Bell Island Community Policing Newsletter

Summer 2009

Contents

From the Corporal's Desk:

By: Corporal Trevor O'Keefe.

This is my first newsletter as the Corporal in charge of the Bell Island detachment. Originally from Tors Cove, I spent my first eight years as a Constable in Clarenville before taking charge of the Bell Island office. This has been both a rewarding and challenging year for me as the Detachment Commander. As a newly promoted Corporal with big shoes to fill, there was a learning curve for me but I have met the challenges head-on and I (and the other members) have been working towards making this a better community. I have felt the tragedies but have also seen many successes, such as last week’s 36 DARE graduates from St. Augustine’s and last year’s Bicycle Rodeo. We have had our share of business break & entries but with your help, a number have been solved.

I encourage everyone in the community to become involved in helping to solve crime and be a part of the solution. Crime is not just a police problem, it’s a community issue as well. We need the community’s support . Unfortunately, we cannot be everywhere, all the time. There is strength in numbers and if the community bands together, we can help put an end to these senseless acts.

As many of you are aware, Constable Steve PIKE will be transferring from this detachment and taking up his new duties with RCMP’s Federal Enforcement Section in St. John’s. Steve has been with this office for three years and is a well-respected police officer, co-worker and member of the Bell Island community. He worked hard at building positive relationships between the police and the town and he will be missed. Good luck, Steve in your new position.

Replacing Steve is Constable Leo DOIRON. Leo is from Oakville, ON and graduated from the RCMP’s Training Academy in March. He is enjoying his time thus far on Bell Island and is looking forward to becoming a part of the community. Welcome, Leo.

Myself and my staff of Constables; Rob STRONG (St. John’s), Jeff BRACE (Chance Cove), Jamie HAWKINS (Fredericton, NB) and Leo DOIRON are always available for advice and guidance, 24/7.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer. We look forward to seeing you at the many events here on the Island.

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Wabana Council news headlines:

Issued June 15,2009, By Edward Kent

Headlines:

- New 300,000 gallon water tower will be installed by late July and operational by October
-New pumphouse and treatment plant  and water main connection tender call in July
-New well drilled off Scotia Raod was highly successful and will be on stream in a few months
- Phase 2 Renovations for Arena -$500,000- Tender calls for various projects start in July
- Our softball  field on Steve Neary was recently hydro-seeded
- Council has applied for a new replacement fire truck-Support your fire dept fund raiser to help with our cost share requirement
- Council has applied for Capital funding to rehabilitate the Wabana Complex
- Council has applied to Minister Whalen for a 2009 municipal paving program
- Council is anxiously waiting for Provincial announcement of  promised 2009  road paving program
- A concept study will soon be tendered for waste management plan. Council directed to close our local landfill by 2010.
-Consistent with Tidy Towns program those with car wrecks on their properties must have them removed or face penalties under Environmental and towns laws
- Owners of dilapidated properties will soon be issued legal notices to take corrective action
- Planned tax auctions on those with severe tax delinquency will commence this summer
-The Assessment Agency this summer will be carrying out a general assessment of properties
-Over 30 student jobs have been secured for summer employment programs
- Council has established an official municipal park at the Moto Cross operation site
-Council is  directing efforts towards supporting several local development projects
-American based interests(IIE)  have received Council endorsement to carry out a multi million dollar oil storage feasibility study
-NLHC have advised of major plans to modernize over 30 of it units commencing this summer
-Citizens are asked to continue to clean up their property and help keep the community clean
- Council is actively working with Government to minimize the impact of the loss of the Flanders -expected to be out of service until late July
-The Town is recruiting for the position of Town Clerk-Treasurer due to the retirement of the long time incumbent Diane Butler
-2009 is municipal election year-Election Day is Sept 29, Tuesday
-The Lance Cove Committee in cooperation with Council have a big day of celebrations planned for July 1 Canada Day
-Bell Island Day is Sunday , July 19

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Bell Island Heritage Society Inc. Compressor Hill, P.O. Box 219 Bell Island, NF, A0A 4H0 Phone 488-2880     Fax 488-2909 bellislandhs@nf.aibn.com

The Bell Island Community Museum and #2 Mine tour is operated by its governing body, the Bell Island Heritage Society Inc. We have been very busy as we work to maintain our “one of a kind” facility. Highlights include:

In the fall of 2007 our Tour Guide Karen Seward received the prestigious “Silver Puffin” award from Destination St. John’s. This award is presented to front line staff, in the service industry, in recognition of exemplary performance on the job. Congratulations Karen – we are all very proud of you!!!!

In the spring of 2008, the board and staff held a planning day. It was very successful. This collaboration resulted in the  new and improved mission, vision and values statements by which we operate. These can be viewed in the foyer of the museum. At that time a 3-5 year strategic plan was also developed that is currently being implemented.

On October 29 2008, the Bell Island Heritage Society joined the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador to celebrate the Registered Heritage Structure designation for the Bell Island No. 2 Mine. This designation gives the Bell Island No. 2 Mine the distinction of being the only underground Registered Heritage Structure in the province. Present to help celebrate were their Honors Lieutenant Governor Mr. John Crosbie and Mrs. Jane Crosbie, Honorable Minister Dianne Whelan, his Worship Mayor Gary Gosine, Mr. George Chaulker and Mr. Peter Whittle of the Heritage Foundation of NL along with many proud Bell Island people. This was indeed a red letter day not only for our facility, our board and our staff but for the entire community of Bell Island.

In March 2009, the BIHS held its Biennial General Meeting. At that time we elected 15 board members. Those who agreed to accept nomination included:

Teresita McCarthy – Chair
Reg Durdle – Vice-Chair
Rosalind Hurley – Secretary/Treasurer
Rosanne Grant – Board member
Goldie King – Board member
Brian Kent – Board member
Sophia Meyer – Board member
Nick Halpert – Board member
Trevor O’Keefe – Board member
Des McCarthy – Board member
Henry Crane – Board member
Tina Ford – Board member
Tom Spracklin – Board member
Margie Wilcox – Board member
Janessa Cole – Youth rep. board member

In April 2009, the #2 Mine received a new lighting system and door. This was cost shared, in the form of a grant that was awarded, by the Heritage Foundation of NL. 

On June 1st. 2009 we welcomed back our staff for our 11th. Season. These people are the very foundation and core of our operation. We are most fortunate to have them work with us. They include: Clayton King the site manager, our tour guides Don Squires, Bernadette Hammond and Karen Seward. We are quite pleased to add our substitute tour guides Bonnie Spracklin and Ed Fitzgerald to the group. We also have four students who are working with us this summer. A big thank you goes out to the Honorable Jack Harris MP for going to bat and getting an extra two students for us which gave us four in total.

This season we will welcome our 100,000th visitor to our site. This is very exciting for us and we are planning something very special for that person!! It could happen at any time so come one and all!! You never know ----- it could be you!!!!!!! We look forward to your visit this summer!!     

                                                                            Teresita McCarthy (Chair)

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Short Commentary by Ken Kavanagh

Before I get to the point of this short item, I would like to applaud the reinstatement of the Bell Island Newsletter. I have always thought highly of this publication and believed it was not only a great communications tool but a very effective community development tool. It was a big loss to this community when it abruptly ended. I would like to sincerely thank all those who have assisted in its production. Special thanks are due to the local RCMP detachment here as it initiated the newsletter some years ago. Sgt. Boyd Merril was its last editor and both he and his wife Tracey are deserving of our appreciation for their tremendous efforts.

When is a co-op not a co-op?

Over the years I have written several articles for this newsletter, usually about the Bell Island Community Development Co-operative. My last item was submitted in late 2007 and was titled “A Co-op Update or My Letter of Resignation.” It was not an upbeat report on the state of the co-op. In fact, it outlined the difficulty it was having in fulfilling its democratic governance obligations under the Co-operatives Act including not being able to maintain a properly functioning board.

I had hoped the message would rouse a necessary response from the community before the co-op came to an untimely end. Well, there were expressions of concern and offers of support from only a few people but not enough, in my mind, to initiate a co-op revival. Consequently, the co-op (our co-op) continues to operate outside the Act.

This situation not only threatens the bakery and the two jobs there. It also negatively impacts the Seniors Housing Complex since the co-op Board of Directors is supposed to be the source of governance for that non-profit corporation. The Complex will not close but the local control may be lost.

What is the present state of the co-op? There has not been an Annual General Meeting (AGM) since 2005. A duly elected Board of Directors came out of that AGM but it was never able to form an Executive. Since that time, individuals have resigned, some have moved away and others have simply walked away from the Board. For all intents and purposes, there is no Board!

A co-op is a legal business entity, incorporated under the Co-operatives Act. There are statutory requirements to have annual membership meetings, to provide operational and financial reports, to elect a Board of Directors, to have regular board meetings and to generally govern the direction and operation of the co-operative. When a co-operative fails to fulfill these obligations, it effectively fails being a co-operative.

What’s next then?

There are a number of ways for a co-op to cease to exist – some within the Co-operatives Act and some outside of the Act. Like any business entity, it could be forced into bankruptcy or insolvency by creditors. Within the Act, there are provisions for either the members or the Registrar of Co-operatives to wind up the co-operative. All of these apply to the Bell Island Community Development Co-operative. It is unclear at this point how this co-op may end. What is clear is that it cannot continue under the present circumstances.

Of course, the Bell Island Co-op does not have to end! It could survive and even thrive but that would require the involvement and commitment of people. In the first instance, that responsibility falls to the members, those nearly 600 members who collectively purchased more than $9000 in membership shares since 1985. Ultimately, though, the entire community must take responsibility for the fate of this community-owned enterprise. After all, this co-operative was borne out of a rather lengthy community development process in the early 80’s that culminated in more than 350 residents attending a public meeting on December 2, 1984 at the CLB Armoury to sanction its formation.

One of the speakers at the formation meeting was Mr. Sam Kean, then the Registrar of Co-operatives for the Province. Sam’s address focused on the unique features of the co-operative model and the respective roles and responsibilities of the members, the Board of Directors, the Executive and, ultimately, the community in ensuring its success. During his remarks, he said the following: “Co-ops don’t fail people; people fail co-ops!”

I am not sure what the final outcome will be for this co-operative. I do believe it has played a significant role in the social and economic life of this community and I also believe it can have a significant role in the future. There are still lots of needs in this community and a community-owned co-operative could be the vehicle through which some of these needs are met. Right now, though, it is on life support and desperately needs intervention from within this community.

This December 2 will be the 25th anniversary of the formation of this co-operative while November 16 marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the bakery. Unfortunately, there is no planning on celebrations around these two significant milestones because there is no one left to plan. Perhaps, instead, those dates could be targets or occasions for a revival and rejuvenation of this co-operative. ANYONE INTERESTED?

By stepping away from the Board, I am now part of the problem. Given a positive response from the community and a significant response from individuals willing to contribute to the governance of the co-op, I am willing to be part of the solution.

Ken Kavanagh
Co-op Member
Membership # 1

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It has been some time since we have had an article in the Community Newsletter. I am pleased to announce that we are still going strong.

This year we have completed all mandatory as well as optional training. These include Field training, Bush Craft, band, swimming, Church Parade, November 11th, Poppy Drive at the Royal Canadian Legion, Santa Claus Parade, Christmas Tag Day, Battle of the Atlantic plus other events.

Our Final Parade was held on Wednesday, May 27th. It was well received by the Cadets, parents, friends and family and sponsors from the Royal Canadian Legion and parent’s committee.

Special thank you to any and all who have helped us during the year that Cadets have been active.

Capt. Wayne Fitzgerald

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St. Michael’s Parish Parish Events Summer 2009

St. Michael’s Parish Community welcomes all parishioners and visitors to come and celebrate with us at our weekend Masses at 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.

Our Cemetery Masses provide an opportunity to gather to remember our loved ones who have died and to offer support to those who are grieving. Cemetery Mass at the Front will be on July 19 at 2:30 p.m. Our Lance Cove Cemetery Mass will be held on August 9 at 2:30 p.m.

We have a number of social events planned for this summer.

July 18 - On this evening at 6:15 p.m. we will have our annual Dinner Theatre. This is an evening of Skits and Songs performed by our St. Michael’s Drama Group. Included in the evening’s events is a 3 course meal followed by a dance. Tickets for this can be obtained by calling Rosanne at 488-2190; Christine at 488-3342; or Ursula at 488-3015. The cost is $25 per person.

July 29 - A group called “The Shores of Newfoundland” will be having a concert at our hall at 7:00 p.m. They perform Newfoundland and Maritime music. The cost of this show is $10.

August 25 - We are delighted and privileged to have the “Holy Show” come to our community. Performers are 14 priests from our Archdiocese with Archbishop Martin Currie as Emcee. This show has received rave reviews and been sold out at all their performances. For $20, it will be money well spent. It is a one-time opportunity for our community. Come and join us for a fun-filled evening of entertainment. Reserved seating is available.

We take this opportunity to wish everyone in our community, as well as visitors, a safe, relaxing summer filled with every blessing.

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Our tiny little Conception Council 1930 on Bell Island presently has 89 members. That is a far cry from the times when the mines were at their prime. But we are still a small band of volunteers and an important part of the Two Million Knights worldwide, which comprise the largest lay organization in the world today.

The Knights of Columbus started on March 29, 1886 when one priest gathered twelve men to discuss the hard times of Catholic Families at that time. The priestly Father Michael McGivney was inspired to help the poor, the widow, the orphan and the unemployed. He was very concerned about the young widows with large families who had lost the husband and breadwinner of the family and had no means of survival. Families who were a little more blessed were generous with their knitting, sewing, cooking shared their lodging with the homeless and jobless.

The numbers grew as men looked for all the support they could find to strengthen their faith and family life under the pillars of faith, charity, fraternity and patriotism. In a very business-like fashion the Knights turned their attention to Life Insurance as a solid means to provide for the future education and well-being of their families deprived of their breadwinner. Today the Knights of Columbus Insurance Portfolio is worth more than 70 Billion Dollars and carries the strongest and safest “Triple A” (AAA) rating.

Here on Bell Island Conception Council 1930 seeks every opportunity to assist the poor, the widow and orphan as it donates to the Newfound-Labrador State programs and to Supreme Programs worldwide. All Knights are invited to be totally involved in church, community, family and patriotic causes.

Every Catholic Gentleman in good standing with his Church is most welcome to join or “re-join” Conception Council. K of C.
More about programs at a later date.
Give us a call (488-2525)
Father Jim Beresford; Grand Knight and Chaplain.

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We are aware that there are many organizations on the Island which have used the Newsletter in the past to let the community know what was happening with them. It is our hope to have a print version of the Newsletter available for September. If your organization would like to make a submission please email regdurdle@gmail.com before August 15th. All submissions must be electronic form, preferably plain text included in an email or MS Word attachment. Pictures may also be included. The web version of the September issue will be in pdf format as in the past.

If you have any feedback on the Newsletter please email Crpl. Trevor O'Keefe or

at the RCMP Detachment
at 116 Memorial Street.
(709) 488-3312.

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