City hoping for Indigenous mural

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl is inviting Indigenous artists with a connection to any Indigenous community within the province to submit expressions of interest to design and create a permanent mural to be displayed at the Centennial Park stage next to City Hall.

“We are honoured to provide a space where Indigenous voices, stories, and creativity can be celebrated and shared with the entire community,” said Mayor Dave Aker.

Councillor Mark Rice said that he as well was pleased with the decision.

“This initiative is part of our commitment to truth and reconciliation and reflects our intent to create more inclusive, public spaces that recognise and celebrate Indigenous culture and presence,” said Rice.

Full details are available on the City’s website.

Submissions are due August 8.

Junior Constables hit the streets of Mount Pearl

Mount Pearl Superintendent of Municipal Enforcement Blair Tilley, left, spent a day this month serving with Junior Constables Saira Jitthu and Vlad Terekhov, and RNC Inspector Steve Knight, right, as part of the Mount Pearl Crime Prevention Committee’s Officer for a Day Program. Mark Squibb photo

By Mark Squibb

Vlad Terekhov of Mary Queen of the World and Saira Jitthu of Morris Academy have been named the RNC’s newest Junior Constables.

The two Grade 5 students earned the honour after being selected from among hundreds of students who participated in the Mount Pearl Citizens Crime Prevention Committee’s annual thank-you card competition.

The two spent the day of July 3 with real life RNC officers and Mount Pearl enforcement officers, and visited police facilities, met a police dog, learned how to use a speed gun, rode in a squad car, met with members of Mount Pearl council, and helped with an ATV patrol in Mount Pearl.

Both agree that meeting the police dog was probably their favourite part of the day.

“This type of activity inspires not just the police force, but the whole community,” said Constable James Cadigan. “It certainly shows the importance of community partnerships.”

Cadigan praised the youths for their creativity, awareness of local issues, and desire to help out.

“We certainly look forward to seeing what these young people bring to their community in years to come,” said Cadigan.

Canada Day in Mount Pearl

St. David’s Park was the place to be on Canada Day. Just ask little Charlie Drake, who brought her parents, Elise and Jay, out with her to enjoy the celebrations.

There were live musical performances, food vendors, bouncy castles, games, and more for folks of all ages to enjoy. From left, Yvonne Peddle, Amelia Hearn, Andrea Hearn, and Alaina Hearn, dressed to impress for Canada Day. Mark Squibb photos

Pole crash leads to hefty bill for City

By Mark Squibb

A traffic accident at the intersection of Richard Nolan Drive and Old Placentia Road has caused the City to cough up over $24,000 to replace a light pole.

Councillor Bill Antle brought forward a motion to do just that at council’s June 24 public meeting.

Harbourside Engineering Consultants assessed it and found the base structurally weak and in need of replacement after being struck by a vehicle.

Staff recommend council award the contract to Mallard Forestry Equipment in the amount of $24,124, HST included, for supply of a replacement Traffic Pole at the intersection.

As the contract does not cover the cost of installation, Mayor Dave Aker asked who would be installing the pole, noting the purchase of the pole itself was “only part of the conversation in terms of the overall cost.”

Aker also pointed out that Dexter Construction had recently installed a pole at intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Topsail Road.

Engineering director Scott Batt said he would have to look into the matter further.

The motion to purchase the light pole was approved unanimously.

City Hall gets clean bill of financial health from auditor

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl took in more money than it anticipated in 2024, as noted in a financial audit approved by council last week.

Staff budgeted $58.9 million in revenue in Budget 2024, compared to actual revenue of $63 million, an increase of about six percent.

Councillor Mark Rice explained the City recorded a higher than anticipated intake primarily due to the unexpected receipt of money through the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund program, which subsidizes the development of high-density housing. Those funds had not been anticipated during the budget planning process. Rice added that higher interest rates led to greater than expected revenue in the municipal sector.

Operating and capital expenditures, meanwhile, were consistent with budgeted expectations.

“It’s so pleasing to bring this audit in,” said Rice. “In 2024, the City continued to demonstrate strong financial stewardship, which is very, very important.”

Council Bill Antle, meanwhile, spoke highly of the City’s financial health.

“When we look at our finances, Mount Pearl is so well run,” said Antle. “Our debt servicing here in the City of Mount Pearl, I would venture to guess, is one of the lowest in the province. When we do things, we do it right. When we do anything in Mount Pearl, we ask, ‘Is it budgeted?’”

Mayor Dave Aker also praised the audit results.

“I think this is a real reflection on the great job that everybody in our City does in terms of managing expenditures,” said Aker. “Collection rates are extremely high. Revenues typically do not come in under budget, they come in slightly over, and we don’t want to take too much from a tax revenue point of view. Expenditure control is really good, and management of the working capital and cash resources is second to none.”

The audit, conducted by BDO, expressed no concerns of potential fraud risk, non-compliance, or poor financial management among City staff.

O’Donel student recognized with safety award

By Mark Squibb

Vanessa Earle of O’Donel High School has been named Workplace NL’s 2025 Safe Student.

Earle is known for her commitment to promoting mental wellbeing at her school and the larger community through initiatives such as creating personalized communication cards for non-verbal individuals.

Earle also teaches swimming lessons to people with special needs, prioritizing their safety through ongoing training in crisis prevention and intervention.

Earle was awarded $1,000 for the recognition.

In addition, Kris Brown, Vice Principal of A.P. Low Primary School in Labrador City, was named the Health and Safety Educator of the Year.

Manhole pipe replacement to cost $29K

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl council last week approved some additional work related to the construction of the new community centre at the Team Gushue Sports Complex.

Councillor Bill Antle explained the corrugated metal pipe between the manhole and existing storm manhole at the end of Emberley Place needs to be replaced. Staff recommended council approve the change order, which includes removal and disposal of the old pipe, and installation of the new pipe, at a cost of $29,134, HST included.

The motion was approved unanimously.

Council awarded a contract valued at $15.5 million for construction of the new community centre — set to replace the aging Park Place facility — to JMJ Holdings last June.

The new facility will boast a splash pad that can be transformed into an ice surface during the winter months and multi-purpose space capable of seating 500.

Construction is expected to be completed by early 2026.

Mount Pearl councillors applaud a new traffic calming policy

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl councillors last week approved a new traffic calming policy they hope will make it easier for residents to bring traffic concerns to the attention of City staff.

“The City of Mount Pearl’s Traffic Calming Policy has been developed in response to growing community concerns regarding vehicle speeding, shortcutting, and overall traffic safety in residential areas,” explained councillor Bill Antle. “Rooted in best practices from the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC), the policy provides a structured, transparent, and data-driven framework to assess and address traffic-related issues.”

Several councillors spoke in favour of the new policy.

“I’m so happy this is coming in, because we have got a speeding issue in the city,” said councillor Mark Rice, adding the policy will allow residents greater input into the City’s traffic calming.

“This is a direct endeavour to really support more safe streets, in a way in which people can talk about, highlight, or acknowledge where there are safety issues and speeding issues,” concurred Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, who pointed out further that not every issue will have the same solution.

“What I appreciate about this policy is that it’s flexible,” said Kieley. “It looks at every scenario in its own unique way, but first and foremost is safety.”

The deputy mayor said speeding remains a number one concern among residents.

Councillor Jim Locke praised the policy’s “systematic approach to issues.”

“It’s a very thorough policy, and as the deputy mayor indicated, there are different measures depending on the issues — speed bumps, speed humps, curve outs, all these different things, so this is a very systematic approach to assess the issue and then develop the appropriate measure.” said Locke.

Councillor Isabelle Fry, meanwhile, asked for clarification on how a resident would go about having a traffic concern addressed.

Scott Batt, Director of Engineering and Development, said the policy can be found on the City’s website or folks can pick up a hardcopy at City Hall. Once a resident submits a concern to the City, staff will follow up as per the new policy.

Councillor Chelsea Lane applauded the policy but contested the claim that Mount Pearl has a speeding issue.

“I don’t think, as a city as a whole, we have a speeding issue,” said Lane. “I think there are isolated areas in the city where speeding is more prevalent. But, as a whole, I don’t think we have any more of a speeding issue than any other municipality.”

Mayor Dave Aker meanwhile, noted the policy has technically been in effect for a time already but was only now being made available to the public.

Council approved the policy unanimously.

Grand opening for new Gloria Pearson playground

The City of Mount Pearl hosted a grand opening for the new Gloria Pearson playground last week, complete with free hot dogs and hamburgers for all. There was plenty to do and plenty of new playground equipment to play on, but sometimes the best thing to do is sit back and relax. Pictured is Jessica Rockwood and daughter Rosa doing just that.

Little Violet Humby enjoys the new playground equipment with parents Elizabeth and Damien. Mark Squibb photo

Locke named to national board

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl councillor Jim Locke has been elected as a Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) representative for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Locke was elected during at the FCM’s 2025 Annual Conference and Trade Show in Ottawa last month.

FCM members strive to shape national policy by advocating on behalf of municipal governments across the country.

Locke’s Mount Pearl council colleagues, several of whom also attended the conference, extended their congratulations and best wishes during last week’s public meeting.

Other local representatives include St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen, Paradise councillor Larry Vaters, and Amy Coady of Grand Falls-Windsor, who serves as FCM Vice-President at Large.