Fry wants to put learning curve of first term to use with another mandate

By Chris Lewis|August 5, 2021

With one hectic term under her belt, Mount Pearl councillor Isabelle Fry is hoping to see herself seated in the City’s council chambers once again this fall.

Fry said it was an easy decision to run for council the first time four years ago, fuelled by one thing: a hope of helping the people of her city.

That proved to be enough for voters, who provided her with her first four years of political experience. Since then, Fry said, she has learned more about municipal government than she could have ever hoped and is eager to put that knowledge to use with a second term.

She described her first term on council as a big learning curve, with something new added to her plate regularly.

“I thought I did, but I truly had no idea what (being a councillor) would be like. It’s a lot of work, but it is so incredibly rewarding, more so than I ever imagined,” Fry said. “That’s the biggest reason why I want to run again, because you really are in a position to help people and make a difference. You get to meet so many amazing people and do so many amazing things. For me, it’s been a gift.”

Fry laughed as she recalled the first time she met with the rest of council. They were each asked to compile a list of things they hoped to accomplish. When it was tallied,

they found their list had accumulated to a cost of $375-million.

The City’s annual budget is about $50-million.

That was a big eye opener, said Fry, and she realized the importance of prioritizing projects and ideas, and just how much planning has to go into things.

“It’s easy to sit back and say, ‘We need this, and that, and that, and that,’ but then to try and come up with the means for it? Suddenly you’re asking what things you’re willing to give up for that other thing. You have to mix and match, be creative, learn to lobby government … It’s an incredible process, but one that takes a lot of attention.”

As chairperson of the finance committee, Fry brought down the City’s budget this year. She is happy that council was able to lower taxes.

“In a year when people needed it the most, our council agreed that people come first,” she said. “People struggled a lot this year, people were laid off, and if there was ever a time to give back to the people, this was it. That, to me, is what municipal government is all about: taking care of the people.”

Fry said she is excited about the recently announced community centre: something the City badly needs, she added, especially for groups such as the Association for the Arts and the Mount Pearl Independent Seniors group.

“We’re so fortunate to have groups like this here in our City,” said Fry. “This community centre is, to me, the essence of what our community spirit invokes. It makes me very excited. Yes, at the end of the day you need to have things like sustainable infrastructure, and water and sewer services, and those are things that need to be invested in. But those are things that you can’t always see. People take them for granted. But equally as important is our people, and that’s what got me into municipal government in the first place: being able to make a difference for the people. I love it.”

Aker aims to hold line on taxes, strive for economic growth in second term

By Chris Lewis | July 29, 2021

With municipal elections set for Sept. 28, Mount Pearl Mayor Dave Aker is hoping to see himself reinstated for a fourth term on council and second as mayor.

With 12-years on council under his belt, Aker said he is pleased with the work he has seen accomplished in Mount Pearl, and eager to see it continue.

Aker said he does not see the City as having unfinished business, but is instead looking forward to Mount Pearl’s continued improvement.

Aker’s four years as mayor have been challenging at times. His term included the record-setting snowfall the province was faced with in 2019, and of course the COVID-19 pandemic that changed the way we live as a whole. Aker also inherited what became a challenging situation in the decision by a committee of the previous council to hire former MHA and councillor Steve Kent to the role of Chief Administrative Officer of the City. Kent and the City eventually parted ways in a messy firing-cum-resignation that also cost the chamber two councillors, who were accused of breaking conflict of interest rules in their communications with Kent.

Aker has spent the interim period managing a smaller council and working to show council business is still being done in the wake of the controversy involving Kent.

While not eager to revisit the turmoil of those months, Aker has no trouble talking about the city’s other challenges, such as Snowmageddon and Covid.

“Our residents were kept safe during those times, and we’ve had to work closely with our staff and employees throughout,” he said. “We’re coming out of it all now, and I do truly believe the future is bright in the City of Mount Pearl. We’re not tired or fatigued. When we look at what we’ve accomplished during the most challenging of times, we’re looking forward to what we’ll be able to do now once the pandemic and everything else is behind us. But if not, we’ll be ready in case it breaks out again.”

He is hopeful that residents will see a return to normalcy as early as late 2021 or early 2022.

“We’ll hopefully see things like the Frosty Festival return, along with City Days and other celebrations like that,” Aker noted. “For example, our Summit Centre. We’ll see restrictions lifted and more people will be able to go swimming. With that, day camps should also be back, as well.”

Meanwhile, maintaining a line on taxes will continue to be a priority. “There’s not a thirst in our city for an increase in taxes, certainly, so the best thing we can do is hold the line, especially coming out of the pandemic,” he said. “We want residents to have a chance for their incomes to rebound. We’ll do that by keeping a tight control over our expenditures.”

Aker said the time has come to focus on dealing with demographic challenges that come with an aging population.

“We intend to do that using some of the funding we can leverage from the provincial and federal governments, as well as some of the City’s money,” he said.

If re-elected, Aker also intends to maintain his support for development of the arts, and economic development.

“I’ve got to be honest, we’re really focused on making sure we keep our momentum on economic development. We’re focusing on attracting new businesses, and I think that’s a part of the key to our success in the long run,” he said.

Looking back over his past 12 years on council, Aker said there has been a development towards all municipalities in the region acting more cooperatively and cohesively. Still, his focus, he said, will always be on the people living in Mount Pearl.

“We love welcoming people from outside of the city, but we want to make sure we serve our residents first with the same high quality services that we’ve established here,” said Aker. “At the end of the day, growth in the Avalon is probably going to be low going forward, but Mount Pearl has plenty of opportunities for growth. I’ll continue to push for that in areas like Northlands and the Kenmount Road lands. You have to be true to your residents, and make sure they’re getting the value and services they deserve. That’s the experience I bring to the table.”

Antle hoping for re-election in Mount Pearl

By Chris Lewis | July 29, 2021

With one term on council under his belt, Bill Antle says he still has something to contribute and wants to see Mount Pearl continue on the right path.

“Four years ago, I thought I could give back to the city, and I still think I have a lot to offer,” Antle said. “Mount Pearl has done so much for me and my family, I thought this was a good way to give back.”

Antle, a former district sales manager for Heinz Canada, is retired and says he has plenty of time to dedicate himself to bettering the city.

On Antle’s to-do list are three major categories: economic growth, municipal services, and recreation. His priority, he said, is to keep taxes low, and services high.

Those are things he heard from residents as he went door to door back in 2017 and they haven’t changed.

“Mount Pearl is experiencing solid growth – even in these unprecedented times – in both Donovan's and the retail sector as a result of our continued efforts to attract and retain business,” he said. “This will strengthen our tax base, and allow us to improve municipal services and provide employment opportunities right here in our community.”

Antle acknowledged some people’s frustration with government processes and said if he’s re-elected he hopes to “cut through the red tape” as much as possible, and see things done quicker and more efficiently.

But most residents are generally be satisfied with the services provided by the City, he said. He added his job as a councillor is to ensure those services are always there, and that they continue to improve as time goes on.

“There’s not too many issues really,” he said. “Maintaining our snow clearing is important, our trails are second to none, our recreation services can always be improved. That’s all of what I hear, but most people just want to make sure our taxes remain low.”

Looking back at the past four years, Antle said he is proud of the work council has accomplished.

“It’s all about listening to what the people want,” he said. “Before I was a councillor, I was sometimes frustrated with these little things, but they’ve only improved. We take care of things, and make sure it all runs smoothly. That’s what I hope to keep doing here.”

Locke hopes to continue focusing his 'green lens'

By Chris Lewis | July 22, 2021

A familiar face will be back on the municipal ballot in Mount Pearl this September.

For the last 14-years, Jim Locke has served as a member of Mount Pearl City council, including most recently as Deputy Mayor, and when occasion warrants, as Acting Mayor.

Oddly enough, Locke first entered the political realm almost on a whim. He admits local politics was not on his radar at the time, but was told by a friend that he would make a good fit for council during a byelection back in 2007.

After mulling it over with his wife, Locke decided to it might be a worthwhile endeavour.

“It was very heart warming to see all the support that would come in, even back then,” Locke said.

Now, 14-years later, Locke is able to look back on many things the various incarnations of council have accomplished over the years. That, and his evergreen to-do list, are two of the main reasons he’s decided to run again, he says.

“My mantra is ‘thoughts become things,’ said Locke. “Anything that has been developed, someone had to think that up at one time. So, it’s just very rewarding to have seven people around the council table having such a great influence on the direction our city will take. The question is always, how do we better the City of Mount Pearl? I may come up with an idea first, suggest it, and at the end of the day with my council colleagues, the final idea that comes off the table is a modified version that stems from everyone’s perspective.”

Locke said one of the biggest lessons he’s learned on council is that in general no change is immediate. Some initiatives he likened to the planting of a seed, needing time and commitment to fully blossom.

And there are still plenty of projects in the hopper that he would like to see come to fruition.

Locke said there is a sense of pride and commitment to the place he lives.

“The heart of Mount Pearl is the sense of community living,” he said. “People look out for one another. Growing up, my parents did a wonderful job of raising us, but they didn’t do it alone. It was the community at large that did it. Growing up playing sports, being involved in the scouting program, all those things were possible because at the time they were run by volunteers. People in the community, out of the goodness of their heart, built the city from the ground up.”

Locke said his two sons, who now have children of their own, grew up in a similar environment and reaped the benefits of Mount Pearl’s community spirit. Now, he hopes to see his grandchildren afforded the same opportunities. He wants to use his position on council to ensure all families in the city have the same opportunities to enjoy life.

Locke says he is also happy to have provided council with “ a green lens” over the course of the last 14 years. When a decision is made regarding a project, he explained, there are usually three ways to look at the cost: the financial cost, the social cost, and the environmental cost.

“I feel like I’ve brought a little more emphasis on that environmental cost,” he said.

Locke is particularly proud that Mount Pearl residents now use far less water per capita than when he started on council. Back then, the City was often referred to as a ‘water hog’ due to the amount of water residents purchased from the regional water supply – some eight billion litres annually.

Thanks to the purchase of a water correlator, the City was able to discover a number of leaks in its water system. Mount Pearl has since managed to reduce its water consumption on a yearly basis by nearly half, and continues to make use of its correlator to address other water issues.

Although the correlator cost about $40,000 at the time, it has gone on to save the city much more than that in water consumption costs all while reducing Mount Pearl’s impact on the environment.

Locke said the City has had other accomplishments that people may not be fully aware of such as the purchases of electric and hybrid vehicles for city staff, the urban renewal and forestry initiative, and even the purchase of a wood chipper that helps rejuvenate the forests while reducing diesel fuel consumption by shipping less wood down to the Robin Hood Bay landfill.

“It’s really been an honour to serve, and I’ve loved it for these past 14 years,” Locke said. “I’m looking forward to the next council, and hopefully I’m able to work together with them to keep bringing these opportunities to the city.”

Old Placentia Road getting new asphalt

By Chris Lewis | July 22, 2021

Mount Pearl City council has approved a contract to  give part of Old Placentia Road a facelift. Council approved the nearly half a million dollars worth of work during its July 13 meeting.

Deputy Mayor Jim Locke presented the recommendation from the City’s infrastructure and public works committee to accept the lowest bid, which came from Modern Paving Ltd, in the amount of $461,840 including HST.

Locke said there are two distinct sections of work being completed. The first stretches from Richard Nolan Drive to Emerald Drive and Murley Drive, consisting of milling and paving along each driving lane in that 600-square metre area. That, he said, comes out to about 325-tonnes of surface asphalt.

“It also involves the removal and replacement of certain sections of our curb, gutter and sidewalk,” he added.

In turn, this means the work will include the application of an asphalt tack coat, leveling course coat, the adjustment and replacement of manholes, catch basins, ditch inlets, valve chambers, and water main valves.

Essentially, he said, this basically includes the entirety of the street infrastructure.

“We’re going to do the full meal deal here,” he said.

The second section of work runs from Emerald Drive and Murley Drive, down Old Placentia Road to the Commonwealth Road intersection. This also includes some mill and fill with asphalt in certain areas.

No blocks on your crosswalk? Here's why, says council

By Chris Lewis | July 8, 2021

The City is looking for more answers regarding their crosswalks.

During the most recent Mount Pearl City council meeting on Tuesday, June 29, councillor Bill Antle spurred a discussion regarding the City’s crosswalks, which he says have been a point of contention for many residents who have reached out to him.

The number one question he said he has heard on the subject is when exactly crosswalks in the City will be finished and painted, noting that in some areas there is naught but two white lines with nothing filled in to signify it as a proper crosswalk.

Deputy Mayor Jim Locke stated that painting had been done on the City’s rainbow crosswalks. As for the two solid line issue, Locke said that is something they had done in years past as well, deciding against using the regular crosshatch design seen on other regular crosswalks.

This, he said, was a cost-saving measure and was a standard practice country-wide.

Antle was still concerned about the crosswalk located along Park Avenue, where the trail intersects with Park Place.

“There’s only two white lines there and residents tell me it’s hard to see with the lights flashing,” Antle said.

This is something Locke felt would be appropriate to bring back to the City’s public works committee.

Mayor Dave Aker chimed in as well, suspecting there was a little more to the double line crosswalk issue.

“My understanding was when you cross a road that is perpendicular to an intersection, it’s just the white lines,” he said. “But, when you traverse a major road, quite often the blocks are put there.”

As such, Antle felt as though this particular crosswalk at the very least needed those crosshatch blocks, to which Locke agreed would be brought back to the committee for further review and discussion.

Aker also highlighted a crosswalk at the corner of Smallwood Drive that had the blocks instead of just two white lines, furthering his earlier point.

Locke stated the next meeting of the committee would be held on the following day, June 30, at which point the department would take a closer look at some of the crosswalks.

Mount Pearl City Days a go

By Chris Lewis | July 8, 2021

City Days are a go in Mount Pearl.

The future of various celebratory events in the province are still up for discussion in many cases as the restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic remain in effect to a certain extent.

In the City of Mount Pearl however, things are looking up for those looking to get active during this summer season.

Although the City’s Memorial Day celebrations had to take a bit of a virtual spin this year, City Days are - as of now - going ahead to a certain degree as councillor Isabelle Fry detailed during the most recent meeting of City council.

“A lot of people have been asking about that,” she said. “We’re planning some activities, but unfortunately we can’t do the full scale that we’re accustomed to. But, we are still going to celebrate.”

While it may be a little different this year, City Days in Mount Pearl have a full list of things to do in and around Mount Pearl during the week of July 16.

Fry said the full schedule will hopefully include something for everyone.

The week kicks off with a senior’s social on July 16, followed by a family drive-in movie that night hosted at the Glacier Arena.

A “princess and superhero” picnic breakfast for youth will take place the following morning at St. David’s Park.

Also on the 17th, residents can expect Centennial Square to be quite an active place. Named “Find Your Centre Day,” The City is planning a day full of live entertainment, food trucks, and sidewalk sales for residents and visitors alike, where they can also learn more about Mount Pearl’s centre city revitalization plan.

Later that night, Centennial Park will be lit up in plenty of colours for a “Pride in the Park” which will feature a drag performance from drag queen Shea Muah.

Bringing the events to a close, July 18 will begin with an afternoon tea event for senior’s at the Admiralty House Gardens, and a drive-in bingo game that afternoon starting at 4:00 in the Glacier parking lot.

“We still have lots to celebrate, and we’re looking forward to seeing residents out and about enjoying it in a safe manner,” Fry said.

Mount Pearl commends former councillor Lucy Stoyles

By Chris Lewis | July 8, 2021

Former councillor, and current MHA, Lucy Stoyles got a bit of recognition from Mount Pearl city council this past week.

Council members in the City of Mount Pearl got together in the council chambers again for the first time since January on Tuesday, June 29, having done most meetings virtually via Zoom. This meeting, however, came with a guest appearance by a familiar face: Lucy Stoyles, who had served as a member of City council for some 25-years prior to being elected to the position of MHA for Mount Pearl-Southlands.

Stoyles’ presence at council this night was not necessarily as an MHA, though. She was there on the 29th following an invitation from council, who had a plaque prepared for her in recognition for her lengthy service on council.

Stoyles was first elected to the council chambers in 1996 during a by-election, and was commended for her longevity and lifetime’s worth of effort by Mayor Dave Aker that night as he looked around the chambers to see Stoyles’ face on a number of pictures hung on the wall featuring City counicls of the past.

“Serving is not just here in the Chamber … Some of the work is done here, but much of it is done typically behind the scenes at public and private events,” Aker said of Stoyles’ work as a councillor. “We’re so proud of you, MHA Stoyles.”

Stoyles herself took some time during the evening to speak to her time on council, which she referred to as something of a family setting for her at this point. She said she spent all those years looking forward to making an appearance in the council chambers on Tuesday nights.

With municipal elections coming up, Stoyles said she had met and spoken to a number of people who were thinking about running for City council in September. To those people, Stoyles had a few words of wisdom.

“I always send them to Mona (Lewis) first. She’s the person to talk to about getting involved in public life,” Stoyles said, commending the work of the City clerk with whom she worked closely with during her municipal career.

“If you think you can do this, well, if you want it you can. But you’ve got to work at it. You can’t just put your name on a ballot and think it’s going to happen. This is time consuming, and is something where you’ve got to give it your all. The best person for anyone to go to is not actually me, it’s Mona. She will be able to give people all the information they need.”

Stoyles was presented with a plaque from council that night.

That plaque read “In recognition of your noteworthy accomplishments and advocacy, spanning 25-years, which contributed to improving Mount Pearl for all who live and work here with a strong sense of home. Thank you for your dedication to further building our progressive, independent City.”

Football legend Herb Jenkins honoured by MPSA

By Chris Lewis | June 10, 2021

The Mount Pearl Soccer Association has a new lifetime member – Newfoundland soccer standout Herb Jenkins.

Jenkins’s passion for soccer dates back more than six decades. The Mount Pearl resident was introduced to the sport playing pickup games on the streets with his friends, before graduating to all star status with the Guards soccer organization in the 1960s, playing on both junior and senior teams and even serving as captain with some gold medal winning squads in the Provincial Junior Soccer Tournaments of 1964 and 1968.

After his playing days were over, Jenkins carved a second career in soccer as a coach and official. He taught referee clinics in Mount Pearl throughout the 1970s and went on to become the first person in Newfoundland to be named a national referee after taking a refereeing course in England, taught by World Cup soccer officials.

While he started his soccer playing career in St. John’s, Jenkins later became synonymous with the development of the sport in Mount Pearl.

“I took teams from Mount Pearl across Canada, playing in different provinces, brought them over to England and Wales … I’ve been everywhere, man,” Jenkins said, jokingly referring to the Hank Snow classic country song.

Jenkins’ U-12 and U-16 Mount Pearl teams won provincial and Atlantic championships. He also managed the Newfoundland team that played in the 1981 Canada Games, held in Ontario.

“I just really love the sport. Just absolutely love it,” Jenkins said.

Although Jenkins has been inducted into Halls of Fame in the past, he said the event held on June 3rd to induct him into the Mount Pearl Soccer Association as a life member was one of the most humbling events of his life.

“I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it,” Jenkins said, adding how impressed and honoured he was by the recognition.

Aker outlines future 'City Centre' during Mayor's Outlook

By Chris Lewis | June 10, 2021

Mount Pearl Mayor Dave Aker provided residents with an outlook on the City’s future this past week.

The annual presentation, offered this year online instead of in-person because of Covid-19 restrictions, was hosted, as usual, by the Mount Pearl - Paradise Chamber of Commerce.

Aker said the city’s strategic plan had to be adapted over the past two years to deal with the unique challenges posed by the pandemic.

“As we continue to do things differently, health and safety remain paramount,” Aker said. “We continue to guide our decisions and planning for the future with these considerations top of mind.”

The mayor made clear the City is still committed to ‘digital transformation.’ This includes the rolling out of new payroll, taxation, utility billing, and accounts payable systems – all of which was being done by staff working from home.

He described the City as becoming a more connected and accessible organization.

Over the next year, Aker added, the City hopes to work toward an improved permitting software and asset management system.

Another item in the strategic plan, Aker noted, is citizen engagement.

“We actively participated in food drives and fundraisers, and continued our investments in community groups and associations,” Aker said. “The business community supported essential (Covid testing) workers who stood on the front lines in our city, providing meals and snacks to those workers in true Newfoundland and Labrador winter conditions.”

This year, a citizen engagement platform titled “Hey Mount Pearl” was launched, which got a warm reception, he added. It gave residents a chance to provide feedback on initiatives such as the City centre revitalization plan, and the 2021 budget.

The City’s urban forestry plan, Aker reported, was also a success last year, resulting in the planting of more trees. Over the course of this summer, he said, the City will spend some $100,000 on tree planting.

After consulting the general public, Aker said, the City found its residents desiring more places to enjoy the outdoors. That resulted in trail lighting for Power’s Pond, and a focus put on grooming trails throughout the winter.

“We’ve also been focused on reducing energy consumption, both to support our climate change action plan, and to decrease our overall electricity costs,” Aker said.

From this, the City has projected some $70,000 being saved in electricity costs –something he sees as a major positive in the face of increased costs to come once Muskrat Falls comes onstream.

‘Find Your Centre’ is another initiative Aker touted. In recognition that change is happening, Aker described a slowing in the city’s population growth compared to previous years and an increase in the average age of its citizens – a challenge faced by the entire province.

As well, Aker said, economic and business activity has shifted with the boom and bust of the oil industry. The City’s strategic plan is meant to address those challenges.

The Find Your Centre project will, Aker said, set the stage for the revitalization of Mount Pearl’s core over the next two or three decades.

“It’s a long-term vision that outlines strategies for public and private real investment that will encourage the city’s centre to grow and thrive well into the future,” Aker said.

The plan is rooted in what he described as the three Rs: recreation, relaxation, and retail and will promote developments that encompass those three ideas.

“While conceptual, this framework will inform and guide decision making in future development in the city’s centre,” said Aker. “In turn, this will ensure the city’s centre becomes and remains a distinct core that contributes to a rich quality of life, a strong sense of place and a prosperous economy.”

A concept model of the future City centre will be on display at City Hall in the coming months, he said.