City makes council chambers more accessible

By Alexandra Brothers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
July 28, 2023 Edition

Visitors to Mount Pearl City Hall may be surprised to find the council chambers look a bit different.

The chambers have been renovated over the past two weeks to make them more accessible to people with mobility challenges.

“We’ve spaced things so anyone with a mobility aid can move freely around, and we’ve made changes to our washroom in the lobby,” said chief administrative officer, Dana Spurrell at Tuesday’s council meeting. “We had two weeks between public meetings to do this, so the scramble was on, but the team did a great job and put a lot of focus into it.”

Mayor Dave Aker said council had been looking forward to the changes for a while. “I think the chamber is just as functional as it’s ever been,” he allowed.

The City paired with InclusionNL for the renovations. “They came in and did a little bit of an audit for us,” Spurrell explained. “We have a great working relationship with them. InclusionNL tells us that we have really grand scores for accessibility, but we’re always looking for ways that we can improve.”

The changes to City Hall are not the only accessibility improvements in the works. Aker said more are coming.

“We wanted to focus on (City Hall),” said Spurrell, “particularly since we receive so many guests and members of the public here in our chambers. But we’re looking across the city (…) to do a larger audit, city-wide, to ensure that our facilities and our city events are more accessible.”

Spurrell said the City hopes to find room in its budget do another audit soon, “so we can continue to improve across the city.”

Festival goers get a taste of the world at Mount Pearl’s multicultural market

Chioma Osisiogu, left, works the Signage Clothing & Crafts booth at the Multicultural Community Market at the Ruth Avenue Sportsplex last Sunday. The market was held as part of City Days. Alexandra Brothers photo.

By Alexandra Brothers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
July 28, 2023 Edition

Mount Pearl residents were offered a taste of international flavours Sunday as the City hosted a Multicultural Community Market at the Ruth Avenue Sportsplex.

The event was part of the annual City Days summer festival. Residents had the opportunity to shop and enjoy international street food and listen to local musicians from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

The first Community Market was held in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible to keep up with this initiative the past three years, but “now it’s back,” said Rosie Stead, the community events coordinator for the City of Mount Pearl.

According to Stead, the event originated “because (the City) wanted to add a little bit more of a multicultural aspect to City Days.”

Mount Pearl received multicultural funding from the federal government to provide vendors with a space where they could showcase their merchandise without charging them rent.

 “I think it's really important,” said Stead of the importance of the event to the community. “It's reaching out to a lot of different cultures to get people out here who are trying to make a living.”

The object of bringing together multicultural vendors and entertainers, said Stead, was “to broaden Mount Pearl's cultural experience.”

With over 15 vendors and four amazing entertainers from a variety of cultural backgrounds, the market did just that.

One of the participants was Amal Osama, the owner of Stalactites Designs, who is originally from Egypt and has been living in Newfoundland since 2015. She started her handmade décor company in 2020. Osama makes all her macrame products by hand using recycled materials. Although she spoke of some of the ups and downs of running a small business, she expressed her love for meeting people and hearing positive reactions to her products at the markets she attends.

Also working the market were owner Lori Gosse and her employee Kaitlin Hoskins with the jewelry company, Lori & Co.

Gosse, a St. John’s resident, began her company in 2016, when she was in university. In spite of setbacks caused by the pandemic, the company quickly evolved from online sales and appearances at farmers markets to a small pop-up store and on to several storefronts which the company likewise outgrew. The store has since settled at its current location on Hamlyn Road.

Festival goers also had a chance to sample the wares of Signage Clothing & Crafts, a company that may be familiar to those who frequent the St. John’s Farmers Market. It offers a wide variety of vibrant products all made from beautiful Nigerian fabrics.

Chioma Osisiogu, an employee of Signage Clothing & Crafts, said the company has grown a lot since she began working there with the owner, Winifred Ohwoka, in 2020.

“When I started working for her,” said Osisiogu, “it was still a small business, but right now it’s really big —she has a lot of customers now.”      
Matryoshka Design Co., a family-run arts and craft company, incorporates Russian and Ukrainian heritage into its designs. Married couple Serg and Alicia Sizov started experimenting with resin designs during the pandemic as a way to pass the time but soon found their company taking off as many people began to express interest in their products. Serg moved to Newfoundland 23 years ago from Chicago, but he was originally born in Russia while his family is Ukrainian. His wife, Alicia, grew up in Mount Pearl and St. John’s.

 “Getting to be creative and having people be receptive to an idea that you put out there and to see someone really connect with a piece you’ve made is really fulfilling as a creative person,” said Alicia.

“It’s also nice to have a bit of our (Ukrainian) culture introduced into Newfoundland,” said Serg. “It’s just nice to kind of see that happening and growing in Newfoundland.”

They both applauded the City for organizing this kind of event.

“It’s awesome to get the opportunity to see and support other local vendors,” said Alicia.

The market also offered fabulous entertainment by a variety of musicians from different cultural backgrounds, who serenaded the customers as they shopped.

Singer/songwriter Cristina Hernandez kicked off the entertainment with lively Mexican folk singing. She was followed by Cuban guitarist, Hierrito Onelvis Hernandez, multilingual francophone singer/songwriter Liz Fagan and Peruvian folk musician, Maia Mckewon.

“We are hoping that this will be an annual thing,” said Stead.

More big upgrades in the works for Farrell Drive

By Alexandra Brothers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
July 28, 2023

Several major upgrades are soon to be underway in the City of Mount Pearl. Councillors discussed the numerous improvements proposed for Farrell Drive and Wyatt Boulevard at City Hall on Tuesday.

A full replacement of water, sanitary and storm sewers, asphalt, curb and sidewalk was proposed for Farrell Drive in the section between Topsail Road and Evans Place, as well as to Wyatt Boulevard.

Additionally, the planning, engineering and development (PED) committee proposed upgrades to the Farrell Drive pumphouse and recommended the lift station on Wyatt Boulevard be removed and replaced. The PED committee likewise proposed the addition of a new water transmission line from the intersection of Wyatt and Tavenor to the existing water tower location as well as the addition of a second water tower in the area. The additions are recommended in order to “increase the water capacity to allow future land development.”

The committee recommended the contract to design the engineering plans for the upgrades be awarded to the lowest compliant bidder, CBCL Limited, for the bid amount of $1,447,004 (HST included).

Councillor Bill Antle asked about the timeframe of the work.

“I wouldn’t necessarily call this long-term" said director of planning, engineering and development, Gerry Antle.

Although the scope of the work is significant, director Antle said the expectation is to have the work designed through 2023 with construction beginning in the season of 2024. The schedule, he said, will depend on what projects are in place at the time.

Councillor Antle also asked for clarification on the total cost of the project regarding the price of the new water tower.

The director replied the estimated $1,447,004 does not include the price of erecting the tower but covers the “design, contract administration, tender preparation, (and) engineering work that’s required to complete the projects.”

Mayor Dave Aker then asked for a rough estimate of the construction costs.

“Some of these projects are funded already,” said director Antle, “so, some of this is already budgeted.” The expected construction cost, he said, is “somewhere in the range of $10 million to $12 million.”

The motion to award the contract to CBCL Limited was moved by councillor Mark Rice, seconded by councillor Isabelle Fry, and passed unanimously.

On a related note, due to the increased volume of upgrades underway in the city, the committee likewise proposed an increase in on-site resources.

The committee recommended the addition of full-time inspection services from its project management consultant, WSP E&I Canada Limited (WSP), on both the Multi-streets and Farrell Drive projects. WSP provided a quote of $93,178 (HST included) for this increase in work. This motion was likewise passed unanimously.

“I’m excited to see this coming through here,” said councillor Jim Locke of the upcoming upgrades. “It’s certainly a big scope of work here. I’m excited to see the upgrades to our pumphouse, our lift station, as well as the second water tower to increase our capacity in the area. This is part of our long-term planning.”

Lots of dual winners at Best of Mount Pearl awards

Longtime Lions Club member Gerald Coombs received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Mount Pearl last week during the Best of Mount Pearl Awards. On hand for the ceremony were, from left: Councillor Mark Rice, Gerald Coombs, Mayor Dave Aker, and Councillor Chelsea Lane. Alexandra Brothers photo.

By Alexandra Brothers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
July 28, 2023 Edition

The old Reid Community Centre Gymnasium was transformed into a banquet hall Thursday night in order to pay tribute to some of the most exceptional members of the community of Mount Pearl.

As part of the annual City Days weekend, the Best in Mount Pearl Awards ceremony honored several groups and individuals who have made a positive impact on the community this past year. This is the third Best in Mount Pearl Awards Ceremony to date. The first ceremony was held in 2019 and this year marks the return to an in-person ceremony as the event had to be held virtually during the pandemic.

Mayor Dave Aker was in attendance along with MHAs Paul Lane and Lucy Stoyles and City councillors Bill Antle, Isabell Fry, Chelsea Lane, Jim Locke, and Mark Rice. OZ FM's Hugh Campbell emceed the event and local musician Dave White provided entertainment throughout the evening.

Mayor Aker emphasized the event’s community spirit by pointing out that most of those in attendance were already acquainted, and his goal for the evening was to personally get to know everyone he had not met yet.

The first award, called the Impact in Music, Arts and Culture Award, recognizes individuals who have made strides in promoting artistry in Mount Pearl. The judging committee could not limit the award to just one recipient this year, so both Jake Thompson and Alexander Taylor took home a trophy each.

Thompson is the creator of the NTV series “NL Now” and volunteers his time performing puppetry for primary and elementary school students. Taylor is a musician and songwriter who gives back to the community by playing at local seniors’ homes. He also established the annual “Merry and Bright” Christmas fundraising concert which showcases local talent.

The Community Group of the Year Award was awarded to both a newly formed group and a long-standing organization for their respective services to the city and its residents. Exceptional Connections NL, a group established in January, was recognized for its efforts in fostering a safe and unrestricted community for neurodiverse and disabled individuals in Mount Pearl. The Kinette Club of Mount Pearl was likewise recognized for its continued support to the community through its various fundraising initiatives and community outreach.

The Environment Award was accorded to Scotia Recycling Limited for all the work the Green Depot does in reducing the need for the production of new materials as well as for the innovative and efficient technologies the facility uses.

The Citizen of the Year Award, named in honor of the late Richard Levandier, recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the city through volunteerism and exemplary engagement with the community. The award was presented by Levandier’s wife, Deidre, and his daughter Chantelle along with a distinguished member of the Kinsmen Club.

As with some of the previous awards, the judging committee could not settle on just one recipient, so both Scott Hillyer and Con Milmore were awarded the honor.

Hillyer is the organizer of Community Suppers in Mount Pearl, an initiative which has provided approximately 20,800 meals a year to people in need. Milmore is an active member of several volunteer organizations including the Father J.B. Kent Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, the Royal Canadian Legion and Community Meals.

Last, but certainly not least, the Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Gerald Coombs.

Coombs has been involved with the Mount Pearl Lions Club for over 50 years serving as treasurer, secretary, and president. He has been involved with numerous community initiatives such as the Used Eyeglass Collection Program, the Mount Pearl Youth Opportunity Fund Program, the Mount Pearl Lions Club Santa Clause Parade, and the Frosty Festival, just to name a few.

Coombs’ volunteerism has impacted people far beyond Mount Pearl as his efforts with various outreach programs have aided people in Haiti, Uganda, Syria, Ukraine and other countries.

Rosie Stead, the community events coordinator for the City of Mount Pearl, said the awards foster community spirit, when oftentimes people’s contributions in areas such as arts and culture and volunteerism go widely unnoticed.

“It gives the City the opportunity to showcase people in the city who are doing really good things,” Stead said. “It’s really nice to give them the recognition they deserve.”

Stead is hoping the awards show will continue for years to come.

“I would like for people to continue to nominate deserving people … so that the awards and the ceremony can keep going,” she said.

Mount Pearl - Southlands MHA Paul Lane summed up why the awards are important. “We have so much to love in this community, so much to be proud of,” he said, adding that when it comes to great community-minded people, “we have them in spades in Mount Pearl.”

Mount Pearl department head Texas bound

By Mark Squibb
July 21, 2023 Edition

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and Mount Pearl Director of Planning, Engineering, and Development Gerry Antle will soon have a chance to find out whether that’s true.

Antle will be heading to Texas for the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2023 Texas Civil Engineering Conference in San Marcos.

The conference will run from September 20 to 22.

Councillor Jim Locke brought forward the motion to send Antle to the show, which was seconded by councillor Bill Antle during last week’s public council meeting,

The costs associated with individual professional development trips are not made public, however monies for such trips are drawn from the $304,750 allocated for professional development in Budget 2023.

That budget also covers staff training and employee engagement.

The motion passed unanimously.

Mount Pearl offering youth many chances to ‘get the smell of the house off ya’

By Mark Squibb
July 21, 2023 Edition

There’s no lack of things for Mount Pearl youth to do this summer.

During last week’s public council meeting, Mount Pearl Recreation and Community Safety chairperson, and councillor, Bill Antle listed off a range activities being offered to youth this summer.

First off was a reminder the City will be offering a second youth leadership camp, which will run from July 31 till August 25.

“This program will provide the opportunity for participants to develop their leadership and community engagement skills,” explained Antle.

The camp is open to youth ages 12 to 15, and costs $200 to register.

Antle said that if money is an issue, there are programs in place to help.

Youth can also drop by the Ruth Avenue Sportsplex for a game of hoops each Wednesday, or visit the Reid Community Centre on Mondays for games such as smash ball, ladder ball, washer toss, and more. The City is also offering a youth drop-in program at the Reid Community Centre each Friday and Saturday. Youth are invited to come by to play pool, ping pong, foosball, or watch a nightly movie, free of charge.

Youth can also register, free of charge, for special evening trips throughout the region which take place each Thursday. Recreation and Community Safety Director Jason Collins said those trips are often to places such as Bowring Park or Topsail Beach.

Spots are limited, so youth need to register in advance.

The City is also offering youth day outings each Tuesday. The cost of those outings is $5, and youth must register in advance.

The young, and the young at heart, may also be interested in taking a lap around Power’s Pond courtesy of the City, which is once again offering the Summer Canoe/ Kayak Program. That program runs from 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, and 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Mount Pearl students named junior constables for a day

While some people may think police offices are looking younger every year, you couldn’t blame folks for taking a double take upon seeing two of Mount Pearl’s newest constables. Grade 6 students Benjamin Carbonell and Ava Barbour were recently tapped for a tour of special duty with real life counterparts as part of the City of Mount Pearl’s Junior Constable for A Day program. In the back row, from left are Brent Carbonell, Sgt. Julie Cunningham, Cst. Stephen Fitzgerald, Cst. Danielle Greavette, and Superintendent of Municipal Enforcement Blair Tilley. In the front, from left, are Rosalind Pratt of the Mount Pearl Citizens Crime Prevention Committee, Jr. Cst. Benjamin Carbonell, Jr. Cst. Ava Barbour, Mayor Dave Aker, and John Barbour. Mark Squibb photo.

By Mark Squibb
July 21, 2023 Edition

Two Mount Pearl students this week were granted the special privilege of being named Junior Constables for a day.

Benjamin Carbonell, a Grade 6 student from Mary Queen of the World, and Ava Barbour, a Grade 6 student from Newtown Elementary, were among 300 young people who submitted cards of thanks to local police officers.

“I want officers to know that I am very grateful for their service,” said Barbour, whose card displayed a number of interlocking puzzle pieces with words such as ‘Peace,’ ‘Safety,’ and ‘Justice’ written on them.

“Officers risk their lives everyday to protect the citizens of the entire world,” said Carbonell. “And I wanted them to know that everybody is grateful.”

Carbonell and Barbour spent all day Tuesday with RNC Constable Stephen Fitzgerald and Mount Pearl Law Enforcement Officer Danielle Greavette. They were given a tour of police facilities and got to meet the horses at the RNC stables, which Barbour said was her favorite part of the whole day. Carbonell, meanwhile, said that lunch at Boston Pizza topped it all.

The tour included a stop at City Hall, where they were welcomed by Mayor Dave Aker and a couple of pretty proud dads, Brent Carbonell and John Barbour.

The contest is sponsored by The Mount Pearl Citizens’ Crime Prevention Committee in partnership with the RNC and Mount Pearl Law Enforcement.

Mount Pearl getting ready to party to mark full return of City Days celebrations

Country singers Carolina East, (top) and Justin Fancy, (bottom), are among the entertainers playing City Days next weekend. Both will perform at the Mega Birthday Bash at the Ruth Avenue Sportsplex on July 23, along with The Punters, The Navigators and other acts.

By Mark Squibb / July 14, 2023

City Days is just around the corner, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy, says Mount Pearl Mayor Dave Aker.

“Everybody and anybody is welcome to come to City Days,” said Aker. “The final night, the finale (The Mega Birthday Bash) is when we attract the most people. But with all the events, there’s something for everybody, from young kids to seniors.”

The annual celebration has been held for as long as anyone can remember but was canceled a couple of times during the COVID years. Last summer, the City was forced to delay City Days because of the labour strike, and hosted a more stripped back celebration in the fall.

“I think this has become a part of the fabric and culture of the City of Mount Pearl,” said Aker. “After all of these years, people expect it… It’s called City Days, but really it’s less about the City as an organization and more about the community.”

This summer marks the return of City Days in full force, with the City offering a full list of events including an outdoor family movie, princess and superhero breakfast, pet parade, block party, trivia night, concerts, and more, all beginning next week.

New this year is an all-ages pride celebration at St. David’s Park Friday evening.

“I think Pride in the Park is going to be very nice, and that’s the Friday night,” said Aker. “We want the entire community to come out. It’s not an exclusive event. We want to make sure everyone here in the City of Mount Pearl feels welcomed. We encourage inclusivity and diversity. And we’re really, really happy that we’re able to offer this and hopefully there will be a big turn out.”

The City will kickoff the festivities with the Best in Mount Pearl Awards Thursday night at the Reid Centre.

“It’s a celebration of the people who have made a great contribution to our community,” said Aker. “It’s a good time to get together to celebrate where we’ve been and where we’re going.”

Aker said the celebrations often draw in folks from outside Mount Pearl, and noted the municipalities within the metro region are mature enough to not plan overlapping events.

“Its really good for the community to get together, see some friends you maybe haven’t seen since winter, or see folks who are visiting on vacation,” said Aker. “There’s really something for everyone.”

A full schedule of events can be found on the City’s website and on page 10 of this week’s Shoreline. The celebrations begin Thursday and run until Sunday.

Mount Pearl to honor the best of the best

By Mark Squibb / July 14, 2023

As has been the tradition, Mount Pearl will be kicking off its City Days celebrations next week with the Best in Mount Pearl awards ceremony, a time in which the community comes together to honor the best the city has to offer, from outstanding citizens to community groups dedicated to making a difference.

The City will recognize recipients in seven categories, including two new categories: Urban Agriculture and Urban Architecture/Design.

The Agriculture award will be handed to an individual or business who promotes food security and healthy eating or enhancing food access and diversity through their garden. The Architecture/Design award will go to an individual or business who enhances quality of life and aesthetics through architectural or landscape design, advances environmental stewardship and promotes sustainable design.

Along with the two new award categories, the City will again recognize its top citizens, volunteer groups, musicians, environmentalism and lifetime achievement.

This year marks the third annual Best in Mount Pearl awards ceremony, which was first held in 2019 but then cancelled a number of times due to COVID-19 and, on the heels of the pandemic, the labour strike.

The ceremony will be held at the Reid Centre on Thursday, July 20.

Fry not happy with council’s direction on City Centre signage

Mount Pearl councillor Isabelle Fry says the City has more important needs than new signage for the downtown core. She voted against a motion Tuesday to install four new signs in the area. Photo courtesy of the City of Mount Pearl.

By Mark Squibb / July 14, 2023

Planning, Engineering and Development Committee co-chair councillor Isabelle Fry this week brought forward a recommendation from the committee but made it clear she was not in agreement with it and would be voting against the recommendation.

The motion in question was to ratify a July 4 e-mail vote of council to award the City Centre Gateway Signage contract to Mills & Wright Landscape Architecture for the bid amount of $140,505, HST included.

The signage is a part of the City’s ‘Find Your Centre’ city centre renewal plan, a campaign launched by council in 2020 to develop Mount Pearl’s core over the next three decades and will help outline the city centre parameters.

Four signs are set to be installed to mark the entry points to the city centre: at Commonwealth Avenue and Topsail Road, First Street at Ruth Avenue (on the northeast corner of St. David’s Park), Commonwealth Avenue and Smallwood, and Park Avenue at the T’Railway Crossing.

Fry said she was bringing forward the recommendation as a co-chair of the committee, but that she herself did not support it.

“While I support the City Centre, and think it’s a great project, I think there are many, many things right now we need more than signage,” said Fry. “So, I will bring it forward, and I will move it, but I just wanted to go on record and say that.”

Councillor Jim Locke threw his support behind the motion.

“We did bring in a detailed plan, Find Your City Centre, and it’s a 25-to-30-year vision of what our city centre will look like,” said Locke. “This council is focused on ‘city building.’ These four signs that councillor Fry outlined will demark or outline the entrances into the city centre as defined by our residents through a number of focus group activities, online surveys, and the like. We have many of these stages, or milestones, planned over the next 25 to 30 years to bring this plan to fruition.”

Councillors Bill Antle and Mark Rice both said they understood Fry’s objections, but would be supporting the motion.

Fry then clarified that she does support the plan, it’s just this particular motion that she does not support.

“Just to be clear, the thing that I’m not supporting at this time is spending $140,000 to put up four signs, when we don’t have a Splash Pad, and when there are so many other things that I would like to see,” said Fry. “I would like to see (these signs) maybe next year, or the year after. But I do respect the will of coucnil. But for my own purposes, I just had to go on the record to say that I don’t support $140,000 for four signs.”

Fry was the lone member to vote against the motion.

Following the vote, Mayor Dave Aker, addressing Fry’s point about Mount Pearl not having a splash pad, noted the city centre plan does include plans for a splash pad.

As for Fry, it wasn’t her first time voicing disagreement with the cost of the city centre signage.

Back in March of 2022, council voted to award the signage design contract to Mills & Wright in the amount of $13,345, plus HST.

“Personally, I don’t see the need for these signs,” said Fry during that meeting back in 2022. “To spend $13,345 to design signs, and then to have the cost of the sign on top of that seems like an awful lot of money in a year where we’re trying to be fiscally (responsible). We did so much penny pinching and cuts to try and balance our budget and to spend tens of thousands on signs, right now, I just don’t see it, I don’t agree with it. I understand the concept, I just don’t think this is a good spend at this time.”