Gas will cost almost two cents more today!

The Gas regulator has approved the increase of the price of gas in the province by close to 2 cents per litre.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Tourisim is Up or Down on The Northern Peninsula?

Barbe Genge

According to Barbe Genge, chairwoman of The Viking Trail Tourism Association the Northern Peninsula has experienced a drop in tourist traffic in recent years.  The Viking Trail Tourism Association is looking at new marketing to help with what they feel is a declining tourism industry.

According to an interview given to the  Western Star Barbe Genge stated, “While it seems people are entering the Northern Peninsula,  they have to find ways to get them to stay and take advantage of the unique product  respective communities have to offer. She says there is a strong need to expand on the product available, create additional attractions, but also market the region more.”

This as the Tourism Minister says the Government is doing enough to promote travel to the Northern Peninsula. Terry French, discounts the idea in an interview with CBC news he claimed the government research shows that tourist are spending more money on the Northern Peninsula this year than last. “I can tell you Gros Morne is up six per cent from last year.” said French. ” I can tell you L’Anse aud Meadows is up over 20 per cent from last year. I can tell you our roomed accommodations is up over six per cent from last year. This is all on the Northern Peninsula. This is not in Corner Brook.” He also confirmed the province has increased the number of trade and marketing shows for western newfoundland, including the Northern Peninsual, as well as trying to market a longer tourist season.

Danny Keats the operator of Northern Tours and Charter has confirmed that his business has seen a large decline especially in the tourist who come from outside the province and he has noticed a decline in the industry as a whole.

The recent news that Hotel North has decided to renovate and re-open the Vinland Hotel in St. Anthony will help in the next tourist season but there was a shortage of accommodations in St. Anthony in particular this year. The good news is other accommodation providers should have benefited with an increase in the business as a result but the overall availability of accommodations would have a negative impact on the number of tourist who came to the town.

It is quite interesting that two of the organizations who are most knowledgeable on the industry would have such divergent opinions on the state of the industry for this year. Maybe once more time passes they can decide how the numbers actually worked out. For now you have to assume the two are talking to come up with a consensus on the state of the industry in the 2010 season.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Hurricane Earl Update Thursday 3:45PM

Hurricane Earl  will be tracking more to the west of where it was first thought to be and hit parts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick before continuing to break up sometime on Sunday. There is a 60 percent chance the storm will still have hurricaine force winds when it hits land sometime on Saturday. There is thought to be a lessening effect on any part of Newfoundland and Labrador as the storm will pass with the windiest side on the east away from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Of course storm tracks can be unpredictable so residents should watch for any further developments closer to Saturday.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Visitation Restrictions now lifted at John M. Gray

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Labrador-Grenfell Health advises that the temporary visitor restriction that has been in place at the John M. Gray Centre in St. Anthony has now been lifted. The visitation ban had been put in place earlier this month due to the presence of vomiting and diarrhea in the facility.
Labrador-Grenfell Health would like to thank its employees and the public for their co-operation during this temporary visitation ban and in helping prevent the spread of illness.

Labrador-Grenfell Health would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the best way to prevent the spread of illness is to wash or sanitize your hands thoroughly and frequently.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Air Ambulance Back in Court Wednesday (VIDEO CLICK HERE)

The case is back on the docket today as the courts continue to look at the issues surrounding the Air Ambulance and it’s move to Labrador from St. Anthony.  The lawyer in the case Mr. Bennett is also seeking an amendment to compel the testimony of  key players in the decision.

On Monday Night in St. Anthony Mr. Boyd Rowe answered questions of members of the public surrounding the board and his own response during the time leading up to the moving of the air ambulance. At that meeting he stated that the move was one that was ultimately made by the government and not the board because of the very nature of the board. The fact that the members come from throughout the region and they appeared to be split on the decision to move the service meant that the Government made the decision without a clear direction from the very board that oversees the service. The support that was given was to the process that was to be undertaken by the government and the preparation of an independent review. It was the CEO’s contention at the meeting as well that if he had come to the town to speak with concerned citizens three months ago that he would have been “lynched” and therefore did not come at that time. If the tenner of the meeting on Monday was any indication Mr. Rowe would not need to fear for his safety at that time as the participants seemed to show courtesy and respect for him and the other members of the board who were in attendance.

http://www.eztec.ca/video/boydrowe.flv

Meanwhile Liberal MHA Marshall Dean continues to insist that what was supposed to be an independent review of the province’s air ambulance service, was manufactured by government. For example, he says the Minister did have a hand in the review process despite Jerome Kennedy maintaining he did not. Dean says it is time for the Premier to recognize a major wrong. He says moving the air ambulance service to Goose Bay was a political move and will have negative repercussions in terms of health care delivery. St. Anthony Mayor Ernest Simms hopes they eventually get the chance to call a number of important players in the case as witnesses including Kennedy and Boyd Rowe, the CEO of the board.

Popularity: 15% [?]

Eurodam Tour Boat in Port Tuesday

The latest arrival of tourist from the Tour Boat Eurodam is in St. Anthony and surrounding areas Tuesday August 31st and the towns population was increased by hundreds at least until 3:30 PM when passengers had to be back on board. The boat moored at the entrance to St. Anthony Harbor and small groups were ferried to the wharf at Grenfell Interpretation centre. The tourist then walked through town taking in the sites and beyond to other areas close by. This is definitely a great addition to the towns business.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Newfoundland Optical on the Move

The business has been in it’s current home for more than 30 years and is now being moved from the Mission store building to another location at 285 West st. if  permission from the town is granted for a variance of the land use by-law. The business received notice from Labrador Grenfell Health that they would need to move to  make room for an expansion of services by the local health authority.  According to a source the business must be moved by the end of March. With the new location selected and permission being sought it is believed that this business will continue to offer great products and service to loyal customers.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Air Ambulance Answers from Boyd Rowe and Ray Norman!

Labrador Grenfell Health held a Community consultation session at the St. Anthony Lions Club on Monday August 30th. There was about 40 people from the local communities to discuss results of a phone survey that was done last April to gauge the level of satisfaction with health care in the region and what the region saw be issues with the current system.  The survey which was completed in a 10 day period last April was a sampling of more than 1006 respondents on multiple questions surrounding the access and delivery of health care throughout the region serviced by Labrador Grenfell Health.

The evening began with a sampling of some improvements to the system by CEO Boyd Rowe. Mr. Ray Norman Board Chair also was in attendance as the results of the survey were explained to those in attendance.  There was an opportunity for discussion and some of the topics discussed was the need for increased services surrounding seniors, Improved referrals to the St. Anthony area from Labrador, Nursing shortages, Access to test like bone density and echocardiograms without the need for travel to larger centers.

The topic of the air ambulance was also discussed and this was the first real public opportunity for Mr. Rowe and Mr. Norman to have direct feedback from the people on the way the issue was handled and how the residents of the local areas felt about the lack of consultation. This on the same night that Mr. Rowe confirmed that legislation put in place around 2005 by the Government required a more transparent and open communication and consultation leading to the very reason for the meeting at this time in St. Anthony.

VIDEO OF BOYD ROWE ANSWERING QUESTION ABOUT AIR AMBULANCE

http://www.eztec.ca/video/boydrowe.flv

Popularity: 13% [?]

Northern Peninsula Man Sentenced!

Popularity: 24% [?]

Survey Being completed on Online Gambling

Residents of the Northern Peninsula and beyond are being asked to participate randomly in a survey. When survey participants answer the qualifying questions a certain way further questions on how the Atlantic Lottery corporation is perceived are asked and very detailed information is sought on how the respondent thinks the company is doing and also if the use of online gambling is seen as positive or negative.  The survey which is now being completed is obviously trying to counter the latest comments by the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Atlantic Lottery Corporation is seeking to offer access online to gambling in other ways through the companies website.

Popularity: 20% [?]