City makes good on commitment

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl has made good on a commitment to connect an existing stormwater system to the Glencoe Road system.

Councillor Bill Antle, during a public meeting earlier this month, explained that in 2017, the City entered into an easement and access agreement with Sea-Force Technologies Inc., at 60-62 Glencoe Drive. The city required an easement on a portion of the property for the purpose of rerouting an existing storm water system in the rear of the property.

In December of 2023, the City granted Parts for Trucks a development permit for the property. That permit outlined the City’s responsibility to carry out the work necessary to supply and install piping of the swale and/or storm water system in the easement area and feed into the existing piped storm system on Glencoe Drive.

Four companies bid on the work, and staff recommended that council award the contract to Modern Paving for the amount of up to $195,300, plus HST.

This senior has real distinction

Linda Ryan was one of nine people recognized as a 2024 Senior of Distinction. With Ryan are Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, Paul Pike (left) and Premier Andrew Furey.

By Mark Squibb

Linda Ryan of Mount Pearl was one of nine people recognized by the province as a Senior of Distinction at an award ceremony held in St. John’s earlier this month.

“I was excited, thrilled, delighted, humbled, and most of all, honoured,” said Ryan, who quipped that she still finds it hard to wrap her head around the fact she’s now a senior. “But it was really lovely to be in the room that morning with all those seniors from across the province that have accomplished so much and volunteered their precious time. I’ve said before that as we age, our time is so precious, and to be able to volunteer, and to be appreciated for the work that we do, is pretty special.”

Ryan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. Following her diagnosis, she funnelled her time and energy into helping others facing similar diagnoses, and in 2011, Pink Days in Bloom was born.

“Pink Days in Bloom initiative is a way for me to give back, and the whole idea behind it is to uplift others on their cancer journey,” said Ryan. “And I felt the best way to give back was to support the important work of Daffodil Place. They do a lot of incredible work. Everybody calls it a home away from home. So, all the fundraisers I’ve done over the last several years fully support Daffodil Place.”

Ryan estimates that Pink Days in Bloom has raised about a quarter of a million dollars for Daffodil Place through different fundraising events, such as the annual “Socks in the City” Christmas market.

Vendors at the fair pick up the tab for a night at Daffodil Place, including one night accommodation for a cancer patient and their companion, three meals a day, transportation to-and-from medical appointments, entertainment, and more. Ryan receives donations of handknits from across the province, and 100 percent of proceeds from the knitted donations are donated to Daffodil Place, and money raised by entry fees and raffle tickets also go towards Daffodil Place.

Pink Days in Bloom also organizes Teacups for Hope and the Comfort and Joy Auction, amongst other initiatives, all in support of Daffodil Place.

This year’s event will be held at the Glendenning Golf Club on Sunday, November 3.

Last year’s “Socks in the City” event raised some $16,000 — or 160 nights stay at Daffodil Place for cancer patients and their loved ones.

“There’s a saying that you can’t spell ‘community’ without ‘unity’,” said Ryan. “While it’s true that an individual can’t help everyone, an individual can help someone.”

Ryan has received numerous other accolades in recognition of her volunteer efforts over the years, including Canada’s Volunteer Award for Community Leaders (Atlantic Region), the Sovereign Medal for Volunteers, the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, the Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from Rotary International.

Council sees the funding for the trees

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl has begun the application process for federal funding to plant more trees around town.

Councillor Chelsea Lane, during the October 1 public meeting, said the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) has a $291 million initiative called Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) that supports planting trees across the country in an effort to fight climate change.

The GCCC program will cover half the cost of tree planting projects, and so staff recommended council apply for $400,000 worth of work.

The City’s portion, $200,000, will be budgeted for in Budget 2025 and work will be carried out in 2025-26 in the area of Old Placentia Road  from Sagona Avenue to Ruth Avenue and Richard Nolan Drive to Commonwealth Avenue should the application be successful.

“I just want to say, I am so pleased with this,” said councillor Isabelle Fry. “For staff to find this funding that gives us ‘50-cent dollars’ is fantastic. This is going to save us money in the long run, and I think this is a great opportunity to enhance our city and carry out our Urban Forestry Plan.”

Councillor Jim Locke also applauded the motion.

“I don’t know the exact quote, but it goes something like, ‘Someone sits under the shade of a tree today because someone planted that tree years ago,’” said Locke. “This City in 30 years, because of this tree-planting initiative, is going to be absolutely spectacular. I may not be around to sit under the shade of the trees, but my grandchildren certainly will be.”

Staff were authorized to proceed with the pre-application process ahead of the October 1 public meeting to meet the October 15 deadline, and so council ratified the decision at its public meeting.

Three Marketing Canada Awards for the City of Mount Pearl

The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) awarded the City of Mount Pearl three Marketing Canada Awards for the City’s ‘Come to Life’ resident attraction campaign at a ceremony held in Edmonton earlier this month. The campaign promoted Mount Pearl as a vibrant and welcoming community in which to live, and earned awards in Advertising Campaign, Website, and Video categories. From left are Manager of Economic Development and Housing Jeremy Schwartz, councillor Chelsea Lane, and Director of Corporate Services Cassie Rideout, who were on hand in Edmonton to accept the awards. City of Mount Pearl photo

Job Fair

Hundreds of folks, many of them immigrants or high school students, dropped by the Reid Community Centre last Thursday for the Mount Pearl - Paradise Chamber of Commerce Job Fair. Some 28 employers, including the City of Mount Pearl, Town of Paradise, Marie’s Mini Mart, and PAL Airlines, manned booths and spoke with potential future employees. Shelly England, Career Development Officer with Trades NL, an umbrella labour organization representing 14 different local trades unions, said she was happy to see so many young people from nearby schools expressing an interest in trades. Sgt. Sarah Parkes and Cpl. Michael Halitzki with the 37 Canadian Brigade Group also spoke with the students and job seekers. Mark Squibb photos

Mount Pearl in line for $5.3 million

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl has accepted over $5.3 million in federal funding spread out over a five-period.

The funds come courtesy of the Canada Community-Building Fund Agreement (formerly the gas tax), a federal funding program aimed at helping communities improve all manner of infrastructure, from roads to recreation facilities.

The City will receive $1,028,457 in 2024-2025, $1,071,309 in both 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, and $1,114,161 in both 2027-2028, for a total of $5,399,397.

Funding is based on census data, and a second round of funding (2029-2034) will be determined based on the 2026 census.

“What struck me with this item is that our disbursements and the amounts we receive are contingent on our census data,” said councillor Jim Locke. “And I know the City of Mount Pearl, through our strategic plan, is all about intensification, and we are proactively trying to recruit and attract new residents to the City of Mount Pearl, and this is the reason here. Our population has been declining over the last number of census periods — I think about two percent over the last census period — so, the loss of population will impact the amount of money we receive under this agreement. So, I just wanted to highlight the reason for being proactive in intensification and trying to attract more people to our fine City. It does have financial implications for funding activities like this.”

The funds are first dispersed to the provincial government and then allocated to municipalities by the Province.

Mount Pearl writes off $24,700 in unpaid fees

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl City Council has voted to write off $24,797 in unpaid business fees that staff have deemed uncollectible.

Councillor Mark Rice explained that staff had reviewed the outstanding accounts for seven commercial businesses amounting to the above balance and recommend council write off the balance as all collection efforts had been exhausted.

Council unanimously approved the motion with no further discussion.

The amounts range from $385 to $9,155 per business.

More work on Holden Street

by Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl council earlier this month approved major upgrades along Holden Street, including the full replacement of water, sanitary and storm, asphalt, curb and sidewalk and the full replacement of the sanitary and storm easement between Holden Street, Ingerman Street and Farrell Drive.

The request for proposals closed on June 26 and staff received three submissions. The engineering committee recommend council approve CBCL Limited for the work for the bid amount of $341,596, HST included.

“The poor people of Farrell Drive,” mused Mayor Dave Aker. “This will be their third summer (of construction). I really want to say I appreciate the asset management perspective of council, but I must say, we appreciate the patience of the residents. But you know, when it’s all said it done, it’s like councillor (Isabelle) Fry says, you don’t remember when Commonwealth Avenue was done, but it was.”

This piece of work should mark the completion of work along Farrell Drive.

Council also approved an additional $12,926, HST included, worth of work related to the 2024 Asphalt and Concrete Service contract.

That contract, valued at $528,791, HST included, was awarded to Dexter Construction earlier this year.

The monies are to cover the cost of additional excavation and other miscellaneous items.

Both motions were approved unanimously.

Family grateful for support when they really needed it

Members of Mount Pearl City Council were joined by former Candlelighters President Wendy Chaulk and son Andrew Chaulk on September 17 to proclaim September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Former Mount Pearl resident Wendy Chaulk served as president of the organization for a decade following her son’s cancer diagnosis in 1997.Chaulk said she was overwhelmed by the support her family received during her son’s cancer treatment. From left are councillors Isabelle Fry, Chelsea Lane, Jim Locke, Mayor Dave Aker, Andrew Chaulk, Wendy Chaulk, Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, and councillors Bill Antle and Mark Rice. Mark Squibb photo

‘Mount Pearl is the very best community in the province for community spirit’

By Mark Squibb

Former Mount Pearl resident Wendy Chaulk can still vividly remember the day her son Andrew was diagnosed with cancer.

“When a doctor looked at me and told me that my son had a sizeable brain tumor, and that he had a 50 percent chance of living, it was jarring, it was shocking, and it was scary,” said Chaulk. “And for many parents, this is their reality.”

That was in 1997. Andrew was a student at Park Avenue Elementary and member of the Mount Pearl Blades hockey team, a regular kid facing an imposing foe.

Andrew, now 38 and cancer-free, joined his mother Wendy, who served as president of the Candlelighters Association of Newfoundland and Labrador for 10 years following Andrew’s cancer diagnosis, in council chambers earlier this month to help the City of Mount Pearl proclaim September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

“We are so grateful that we were residents of the City of Mount Pearl because let me tell you, it took about three or four months to get through the meals in our freezer,” said Chaulk. “And that’s important… I’ve never gotten that community feeling in St. Johns, which is where I grew up… I think Mount Pearl is the very best community in the province for community spirit.”

Chaulk’s presentation resonated with Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, who was struck by a vehicle and severely injured last May.

“My journey did not include cancer, but it certainly included a day when, like you said, everything stopped,” said Kieley. “And you don’t realize the support you need from your community until something is right at your doorstep.”

Kieley along with other members of council, commended Chaulk and her family for not only enduring their hardship, but for helping others endure hardships through their many years of volunteering with the Candlelighters Association.

Councillor Jim Locke, who taught Andrew in high school, also spoke highly of the family, and of Andrew in particular.

“Andrew never asked for special treatment,” said Locke. “He worked his buns off. He didn’t want to be acknowledged and didn’t want to stand out. He was just a regular student in class. He persevered. He asked questions when he needed to. And I remember him having a wry sense of humour.”

Chaulk recalled the various challenges her family faced during Andrew’s treatment, including the impact of treatment on his overall health.

She said in some instances, the cure can also be a curse.

“As they age out of the Janeway and into the adult system, they have special needs, because the radiation and the chemo cause damage,” said Chaulk. “The radiation affects cognitive ability and reduces it in some areas.”

Chaulk, who with her husband also helped run the Children’s Cancer Camp during their tenure with the Candlelighters, recalled meeting with members of school staff, such as Locke, ahead of each new school year to discuss Andrew’s condition.

“I met with the teachers and with the school every September until Andrew graduated, and every year they took time to sit with me and give me a path,” said Chaulk. “We focused on the areas he was strong in and as a community we got him through. And so, these are the little things that don’t seem that important, but they really are.”

As per the City’s proclamation, there are about 10,000 children living with cancer in Canada today, and each year about 1,600 new cases are diagnosed, over 25 of which are children living in this province.

Despite a nearly 75 percent cure rate, childhood cancer is responsible for more deaths among Canadian children than any other disease.