glass needed to be removed before the pool could be drained, and that staff had to be cautious when refilling the pool lest they fill it too quickly, as the water pressure could cause damage.

“We have adjusted our policies as well, when it comes to bags and where they’re allowed,” said Collins. “We did consider and talk about not allowing them at all, but there are also complications with that. But we have adjusted our policies to help avoid this going forward.

Meanwhile, registration for fall programs is fast approaching.

Swimming lesson registration opens on September 4th for residents and September 6th for non-residents, while seniors program registration opens on September 3rd for residents and September 5th for non-residents. Fitness program registration opens on September 3rd for residents and September 5th for non-residents.

Proof of residency is required for early registration.

Order to clean up properties a ‘last resort, says mayor

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl City council last week issued two property maintenance orders following numerous complaints, but members of council say that they are sensitive to the delicate nature of the situation.

A Montgomery Street property was noted for having a significantly overgrown lawn, while a Commonwealth Avenue property was noted as being much worse for wear.

“The (Commonwealth) property is noted to be in a dilapidated state with plexi-glass and plywood in place of windows, significantly deteriorated exterior cladding and debris,” said councillor Bill Antle. “(The Planning) Committee expressed concern about the habitability and safety of the structure. The property owner has refused an inspection of the interior of the home to determine the full extent of the deficiencies.”

“I’m glad this is coming to the public, and I’m glad we’re taking this direction with this issue, because I think it’s the City’s due diligence, and council’s due diligence,” said councillor Mark Rice. “We just can’t turn a blind eye to this anymore. This has been ongoing for such a long time in the city with these two properties. This has been ongoing for many years.”

Going forward, Rice said, he would like to see more such orders issued.

“If it comes to the point where the City has got to go in there with our staff and mow the grass, or whatever it is, and back charge the owner of the property, so be it,” said Rice.

Councillor Chelsea Lane also expressed her support for the motion.

“We live in such a beautiful city, and our people really take pride in living here,” said Lane. “And we totally are understanding of the fact that during peoples lives there may come a point when they have a hard time keeping up their property, but these are cases of ongoing neglect to properties. And it’s really troublesome to people who live in the neighbourhood or even just people who are driving by to see houses left in deplorable conditions, and that’s why we are taking a role as a City and trying to get this situation rectified, because it’s important to take care of your property for the people in your neighbourhood, and for the city as a whole. That’s why the regulations exist.”

Councillor Jim Locke expressed his support for the motion, but also issued a word of caution about the sensitive nature of such orders.

“I do support the orders coming through, but just a caution that a lot of these circumstance are not cut-and-dry,” cautioned Locke. “We’ve dealt with similar circumstances during my tenure on council and it’s not black-and-white sometimes… and it sometimes takes longer than we would like, but sometimes individual circumstances dictate that. There’s personal circumstances that may arise from health issues, mental health issues, financial issues, and the like, and I want to caution, not out of neglect or to turn a blind eye, but some of the issues we dealt with in the past are complicated, and other agencies had to be called in and other supports had to be called in. I understand the frustrations of neighbours. I fully appreciate that it’s an eyesore. But sometimes we cannot fully disclose the details behind some of these cases. I just want to throw it out there that we’re not the big bad bully coming in with the heavy stick. We are sensitive to the fact that sometimes it may take a little longer than we like for particular reasons.”

Mayor Dave Aker noted that it’s not the first time these properties have been brought to council’s attention, and that while council has been very understanding and patient, residents hold property owners to a high standard.

“And that standard has been violated at these two addresses,” said Aker. “And this is not the first time this has been talked about at this table. We’re not just following the political winds here; we’re doing what we think is right for the city. This is a last resort, at the end of the day.”

Antle noted the City had issued a development permit over a year ago for the re-development of the Commonwealth Avenue property into commercial office space, however, there has been no progress to date.

Both motions passed unanimously, excepting that Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley was not present and thus did not vote.

‘The position will be filled, but you will never be replaced,’

Director of Planning, Engineering, and Development Gerry Antle retired today after over a decade with the City of Mount Pearl.

By Mark Squibb

Director of Planning, Engineering, and Development Gerry Antle was the man of the hour around the Mount Pearl council table this past Tuesday evening as council wished him a very happy retirement.

Antle is set to retire today (Friday, August 16) after more than a decade of employment with the City.

Of all the well wishes, perhaps the most poignant came courtesy of councillor Bill Antle, Gerry’s brother.

“One of us had to go,” joked Antle, who was always reluctant to serve on the same committee as his brother, until about a year ago when joined the engineering committee.

“Gerry was a real crybaby when I first met him,” joked Bill, the older of the two. “But it’s been a pleasure working with Gerry. When I was first elected seven years ago, I wondered how this relationship was going to work, and it worked out really well. I was impressed with Gerry’s professionalism. When we go into meetings, he would always call me ‘Councillor Antle.’ I really liked that; he can continue that.”

Antle said that Gerry left work at work, adding that’s the way it should be, and closed out by telling his brother that, despite his earlier comment, he can feel free to go back to calling him Billy.

Former committee member Isabell Fry praised Director Antle for his professionalism and service to the City over the years.

“He taught me everything I needed to know about infrastructure and public works, and I’m very proud to say that I do know what a quarter-inch minus is now” said Fry. “When I first got elected, there were so many things that I had to learn and to learn fast, and Director Antle was so professional and I think he knew that I was willing to learn, and he always explained everything in such a way that made sense to me, and that I was able to grasp.”

Fry wished Antle a happy, healthy, and enjoyable retirement, but added that she still had his phone number.

Councillor Jim Locke also served on the planning committee with Antle.

“When I served on committee, one of the first things he brought to committee was a snow clearing ‘level of service’ document,” said Locke. “And he said, ‘You tell me what level of service the City wants, and I can provide that.’ So, it was systematically laid out, so that if you wanted snow cleared six hours after the snow ended, or 12 hours after the snow ended or if you wanted it cleared 24 hours after the snow ended, he could tell you the cost for the gasoline, the fuel, the salt, human resources. And that was a great addition.”

Locke spoke more to Antle’s professional approach to the City’s affairs before bidding him a final farewell.

“The position will be filled, but you will never be replaced,” said Locke.

Mayor Dave Aker, and councillors Chelsea Lane and Mark Rice all spoke to Antle’s professionalism and wished him their very best. Planning committee member Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley was absent from the meeting.

“Your dedication to your city, the community you grew up in, is second to none,” said Aker. “Gerry, it’s been a real pleasure to work with you and I really appreciate, me personally as a member of council, the professional advice, the camaraderie, and some of the dark humour we’ve shared over the years.”

Antle himself took the floor for a few minutes before the close of the meeting.

“I’ve had a very rewarding public service career,” said Antle. “My career has been entirely in public service. It fits my value system.”

Antle emphasised that he started his career in Mount Pearl as a young engineering student doing work terms at the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing office and has now ended his career in Mount Pearl after 13 years at City Hall.

“To come back here to the city that I call home and complete my career, is so rewarding,” said Antle. “To have the opportunity to contribute to this great city, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

Prior to returning to Mount Pearl, Antle worked both in Labrador and along the island’s west coast.

Pierre Poilievre gets warm reception from Mount Pearl trades workers

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre ditched the suit and donned some safety glasses to tour Shield Group of Companies in Mount Pearl this Tuesday.

By Mark Squibb

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre was given a warm welcome by staff at the Shield Group of Companies building in Mount Pearl, which he toured Tuesday afternoon.

Also in attendance were supporters such as MP ‘Common Sense’ Clifford Small, Senator David Wells, and former PC MHA Steve Kent.

Poilievre’s message was simple — “Axe the Tax. Build the homes. Fix the budget. Stop the crime,” and met with much applause.

Poilievre commended Shield’s workers, who manufacture products for the energy, marine, and industrial sectors across the province, for their hard work and dedication in learning a trade.

“As a result of your hard work, you’re due something, which is a good house, decent food, and a secure future with a comfortable retirement,” said Poilievre. “That’s the Canadian promise.”

It’s a promise, said Poilievre, that has been broken by both the Liberals and the NDP.

Poilievre hit on a number of talking points in his 10-minute address, including his plan to repeal Bill C-69, environmental assessment legislation that Conservatives such as Poilievre have dubbed the ‘anti-oil-and-gas-act.’ Other topics included increasing housing costs and inflation, crime, and, of course, the carbon tax.

“The good news is that life was not like this before Trudeau and the NDP and it won’t be like this after they’re gone,” said Poilievre to a round of applause. “We are going to have a carbon tax election, where people will decide between the NDP-Liberals who will tax your food, punish your work, take your money, double your housing costs, ban your hunting rifle and unleash crime in your community, or common-sense Conservatives who will axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget, and stop the crime.”

It’s a message that is resonating with Canadian voters. An Abacus Data Poll dated August 11 shows the Conservatives leading the Liberals by about 20 points for the sixteenth consecutive poll. According to Abacus, if an election were held on August 11, some 43 per cent of committed voters would have voted for the Conservative Party while 23 per cent would have voted for the Liberals.

When asked about the poll numbers, Poilievre told The Pearl that folks gravitate towards the Conservatives ‘common-sense approach.’

“People want a commonsense government that will axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime, and right now, we don’t have that,” said Poilievre. “Trudeau is taxing your food, punishing your work, doubling your housing cost, and unleashing crime and drugs into your community. Common sense Canadians agree with me and my plan to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget, and stop the crime.”

As to the housing crisis, Poilievre said he would require local governments speed up the permitting process, free up land, and cut development taxes to build 15 per cent more homes per year as a condition for receiving federal funding. He will also sell federal land to make way for more homes.

Poilievre also promised direct funding to union and non-union training halls and better provision of Red Seal material in high school, saying Canada needs “boots, and not suits to build homes.” He also promised to change tax laws to allow trades workers to write off the full cost of food, transportation, and accommodation, as they move from one job to another.

Poilievre also criticized Trudeau’s ‘catch-and-release criminal justice system.’

“We see the same small group of criminals doing all the crime,” said Poilievre. “The good news is that there aren’t many of them. The bad news is that they’re productive.”

Poilievre said he would get rid of bail, house arrest, parole and probation for anyone with a long rap sheet.

“It’ll be jail, not bail,” said the Conservative Leader.

Poilievre briefly touched on the Liberal Party’s former attempts to ban certain hunting rifles.

“I want to protect Canadians from criminals, Trudeau wants to protect turkeys from hunters,” he quipped to much applause. “You decide what makes more sense to you.”

Poilievre’s tour of the industrial site wrapped up his two-day tour of Newfoundland. Previous stops this trip included Lewisporte, Gander, and New-Wes Valley.

16U and 14U teams come out on top

Three female Mount Pearl Blazers teams representing 12U, 14U, and 16U divisions, competed for gold medals at the 2nd annual Heather Healey Female Invitational in Paradise last weekend, and both the 16U and 14U teams came out on top. The 16U squad (left photo) includes, starting in the back row from left: head coach Richard Coombs, Amber Power, Rebecca McCarthy, Brooke Murphy, Jenny Murphy, Lily Martin, Summer Roberts-Coombs, Grace Colford, Maria Smith, assistant coach Ron Power, and assistant coach Trevor Kearsey. In the front row are, from left, Amber Kearsey, Eva Kedrosky, Grace McGrath, and Freija Day.

On the 14U team (right photo) are, starting in the back row from left, Tony McGrath, Jamie Chippett, Grace McGrath, Freija Day, Maria Smith, Rebecca McCarthy, Paige O’Neill, Madelyn Tremblett, and Dean McCarthy. In the front row, from left, are Callie Ash, Lily Healey, Sophie Chippett, Jadyn Walsh, and Reese Kielly. Missing is coach Darryl Smith. Mount Pearl Minor Baseball photos

Only one bidder for chain link fence contract

By Mark Squibb

Mount Perl city council last week approved the purchase of three years’ worth of chain link fencing.

Councillor Chelsea Lane said the tender for the supply, delivery, and installation of chain link fencing was issued on May 30 and closed on June 19.

Provincial Fence Products submitted the lone bid, valued at $126,650, HST included.

“Prioritization of fence repairs is always planned to be within the operating budget for the current year,” said Lane. “It is also noted that the contract would be for the supply, delivery and installation of chain link fencing as required for a period of approximately three years, commencing after the date of award until August 31 for the first year, and then for September 1 to August 31 for each of the following two years, with the option of two additional one-year terms if agreeable to both parties.”

City makes swap to save inspection costs

By Mark Squibb

The City has managed to save on paying for more inspection hours on a street upgrade by using hours that were unused on a different project.

Council was able to make the move because both jobs are being undertaken by the same contractor.

WSP E&I Canada Limited is doing upgrades on multiple streets for $117,780 and on Farrell Drive for $115,388.

Councillor Bill Antle explained that to date, the budgeted inspection hours for the Farrell Drive project are almost exhausted, while there is a surplus for the multi street project, and so the engineering committee recommended the transfer of the remaining 718 inspection hours from the multi street project to the Farrell Drive project.

The cost of the inspection hours amounts to $57,799, HST included, which the City would have had to pay out of pocket had the other hours not been available.

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

Kieley pleased with response to Municipal Plan survey

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley is encouraged by the public response to a residents’ survey on the City’s municipal plan review.

Kieley reiterated the importance of the plan to Mount Pearl’s future as she addressed her colleagues during last week’s public council meeting.

“It was previously advised that the request for proposals for the Municipal Plan Review and Renew, and that includes the Integrated Transportation Plan, which is very important, closed October 16, 2023, and the successful proponent of that of course was Tract Consulting,” Kieley reminded people watching the meeting. “And since they’ve been awarded the contract, they’ve been doing significant work around getting your information, your feedback, for a plan that is so important in relation to the formation, development, and planning of our city.”

Kieley said the response to a community survey was great and asked residents to keep the feedback coming.

“Response to the community survey has been astounding, we’ve had over 1,200 hard copies and over 600 online surveys completed through the ‘Plan the Pearl’ website, and we’re going to be preparing a second round of public engagement later this fall,” said Kieley.

The new municipal plan touches on everything from public transport to floor plans.

“These are things that are so important to the future of our city,” said Kieley. “And right now, you are developing (the city) by giving your input.”

Sagona Avenue business avails of City’s façade improvement program

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl council this week granted East Coast Hydraulics $9,000 to complete upgrades to the business’s exterior.

The Sagona Avenue business applied for funding through the City’s Façade Improvement Grant Program.

“The judging and selection committee has reviewed, scored, and evaluated each application based on the project criteria and the submission criteria,” said councillor Mark Rice. “The proposed project meets the project and submission criterion.”

East Coast Hydraulics employs more than 20 people and provides hydraulic design, fabrication, trouble shooting, maintenance, and sales of hydraulic hoses, fluids and equipment.

Through the City’s funding program, which was launched in 2019, businesses can apply for up to 50 percent of total project coasts to a maximum of $10,000. The money can be used for everything from exterior lighting and signage, to painting, installation of new doors and windows, outdoor patios, and more.

The motion to approve the application passed unanimously.

Other business incentives offered by the City include an energy efficiency grant and a scaled tax program for new businesses.

Parish grateful to be part of City’s community emergency centre service

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl this week approved a $5,000 donation request from Our Lady Queen of Families Parish – formerly St. Peter’s – for the installation of heat pumps in the church and parish hall to help establish a community emergency centre.

“We’ve just had the pumps put in the last few weeks,” said Father Wayne Dohey, who noted the church can accommodate well over 300 people in an emergency situation. “People can drop in and cool off, and then in the winter, if the power goes, they can come here to warm up.”

Prior to COVID, the church installed a generator, so that people can stay warm even in the event of a power outage.

Dohey said the parish is appreciative of the City’s donation, noting the provincial and federal governments have also pitched in over the years, in addition to donations from parishioners.

“We reached out to the City, because of course they have an emergency plan in place, and we want to let them know we want to be a part of that mission,” said Dohey. “It’s wonderful that the City, the parish, and the community can rally together, because it’s too late to start talking about emergency centres when the power goes in the middle of February. It’s too late to start talking about the heat in July. It’s intervention now that prevents chaos in the event of a future emergency.”

Dohey said the emergency shelter service is open to everyone in the community regardless of church membership or religion.

“We have a facility here that is less than 25 years old, it’s excellent for this service, and we will continue to improve upon it,” said the priest.

Dohey hopes to install showers and purchase pull-out cots in the future.

“You’re always building upon what you have, and hopefully improving to make the facility a better place,” he said.