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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

Wabana water upgrades a 'dream come true' after a decades-long boil order
Wabana water upgrades a 'dream come true' after a decades-long boil order

CBC

time04-07-2025

  • General
  • CBC

Wabana water upgrades a 'dream come true' after a decades-long boil order

An unhealthy municipal water system in the Bell Island community of Wabana is slowly being rid of contaminants like arsenic, manganese and iron, with 150 households being removed this week from a quarter-century-old boil order. Town leaders surprised more than 160 residents with the news during a volunteer appreciation dinner on Wednesday night. "The room went up," said Linda Spencer, a widow who has lived on Valley Hill Road since the early 1970s, and has struggled to keep potable drinking water in her home. Phase 3 of an expensive water system upgrade is complete, with new wells, pumps, filters and pipes, and testing shows the water meets Canadian drinking water guidelines. That means about 250 residents — many of whom are elderly — who live in 150 homes in an area of town known as The Green and The Valley can now turn on their taps and pour up a glass of clear, safe water. "It's a dream come true," said Spencer, who described the water pouring from her tap on Thursday as "amazing, wonderful." WATCH | The water used to look like motor oil. Not anymore: Cheers! After 25 years, hundreds of Wabana residents are drinking water — right out of the tap 12 hours ago Duration 2:22 They join about 200 other households who were connected to a new water supply in earlier phases of the upgrade. Phase 4 is also underway, with dozens more homes in an area known as The Front expected to receive a fresh supply of water later this year. So far, nearly $7 million has been spent on upgrades, said Mayor Philip Tobin, with the town paying a 10 per cent share. The provincial and federal governments covered most of the cost. "To finally get here now to this day and say we can lift this order is amazing to be a part of," Tobin told CBC News on Thursday. A stain on the town's reputation The drinking water problem has been a stain on Wabana's reputation for an entire generation. Residents were tired of turning on their taps and seeing a liquid that resembled cola or motor oil splattering into their sinks, and clothes sometimes looking dirtier when it emerged from the washer. For years, residents like Spencer have been forced to trek — with empty water jugs and buckets in hand — to a dispensing station in the centre of town for clean water. And that poses a big problem if you're elderly and you don't have a vehicle, and you have to depend on others, said Spencer. "It was not easy to get water," she on Thursday morning, Spencer went to her kitchen and felt great relief at being able to turn on her tap, and know the water was safe to drink, and that she no longer has to worry about fetching water. "I'm really, really happy," she said. A succession of municipal leaders have lobbied for financial assistance from the federal and provincial governments, and money finally started to flow in recent years. Tobin gave credit to previous leaders, especially the late Gary Gosine, who passed away in June and served for 30 years as mayor. "He played a big role in getting this accomplished," Tobin said of Gosine. Tobin estimates that nearly $7 million has so far been invested in the water system, but the job is not done. He expects it will be another three or four years before every household in the town of roughly 1,800 residents is connected, and one of the longest running boil water orders in the country is fully lifted.

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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