Carbonear council looking to fix Harvest Run traffic issues

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

At the November 12 Carbonear council meeting, Mayor Sam Slade focused on an issue that had been brought to the Town’s attention by a resident.
According to this resident, traffic caused by the Town’s annual Harvest Run, which took place at the Carbonear Pool and Recreation Complex on October 22, impeded access to their property.
Slade raised the matter following councillor Malcolm Seymour’s recreation committee report, which he presented on behalf of chairperson councillor Wendy Penney, who was absent. After Seymour finished the report, Slade noted the traffic issue had been brought forward to the committee with a letter written by the resident.
“It’s something the council took very seriously,” Slade said. “It kind of threw a little screw into the whole works of it, didn’t it?”
Slade said it’s important the residents who live in that area have access to their homes, and that emergency vehicles have access to them, as well.
“It’s something that the town will dust off next year when we do our Harvest Run,” said Slade, who added councillor Penney, who is new to both council and the recreation committee, is already committed to ensuring the same problems do not repeat. “So I look forward to that.”
Seymour thanked Slade for explaining the situation and echoed what had been said about Penney’s involvement next year.
“She also, along with our (recreation) director, said they’ll be contacting the schools and everything to have a more organized situation next time around,” said Seymour, adding that traffic control measures are needed at the event.
“I think that the Town should respond to the gentleman who wrote the letter,” Slade replied to Seymour. “And I think the Town Clerk told me that’ll be looked after. And thank you, sir.”