City asks residents to check radon levels

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl has partnered with the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST) to provide 400 residents with free radon test kits.

Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers in Canada and often goes undetected.

The kits, which are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, will be made available to the first 400 residents to register at mountpearl.ca/radon-testing. Registration also includes information on the health effects of radon, and Health Canada’s recommendations.

“The Radon Test Kit Challenge is a great opportunity to help Mount Pearl families protect their health,” said Mayor Dave Aker. “With increased awareness of air quality, reducing radon gas is vital to lung cancer prevention.”

The Town of Conception Bay South recently offered a similar program, and just this week learned that of the 111 homes tested, 30 per cent were above Health Canada’s acceptable radon gas levels. According to the federal government, the average number of homes that test positive across Canada is only about seven per cent.

Radon is a colourless and odourless gas that results from the breakdown of uranium in soil.

'Please, please, please' report crime, Fry urges

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl City councillor Isabelle Fry is imploring residents to report crime to Newfoundland and Labrador Crime Stoppers.

“There has been an increase in (criminal) activity across the northeast Avalon,” said Fry during a council meeting earlier this month. “I was part of a meeting recently with the Northeast Avalon Joint Regional Council and there was a discussion on this, and one of the things that Sgt. Ryan Slaney from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said was that the justice system fundamentally depends on somebody else reporting the issue. If someone doesn’t report it, police cannot act on it.”

Fry acknowledged that some people are understandably hesitant to report crimes.

“I’ve had a number of parents speak to me within the last year or so, and one of the things that they have concerns over, which, I feel is justified, they say, ‘Look, I’m not going to call and report it. I’m not going to put a target on my kid’s head.’ And I get that, I understand that. And that seems to be the case in a lot of situations. People don’t want to get involved, they don’t want the hassle, they don’t want the repercussions.”

To that end, Fry said people can call Crime Stoppers to report crime anonymously.

“You will not be asked to give your name, and you will not have to testify in court,” said Fry. “Please, just share the information.”

Fry added that some people don’t report crime because they may feel that by the time police arrive, the criminals will be long gone.

“Perhaps,” Fry allowed. “But still report it. Call and report it, whether you call the RNC or, if you don’t want to get involved, call Crime Stopers, because at least the message is being reported, the statistics are being reported, and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary are aware of things that are happening. And so, I cannot stress enough — please, please, please, if you know of anything that’s happening, call Crime Stoppers.”

Councillor Jim Locke doubled down on the importance of reporting criminal activity.

“We’ve met regularly with our RNC, and if it’s not reported, they don’t see it as an issue,” said Locke. “The data helps dictate where resources may be put. And so, by reporting it — and as was said, there may not be an immediate response— but it goes into their data set, and if they notice a certain level of activity in a certain area, they will direct resources to that area.”

City makes good on commitment

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl has made good on a commitment to connect an existing stormwater system to the Glencoe Road system.

Councillor Bill Antle, during a public meeting earlier this month, explained that in 2017, the City entered into an easement and access agreement with Sea-Force Technologies Inc., at 60-62 Glencoe Drive. The city required an easement on a portion of the property for the purpose of rerouting an existing storm water system in the rear of the property.

In December of 2023, the City granted Parts for Trucks a development permit for the property. That permit outlined the City’s responsibility to carry out the work necessary to supply and install piping of the swale and/or storm water system in the easement area and feed into the existing piped storm system on Glencoe Drive.

Four companies bid on the work, and staff recommended that council award the contract to Modern Paving for the amount of up to $195,300, plus HST.

This senior has real distinction

Linda Ryan was one of nine people recognized as a 2024 Senior of Distinction. With Ryan are Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, Paul Pike (left) and Premier Andrew Furey.

By Mark Squibb

Linda Ryan of Mount Pearl was one of nine people recognized by the province as a Senior of Distinction at an award ceremony held in St. John’s earlier this month.

“I was excited, thrilled, delighted, humbled, and most of all, honoured,” said Ryan, who quipped that she still finds it hard to wrap her head around the fact she’s now a senior. “But it was really lovely to be in the room that morning with all those seniors from across the province that have accomplished so much and volunteered their precious time. I’ve said before that as we age, our time is so precious, and to be able to volunteer, and to be appreciated for the work that we do, is pretty special.”

Ryan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. Following her diagnosis, she funnelled her time and energy into helping others facing similar diagnoses, and in 2011, Pink Days in Bloom was born.

“Pink Days in Bloom initiative is a way for me to give back, and the whole idea behind it is to uplift others on their cancer journey,” said Ryan. “And I felt the best way to give back was to support the important work of Daffodil Place. They do a lot of incredible work. Everybody calls it a home away from home. So, all the fundraisers I’ve done over the last several years fully support Daffodil Place.”

Ryan estimates that Pink Days in Bloom has raised about a quarter of a million dollars for Daffodil Place through different fundraising events, such as the annual “Socks in the City” Christmas market.

Vendors at the fair pick up the tab for a night at Daffodil Place, including one night accommodation for a cancer patient and their companion, three meals a day, transportation to-and-from medical appointments, entertainment, and more. Ryan receives donations of handknits from across the province, and 100 percent of proceeds from the knitted donations are donated to Daffodil Place, and money raised by entry fees and raffle tickets also go towards Daffodil Place.

Pink Days in Bloom also organizes Teacups for Hope and the Comfort and Joy Auction, amongst other initiatives, all in support of Daffodil Place.

This year’s event will be held at the Glendenning Golf Club on Sunday, November 3.

Last year’s “Socks in the City” event raised some $16,000 — or 160 nights stay at Daffodil Place for cancer patients and their loved ones.

“There’s a saying that you can’t spell ‘community’ without ‘unity’,” said Ryan. “While it’s true that an individual can’t help everyone, an individual can help someone.”

Ryan has received numerous other accolades in recognition of her volunteer efforts over the years, including Canada’s Volunteer Award for Community Leaders (Atlantic Region), the Sovereign Medal for Volunteers, the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, the Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from Rotary International.

Council sees the funding for the trees

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl has begun the application process for federal funding to plant more trees around town.

Councillor Chelsea Lane, during the October 1 public meeting, said the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) has a $291 million initiative called Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) that supports planting trees across the country in an effort to fight climate change.

The GCCC program will cover half the cost of tree planting projects, and so staff recommended council apply for $400,000 worth of work.

The City’s portion, $200,000, will be budgeted for in Budget 2025 and work will be carried out in 2025-26 in the area of Old Placentia Road  from Sagona Avenue to Ruth Avenue and Richard Nolan Drive to Commonwealth Avenue should the application be successful.

“I just want to say, I am so pleased with this,” said councillor Isabelle Fry. “For staff to find this funding that gives us ‘50-cent dollars’ is fantastic. This is going to save us money in the long run, and I think this is a great opportunity to enhance our city and carry out our Urban Forestry Plan.”

Councillor Jim Locke also applauded the motion.

“I don’t know the exact quote, but it goes something like, ‘Someone sits under the shade of a tree today because someone planted that tree years ago,’” said Locke. “This City in 30 years, because of this tree-planting initiative, is going to be absolutely spectacular. I may not be around to sit under the shade of the trees, but my grandchildren certainly will be.”

Staff were authorized to proceed with the pre-application process ahead of the October 1 public meeting to meet the October 15 deadline, and so council ratified the decision at its public meeting.

Three Marketing Canada Awards for the City of Mount Pearl

The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) awarded the City of Mount Pearl three Marketing Canada Awards for the City’s ‘Come to Life’ resident attraction campaign at a ceremony held in Edmonton earlier this month. The campaign promoted Mount Pearl as a vibrant and welcoming community in which to live, and earned awards in Advertising Campaign, Website, and Video categories. From left are Manager of Economic Development and Housing Jeremy Schwartz, councillor Chelsea Lane, and Director of Corporate Services Cassie Rideout, who were on hand in Edmonton to accept the awards. City of Mount Pearl photo

Job Fair

Hundreds of folks, many of them immigrants or high school students, dropped by the Reid Community Centre last Thursday for the Mount Pearl - Paradise Chamber of Commerce Job Fair. Some 28 employers, including the City of Mount Pearl, Town of Paradise, Marie’s Mini Mart, and PAL Airlines, manned booths and spoke with potential future employees. Shelly England, Career Development Officer with Trades NL, an umbrella labour organization representing 14 different local trades unions, said she was happy to see so many young people from nearby schools expressing an interest in trades. Sgt. Sarah Parkes and Cpl. Michael Halitzki with the 37 Canadian Brigade Group also spoke with the students and job seekers. Mark Squibb photos

Mount Pearl in line for $5.3 million

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl has accepted over $5.3 million in federal funding spread out over a five-period.

The funds come courtesy of the Canada Community-Building Fund Agreement (formerly the gas tax), a federal funding program aimed at helping communities improve all manner of infrastructure, from roads to recreation facilities.

The City will receive $1,028,457 in 2024-2025, $1,071,309 in both 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, and $1,114,161 in both 2027-2028, for a total of $5,399,397.

Funding is based on census data, and a second round of funding (2029-2034) will be determined based on the 2026 census.

“What struck me with this item is that our disbursements and the amounts we receive are contingent on our census data,” said councillor Jim Locke. “And I know the City of Mount Pearl, through our strategic plan, is all about intensification, and we are proactively trying to recruit and attract new residents to the City of Mount Pearl, and this is the reason here. Our population has been declining over the last number of census periods — I think about two percent over the last census period — so, the loss of population will impact the amount of money we receive under this agreement. So, I just wanted to highlight the reason for being proactive in intensification and trying to attract more people to our fine City. It does have financial implications for funding activities like this.”

The funds are first dispersed to the provincial government and then allocated to municipalities by the Province.