Big changes at Holyrood Town Hall

By Craig Westcott/December 20, 2023

There’s a lot of changes happening at the Holyrood Town Hall this month.

At last week’s public council meeting, longtime councillor and former mayor Curtis Buckle submitted his resignation letter, and later in the meeting, it became evident that longtime Recreation Director Steve Martin and newly minted Fire Chief Evan Woodford have also left the Town’s employment.

Buckle and his family are moving to the neighbouring community of Harbour Main. Martin and Woodford have both taken six month leaves of absence, the former to take a job as the executive director of Recreation NL, the latter to work in the office of the Provincial Fire Commissioner.

The changes follow the biggest change of all at the Town Hall that occurred in September when longtime chief administrative officer Gary Corbett retired and was replaced by Holyrood’s economic development officer, Marjorie Gibbons.

Mayor Gary Goobie started last week’s meeting by acknowledging Buckle’s resignation letter.

“I think over the last several weeks we have been preparing for this tonight,” said Goobie. “Curtis and his family have decided to move to Harbour Main, and of course you cannot serve on council if you are living in another community. But I must say it has been an absolute pleasure serving with Curtis… He always spoke his mind; he was always up front and honest and forthright. He certainly contributed to the conversation around the council table, and he was a true asset to serve as a councillor in this community. We wish him and his family all the very best in their new community. And who knows, maybe someday Curtis will be back. So, let’s give Curtis a round of applause.”

In his letter to council, Buckle, wrote that he was leaving with a heavy heart.

Buckle wrote that his intention on council was always to give residents the best possible programs and services.

“It was a pleasure and a humbling privilege to represent the fine people of Holyrood,” said Buckle. “Sometimes we succeeded in reaching where we wanted to go, and sometimes we didn’t. That’s the way politics happens, regardless of the level. The main thing is we tried.”

Buckle thanked Goobie and the rest of council for their efforts on behalf of residents, and respecting him as a councillor. 

“To the staff I want to say thank you for the work you do everyday,” Buckle added. “You are a great staff who always treated me with respect, and I appreciate that. To the residents of Holyrood, thank you for the faith you have placed in me over the years. I truly enjoyed being your representative. Family is a very important part of my life and now it’s their turn. My family and I leave Holyrood to take up residence in Harbour Main, but a piece of our hearts, and mine, will remain here forever. No one knows what the future will bring, so I will not say goodbye, I will merely say I will see you later.”

Mayor Goobie also spoke highly of Martin’s contribution to the town, and noted the job he has accepted is the top position with Recreation NL.

“Steve is well-educated and certainly quite experienced,” said the mayor. “All of us can’t say enough of how he’s contributed to recreation and community events within our community. We’ve said it repeatedly over the years. He’s certainly grown and enhanced the calibre of programs and services for folks of all ages. And when he does take on events, I tell you, they’re well-organized, well-coordinated and well-executed. So, it’s sad to see Steve move on, but we’re also happy that he’s pursuing a career that he’s certainly earned. He has all kinds of degrees and everything else in recreation and it’s his time and he’s ready.”

Goobie noted that where Martin has taken six months leave of absence, he will have the option to return to the Town if he chooses to do so. “So, we will be filling that position for a six-month period with the possibility of that becoming permanent, but we won’t know that for another six months,” he said. 

The mayor also had praise for the performance of Fire Chief Evan Woodford, who succeeded the longtime chief, the late Bob Bauer, who died from cancer in March 2022. 

“As we’re all aware, our fire chief has gone on to a new career as well,” said Goobie. “He’s also on six months leave of absence. So that job will be filled officially in the next little while. That will be for the next six months depending on the decision of former Fire Chief Woodford, because he may or may not return. If he doesn’t return, then that position will become permanent. But I certainly want to thank the former Fire Chief for all he has done in a relatively short time that he was there, I’ve got to say.”

Goobie said much of the fire department’s positive energy, which was on display at its recent Firefighters’ Ball, is due to the efforts of Woodford. The department is doing so well, he pointed out, it’s actually had to turn down applications from would-be recruits because all the slots in the department are full. 

Woodford’s position is being filled on an interim basis by Lieutenant Leslie Kenny, who is now one of just several female fire chiefs in the province. Kenny will serve as Acting Chief until the Town goes through a formal hiring process.

“Once the position is filled, that individual will then become ‘Interim Fire Chief’ for six months while Chief Woodford is on leave,” said Goobie. “Once that time lapses and if he decides not to return to his old job, the ‘Interim Chief’ will then become permanent Fire Chief.”