Coombs wishes all the best to Harbour Grace mayor and crew

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s the end of an era, maybe, in Harbour Grace politics.
When the polls closed during the municipal election earlier this month, incumbent mayor Don Coombs found himself on the losing end after 32 years, on and off council.

Coombs served four years as a councillor, one year as deputy mayor, and 27 years as mayor. This month’s loss was the second time Coombs has lost the mayorship to Terry Barnes, whom he has beaten on several other occasions. After Coombs lost to Barnes in the 2013 election, he returned to win the 2017 and 2021 elections. Now that the 2025 election is over, Coombs opened up about his experience.

Coombs explained that, after losing the election in 2013, he did not like the look of how the Town’s financials were going. This, as well as encouragement from the public, led him to run again. While the 2017 council did not make many changes to the finances, the 2021 council dealt with it in an even shorter time than Coombs had hoped. He described the 2021 council as the best group he has worked with to get things done.

“I’m grateful and thankful to the people for putting their trust in me for 32 years,” said Coombs, “and to see where the town is after coming, and the different things that we’ve done and got the right people involved in the town. I think we’re a town now that’s spoken about in a high manner.”

Coombs said there will always be naysayers, but it is rewarding to see how Harbour Grace has progressed. “Any day you can serve the people of your town, or province, or country, or whatever it is as a municipal official, is a lucky day,” he said.

Coombs said he did not campaign much for this year’s election. He blamed criticism and false allegations aimed at himself and the town council on social media as a contributing factor. He said even when people posted inaccuracies about the council online, the councillors themselves could not comment on it.
“That was frustrating,” said Coombs. “It took the wind out of my sails a bit.”

Not only were there allegations spread on social media, said Coombs, but he was also sworn at and threatened with physical violence. He said the situation also affected his family. Council discussed the issue with a solicitor in what was meant to be a private meeting, said Coombs, but someone leaked the information online. Coombs allowed it was an ordeal.
“If that’s allowed to continue in any way, shape, or form, how do we expect young, professional, credible people to run for municipalities in the province?” he asked. “Municipal Affairs dropped the ball on this. This could have been taken off two years ago.”
In an interview prior to the election, Coombs said residents should re-elect him for mayor because he was the best candidate for the job. He stands by that statement.
“I committed to the town,” he said. “I was in the council office six days a week most weeks. I haven’t had a vacation since 2023, and I worked with a great group of individuals.”
Coombs said he was surprised by the results of the election, but stated the onus was on him for not campaigning enough, and he gives Barnes full credit for having done so.
And while he won’t be at the council table this term, Coombs said he is optimistic about Harbour Grace’s future.
“It’s a better place because the elected officials of 2021 made it a better place,” said Coombs. “Terry’s got six good councillors with him. I think the financials are set. Just follow the strategic plan to course. It’s a strong council.”
Whether he will ever run again municipally, provincially, or federally, Coombs said he will see what the future holds.
“God knows what’s going to happen after today. It’s an opportunity,” said Coombs. “I’m sure my name will be out there somewhere at something again.”
In the meantime, he plans to keep busy as the chief development officer of the Trinity Conception Placentia Health Foundation and chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of School Councils. There may also be a vacation in his future. Regardless, he is looking forward to seeing Harbour Grace’s continuing progress.
“There’s good people, and good people make good things happen,” said Coombs.