Municipalities in St. John’s metro area ready to get down to business with new government – The Telegram

ST. JOHN'S, N.L.

After a 10-week provincial election, municipal leaders in the metro area are ready to get down to business.

They're hoping a majority Liberal government is, too.

To some degree, Im a believer in majorities because there are a lot of tough decisions that have to be made right now and its going to hurt people , Conception Bay South Mayor Terry French told The Telegram Sunday, a day after poll counts revealed Andrew Furey reclaimed his premiership, taking 22 out of 40 seats.

But now is the time that we dont need 40 politicians anymore. We need 40 Newfoundland and Labrador patriots to make the decisions that have to be made, not make decisions based on getting re-elected.

Members of the House of Assembly representing in the C.B.S. area were both re-elected Progressive Conservatives Barry Petten for C.B.S. and Paul Dinn for Topsail-Paradise.

French hopes the strong relationship with them continues.

Everything we do from an infrastructure perspective, having the provincial and federal governments support to back you is crucial, French said.

So, when youre cutting up the pie realizing the pie is not as big as wed all like to see it sometimes you just want to get your fair share.

"C.B.S. is the second biggest municipality in the province and we realize were not going to get as much as the City of St. Johns, but we expect to be second in line when they cut up that pie.

French said the town is looking to do some crucial infrastructure work, including road work, and to construct a new community centre and cultural centre, but its plans have been on hold because the province hasnt announced how much its allotting for the multi-year capital works program.

We want that announced, he said. We realize the province has to tighten its belt, but we want to know how much were getting so we can go out and plan and develop our infrastructure.

St. Johns Mayor Danny Breen said he sent a letter to all candidates in the St. Johns area on behalf of the city prior to the election outlining the issues which need to be addressed.

There wasnt a strong response back to that, Breen said. So, were going to be meeting with the local MHAs at our first opportunity and ensure that those issues continue to be addressed.

Were coming off COVID and its important that we all work together and its important that the municipalities are working in tandem with the province to address the issues that we have.

The big issue for St. Johns, he said, is economic development and recovery.

Among the technical issues is the need for an updated City of St. Johns Act something theyve been waiting on for 20 years.

Quite frankly, its causing us a lot of problems. We need that addressed, said Breen, noting the development of a secondary waste-water treatment plant relies onthe creation of a new Act.

There are just a lot of issues that havent been dealt with and Im hopeful that with a new mandate and a new government that we can move some of these issues forward.

Breen said while some advances have been made with the province, more needs to be done.

To build a strong province, you have to do it one community at a time, he said.

Mount Pearl Mayor Dave Aker also believes a majority government will be better in the long run.

I dont see a minority working as well because you can only deal with your short-term issues, he said. A four-year term gives the province and municipalities, the mandate to work on our problems long-term

And you need that long-term plan in order to implement a vision.

Aker said Mount Pearl has significant infrastructure needs, which requires co-operation with the provincial government, which provides financial support from its expansive tax base.

You need everyone working together, and having a majority government really helps us in establishing priorities and grow our economy, said Aker, who said the province needs to be a strong approach transitioning into the new economy, away from resource-based industry and towards more modern technology and greener industries.

Hes glad to be working with MHAs Paul Lane and Lucy Stoyles, both former Mount Pearl councillors.

They understand us, Aker said. Theyll be able to take our needs to the powers that be.

Meanwhile, Aker said much was learned about mail-out ballots, which Mount Pearl plans to implement for Septembers municipal election.

Paradise mayor Dan Bobbett said for the majority provincial government, "tough decisions have to be made, but we looking forward to some stability now.

He said with Paradise being the fifth-largest municipality in the province, there needs to be changes made to the Municipalities Act to give larger towns the ability to make decisions on various projects.

We get permits ready, engineering is done and everything is ready to go, but weve got to go to government for final approval, said Bobbett, noting it delays the process of getting projects completed. Wed like more autonomy.

We hope the new government will see this as a priority.

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Municipalities in St. John's metro area ready to get down to business with new government - The Telegram