Communities, local groups make case for funds

Municipal representatives and community leaders gathered at Holiday Inn in Stephenville recently to make their 2010 budget pitches to provincial Finance Minister Tom Marshall.

Speaking to the gathered parties about the challenges government will face in preparing budget 2010, Minister Marshall remarked that on his last occasion to conduct these consultations in Stephenville - in 2008, before the recession - money was flowing into the province.

"We think based on what experts tell us, retention in the economy should come back," he said, cautioning that government must be prudent in where it chooses to spend.

Each representative was given five minutes to tell the minister where they thought provincial monies should be spent.

Stephenville Crossing finance chair Councillor Vince Parsons submitted photos of the town's newer Gut Bridge, asking that a plan be put into place to remodel the upper bridge, which is in deteriorating condition.

"We want a new paved surface and new railings," said Councillor Parsons.

MHA Joan Burke was in attendance and spoke up on the issue, noting she had been told by the Department of Transportation that the older Gut Bridge would need to be replaced for T'Railway users.

Rather than replace that bridge, and in the interest of prudent spending, the councillor suggested government renovate the newer Gut Bridge to include an extension that would run along its side to accommodate recreational and T'Railway traffic.

The councillor also asked the finance minister to continue Municipal Operating Grants and the province's current cost-sharing formula for municipalities. He finished by asking that government continue its balanced approach to funding healthcare, educational and economic spending.

Mayor Cator Best of the Town of Kippens focused his time on the topics of White's Road and the sewer system his town is seeking.

"White's Road needs to be widened It's too curvy and there's got to be improvements," said the mayor. "Route 260 going towards the Cape is bad as well. You can't safely drive the speed limit."

Commenting on the issue of White's Road, MHA Joan Burke said the road was on the province's radar. She said brush cutting on the sides of the road in the past few years has been beneficial to drivers and that there is a committee looking at the repair of certain area roads. She says White's Road has been discussed by this group and is on this list.

The Town of St. George's, represented by Mayor Fintan Alexander, has started work on a sewer treatment plant and thanked MHA Burke for her help on this issue. Looking to future community upgrades, Mayor Alexander asked the finance minister to consider funds for upgrades to the town's fire hall, adding he felt if they did he also thought the federal government would come on side with monies from its green fund for environmental building initiatives.

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Alongside municipalities, community-based groups were also represented at the consultation.

Stephenville businessman and former town councillor Bob Byrnes spoke on behalf of the Bay St. George Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a vice-president.

He urged Minister Marshall to stimulate the provincial economy by growing a healthy business environment and improving infrastructure.

He also noted White's Road was in need of what he called a "major overhaul" and that the town of Stephenville itself consisted of old buildings, using Stephenville Provincial Court as an example. Government has upgraded the aged building recently but it remains wheelchair inaccessible.

Mr. Byrnes also spoke on the topic of Stephenville Airport. A former government representative on the airport's board, Mr. Byrnes said it just couldn't be expected that a group of volunteers operate a 50-year-old facility without any problems. He said once the airport's new business plan is submitted to government it needs to be seriously looked at and considered, noting the airport can contribute to the local and provincial economies.

In closing, Mr. Byrnes added that tourism needs to be supported, giving examples of groups like Stephenville Theatre Festival, and the tourism potential in the Blanche Brook petrified forest.

He also encouraged government to invest in wellness education, which he says he believes will help lower health care costs.

Representing mothers of children suffering from Type 1 Diabetes, Darlene Oake asked the minister to consider extend the provincial insulin pump program past a person's 18th birthday.

"When kids turn 18 they may not be able to maintain pumps, as they cost over $6,000" she said. "Type 1 Diabetes doesn't go away when they turn 18."

She said many young people suffering from the disease have to leave the province in order to find work to fund having their pumps. She commended government for the insulin pump program and added the logical next step would be to continue it past the age of 18.

Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital Action Committee representative Joe Hearn spoke on behalf of the West Coast Health Care Action Committee.

Mr. Hearn noted before the regionalization of health authorities and services, Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital had two doctors of each necessary specialty.

Mr. Hearn said at present, the hospital needs two surgeons, an obstetrics/gynecologist doctor, and a radiologist.

He said the committee has pushed for shared services in the region but that nothing has worked out in this regard.

Mr. Hearn asked Minister Marshall to increase funding into doctor recruitment, for more casualty officers and for more nurse practitioners at area clinics.

The minister said that doctor recruitment and retention is a worldwide problem and that the issue is something government constantly works on.

Minister Marshall also heard from representatives of the Stephenville Airport Action Committee, the Southwest Coast Coalition to End Violence and the Long Range Regional Economic Development Board.

reporter@thegeorgian.ca