The Our Town - Clarenville Blog by Paul Tilley

Random Thoughts...: Arts Under the Stars Unveiled : Arts Under the Stars, a series of free arts performances Thursday nights in Clarenville, was started seven years ago by me and Dave Strong, ...

Arts Under the Stars (AUS), our Town's outdoor summer concert series, starts the first week in July. More on that in a later post. AUS reminds me of Reg Pretty.  Reg was a stall-worth in the early years of AUS. He was the sound man, the lights man, the spare instrument man, and the goto man. I had the privilege of helping him. Reg passed away earlier this year after a battle with cancer. It was a loss to his family, the school system where he had taught for years before retiring in 2001 (He was my kid's favorite substitute) and the community. He was one of the, what we call "usual suspects" of volunteers that you know will be there if you need them. Clarenville was better because of Reg - and we miss him. Last weekend his family put together a Memorial Concert that served to remember him and to mark the beginning of the Reg Pretty Memorial Scholarship . It was a great celebration of his life and his legacy. I hope you enjoy these selected clips found below

Random Thoughts...: Rootin', Rantin' and Roarin' in September : Last year, volunteer work prevented me from attending the Roots, Rants and Roars Festival in Elliston. And from all accounts, it was a roa...

  "...nothing happens in a community unless you (are) were a part of it"                                                                                                                                                  Mayor Fred Best His name is synonymous with Clarenville.  He's been mayor forever and he's been on Council before that.   In his previous life he was a teacher, a principal and he and his wife raised their family here.   Fred is know across this province as being the mayor from Clarenville.  He has, quite literally, overseen the growth of this town for close to 40 years (He's been mayor for 31). Having served on Council, I know that that job is not always the most pleasant and certainly not the highest paid. Regardless of one's political viewpoints of the job, the people in it do their best - because nothing happens in a community without such people's efforts. To do that for 4 decades, like Fred has done, is something worthy of

The Shoal Harbour River is a relatively short river by Newfoundland standards.  It's a 19km network that captures water from Shoal Harbour Pond and Andrew’s Pond as it flows into the ocean at Random Sound. Despite its short length, it is an important habitat for seven species of fish and it is the sole source of drinking water for the 6000 plus residents and 250 businesses of Clarenville.  Its security is vital to our town. In recent weeks, information has surfaced that there is a proposed quarry development along the river system that Council is going to be asked to consider.  Council (and the public) had been silent on the request until the river’s conservation group; the Friends of the Shoal Harbour River (FOSHR) raised the alarm in the PACKET .  This project, located at the start of the river and within approximately 500 feet of it (150 feet minimum), is deemed a “discretionary use” project meaning that Council has the right to turn down the project.  Unfortunate

Over the past couple of weeks I've been experimenting with editing video and playing it at high speed.  You see, I am developing course related videos and this sideline gives me the opportunity to learn new tricks and techniques.  So, here's my "Pitch to Aways" and "Treat to Tourists".  If you are neither Away nor a Tourist, just sit back and enjoy the ride...

What meets walkers on Shoal Harbour Drive Sadly, I don’t get to see this town from the perspective of a walker as much as I should.  I don’t think I’m alone either, considering the volume of cars that we see on our streets these days.   Yesterday I had the opportunity to walk from work at the College, up the Wellness hiking trail, up the new sidewalk on Manitoba Drive, and up the side of Shoal Harbour Drive towards home. The first part of the journey was great.  We have some beautiful trails through town that make you feel as if you are deep in the woods.  I saw one person.  If you get the chance, take the opportunity to explore the Clarenville trail system – I am sure you will enjoy it. I emerged from the trail at Gladney Street and crossed Manitoba Drive at the lights to pick up the new sidewalk.  I was great to be able to walk up there on a nice day.  Our town is bustling!  Again, if you get the chance, use the town’s growing network of sidewalks. Finally, the side

On Thursday’s edition of CBC’s Here & Now, Mayor Fred Best appeared in a story by reporter Lee Pitts saying that Clarenville is nearing its limit in the supply and distribution of water .   This despite that fact that it was only in 2008 that Clarenville opened its new $14 million state-of-the-art water treatment facility. (with an improved distribution system) The negative implications of a potential water shortage to possible investors are tremendous.    Developers need a ready water supply to develop and companies/retail stores contemplating establishing themselves in Clarenville need water to ensure proper fire protection and operation.   If we have a serious water issue we better work to get it fixed soon.   Without the fix, investors will be scared off and even though choking development might help resolve a water problem - that’s not a solution we want to see.      

The finish line for students and us ‘teacher types’ is getting close.  One of the great things about the end of the school year is the annual school concert.  This year’s final school concert at Clarenville High School provided the live audience (and now you!)  the opportunity to see the vast array of musical talent that is being fostered in our school system.  Music teachers like Ann Lundrigan, Lisa Drover, Rod Drover, Michelle Bennett, Charlene Sawlor, and Amy Warren (as well as a host other regional musical talent that I have not named) have created and developed a   tremendous pool of talent –  our thanks to them.   Here’s a slice of the concert – the tribute to QUEEN – enjoy our talent! 

Deputy Mayor Fraser Russell is right to raise the issue of (better managing) traffic flow on Manitoba Drive.  ( See Trials of travelling Manitoba in this past week’s edition of the Packet ) Roads & traffic problems have become a perennial issue in Clarenville – Overpasses and Manitoba Drive this year, Huntley Drive last year, before that it was Balbo Drive and on it goes.  The real problem is that, as a town, we have not addressed the issue of growth and the associated growth in traffic with a well though out long term plan.    It seems as if each year we identify a new traffic problem and each year a host of people (myself included)  come up with an ad hoc solution to that problem that may or may not address the problem in the long term.   Coupled with this, each year we also hear the cry for a professional traffic study to be conducted by the Town to address the street / development planning issue.   To the best of my knowledge despite the talk, such a traffic s

The Clarenville Dump - Where Trash should end up... So what are we to do with our trash?  That’s a common problem that confronts many of us. Most of us dispose of it properly.  Unfortunately some people do not. Thank goodness for the Ross Mair and the Packet who reported on the problem in this week’s edition of the paper (Resident Points to Problem p. A3).  Without the Packet reporting on illegal dumping,  the Town of Clarenville would remain blissfully unaware of the problem. It seems as if a few people only get their trash as far as the dump road, and that’s as far as it goes, they then give it the heave.  I find it incomprehensible that our town’s CAO claimed in the story that the Town is not to be aware of the problem, especially in light of the fact that the Town’s dump contractor says that illegal dumping is quite a problem.  There’s a real disconnect here that the Town has to answer for.  In greater St. John’s, CBS has installed hidden cameras in areas known f

There are twenty Regional Economic Development Boards in Newfoundland and Labrador.   These were established in the mid 90's and were mandated to:   Develop and coordinate the implementation of a strategic economic plan in each zone supported by an integrated business plan. Now it seems as if the potential for regional governance is slipping away. Develop a strong partnership with municipalities in each zone that incorporates the strategies and priorities of municipalities in the economic planning process Develop partnerships in planning and implementation with Chambers of Commerce, Industry Associations, labour organizations, post-secondary institutions, Canadian Business Development Corporations (CBDCs), and other zones that advance and support the economic and entrepreneurial environment of a zone Undertake capacity building and provide support to stakeholders to strengthen the economic environment of the zone Coordinate and facilitate linkages with federal /pro

Tourist season is coming up fast and as you know many tourists stop by Clarenville along their way. Imagine if you will,  that you are one of those tourists driving to or through Clarenville. If it’s your first time in Clarenville in a while you will notice lots of changes and a lot of growth.  But first you need to get in here – so let’s look at your two choices off the TCH: West Entrance to Clarenville Watch out! The west entrance has become a bit of a problem.  There’s lots more traffic, it’s seen three fatalities in 5 years and the TCH speed limit at the turnoff has been reduced to 70kph (but few observe it).  In fact, it’s become a hot topic at Council meetings too.  In the last meeting of Council, they continued to beat the topic of the west entrance to Clarenville to death – it was mostly sound and fury signifying nothing.  Reduce the speed limit, Lengthen the turning lane – there were lots of suggestions but no real agreement to start a passionate effort t

It took some skilled flying on this warm  Tuesday evening to get one of the Province's new "Peas and Carrots" colour schemed Bombardier CL415's to target a stubborn fire in Deep Bight. Members of the RCMP, Provincial Forestry and Clarenville Fire Dept. aided in the effort.

Last evening at the Clarenville Events Centre, we we treated to some first-rate entertainment by students from Clarenville High School.   Over the next few days I'll add more but first, here is the CHS Drama Troope's performance of the very touching "Close to the Heart".  If you or someone you know has ever been touched by breast cancer this is a must see.   It's a touching performance.  All proceeds from last evening's performance were donated to the Bliss Cancer Centre.

The broken glass still glistens on the TCH/Manitoba Drive intersection.  It should serve as a reminder to the decision makers of the fundamental problem that seems only to warrant consideration when another life is lost.  ( My condolences to the yet another grieving family.)    The people who pay for and use the TCH (we the taxpayers) need and deserve an overpass at the western entrance to Clarenville.   As a municipality, it is our job to lobby to make sure that it is done.     Listening to Mayor Best in the media last week, it seems that he has finally come around to recognizing the need for an overpass for the TCH's western entrance to Clarenville. Let’s ensure the entire Council sees fit to push government to include an overpass for Clarenville in its capital work's plans - we should accept nothing less.

Random Thoughts...: A Mother's Day Mystery - Looking for Lorne and His... : Bud Vincent is well know around this area for many things - photographer; freelance journalist; tourism champion... but this evening, he's a...

Neil Dawe, president of Tract Consulting knows a thing or two about design.   He’s been in the design consulting business for many years and he and his company have been responsible for some of the most eye pleasing developments we have seen in this province.   Have a look at High Street in Grand Falls, the duck pond in Bowering Park in St. John’s or Margaret Bowater Park in Corner Brook – Mr. Dawe’s company has had a hand in each of these. What about Clarenville? EVERYONE, including Mr. Dawe knows the potential that exists in Clarenville. We have a tremendous amount of natural beauty that we could capitalize on more than we do.  He noted at a recent presentation to Rotary that potential and practice are miles apart in our town stating that “There’s much work to be done”. We have a Plan? Council has developed a citizen-led Strategic Plan that echoed Mr. Dawe’s observations.   Council has also adopted adopted a new Municipal plan that, in theory, is designed to en

Katie Cumby, an associate producer at the CBC is looking for Canadian small businesses to participate in a season 2 of the CBC show called   The Big Decision.  ( cbc.ca/thebigdecision ) The show features companies from coast-to-coast that come from a variety of industries. Throughout the episode, one of Canada's top investors visits each company, provides expert advice and in the end decides whether or not he or she will invest. There are many benefits to the company- not only receiving top-notch business advice, but also the possibility of receiving an investment that could help turn the company around. The deadline of June 8th and it is fast approaching so they are encouraging companies to apply   ASAP .  Surely there are many businesses in Clarenville that could take advantage of this! Please contact: Katie Cumby Associate Producer CBC Television (416) 205 5571 bigdecision@cbc.ca cbc.ca/thebigdecision Twitter: @thebigdecision Check them out on

Random Thoughts...: Making the Ability Count - A Transitions to Work P... : The Ability Employment Corporation is a not-for-profit organization that provides career counselling and job placement services to persons w...