Seven new faces campaigning for Carbonear council

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Only two incumbents are running for Carbonear council in next month’s town election, opening the door to a slate of new faces at the table.

All told, nine candidates are seeking the six positions that are open.

Stephen Penney is a senior manager for Green Infrastructure Partners, formerly known as Pennecon. This is his first time running for council. If elected, he would like to focus on community safety, development, and community services.

“My work experience and training and leadership from my career in the private sector is definitely going to be an asset to council,” said Penney, adding he is an open individual.

“There’s no closed doors to me in my personal life or my work here in the private sector, and that’s the way I intend to treat everybody in the town,” he said.

Rebecca Parsons is a student development officer with the College of the North Atlantic’s Carbonear campus. She is involved with the library board, the Princess Shelia Nageira Theatre board, and other groups. Parsons said she has been considering a council run for a few years.

“I know that the way to make real change in the world is to start in the community,” she said. Parsons describes herself as approachable, hardworking, positive, dedicated, dependable, and proactive. If elected, she would like to prioritize collaborating with the other councillors and learning what Carbonear residents want and need.

Amanda Dowden works with the Department of Transportation with the provincial government. She is also on the executive of the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. This is her third time running for council. She served on council from 2017-2021, and ran unsuccessfully in 2021-2025.

Dowden said she enjoys helping others, and feels she has the skills, attention and desire to do so.
“People like to feel heard, and I believe that I can help with that,” she said. “I’m a good listener, I’ve got good people skills, I’m well-known in the community. I’m approachable, too.”

Dowden said she composed and unafraid to speak her mind. If elected, she wants to prioritize modernizing Carbonear and improving its reputation.

Wendy Penney works in post-secondary education. Initially a teacher, she eventually became involved in management. She is now the campus administrator of Keyin College’s Carbonear campus, and the college’s faculty support manager for the entire province. She has volunteered as a member of Carbonear’s special events committee for about 15 years. It is Penney’s first time running for council, a decision that came after getting encouragement from councillors who are not running for re-election, she said.

If successful, Penney would like to focus on strengthening local events, boosting the town’s tourism, offering more programs to residents, sustaining heritage, and expanding business opportunities. She also wants to focus on communication with residents and community safety. She describes herself as a good communicator and a leader with a strong voice.

Fred Earle worked in the fishing business and held several management positions during his career. He served on the Carbonear Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, his last two terms as chief. He has volunteered with various community groups and said his community-mindedness inspired him to run for council. Prior to going to work offshore, Earle served on council for one term, and later ran for mayor, losing by a narrow margin. No longer working offshore, Earle is seeking a seat on council again.
“I have some good life experiences, and I’d like to put it to work for the town,” he said.

If elected, he hopes to avoid raising taxes, rectify inefficiencies, “advance the town,” and focus on public safety. He also wants to prioritize support for seniors, healthcare, and local education.

Kenneth Chubbs is a gas station clerk who recently started a crafting company called Radical Cat Accessories with his girlfriend. He decided to run for council because there were certain issues in Carbonear he felt were not being addressed, especially public safety. He feels previous councils have not addressed crime in the community. He has been considering organizing a Neighbourhood Watch and would like to see more attractions for the youth, which he argued will also improve safety. Regarding why voters should consider him, Chubbs said he will fight for residents, and that it is time for a change.

Julia Parsons has worked in animal rescue and community service for 23 years. She is the owner of New Life Rescue & Adoption Inc., a registered Canadian charity. “I’ve managed everything from fundraising and outreach to the direct care of animals,” she said.

This is Parsons’ first time running for council. She would like to prioritize community safety, improved services and resources for local families and volunteers, promote community engagement, and advocate for better animal protection laws.

“Residents should consider me because I bring over two decades of experience in leadership, problem-solving, and community service,” said Parsons.

Originally from Harbour Grace, council incumbent Peter Snow has lived in Carbonear for 33 years. An educator, he has taught Adult Basic Education with the Discovery Centre for 32 years. This is his fourth time running for council. When asked why he decided to seek re-election, he said he wants to see certain things done in town such as a splash pad — a project which is currently in the works — and would also like the town to have a new swimming pool one day, though he expects that will be in the distant future.
“I’ve got the interest, I’ve got the desire to move the town ahead, and I’m an easy guy to talk to,” said Snow, explaining why voters should consider him.

Fellow incumbent Malcolm Seymour is originally from Shearstown. He worked in healthcare, mainly in maintenance and repair at Carbonear General Hospital. He decided to run for council because he felt there were things the town was missing. His first campaign in 2017 was unsuccessful, but he was elected in 2021. Like Snow, he is running for a second term. He wants to make Carbonear a place where the youth will eventually settle down with their own families. He would like the town to be more affordable for people, especially seniors, to live there. He looks forward to continuing projects such as the splash pad and integrated playground, and seeing more business development. Seymour said he wants to see Carbonear grow, and for senior residents know they are not forgotten.