Blues named regional finalists for good deeds competition

By Chris Lewis | Feb. 18, 2021

The Mount Pearl City Tire Blues have passed the first qualifying round in the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup.

The promotion, in conjunction with Hockey Night in Canada, aims to take the sportsmanship and teamwork young athletes learn on the rink as hockey players and spread it beyond the ice and into their respective communities.

The winner of this national competition will receive a $100,000 donation to a charity of its choice.

The Mount Pearl City Tire Blues are one of 11 regional finalists announced this past weekend.

The recognition comes with a $2,000 donation to a charity of their choice, but the Blues hope to take it to the next level.

Last year, it was the Northeast Eagles from Torbay that came out of the Good Deeds Cup as champions after fundraising some $21,500 for the Rainbow Riders Therapeutic Riding Centre. Their success ultimately resulted in an extra $100,000 being donated to that charity.

Roary MacPherson, manager of the Blues, said the team has put a lot of thought into their pitch thus far, and it has clearly proven to be a solid plan.

He said the Blues players and parents recognized the mental health impacts that a pandemic like this, and the isolation that comes with it, can have on younger people.

“The common theme they brought up was just about having someone to talk to,” MacPherson said. “They said finding someone to talk to can be a bit of a challenge for young people sometimes. Some just don’t know where to go to find that, or not being comfortable talking to certain people in their lives.”

From there, he said they started doing a little research on the Kids’ Help Phone and found how beneficial it can be.

“They thought it was a great tool,” he said. “It gives a chance to talk for many kids, the majority of whom have cell phones these days.”

MacPherson said voting for the champion of the competition is continuing until Feb. 24. Anyone looking to vote can do so at www.chevroletgooddeedscup.ca.

Mount Pearl finds new "maestro" for City Hall

By Chris Lewis | Jan. 28, 2021

The City of Mount Pearl has officially replaced former Chief Administrative Officer Steve Kent.

Since September of 2020, the City has been carrying out the process of finding a new CAO with the help of recruitment firm Knightsbridge Robinson Surrette. This is due to the departure of Kent after an extensive human resources investigation, for which an appeal is still ongoing.

During Tuesday’s council meeting, councillor Bill Antle reported the City is hiring Dana Spurrell.

Antle said there was an extensive search carried out by the City, involving 150 applicants from across Canada, only a number of whom were met and interviewed by a selection committee of council members.

Spurrell is a former executive in the provincial government with over 25-years of experience, according to Antle.

“Her leadership, expertise and labour standards, labour relations, and workforce attraction will be instrumental in moving our City forward,” Antle said.

Deputy Mayor Jim Locke described it as a great day that added a sense of excitement throughout City Hall.

“Running a city is a collaborative process that requires teamwork, patience, and perseverance” Locke said. “One thing we do have here in this city, and around this table, is a high degree of teamwork and respect for each other. So, Dana is joining a very good team.”

Locke said that in recruiting a new CAO, the City was looking for two things: someone who is supportive and growth-oriented.

“We already have a good orchestra here, we just need a maestro to lead them in the right direction, and I think (Dana) is going to be the perfect maestro,” Locke added. “As we all know, the last two years have been challenges for the City, but we’re here to focus on the positive outlook today.”

Councillor Isabelle Fry said Spurrell’s “empowering approach to leadership” makes her the right choice for the City. Fry described the hiring process as gruelling and was happy to see an end result that everyone could agree on.

Mayor Dave Aker agreed the past two years brought unique challenges.

“No one person runs the entire show,” Aker said. “This is the entire Mount Pearl team here as we speak. The last 18-months have been a struggle, and yet we have delivered services in a way that only Mount Pearl can deliver them: according to our standards, but adapted to the circumstances. So, I give credit to all of our staff today.”

Aker thanked City Clerk Mona Lewis for stepping in to fill the void as acting CAO while the city conducted its candidate search.

“Throughout the storm that we experienced in the last 18-months, there was this calm leadership, this voice of honesty, integrity, and professionalism,” Aker said, referring to Lewis. “I sit here as a friend, and say thank you on behalf of all the citizens of Mount Pearl, as well as the council and your colleagues here at the table … You showed this council what we want and appreciate in a CAO.”

Blades peewee manager happy for chance to celebrate Minor Hockey Week

By Chris Lewis | Jan. 28, 2021

According to Mount Pearl Blade Minor Hockey Association volunteer Roary MacPherson, minor hockey programs in the community can do wonders for the youth.

MacPherson serves as team manager for the City Tire peewee team and has held that position for about three years.

He said that minor hockey organizations are beneficial to any community, as participation keeps young people active and introduces them to new hobbies and friends.

“It plays a big factor in how they progress into adulthood,” MacPherson said, as the Blades organization, likes minor hockey groups across the province, prepared to celebrate Minor Hockey Week last week. “They learn to play with a team. They develop and maintain really great friendships over the years, and it just teaches them so many important life skills: how to listen, how to show respect and how to put yourself in a position to get where you want to be.”

MacPherson said that many people like him volunteer for minor hockey teams because they love the sport. Another big motivator for him personally is that it’s a chance to spend time with his son Luke.

And he has seen the benefit of minor hockey in his son first hand, MacPherson said.

When he first got involved in hockey, MacPherson noted, Luke tried his best but was not immediately seeing the kind of results he wanted. But it didn’t take long before he started to see improvements, which MacPherson said teaches a valuable lesson for youth and adults.

“Seeing that kind of progression over the years, it makes you feel great because they feel great,” MacPherson said. “I’m a big believer in trying to improve upon everyone’s experience. My role as manager is to make sure every player on that team has the best year possible. On our team, we do our best to make every year one to remember.”

That beginning-to-end progression is what makes MacPherson so passionate about minor hockey in Mount Pearl.

“That’s something I’m happy to be a part of,” he said. “At the end of the year, when they see how much they’ve achieved and how much they’ve improved, it’s a great feeling for all of us.”

MacPherson said Covid19-related social distancing restrictions has had a big impact on minor hockey, even more so outside Newfoundland where some provinces have had to postpone play altogether.  

He applauded Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador's efforts, and the Mount Pearl Blades organization, for putting together this year’s COVID-19 plan for getting back on the ice.

“It’s not the way it was years past, when you’d go to the rink, and it would be packed,” MacPherson said. “This year, with the necessary restrictions, teams are going to look a bit different…Only two parents are allowed (in the rink) at a time. But, every coach and every manager is working hard to make sure we all follow the rules in this plan as we hopefully make some strides forward.”

Despite the circumstances, MacPherson said it’s good to see games going ahead in any capacity.

“Not all kids are into hockey or basketball, but as long as you can find an activity that a kid loves and enjoys playing, that’s a very important part of any young person’s life,” he said.

COVID-19 provided chance to run for PC candidate

By Chris Lewis | Jan. 21, 2021

Long-time Mount Pearl resident Cindy Grant is taking her first dive into politics with an optimistic attitude.

Grant has spent her entire life in and around Mount Pearl. She grew up and attended school in Mount Pearl and raised her children there. She now lives in adjacent South Brook and said she is exceptionally proud of the area.

Grant, who is running for the Progressive Conservatives in the District of Mount Pearl – Southlands, said she believes her personality is a good fit for the role, describing herself as a very outgoing person who is “always up for a chat.” She said many people know her for her distinct and robust voice.

Grant said that she has been doing her best to help people in and around the area for the last two decades, having dedicated herself to volunteerism.

“I just want to be the voice that people in our community can depend on and trust,” she said. “That’s why I decided to do it.”

Grant works in the airline industry, which has been facing some hardships over the last year due to COVID-19. It meant there was likely not going to be a better time for Grant to give politics a shot. It’s something she said she has wanted to do for quite a while.

“I said to myself, ‘Cindy, this is a sign — this is your chance to show everybody what you can do and what you’re made of.”

Grant said she has a deep love for the area and said the process for tackling its issues boils down to one tactic: listening to the people.

“I’ve been listening and solving problems for 14 years,” she said.

Grant said business development in the district needs a shot in the arm, arguing that constituents want to work where they live. That’s why job creation, one of the main planks of the PC platform, is so important, she argued. The concerns of rotational workers are an essential part of her campaign platform as well, she said. In her line of work, Grant said, she has spoken to many rotational workers and has become intimately familiar with their struggles, especially during the pandemic.

“Having to leave for months at a time to provide for their families, and then COVID-19 hit,” she said. “Watching what they had to deal with – flying in and out. But the way the government treated them during this pandemic, it’s literally heartbreaking … As far as I’m concerned, our rotational workers contribute a lot to our community and our economy. I really want to be their voice, because it’s something I feel I’d be fantastic at.”

Grant the PCs are ready to tackle such issues.

“We need to get to work and bring back jobs to our province and communities,” said Grant. “I absolutely believe in (the PC party). We have to improve our economy for our families and for the kids so that they can actually stay here and live secure lives.”

Grant said she will be hitting the streets and knocking on doors once her campaign literature is printed.

“I just want to encourage the people of Mount Pearl and Southlands to come forward to me with their issues and needs,” Grant said. “I’m a very one-on-one person, and I just hope that they feel as though they can reach out to me.”

Grant said she feels people want change in Newfoundland and Labrador. Although this may be a difficult time to hold an election, she said she feels the province is still in a pretty good place compared to other parts of the country. She applauded the efforts of Newfoundlanders for keeping COVID-19 numbers low.

Grant highlighted the critical role that special ballots will play this year, adding that those who do not feel comfortable with the regular voting process can cast their votes early and by mail.

“That’s something I’ll be reaching out to our seniors about, for sure,” she said. “It’s a great option that people can take advantage of.”

One time critic lauds City's wetlands effort

By Chris Lewis | Jan. 21, 2021

World Wetlands Day is quickly approaching, and one Mount Pearl resident has some words of wisdom for the City.

Tuesday, February 2nd will mark the 50th anniversary of World Wetlands Day - a celebration of the world’s natural resources and the environment as a whole. This is not something that the City of Mount Pearl has forgotten about in years gone by, partly thanks to the efforts of local resident Brian O’Keefe.

O’Keefe has, over the last few years, gotten himself involved in the monitoring of the Waterford River because of the flooding that would occur post-storm. From that, his involvement developed into a passion for wetland areas and the impact they can have on municipalities. He says he has not stopped since, and has spent plenty of time over the last seven years or so involved with the local wetlands in any way he could.

Each year, O’Keefe sends in a reminder to City council about World Wetlands Day, ensuring that they are not only keeping a watchful eye over the Waterford River area, but also remaining aware of its importance to the City’s well being.

Wetlands regions are responsible for the presence of biodiversity, O’Keefe explained, but more pertinent to cities like Mount Pearl, keep water clean, and prevent flooding by reducing the amount of water sent downstream along the River.

With World Wetlands Day right around the corner, O’Keefe saw it as a good opportunity to harp on his message about ensuring the safety of local wetlands.

“We have to embrace and respect our wetland areas for the next generation,” O’Keefe said. “I can often be critical of different things, but I have to give some kudos to the City of Mount Pearl.”

O’Keefe said that the City has been doing a pretty solid job of maintaining its wetlands regions, and keeping it safe.

He explained that the water coming into the streams in the City come directly from Galway, specifically Donovan’s Industrial Park. He said there is storm water coming from Galway, which eventually flows into Mount Pearl through the Park.

“It will come down through (the City) and go own by the chicken farm, where it turns into a river system and continues all the way down Commonwealth Avenue,” O’Keefe explained.

This constant cycle is beneficial for the City, but can easily be impeded by developments in and around the City. Generally, O’Keefe said, this has not been too much of an issue in Mount Pearl, but they are not entirely off the hook.

“About three or four years ago, the City packaged a major development for Kenmount Hill … There are two wetlands up there, which are right on the corner of a playground,” O’Keefe said. “They want to push through one of those wetland areas to increase the development. It’s been a challenge.”

That being said, O’Keefe is generally happy with the City’s handling of wetlands and the environment in general.

“They’ve tidied up around the Waterford River, cleaned it all up, put down some sods for grass, and extended on an area where residents can go down and plant some vegetables,” O’Keefe added. “And that’s all adjacent to the Waterford River. It’s something everyone can enjoy, but also something everyone needs to be aware of and respect. Like everything else, it will grow and last with those things.”

No city by-election until appeals by Ledwell and Power are heard

By Chris Lewis | Jan/ 14, 2021

Despite two vacancies on council, Mount Pearl residents need not expect a by-election anytime soon.

At Tuesday’s public meeting, councillor Bill Antle raised the issue, noting the concerns that have been raised about it in the community.

The vacancies date back to last June when councillors Andrea Power and Andrew Ledwell saw their seats declared vacant by their colleagues amid allegations they had privately discussed a Human Resources investigation with its subject, the then Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Steve Kent. He too was fired by council.

Current CAO Mona Lewis explained that because both Ledwell and Power have filed appeals against the City’s decision to vacate their seats, a by-election cannot be held until the matter is settled.

“The matter is now going through the courts,” Lewis said. “We have reached out to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and received approval to defer the election, either until the appeals are heard and gotten a decision there, or a year since the seats were vacated, which was June 30.”

Beyond that, Lewis could not provide any further information.

Mayor Dave Aker said the City secured legal counsel as it made its way through the court process, but did not know whether this would be considered fast or slow for a usual court appeal.

“We can speak as to what has happened in terms of the timelines and where it’s going, but in terms of any decisions that are forthcoming down the road, we can’t speak to that,” Aker said. “We await the results of the proceedings.”

Councillor Lucy Stoyles noted that Mount Pearl was not the first municipality to experience this kind of situation.

“Until everything is set, we cannot have a by-election and fill two seats,” she said. “That’s up to the courts to decide if those two councillors could win their case and come back. So, that’s why we cannot just fill a seat. We don’t know yet what a judge is going to say about if the seat is vacant or not.”

Lewis noted the matter is scheduled for court on Thursday, February 3.

That, Deputy Mayor Jim Locke added, is when they hope to set an actual date to hear the appeal before the court.

Young musician uses talents to spread some cheer

By Kyle Reid | Dec. 22, 2020

Alexander Taylor just wanted to do a little good over the holiday season, and the best way he knew how was through music.

Taylor, 12-years-old from Mount Pearl, held an online Christmas benefit concert called ‘Merry and Bright’ on Sunday, Nov. 28 in support of the Gathering Place. The young musician, who has began playing since the age of five on the piano, performed a few Christmas classics for viewers on Facebook who were more than happy to donate for his effort.

As of Friday, Dec. 4, donations were still rolling in to the Gathering Place, which continued to tally the contributions, meaning Taylor isn’t quite sure how many donations he has yet. But, every bit helps the good cause, he said.

“(The Gathering Place) was really happy for me doing this and they appreciated everything,” Taylor said.

Taylor was just as happy to be able to help out.

“It felt really good,” said Taylor. “It makes me feel really good inside to help others.”

Normally, Taylor said he would volunteer to perform live music for charity events during the holidays. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, Taylor decided to host a virtual concert this year.

The effect of the pandemic on charitable organizations was a major motive behind the concert, Taylor said. He noted that he chose to support the Gathering Place simply because he felt the organization’s work is important to the metro community.

“I like what they’re doing — their work for the less fortunate,” said Taylor.

And while the Gathering Place will be able to make good use of Alex’s fundraising ability, he hopes that his music can bring all people a little bit of cheer over the holidays.

“Music and stuff, it helps the soul be happy,” said Taylor. “When I play music, I feel like others are happy.”

Taylor’s concert can be viewed on his Facebook page, Alex Taylor Music, and can still donate to the Merry and Bright fundraiser by calling 709-753-3234 ext. 211.

Mount Pearl students 'Stuff the Bus' for city's food banks

By Chris Lewis | Dec. 22, 2020

Food banks in Mount Pearl are in better shape this Christmas thanks to the efforts of local students.

From Wednesday, Dec. 9 to Friday, Dec. 11, students at Mount Pearl Senior High and Mount Pearl Intermediate hosted a ‘Stuff the Bus,’ food drive to garner enough non-perishable donations to fill up a school bus.

On Friday evening, the bus pulled up in front of St. Peters Parish in Mount Pearl with a dozen or so eager volunteers ready to unload it for the community’s three food banks.

Among them was Con Milmore, who sits as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul committee for St. Peter’s in Mount Pearl. He noted the two schools have been helping the food banks for years.

This year, of course, looked a little different because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but Milmore was more than happy with the result.

“When they called me yesterday (Dec. 10) and told me how much food they had, I then knew I had to get in contact with my executive, and we decided to bring in the other two food banks: the Salvation Army here in Mount Pearl, and the other St. Vincent de Paul, which is at Mary Queen of the World,” Milmore said. “As you can see from the big ruckus out there today, we needed plenty of hands to help unload the bus.”

Milmore said the students this year truly outdone themselves, and because of their help, the City’s food banks will have much more to offer during Christmas, which is by far some of the busiest times of the year.

“The things that (the students) have done this year is just unreal,” Milmore said. “They came up with this Stuff the Bus idea on their own.”

The titular bus, provided by City Wide, had been parked between the two schools for the entirety of the three days the food drive was going on. Students would bring food donations to school and pack it right on to the bus, laying it out on the seats until they were all filled up.

And it was not just food that was donated. Milmore said there were even Christmas trees, hats and gloves donated alongside the food hampers, all of which the food banks are happy to provide during the cold Christmas season.

“With the pandemic and everything on the go, all food banks around the province are in a big need, especially now with the holidays right around the corner,” Milmore said. “Our shelter in particular was down pretty low. A lot of this food that’s coming in will help us this year to get over the hump. Once Christmas is over, then we’re into January, February and March. Those are the hardest months for us, because there are no big donations coming in, nothing like that. So, all of this is going to really help the three food banks here in Mount Pearl to get by a little bit better.”

Mount Pearl computers bound for school system

By Chris Lewis | Nov. 26

The City of Mount Pearl recently made a generous donation of equipment.

After upgrading some of its computer system, the City was left with an extra 85 desktop computers and 118 hard drives, said councillor Bill Antle.

After mulling over for a couple of weeks the best way to deal with them, and considering a list of potential beneficiaries for a donation, Antle said, staff decided the best place for it would be the province’s schools.

“Before we donate these computers, they’re all cleared of all their information,” he noted. “There is no possibility that any council or City information would get leaked.”

Antle said the donations has a couple of benefits. It means the school system has more equipment to utilize, so that more students will have access to decent machines to use at school. It also means there will be less computers bound for the landfill this year.

“I think our staff did a great job of making sure these computers will be used again, and it’s also going to be saving us some money,” Antle said.

Kent, Tiller nominated for Mount Pearl Citizen of the Year

By Kyle Reid | Nov. 26

The City of Mount Pearl has yet to release the list of finalists for the Richard Levandier Citizen of the Year Award, but at least two active Mount Pearl volunteers have been nominated for the prestigious award, The Pearl News has learned.

Steve Kent and Wanda Tiller both have long records of community involvement. The names of the other nominees, if any, are being kept close to the chest this year by the City as they select finalists from nominations submitted by Mount Pearl community members.

Kent, a long-time political figure in the city and province, and, most recently, the City of Mount Pearl’s chief administrative officer until last June, has volunteered with a number of organizations in Mount Pearl, including Scouts Canada.

While Kent has always been an active volunteer in the City, his departure from political office in 2017 has afforded him a bit of extra time to spend as a volunteer, he said.

“It started when I was a young person involved in student and youth activities in the community,” Kent said. “As I got older and got involved in public life, my volunteer activities took on a different focus…In recent years I’ve been more active as a community volunteer than before.”

This past year, Kent helped run the local Scouting group in Mount Pearl, and served as past chairman of the Scouts Canada national board of governors, and chair of the national nominating committee. Internationally, he served as the Canadian head of contingent to the 23rd World Scouting Jamboree, as an honorary consultant to the World Scout Parliamentary Union and as second vice-president of the Interamerican Scout Foundation.

Kent was also involved in the local Rotary Club, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, the Branch 36 Legion, the Salvation Army, Mount Pearl food banks, Mount Pearl minor hockey and minor baseball and, on occasion, as a volunteer at the VOAR radio station in Mount Pearl.

For Kent, the volunteer spirit in Mount Pearl is what makes the city stand out.

“The level of volunteerism and the extent of community spirit that exists in Mount Pearl is part of what makes us unique,” Kent said. “It’s part of why I’ve chosen to build a future here and raise a family here.”

While the list of finalists has yet to be released by the City, it was an honour just to be nominated for the award, Kent said.

“I’m honoured to have a chance to give back to a place that has given me so much,” said Kent. “I am deeply humbled and honoured to be nominated for Citizen of the Year. When I look at past nominees as winners they are a group of citizens who have done so much to contribute to making Mount Pearl better. It’s a great honour just to be counted among them as a nominee.”

It’s a sentiment shared by fellow nominee, Wanda Tiller.

“Shocked, but very honoured,” said Tiller when asked how it felt to be nominated for Citizen of the Year. “It was a complete surprise; I volunteer not for the recognition, I volunteer because I love it. I’m beyond honoured.”

Tiller is an over 30 year volunteer with the Mount Pearl Frosty Festival where she started by selling buttons door to door to raise funds, and most recently sat on the Frosty Festival board of directors, a position she took on four years ago.

She has also volunteered for 35 years with the local Girl Guides, receiving the Mount Pearl Adult Working with Youth Award in 2012 for her work as the Girl Guide district commissioner, and has volunteered with the St. John’s Shriners and as a crossing guard at Morris Academy.

It wasn’t any particular drive that got Tiller interested in volunteer work, she said. It was simpler than that.

“I just saw these volunteers having fun,” Tiller said. “It wasn’t just going door-to-door and selling the (Frosty Festival) buttons and bringing back the money…(it) was the camaraderie between the volunteers, that’s how I started with that. It was the same with Girl Guides. I brought my daughter to Sparks and I saw these leaders having so much fun…so I asked how I could be a Spark leader and she went ‘Come back next week.”

For Tiller, the nomination has a special meaning. The award, sponsored by the Mount Pearl Kinsmen, is named after fellow Kinsman and long-time Mount Pearl community volunteer Richard Levandier, someone who Tiller knew personally.

“(Levandier) told me years ago, ‘Wanda, you will always be a volunteer because it’s in your heart,’” said Tiller. “That always stuck with me, I love it.”

But Tiller maintains that she is the one benefitting the most from her volunteer work.

“I’m not sure if important is the word I’d use,” she said when asked why she thought it was important to volunteer. “Giving to organizations that need volunteers, I get 120 per cent back. I’ve met so many fabulous people; some of my best friends, life-long friends (have) been through volunteering.”