Riggs says CBS should revisit Gateway deal with Kent

By Mark Squibb

Jason Riggs, a self-described family man with over 20 years experience in the oil and gas industry, says he has what it takes to represent the people of Conception Bay South at the council table.
Riggs, who said he has been interested in politics from a young age, has put his name forward for an At-Large councillor position in the upcoming municipal election.
“I work rotationally, but I’m currently working on a small assignment out of my office in town, so it gave me a better opportunity to be present for the election,” explained Riggs, who for the last seven years has worked as a health and safety advisor on various oil projects. He was appointed to the Canada – NL Offshore OHS Advisory Council by the federal government in 2020 and serves as co-chair.
Riggs said he had considered running for council previously.
“I’d like to consider myself a fairly helpful individual, and I think I can offer some value to the town council,” said Riggs. “And I’ve got three young kids, and it seems like there’s not a lot of representation of younger families, and I thought maybe the town could use a little more of that.”
Riggs said one of his top priorities would be to attract more businesses to the Gateway Commercial Park.
“I remember when it was first announced, it was very promising,” said Riggs. “There was supposed to be a lot of tax revenue generated. Unfortunately, that hasn’t come to fruition yet.”
He suggested the Town possibly revisit a deal cut with Kent’s Home Hardware that restricts development of land in favour of the hardware store. For example, according to a clause in a copy of an agreement between the Town and Kent, no free-standing identification sign may be erected without the approval of Kent and, in no event shall any free-standing identification sign erected on Town Land exceed the height of the Kent Building or block the Kent Building. The agreement also forbids the development of establishments such as meeting halls, bowling alleys, bingo halls, video game arcades, night clubs, or competing hardware stores.
Riggs said revisiting the deal and loosening some of the restrictions could lead to increased business traffic, which in turn would be good for Kent.
“If there’s no interest in revisiting the original deal, I think we need to start thinking outside the box as to what we can get with the current conditions,” said Riggs.
He also wants to see changes to bulk garbage collection that would make it easier for residents to get rid of their bulk garage, see CBS tie into regional public transportation systems, and work to improve ATV tourism.
Investing in water and sewer infrastructure is also a top priority.
“Given the size of CBS, it seems like there are an awful lot of people not tied into those basic services,” said Riggs. “That’s something that should be moved back up the priority list a little higher.”
Riggs lives in Foxtrap with his wife Krystal, three children, and a black lab.
“When I think of CBS, I think of a growing town with young families, and I think I’m very representative of that,” said Riggs, adding he wants to represent the whole of CBS and not a single ward. “I wasn’t born and raised here but chose to move here 13 years ago and make this my family’s home for the beauty of the town. It’s a great town, and I love CBS. There’re some great returning candidates, but if you feel like maybe the town could use some tweaks and the lives of everyone in the municipality could be improved overall, I think I’m worth a look for sure.”