The A Word

There was an article on municipal politics buried on page 9 of The Weekend Telegram about the possible amalgamation of St. John’s, Mt. Pearl and Paradise (not available online). St. John’s Mayor Dennis O’Keefe says it is “inevitable” that amalgamation will occur although he offers no timeline. He even submitted a map that “clearly shows” the geographical quagmire of Mt. Pearl being almost totally “surrounded” by St. John’s. Mt. Pearl Mayor Randy Simms and Paradise Mayor Ralph Wiseman claim that it’s a dead issue and amalgamation will never occur. For it’s part, the provincial government is taking a hands off approach and has no plans to order any type of amalgamation or annexation as it has done in other jurisdictions across the province.

As it stands now, the idea of amalgamation is – as Simms and Wiseman state – a dead issue for residents of Mt. Pearl and Paradise. Neither municipality wants to give up its autonomy and join a city that has its fair share of budget problems and where amalgamation does not have a great track record. Just ask any resident of the Goulds. O’Keefe, and other residents of the capital, will argue that both Mt. Pearl and Paradise avail of services offered by St. John’s and although they pay for the services, having a centralized seat of government will not only save money but improve service such as snow clearing. Then there’s the argument used by city residents that both Paradise and Mt. Pearl don’t pay as much tax as their city counterparts and are unjustly using town services and facilities without paying their fair share. Some also argue that the brown baggers simply add more wear and tear to city roads. There’s even talk of a tollgate.

I’m against any form of amalgamation – it didn’t work in the greater Halifax region in 1996 – people are still complaining  about the Halifax Regional Municipality – and it’s not likely to work here. And for several reasons. The main one being the perceived deterioration of basic services such as garbage collection and snow clearing. Where would a street in the far reaches of Paradise be on the hierarchy of priorities? If you ask the residents of Southlands, somewhere near the bottom. Residents of Mt. Pearl will argue that their snow clearing is second to none so why chance losing a good thing. Add the fact, that property taxes would likely increase, and you see why the idea of joining the capital is not particularly appealing.

However, while the anti-amalgamation sentiment plays well on the home front, both Simms and Wiseman should have a closer look at own problems – particularly fiscal and infrastructure needs – before pointing fingers at the city. The town budget for the town of Paradise for this year is $21.5 million. It’s what Wiseman called a “good news” budget. Yet, one in five tax dollars goes to pay down town debt. Spread that out over ten or fifteen years, and that’s one hell of an arena, pool and fireball that could have been built. In the article, Wiseman claims that ‘ “It’s time for Mayor O’Keefe to move on and deal with his real problems.” ‘ Sound advice. Perhaps Wiseman should heed his own words. And Simms’ refusal to pay for the upkeep and snow clearing to the extension of the Team Gushue highway, a road that will greatly benefit Mt. Pearl, regardless of what he claims, doesn’t play well with the folks in the bunker on Gower or residents of St. John’s. I suspect, it doesn’t play well with the provincial government either who, up to now, have been strangely silent of the issue.

But let’s face some facts. St. John’s is home to many provincial services, particularly education and health services – all major hospitals are located there. It’s home to cultural facilities such as the Rooms and The Arts and Culture Centre. Neither Mt. Pearl nor Paradise are cultural hubs. They are suburban bedroom communities, which offer, too varying degrees, some government services and basic recreational facilities. But that’s what residents signed on for when they moved there. Although, Paradise is lacking in the latter. Quick: Where’s the cultural centre in Paradise? Down behind the fire hall next to the arena across the street from the pool.

While the appetite for amalgamation doesn’t exist outside of St. John’s, things change over time. When the economic bubble bursts – and it will – the provincial government will face some difficult fiscal decisions. For one, the government cannot continue to spend like drunken sailors. Auditor General John Noseworthy said as much in his report last week. The oil royalties can only last so long and then what? The fiscal belt tightening will begin and monies to municipalities are bound to be cut. If that’s the case, amalgamation may indeed not be a question of if, but a question of when.