By Chris Lewis/September 16, 2021
Long time Mount Pearl volunteer Mark Rice is feeling confident about his chances in this month’s city election.
Rice has lived in the city for over 40-years, and has been heavily involved in community life while raising three daughters.
Rice moved to Mount Pearl in 1988. Describing himself as a go-getter, it did not take long for him to get involved in local groups. This includes the rec hockey league, where he sat on the executive board for some 22 years. He also sat on the Morris Academy school council while his daughters went to school there, and got involved in the Mount Pearl Intermediate and Mount Pearl Senior High volleyball programs.
Rice is the second cousin of former council member and current MHA Lucy Stoyles. Ride said he has been described as the male version of Stoyles, thanks to his dedication to the city throughout his life.
For instance, Rice has been an organizer with Toonies for Turkeys, which he has been doing since 2004.
“There’s 112 guys that play hockey in the senior league, and every year we do a fundraiser – Toonies for Turkeys,” Rice said. “I give that money to Kim Power, and she goes through all the food banks in the city. So, all that money is spent in the Mount Pearl area. Food hampers is mostly what it is, and we’ve been at that for years now.”
Some of Rice’s other involvements have been with the Janeway Telethon, the Mount Pearl Sport Alliance, and the Huskies Volleyball Club.
He hopes to add council meetings to his regular to do list.
“I’ve got a lot of items on my agenda for when I get elected – because I am going to get elected,” Rice said.
He plans to address what he sees as an increase in break-ins and general crime in the city.
Traffic is another concern, specifically the increase in traffic in the Commonwealth Avenue area.
“With increased traffic means increased speeds.,” said Rice. “Since Costco opened up, our Commonwealth Avenue area and Mount Carson hill has gone crazy … I’m going to look into the possibility of putting in speed bumps, and three or four way stop signs to slow down traffic. One of my biggest points for when I get on council is to see the Team Gushue highway finished up.”
Rice, who is a facilities manager with Eastern Health, said he would also like to see a bylaw that would require masks being worn when entering city facilities. This, he said, is a simple health measure that is still important due to the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 virus.
Rice said he will listen to residents and hear their issues no matter the size.
He said his strong personality and knack for seeing things through are two traits that will stand him well in politics.
“I’ve got the experience, and I’ve got the knowledge. I can get in there and get stuff done,” he said. “I’ve been asked many times to run for City council, and I think that’s because every time I get involved in something, I’ve managed to make positive changes. I’m a good team player. Mount Pearl is a great place, but it’s not without its own issues. That’s what I want to be able to do, tackle those things and make positive change for the city.”
