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'Morale is down' in the wake of failed ferry shuffle, says Wabana mayor
'Morale is down' in the wake of failed ferry shuffle, says Wabana mayor

CBC

time14-07-2025

  • Politics
  • CBC

'Morale is down' in the wake of failed ferry shuffle, says Wabana mayor

While the MV Astron W ferry remains on the Fogo Island-Change Islands-Farewell route, the mayors of the towns at each end of last week's situation say they haven't heard a word from the province. Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure announced Friday evening that the vessel would stay put after a lengthy protest against its decision to temporarily reassign it to the Bell Island-Portugal Cove route. Wabana Mayor Philip Tobin said the situation almost pitted the two towns against each other. "Morale is down … It's frustrating for a lot of residents," Tobin told CBC News. "We need to work together and hold our government officials accountable for this ferry system." The rural community, which had been relying on the St. John's area for gasoline, was without the MV Beaumont Hamel for almost a week before it was repaired over the weekend — leaving it with one crowded vessel for days on end. Tobin said the problem of aging vessels has been deeply affecting his community, but he's still been left in the dark since last week. He added that the island's main ferry, the MV Legionnaire, has been down for months with no exact repair deadline. "Communication with government officials, it's not getting better, it's getting worse. And I think they need to be more transparent, more open with leaders in the communities and, you know, work on strategies," said Tobin. Fogo Island Mayor Andrew Shea said he found out the government was no longer planning to reassign the Astron W to Bell Island from the media on Friday, not government officials. "The transportation committee hasn't heard … anything about the ferry, whether she's just holding out till we get it cleared up or whether it's, you know, permanent for the summer," said Shea. The MV Veteran, the ferry that typically serves Fogo Island and Change Islands, went out of service on Friday at noon. It has since been repaired and is back on the water. Even so, Shea said it's time for a swing vessel that can handle overflow traffic. On Friday, Transportation Minister Elvis Loveless said he is looking to issue an expression of interest for another swing vessel. Shea said the region's busiest season is coming up in August and ferry problems might deter them if the province doesn't step in.

Bell Island mayor calls for accountability amid ferry fiasco
Bell Island mayor calls for accountability amid ferry fiasco

Yahoo

time11-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Yahoo

Bell Island mayor calls for accountability amid ferry fiasco

The rural Newfoundland ferry saga continues on Bell Island's side of the tug-of-war for the Astron W vessel. The Beaumont Hamel ferry — used for the Bell Island to Portugal Cove run — has been out of service for five days due to mechanical issues, leaving the island with only the Flanders. The MV Flanders was operating on a load and go basis as of Friday. Wabana Mayor Philip Tobin has been calling for a third ferry, the relatively new Astron W, for some time. That vessel is now in limbo as Fogo Island protestors remain on board, demanding the Astron W stays with them. Fogo Island's regular ferry, the Veteran, went out of service shortly after. The situation leaves both small islands in a precarious state that the Wabana mayor says is both troubling and concerning. "The MV Flanders is 35 years old and with that comes constant mechanical issues and constant downtime issues, which affect the everyday livelihoods of the people on Bell Island," Tobin told CBC on Friday. Summertime is also Bell Island's peak season for tourism and business, according to Tobin. The ferry plays an essential part in the region's economy. "We have hundreds of people on a daily basis traveling to [St. John's] just for work, for medical appointments, etcetera, right? And they're not able to get to work," said Tobin. "It's just not acceptable what's going on." Tobin said it's time for the province to take accountability for the faltering ferry system and the tension it's creating between two rural communities. In an interview on Friday, before Fogo Island's Veteran went out of service, Transportation Minister Elvis Loveless said the department decided to temporarily move the Astron W to Bell Island for that reason. "We try to do what we can to accommodate them because we know … it's in peak time that people are traveling," said Loveless. However, he added, there are a number of "unknowns," including when the Beaumont Hamel will be back on the water. Meanwhile, PC transportation critic Jim McKenna says it's a matter of government neglect. "Scheduled maintenance and regulatory inspections are poorly planned. The Liberals have not made sure that there is an appropriately sized swing vessel," he wrote in a statement on Friday. CBC News has asked the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure for additional comment. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page

Former Wabana mayor Gary Gosine dies at 67
Former Wabana mayor Gary Gosine dies at 67

Yahoo

time09-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Yahoo

Former Wabana mayor Gary Gosine dies at 67

Bell Island has lost a longtime municipal politician who many now hail as a legend. Gary Gosine served on the Wabana town council for 35 years — 29 of them as the mayor — before retiring in 2024. He died Saturday at the age of 67. Philip Tobin, the current Wabana mayor and Gosine's nephew, says Gosine was a role model. "I grew up looking up to him, he was a mentor to me," he said Sunday. Tobin said the former mayor achieved many things for his community, but made a large impact by fighting for improved ferry services connecting Bell Island to Portugal Cove- St. Philip's. Gosine also advocated for better roads and water infrastructure. "He pushed in many ways and held the officials accountable for their actions," said Tobin. … Gosine was awarded Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Tobin said he's learned many things from his predecessor on a political level, like keeping the community's best interests in mind when making big decisions. He said he also has many personal memories. "He was always here to support the youth … he loved hockey," said Tobin. "We've gotten to share some great times and then some great victories over the years." WATCH | Politicians remember a longtimer leader and lover of Bell Island: The dedication Gosine held for the people of his town led to some headbutting with a number of Newfoundland and Labrador's politicians, including former Conception Bay East-Bell Island MHA David Brazil. "We've clashed … a number of times, but as good friends we always moved on," Brazil said in an interview with CBC. Brazil says his connection with Gosine goes back 50 years. The former mayor's 2013 re-election campaign was run in the hospital after undergoing open heart surgery and experiencing a stroke. Brazil sat by Gosine's side at the Miller Centre as he was sworn in. People can learn a thing or two from the Bell Island legend, according to Brazil. He said he admires how he always spoke his mind while respecting others when it came to standing up for his community. "He was multifaceted, he understood the needs of everybody," said Brazil. Fred Hutton, recently elected as the MHA for the area, has similar things to say. The minister for tourism, culture, arts and recreation and former journalist says Gosine always kept a calm demeanour. Hutton said in recent years when Gosine wasn't getting around as often, he'd visit him at home in Wabana. "Oftentimes family members would be there dropping and dropping out," said Hutton. "You could always tell the immense measure of pride that they had for their dad or their grandfather or in Debbie's case, her husband, but also the love that he had for them." He said Bell Island is synonymous with Gosine, a man who led by example. "If you look at the things that people enjoy on Bell Island today, his fingerprints are all over them," Hutton said. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.

Former Wabana mayor Gary Gosine dies at 67
Former Wabana mayor Gary Gosine dies at 67

CBC

time09-06-2025

  • Politics
  • CBC

Former Wabana mayor Gary Gosine dies at 67

Bell Island has lost a longtime municipal politician who many now hail as a legend. Gary Gosine served on the Wabana town council for 35 years — 29 of them as the mayor — before retiring in 2024. He died Saturday at the age of 67. Philip Tobin, the current Wabana mayor and Gosine's nephew, says Gosine was a role model. "I grew up looking up to him, he was a mentor to me," he said Sunday. Tobin said the former mayor achieved many things for his community, but made a large impact by fighting for improved ferry services connecting Bell Island to Portugal Cove- St. Philip's. Gosine also advocated for better roads and water infrastructure. "He pushed in many ways and held the officials accountable for their actions," said Tobin. … Gosine was awarded Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Tobin said he's learned many things from his predecessor on a political level, like keeping the community's best interests in mind when making big decisions. He said he also has many personal memories. "He was always here to support the youth … he loved hockey," said Tobin. "We've gotten to share some great times and then some great victories over the years." WATCH | Politicians remember a longtimer leader and lover of Bell Island: 'He was a fighter': Municipal, provincial leaders remember former Wabana mayor Gary Gosine, dead at 67 4 hours ago Duration 3:54 The long-time council member passed away Saturday after a long illness. Those who crossed paths with him say he was someone who spoke his mind but always stayed respectful — and who passionately worked for his home of Bell Island. The dedication Gosine held for the people of his town led to some headbutting with a number of Newfoundland and Labrador's politicians, including former Conception Bay East-Bell Island MHA David Brazil. "We've clashed … a number of times, but as good friends we always moved on," Brazil said in an interview with CBC. Brazil says his connection with Gosine goes back 50 years. The former mayor's 2013 re-election campaign was run in the hospital after undergoing open heart surgery and experiencing a stroke. Brazil sat by Gosine's side at the Miller Centre as he was sworn in. People can learn a thing or two from the Bell Island legend, according to Brazil. He said he admires how he always spoke his mind while respecting others when it came to standing up for his community. "He was multifaceted, he understood the needs of everybody," said Brazil. Fred Hutton, recently elected as the MHA for the area, has similar things to say. The minister for tourism, culture, arts and recreation and former journalist says Gosine always kept a calm demeanour. Hutton said in recent years when Gosine wasn't getting around as often, he'd visit him at home in Wabana. "Oftentimes family members would be there dropping and dropping out," said Hutton. "You could always tell the immense measure of pride that they had for their dad or their grandfather or in Debbie's case, her husband, but also the love that he had for them." He said Bell Island is synonymous with Gosine, a man who led by example. "If you look at the things that people enjoy on Bell Island today, his fingerprints are all over them," Hutton said.

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