The Our Town - Clarenville Blog by Paul Tilley

Over the past week or so there has been a lot of talk in the media of the wrong people parking in designated Disabled (Mobility impaired) Parking spots.    These are prime spots that serve a definite purpose – making building access easier for people who face more than their share of mobility challenges.  Stores, Banks, Hospitals all have them and generally people are courteous enough to leave these spots for people who really need them.   I see here in Clarenville that Wal-Mart has taken this idea further by adding designated parking spots for people with toddlers – good on ‘em! Taking Wal-Mart’s cue further, there is a large and growing group of aging people who are finding it increasingly difficult to walk any distance.  As early baby boomers push into their late 60’s,70’s & 80’s they too should be considered for special parking treatment in key places such as health care facilities.   As my mother-in-law points out, it’s hard to find a spot to start with, let alone one that

Clarenville is on a  slippery   slope if it assumes the role of the George's Brook - Milton Fire Department - even if there is compensation for doing it.  The implications go well beyond fire protection to affecting the future of our town.   It is my contention that some of the most available and best developable land in the greater metropolitan Clarenville area is located in Georges Book – Milton.   Smith Sound provides a “million dollar view” and thanks to its location in Georges Brook – Milton, you can get that view for a lot less than a million dollars and a lot less than you can in Clarenville.    Georges Book – Milton is not, in law, part of Clarenville. Georges Book – Milton is a separate entity known as a Local Service District (LSD). In NL, LSDs are not independent as Towns are; rather they are “children” of the Provincial government.   They have advisory committee’s made up of five to seven residents whose decisions need to be approved by the Minister of Mu

Community organizations take note... Eastern Health recently announced that it is accepting funding applications from non-profits who are planning to work on projects that support community health. If you or your group are interested - read the press release below. NEWS RELEASE Eastern Health Accepting Applications for Community Development Fund March 16, 2012: St. John’s, NL - Eastern Health encourages non-profit and community-based groups to apply for funding under its Community Development Fund for 2012. The Community Development Fund, valued at $50,000, was established in 2008 by Eastern Health’s Board of Trustees support the organization’s vision of Healthy People, Healthier Communities. “There are numerous groups in our region who make great contributions to their communities and we value those efforts,” said Michael O’Keefe, Chair, Board of Trustees. “Through the Community Development Fund, Eastern Health can support those projects that promote healthier communitie

Each year the Targa arrives in Clarenville and each year there is a debate about it that lasts at least twice as long as the actual race.   Meanwhile other more pressing decisions are put aside or neglected. It's time to make a decision once and for all. The Economic Benefit versus Safety Issue has been beat around too long. There has neither been a quantifiable benefit established by the town, nor have we seen the promises of enhanced safety. You be the judge on the benefit versus safety issue....

Top LR Beaton Winsor, Kyle Tysler, Gorvin Greening Bottom Tracy Holloway (Advisor), Nathan Vey, Sherry Smith, Paul Tilley (advisor), Krista Skiffington, Olivia Best, Sherrell Penney and Debbie Strong Members of my class and I just got back from a Regional competition in Halifax (March 7-10).  This was the ACE Canada (Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship) Regional completion in which students from post secondary institutions from across Atlantic Canada came together to showcase some of the projects that they have been involved in on their campuses over the past few months.   Most of the projects highlights had an Economic development focus – team members in their respective regions partnered with local businesses and organizations to develop and ran projects that helped people in their communities.   Over 300 students participated from 11 schools: Acadia University (NS) Cape Breton University (NS) College of the North Atlantic - Clarenville (NL) College of the North Atlantic - G

The Discovery Zone area (Bonavista-Chapel Arm area) has a number of bloggers that make for interesting reading or can keep you uptodate on local activities. Here's a few to check out: Clarenville Campus Life - By Paul Tilley Concoction: Blending Technology in Teaching and Learning  - Theresa Pittman Welcome to Pardy House - By John Norman Random Thoughts - By Lisa Browne Others out there? Let us know!

Eastern Health has just announced its Community Development Fund for 2012.  The Community Development Fund provides grants to community organizations/groups to identify and take action on priority needs that contribute to a healthier community.  Priority will be given to applications that contribute to a healthier community by: Building a sense of community, Strengthening social support networks, Developing community connections,  Addressing a priority need in your community  Creating supportive environments Strengthening community action Funding is available for non-profit community based groups and organizations .  An organization is considered not-for-profit if it meets all of the following conditions: it is organized and operates solely for not-for-profit purposes in the province and it does not make any of its income available for the personal benefit of any of its members or volunteers. Applicants must serve the population within the geographic boundary of Eastern Healt

On Feb 29, 2012 the Hon. Jerome Kennedy spoke to the Clarenville Chamber of Commerce to outline his government's position on the proposed Muskrat Falls Hydro project. There has been a lot of controversy over the proposed project's viability and with its $6.2 billion price tag it carries with it a large risk of cost overruns. Regardless of the merits on this option, the island will need power, and it has to come from one source or another. Each option carries a significant price tag. Some Stats on Muskrat Falls: Will provide 824 MW (Megawatts) of power Estimated cost - $6.2 Billion Could be online by 2017 Refurbishing Holyrood Generating Station will be as costly The Vale plant will consume 90 MW Corner Brook's Mill uses 120MW A mine in Labrador could consume 100-250 MW Nova Scotia will buy 170 MW 40% of the produced power will be sold on the spot market and NL will have a right to recall. 80% of new homes in NL use electric heat In 2020 the island will n

  This week, there will be a pretty impressive meeting happening on the Burin Peninsula.  A Burin Peninsula Joint Council will be formed consisting of all towns on the peninsula.  For the past two years, a number of organizations have been working to put this together. It's pretty impressive. The Burin Peninsula consists of very diverse and dispersed communities. And they're like a family - they fight with each other but they know when to make up. In many cases, partnerships are formed because they must be (such as a funding requirement).  In other cases, partnerships are formed because the partners recognize they can be stronger together. But that strength only comes with a lot of work and commitment. True collaboration is difficult and egos can often get in the way. It will be interesting to watch this Joint Council take shape. I've noticed a lot more partnerships with some towns in the Clarenville area.  The towns of Arnold's Cove, Southern Harbour, Come-By-Ch

Video 1 Video 2 (Shot in HD)

Robert (Bob) Fewer is a true Entrepreneur.  His success has been through hard work, outstanding service to customers and an uncanny ability to spot and take advantages of opportunities as they emerge.   Because of this, Clarenville Chamber inducted Bob to its Business Hall of Fame this year.  Congratulations Bob! Here's his Bio:  

Believe it or not, not everyone from Clarenville/Eastern Newfoundland is familiar with the White Hills experience. If you're not or even if you are - here's your chance:

VIDEO of OFFICIAL LAUNCH of CLARENVILLE 2014 Feb 18, 2012 - Greg Pittman, Chair of the NL Winter Games Clarenville Host Committee today officially launched the planning for the 2014 Winter Games in Clarenville March 1-9, 2014. “Up to 1,500 athletes, officials and coaches will be welcomed to our town in March 2014,” says Greg. “These Winter Games will showcase everything Clarenville has to offer and will provide young people from across the province an opportunity to demonstrate their athletic skills.” “I am thrilled to announce the members of the host committee today,” says Mr. Pittman. “The planning for a very successful games has now started and I know the committee has the determination and drive to create a wonderful opportunity for the athletes.” In addition to announcing the members Deputy Mayor Frazer Russell. The Clarenville Area Co-op also announced a sponsorship of $100,000 in collaboration with the Clarenville Lions Club and their 50-50 draw. “The support of

2011 Census data for Clarenville (note the date error on this graphic) We feel that Clarenville is growing - now newly released Stats.Canada Census data proves it. We've seen the official population of Clarenville rise by 14.4% in the past 5 years from 5,274 to 6,036! We are now the 13th largest town in NL with the 3rd largest growth in population.

Over 20 people showed up to the pre-budget hearings held in Arnolds Cove last week - not bad - considering.  And Clarenville, the largest and most infrastructure stressed town in the region, was not officially represented.  I always thought that was why we elect a Council and why we pay taxes to the municipality so that they can advocate for us? Thank you to Mr. Ted Drover for taking the time and incurring the expense to speak at the hearings on a subject that should be the Town’s.   I will take your self-advocacy lead.... Attention: Hon. Tom Marshall,  Minister of Finance  for the  Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Dear Mr. Marshall: Clarenville is the town of note for this region of the province.  Despite the fact the Town did not make an official presentation at your pre-budget hearings, please do not take that  omission  as a sign that we the citizens of this community do not clearly see challenges that the Province can help us overcome.  I would like to take this opportun

From The Packet - Jan 12/2011 Many of us are waiting, as patiently as possible, for more snow to fall.  My Ski-Doo is still in the garage - likely yours is as well. There was a time when I use to enjoy the anticipation of the first trip on Ski-Doo, but as of late, the joy of owning a snowmobile and riding it has been sucked out by the constant drum of what I call "The great trail pass debate". Few would argue that the age of the groomed trail has come.  If the sport is to prosper as the demographic of riders get older and more bump adverse, we need to have groomed trails.  The challenge of this luxury however is determining who's going to pay and how its going to be done. The Trail Pass system and the volunteer snowmobile associations were "concocked" to overcome this challenge.  Trail pass revenues were supposed to pay for the grooming and the associations are suppose to gather the manpower to run the groomers.  On both counts it isn't happening. Af