CBN reps happy with revitalization of Joint Council

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Given it was their last meeting before the coming fall elections, it wasn’t surprising that some of the members attending the Joint Council of Conception Bay North’s annual dinner last month were feeling a little reflective.

It was doubly so given the Joint Council was given a bit of a rejuvenation earlier this year by the current members who made an extra effort to keep the group alive following several challenging months of low attendance.

After the meal, Harbour Grace – Port de Grave MHA Pam Parsons thanked Spaniard’s Bay Mayor Paul Brazil and Spaniard’s Bay Councillor Eric Jewer for their service as they will not be running in October’s election. 

“Anyone else around the table who may be retiring, I certainly wish you the best,” said Parsons. “But, that said, I hope you’re sticking around. And I’d like to see you run again because we need good people.” 

Parsons said she would also like to see more women run for local government.

“I know that Joint Council struggled in recent years,” said Bay Roberts Mayor and Joint Council Chairman Geoff Seymour said. “In February, we made a concerted effort to try to get this back on track. I think we succeeded. Be sure that Joint Council is an effective organization. It can accomplish good things, and it has accomplished good things.” 

Seymour gave the examples of the Veterans Highway, which was constructed largely due to the lobbying efforts years ago of the JCCBN, and the Community Safety Plan that has recently received funding. Seymour said the communities of Conception Bay North have more power when they speak together.

“I guess the challenge is that, in September, when the municipal elections are over, we make sure that whoever’s there makes a concerted effort to keep this going,” said Seymour. He thanked everyone for coming, as well as the ladies who made the food for the event.