One year ago today on September 29th, municipal elections took place across the province. And it was one year ago today, that the town of Paradise had a tie in it's vote for mayor. Initially, young upstart Kurtis Coombs won by three votes, but incumbent Ralph Wiseman asked for a recount, which resulted in a tie. Names were drawn from a hat, er, recycling bin and Wiseman was declared the “winner.” Hence, the moniker Recycling Bin Ralph.
That’s the law and that's how it stands - after months of costly court challenges mind you. Costly challenges that could have been avoided if there was another election. But Wiseman would have none of that. He saw the writing on the wall - another vote and he was out. Wiseman knows it. We all know it. Except Ralph wouldn’t go down without a fight. I pity him in some ways.
Recently, after months of relative calm, (we thought Ralph had learned to keep quiet and out of trouble) the issue of 24/7 fire protection reared it’s ugly head. We presently pay $550,000 to the city of St.John’s for fire protection, but response times are less than adequate, particularly in the St. Thomas Line, Topsail Pond areas. One house burned to the ground in June. The response was slow since the house was located a long ways in Topsail Road and, oh yes, there were no fire hydrants. Wiseman blamed the residents. Good call.
I send off a hastily written letter to the Tely voicing my concern. That was on August 4th. After the council meeting on August 17th, residents were informed we would have a plebiscite on fire protection. If we wanted a fire hall, we would have to decide. And we were told by the mayor that we would be on the hook for $2.1 million dollars a year, our taxes (mill rate) would increase substantially and we could see a cut in some town services. Great selling points Mr. Mayor. How do you really want the vote to turn out? It’s strange how his tune changed after his campaign when he promised a fire hall but didn’t mention a mill rate increase.
But I digress. I wondered about the timing on the plebiscite announcement. I have it on good authority that Wiseman feels the only people who want increased fire protection in Paradise are the media and that “fucking Chris Callahan” or words to that effect. I feel honoured and humbled.
The plebiscite is now on hold pending another study. My argument against it was that essentally, it is an attempt to turn the issue back on the voters so some councillors and the mayor could avoid any responsibility, god forbid anything bad should happen. I referred to it as passing the buck. But if we vote on a fire hall, why not vote on the arena? Or the pool? None of which we have, or apparently can afford, by the way.
We should not have to vote again. We vote people into office to make these decisions. Besides, everyone knows the only time we should have to vote again if there’s, I dunno, a tie.
Congratulations on getting under Ralph’s skin. It made me smile.
ReplyDeleteRalph Wiseman has no idea who I am, but I would like to see a fire station in Paradise. I don't even care who runs it. Partner with CBS? Build a station and have SJRFD run it? Doesn't matter to me. The coverage on St. Thomas line and area is unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteThe Goulds fire station might be a good model for Paradise. 8-4 Monday through Friday it is staffed with full-time "professional" firefighters from SJRFD. Rest of the time it's covered by a team of volunteer firefighters, who train regularly with the "pros". This solves a problem that comes with 100% volunteer departments, where many people work during the day and may not be able to respond to a call, or would be delayed in doing so.
Either way, I was SURE Ralph Wiseman announced that the Paradise FD would be co-located with the Rovers on Macnamara drive... but then I must have been dreaming that part of the Mayoral debate at the RPYC.
You’re right Jay, Wiseman did promise a fire hall during the last campaign. (I believe it was during a CBC Radio debate broadcast.)
ReplyDeleteI’m with you on the increased fire protection – I could care less who provides it or helps provide it, but it is needed. If you live in Elizabeth Park, Trail's End or Karwood subdivisions, you’re pretty well covered by the station in Mt. Pearl. However, go further in Topsail Road and it’s an entirely different matter.
And now, another study to tell us what we already know. I wish council would get on the ball. What’s it been now, 20-25 years?
So they are afraid to decide and we may have a plebiscite? It’s almost laughable, if it wasn’t such a serious matter.
"You’re right Jay, Wiseman did promise a fire hall during the last campaign. (I believe it was during a CBC Radio debate broadcast.)"
ReplyDeleteSure was - as a new Paradise resident, I wanted to get informed and thus went to that debate. It was at the community center and recorded for broadcast on CBC Radio. Jeff Gilhooly was the moderator. I seem to recall it all quite vividly. Shame my brain made up the part about fire halls...
Oh and as late as June 21st of this year there was this in the Tely:
ReplyDeleteBut Mayor Ralph Wiseman says the town is already working on getting its own fire station.
"It's well known in the community here that we've partnered with the Rovers (Ground Search and Rescue Team) who are in the process of putting up a building and in that building there will be accommodation for a first response fire truck," Wiseman says.