Citizens For Fairness Portugal Cove

Finally some great news! After 32 days of closure by the Department of Transportation and Works, the road is now open. Obviously the whole shoulder has been repaired and new guard rail installed. However, the only other noticeable sign of repair to the road surface appears to be the asphalt patch under the jersey bar in the first picture. So in essence, that seems to be the reason why local residents and Bell Island commuters were inconvenienced for the past 32 days.

Tomorrow will be 31 days. Still no road access. Anybody think the road will open tomorrow?

It is now Day 29 and counting. The photos from yesterday appear to indicate there is no longer any danger of the road collapsing into the ocean. Isn't about time to open the road after the construction hours so that local residents and Bell Island commuters can have their travel patterns returned to normal?

We have posted our displeasure with the road closure of Beachy Cove Road now 25 days and counting. Letters have been written to the Department of Transportation and Works requesting some changes with respect to traffic flow through the site. Also, we have addressed the reluctance of the Minister to discuss this matter with our Mayor. Yesterday, Citizens For Fairness Group received a call from the Minister's Office. In essence, the message was, " An engineer determined the ro...ad is not safe. The 9km detour around a 300m worksite should not be an issue. There was no need for the Minister to speak with the Mayor. He directed staff to communicate the message. There will be no changes. The repairs will be complete next week, and the road will be reopened." What a stellar job of flawed communication strategy from the Provincial Government to a Municipal Government. You would think that with Provincial roads running through many Municipal communities, that there would be a spirit of communication and of openness and transparency with respect to common road concerns. This is apparently not the case. Anyway, it is going to be status quo for a number of more days. Let's hope the road opens early next week. See more

After 23 days, an email was sent to our Mayor. The bracketed text is Citizens For Fairness Group's response to the items raised in the email message. In any event, the response is totally unacceptable! It is now Day 24. Engineers in the field advised that they could not guarantee the integrity of what was beneath the asphalt. (The Town has reported no signs of infrastructure damage. Empty dump trucks and dump flatbeds weighing 35,000 pounds have been driving over the road, s...Continue reading

Currently day 23 of the road closure. The road was closed April 5th due to the danger of a utility pole falling across the road, that was repaired in 2 days by NL Power. The ongoing closure is not necessary as the road surface is intact. The repairs are to the shoulder. Flag persons and automated lights could provide alternate one way traffic through the repair zone. But 23 days and not one word of communication between the Minister of Transportation and Works and our Mayor ...to discuss a more reasonable solution for residents and commuters stuck with a complete closure, yet watching daily as heavy dump trucks and flat bed rock carriers regularly traverse the construction site. Our Town deserves much better treatment from the Province and from the Minister. So, Honourable Minister Steve Crocker, will this be the day you can find some time to communicate with our Mayor, Carol McDonald, to resolve this epic problem? It needs to be done TODAY! See more

In the past month, we have been witness to some very blunt statements by our Minister of Health about how individuals should be reacting to the COVID19 pandemic. Now , with relation to the road closure on Beachy Cove Road, it is time for some blunt statements to be directed towards our Provincial Government, and specifically to Minister of Transportation and Works, the Honourable Steve Crocker.. As can be seen from the attached photos, the entire inside lane of beachy Cove ...Road furthest away from the eroded shoulder is completely clear. It has been observed by many residents these past few days that flatbed trailers with the large armour stones are driven from the Portugal Cove side of the closure up the free inside lane to have the stones unloaded and placed, then the flatbeds continue through the construction zone in the open lane to make a lop back for the next load. This is extremely surprising as many of us where told the reason for the complete road closure was because the remaining road wasn’t safe to drive on. So, a couple of very simple questions arise that every resident should ask Minister Crocker and or Premier Ball as Minister Crocker seems to be shying away from emails, calls and letters from elected municipal officials and concerned residents. 1. If the remaining road is suitable to support large trucks heavily loaded with armour stones why can’t it support emergency vehicles? 2. If the remaining road is suitable to support large trucks heavily loaded with armour stones why can’t it support passenger vehicles? 3. Is there now a new reason to have the safety of the people of this area put at risk? 4. If the slope stabilization work is only ongoing for 8 hours a day and there is some reason work and controlled traffic flow can’t happen the same time, then why isn’t the road opened (in a limited way) after hours? 5. Why is this emergency repair project only being worked 8 hours a day? 6. Why have our elected Town officials and concerned citizens justifiable concerns been ignored and not responded to on this matter. Here is the contact information for both Premier Ball and Minister Crocker. Please take a few minutes as a responsible resident and reach out to them today to let them know what you think of this issue. Premier Ball: Email: [email protected] Phone: (709) 729-3570 Fax: (709) 729-5875 Minister Crocker: Email: [email protected] Phone: (709) 729-3679 Fax: (709) 729-4285 See more

It is now day 19 of the Beachy Cove Road closure. The shoulder is eroded back to the paved surface in two places. No pavement has fallen into the shoulders. Why ism it that alternating one way traffic flow has not been established in the lane furthest from the eroded shoulder? Is it financial? Or, is it that someone has dropped this file?

Our Health Care Workers are taking risks everyday as they interact with patients. And the one big risk is the bringing home of the virus due to contact with a positive testing patient. So a big thank you to all health care workers for your essential services

Lots being said about a new normal once the virus restrictions are lifted. Let’s not be too quick to return entirely to what used to be the status quo. There is lots of room for change in how we approach essential workers, in how we address climate change, in how we shop locally, and in how governments provide a social safety net for individuals at or below the poverty line. Lots to think about, and now we have the time to do the reflections and thinking and planning for a better new normal.

Beachy Cove Road has now been closed for 18 days as a result of the shoulder washing out in two locations. The 5 photos attached to this post clearly shows that there is absolutely no reason why a temporary installation of portable traffic signals could not have been installed to permit alternating one lane traffic opposite the road shoulder to pass through the area just as happens when the Province authorizes bridge reconstruction. To make matters worse, while the locals kn...ow the ins and outs of getting around the barricade by using Witch hazel Road and Old Broad Cove Road to get back to Portugal Cove Road, the Department of Transportation and Works has not erected even one detour sign in the past 18 days. This situation is an absolute disgrace, and we call on Minister Steve Crocker to become active on this file immediately. A worker at the site this morning says it will take another 2 weeks to repair the armour stone on the shoulder; however, there is absolutely no reason to deny access through the site in the inside lane any longer. See more

Coastal erosion is always an issue along this shore due to the huge effects of the north east winds and ocean swells during big storms. The land mass in front of the old Atlantica building has been the subject of severe erosion ever since the building was built. You can not deny a person the ability to protect property by replacing armour stone with bigger armour stone. Hopefully that is what is being observed. On a bigger scale, the section of coastline from the ferry termin...al all the way along to West Point Road is one of the last sections of coastal roads on this side of Conception Bay where individuals have full view of the bay without peaking between houses. The latest PCSP Municipal Plan recognizes a 30 metre coastal buffer. In effect it means this coastline is protected from new development other than infrastructure to protect existing structures . So using armour stone to protect the existing building would be permitted as well as using armour stone to protect erosion of the Beachy Cove Road shoulder would be acceptable. The issue right now is getting the road open after 18 days. Citizens For Fairness Group has asked Minister Crocker to intervene as 18 days of closure with not even one detour sign advising drivers how to manage the detour is simply not acceptable. See more

16 days of road closure is enough! Today we submitted this letter to the Hon. Steve Crocker, Minister of Transportation and Works re the abandonment of this community for the past 16 days. Hon. Steve Crocker, Minister Transportation and Works Good afternoon Minister Crocker:...Continue reading

Many residents are hoping restrictions might be lifted in time for May 24th. If indeed our curve has been flattened by then, we have to be vigilant and carefully obey any modified restrictions that might apply. If , for some reason we get the projected spike in cases, we have to be prepared to forego our plans.

During these troubling times of the COVID19 pandemic, there are still volunteers stepping up to help community organizations in their missions to help those individuals in need. Many of these volunteers are from our own community. Congratulations on your efforts during not only National Volunteer Week, but during every week! Your contributions are truly appreciated.

Understanding and kindness goes a long way.

This pandemic will be a life changing event. Let’s hope that adherence to the specific rules and directives, will lead to an announcement that summer will actually happen.

Please resist the urge to find loopholes in the regulations. You do not need to be left without a safety net.

No matter how you define social distancing or self isolation, we are all in this together. Collectively, we will contribute to when we come out of this pandemic.

Happy Easter to all! And as the Easter Bunny says, use your day to reach out electronically to family and extended family and friends. It is very different, but we all want to make sure that everyone is here once this crisis ends.

This weekend some businesses may be closed to offer their workers a much needed break from the daily stresses of providing service in essential businesses. We need to recognize the stamina it takes to work in the midst of this virus, being constantly aware of the possibility of catching the virus and then bringing it home to their families. So please plan ahead with any planned outings for food or medications this weekend, and remember the requests outlined below.

The latest addition from the Department of Health bans motorcades. While a harsh ruling, just think, how you can social distance with 4 people in a compact vehicle?

The crows are having a chat this morning. What a nice sunny day! Yeah, but look what is on the streets of our community. 12 cases of COVID19 reported in PCSP yesterday. Guess it is a good day for people to stay safe and stay home!

Entering the week prior to Easter, there will be a significant amount of stress and pressure mounting with respect to what to do about Easter. You have the religious perspective as Easter services draw huge crowds for worship services. These have now been closed by the order of the Chief Medical Officer. But churches have become extremely adaptable, and have moved to virtual platforms for the past few weeks. Congratulations to church leaders for their innovative approaches! T...he other perspective is children and the Easter Bunny! What to do? You will see lots of alternative suggestions throughout this week. But no matter what your ultimate decision, please stick to the guidelines that have been implemented by the Authorities . Shop efficiently, continue the social and physical distancing, enjoy some chocolate, and plan how to have virtual communication with all of your extended family members. The real hugs and kisses will have to be put on hold until the restrictions are lifted. And that’s really important as we want to actually be able to hug ALL of our family and friends when the restrictions are finished. Stay home and stay safe! See more

Thank you to our health care expert’s throughout our Province. Dr. Fitzgerald and Dr. Haggie are doing an excellent job of keeping us informed about the latest details in the fight against COVID19. And let’s not forget our extraordinary health care workers.

Please remember that we have residents of our community that work at Walmart and a host of other essential businesses both within and in our neighbouring communities. They are to be congratulated for assuming much risk as they continue to provide services to the community, yet have to return home nightly to be with their families. For them the stress of that must be huge. So when you go to these businesses, be quick, don’t loiter around, it is not a social visit, and most of all, be kind to the staff. They deserve your utmost respect for what they do during this crisis; in fact they should deserve your respect on every day they go to work!

Limiting family visits during this pandemic is one of the hardest and emotional decisions families have to make! But there are electronic means available for virtual hugs and kisses; ask your children to get us updated on social media. We live in very challenging times; it calls for new solutions to deal with the new realities. We can do this!

Continuing with the familiar theme, please don't let your guard down now. Health care officials are predicting that there will be an upcoming spike in cases for the next period of time. The best way to protect you and extended is to not visit. It is a difficult decision, but far better than spreading a virus.

They are doing their part, are you doing yours? Please continue your efforts to flatten the curve! And before you comment about the social distancing in the photo, remember it is just one child surrounded by puppets!

The numbers of cases grow exponentially unless we follow the guidelines! Let’s do this to save our friends.

Here are some of the numbers complied from the daily Provincial briefings. While the number of new cases is in decline, now is not the time to become complacent with the Stay At Home directives. Long term success will only be achieved when everyone agrees that we are in this for the long haul. So, please be patient, follow the increasing number of directives being issued by our Health Authorities, and trust their experienced medical judgement to end these directives when the time is right.

There are many seniors in our community. While most have a good support network of family and friends, if you need extra assistance there are resources available at SeniorsNL.

Many residents are immuno-compromised and have had to take many extra steps to self isolate. For some it has meant putting a stop sign on their front doors to discourage visitors. If you are fortunate enough to still have total freedom with respect to decision making throughout this crisis, please do not do anything that could potentially put your friends and neighbours at increased risks.

Great effort last night by everyone making a noise to recognize the efforts of our essential workers. Please remember that as frustrating and stressful as these times are for us, please treat our essential employees with the utmost respect. They are putting themselves on the front lines every day, they should not have to deal with insensitive customers.

A special thank you to the frontline workers who are required to take measured risks to provide services to keep us stay -at-homers safe. Their contributions throughout this crisis are immeasurable, but the impact gigantic!

We are all adjusting to the social and physical distancing and self isolation. Now that the weekend has arrived, this is no time to relax the standards. With technology, there are lots of ways to interact with family using your phones and tablets. Ask you children and grandchildren and they will quickly become teachers and show you how to adapt to new generational communication styles. And for all of the old schoolers, go for a drive to your family members house, honk the horn and smile at them through the windshield. We can do this, it is just going to take more time and patience!

Social distancing is difficult for our teenage residents. But you can do your part to help your friends and extended family members. You are much more tech aware than most of us; use this to your advantage to protect us all!

While many residents have been ordered to stay home, practice social distancing, or self isolation; there are many of our fellow residents who are essential workers throughout the duration of this crisis. Please take a moment to thank these essential workers for their courage and perseverance for continuing to provide services under the umbrella of health risks to themselves while performing their duties, and the risks to their families every day they return home after their shifts. We owe them a great debt of gratitude for their service!

The numbers illustrate the reason why self isolation and social distancing are so important. To flatten the curve, the number of new cases has got to get reduced. Please do your part to help fellow Canadians!

Our Municipality has enough to deal with during this crisis without having to cope with a potentially self made problem by our own residents. B’yes, wipes and gloves are not flushable. Let’s not screw up our sewer systems and cause issues for municipal workers. Just throw them in the garbage. Ok? Our Municipal workers will appreciate not having to clear them out of our sewer lines.

For the next few weeks as this pandemic continues, we need to hold fast to the belief that we can all help to keep our friends and neighbours safe by practicing either social distancing or self isolation as your circumstances permit.

Please continue to follow the advice of our Provincial Medical Advisor, our Premier and our Prime Minister! It is in our best interests to stay home, social distance or self isolate as your circumstances dictate. The life you save might be your own!

Just a reminder that there are hundreds of individuals living in our Town who have a compromised immune system due a whole myriad of pre-existing health conditions. It ranges from asthma, to diabetes, to chemotherapy treatments. These individuals need extra protection, so you can all add to their safety and security by practicing the social distancing and self isolation as mandated by our Health Authorities.

Now that the warmer weather and sun is finally getting rid of that snow and ice, and now that many more people have an opportunity to walk their pets as a healthy activity while dealing with the self distancing required by COVID19, please help keep our Town Trails cleaner by picking up your dogs waste and deposit it in the appropriate containers. Your fellow dog walkers, and all of those other walkers without dogs will surely appreciate you help in making the trails safer places to walk.

COVID19 affects our small community just as much as the world wide pandemic. Despite all of the misinformation that is out there, please do your utmost to practice self distancing and social isolation as your circumstances require. This virus spreads exponentially, so we ask each and every resident to do whatever it takes to ensure that as many residents of our fine community are spared from the infection of this virus.

Wishing everyone in our Town a very Merry Christmas!

Citizens For Fairness Group congratulates our Town and Councillors for adopting its third Budget incorporating responsible spending, reductions in expenditures, and holding the line on property taxes and fees. This has happened because of the collaboration with residents and community groups, and a true effort to listen to and understand the actual needs expressed by residents.

In recent weeks the largest Cities and Towns have released budgets that hold the line on taxes and fees. Citizens For Fairness Group has also requested that our community do the same. Here is the presentation submitted to our Town with respect to this year's Budget 2020.

The next consultation on the 2020 Budget happens this Thursday night, November 7, 7:00pm at the Town Hall Council Chambers. Don't miss this opportunity to come out and have your say on Budget 2020.

Don't forget to come out to the Recreation Center tonight at 7:00pm to attend a workshop offered by our Town to have input into the 2020 budget. If you can't attend tonight, there is a second meeting at the Town Hall on Thursday night, November 7, at 7:00pm. If neither of that works, please complete the online survey located on the Town website.

The first Budget Consultation Session will be held on Sunday night, November 3rd, 7:00pm at the Recreation Center

It's Municipal Budget time again! Have your say in how you think the Town should be spending your tax dollars during 2020. Please complete the online budget survey on the Town website and plan to attend one of the public meetings. The first meeting is one week from today, Sunday, November 3 at 7:00pm at the Recreation Center.

Just 3 days remaining to complete this online survey. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey with a view to a restoration of services and addition of services "in our community".

As a follow-up to yesterday's message, here are the times for the Eastern Health Consultations.

You will recall that in August and September 2018, there was much discussion about the closure of the Eastern Health Medical Clinic. As a result of the protest...s, a smaller facility was retained, but there was a promise of full consultation with respect to the types of health care services residents would like to see maintained in our community. The next step has now arrived. Eastern health is inviting as many as possible to attend one of 5 public input sessions scheduled from March 6th to March 8th. So please take note of the times available as attached and call Catherine McCarthy at 752-3525 to register and attend. This process can only be successful if you come out in person and discuss your issues with the representatives from Eastern Health who will be convening the meetings.

Wishing Everyone A Very Merry Christmas 2018!

Just a reminder that there is a meeting tomorrow night, Wednesday, November 28th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm to discuss the budget being planned for 2019. The meeting will be at the Recreation Centre and will give further details on the flyer distributed this week.

Budget Presentation to Town on November 7th

Last night Citizens For Fairness Group partnered with the PCSP Chamber Of Commerce to present a joint budget presentation as input to the planning of our Town's Budget for 2019. Our Town plans a further Budget Session later this month with details about what they will plan as priorities for next year.

Just a reminder that the next Budget meeting is at the Recreation Centre at 2:00pm tomorrow. Please attend and have your say in how you think Council should spend your tax dollars next year.

The first Budget Information Session is schedules for 7:00pm this coming Thursday, November 1st at the Murray's Pond Clubhouse. The session begins at 7:00pm and includes a presentation by the Town about its upcoming budget and provides an opportunity for you, our residents, to make suggestions about how the Town spends our tax dollars.