The Our Town - Clarenville Blog by Paul Tilley

Finance Minister Wiseman summed up the Province's 2015 Budget reality succinctly: “We are in a very different spot”.  In a period in which oil is less than half the value than it was a year earlier, “different spot” is may be a bit of an understatement.  Things have changed a lot in a year and the minister and the government is facing some serious challenges.  Minister Wiseman talk to the Clarenville Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday evening focused exclusively on how and why the government is planning to deal with the downturn – while trying to have a minimal impact on the economy.   In his address he covered the following topics – each of which spoke to the basic principles government has looked at in its crafting the budget: ·                   A Culture of Cost Management     A Refocus our Health System           A Refocus of the College of the North Atlantic           A Focus on long range planning for infrastructure with 5 year planning           A Readjustment

This week the Clarenville Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2015 Ornament print and hosted its 8th annual Business Excellence Awards. This year's recipients for the Chamber Awards were: Small Business: Diversions Computer Centre   Medium Business: Lakeside at Thorburn Resort  Community Cares: 2014 NL Winter Games Organizing Committee  & the 2015 Inductee to the Business Hall of Fame: Mr. Alex Balsom See Photos from the event here Here are video segments from the awards: Unveiling of the 2015 Christmas Print Remarks from MHA, Minister of Finance, Hon. Ross Wiseman My  Comments on Behalf of the Town   Brian Smith's comments on Behalf of Hon. Judy Foote   The  Business Excellence Awards  Alex Balsom's Induction into the Business Hall of Fame 

Clarenville’s Budget 2015 Chair of Finance, Councilor Heber Smith rose in Council’s December 16 th meeting as presented Clarenville’s proposed budget for 2015.    The balanced budget laid out plans for the projected collection and expenditure of $9,757,074 in 2015.  Budgets are easy in times of growth because as the tax base grows, so do tax revenues.  Such is not so much the case in Clarenville this year.  Growth has slowed and revenue growth has not been able to keep up with the demands of operating the town. Planned Investments in 2015 A further $1million in Road Improvement – in addition to the $700,000 spent in 2014 Road and water/sewer redevelopment of Adam’s Place, Blundon Drive, Warricks Road, Park/Viking Streets, and the east entrance to Clarenville on Memorial Drive      New firefighting and communications equipment for the Clarenville Fire Department   Increased honorariums for the volunteer fire department   New front-end Loader and additional plow opera

With clear blue skies the annual  Lion's Clarenville Santa Claus Parade took to the streets of Clarenville again this year.  Once again, hundreds came out to see an every growing number of floats by local organizations and businesses. Santa was a hit! Congratulations to all involved, and thanks to the Clarenville Lion's Club for organizing the event and the Triple Bay Eagles for helping to ensure people's safety. Find pictures of this year's parade by clicking HERE See previous year's parades by clicking HERE

There are several Christmas traditions in Clarenville and the annual Clarenville Lion's Santa Claus Parade is right at the top.      If you're new to Clarenville, a lifelong resident, or a kid or a kid at heart,  you should never miss out on the opportunity to take part in the annual Lion's Santa Claus Parade. This year's parade will be held on Saturday Dec. 6th. 2014.  Through the dedicated efforts of many volunteers in the Lions Club and participating organizations the parade creates a new set of memories each year.   BE A PART OF THE PARADE! You have a couple of weeks to think about how you can be a part of the parade, build a float, or be a Mummer in it - try it.  (Details below)     I've included some notable parades from years past below as well.   The 2013 Edition The 2012 Edition   The 2011 Edition The 2010 Edition The 2009 Edition The 2002 Edition The 2001 Edition