The cuts announced will also affect much more in the province including Nearly 70 employees with DFO and Coast Guard in this province. According to government the modernization of communications means two of the Two Coast Guard marine traffic centres — St. John’s and St. Anthony are to be closed.

Meanwhile the MHA for Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte Gerry Byrne is calling on the public in Newfoundland and Labrador to fight back against Canadian Coast Guard and Fisheries Department cuts.

“This is our livelihood. This is what sustains people and protects them when they’re in danger. Cuts to Coast Guard cannot be taken frivolously,” He Said.

Mayor Simms in an interview with CBC said, “I woke up this morning hearing about fish plants; two more closing down. Now I’m hearing of DFO closing down. I mean, what’s happening in Newfoundland? Where are we going? The fishery and everything involved with the fishery is what we’re made from and hopefully where we’re going. But if you take out all the supports now, you’re never going to get them back.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

The option to advertise for jobs online has become an increasingly better way for the government to recruit. Finance Minister Tom Marshall said, “We found that the people who apply for positions with the civil service are asked to indicate where they first learned of the position, and we found that less than four per cent of those applying were getting it from print. The great majority were getting it from the website.”

Christopher Mitchelmore raised the issue during question period and said it was clear that this will put residents in rural areas without high speed internet in a situation of not being able to access positions that are being less and less posted in traditional newspapers.

“Not everyone has access or can afford this technology. It sends the message that government is only interested in applicants who do,” Said Mr. Mitchelmore in the Legislature.

The Government did respond however that they were not eliminating the use of papers for advertising positions but just reducing the number of ads it places in this method.

“Technology is changing. Young people are changing. We have to make sure we use our recruitment and retention dollars in a most effective and efficient manner as possible.” The Finance Minister said.

Of course there is accessible internet to all who can afford it, if you account for the increased utilization of Satellite Internet that is available to all who live in the province. This type of access is faster than dial up and is slightly more costly but does fill the need of anyone living in the province. The technology has been available in Canada for several years and is sold by local companies like Aurora Computer in St. Anthony. Mr. Mitchelmore is obviously also concerned about low income families who still do not own the computer equipment let alone the access to internet that according to the UN is a essential service. This at a time when there is now a reduction in government budgets for internet access at places like the local library.

Mayor Simms confirmed to us on Friday that the water problems were being worked on in the short term and phase two of the application for funding was only waiting for government go ahead. This should mean that there will be some resolution to the long standing problem of loss of pressure for existing homes.

The developer has been working on the plans for developing the property on Old Peat road for several years and at one point even purchased additional property to satisfy the needs of the province so that the application could meet with an approval. The approval was given in early April with the condition that water pressure problems be dealt with.

Mayor Simms was quoted in an interview with the Northern Pen saying, “The need is there,Every day or so we’re hearing people looking for land, people looking for houses to buy, apartments to rent and all that sort of thing.

“We are having people moving in and building here. Last year I think there was five or six new homes went up here which is good really because for awhile we were at a stage where there was nothing being built.

“With the new stadium coming on line and a new school being built, the crab plant and the shrimp plant is moving ahead, we’ve had a big extension on the port wharf, a $5 million extension, there are more boats coming here all the time, so it’s a place to really do business and we’re moving ahead in that way.”

Mayor Simms also said, “Our job is to basically run the town and provide the services that the people need. In regards to land and development of plots of lands and everything else, that’s up to the private developer. To see Mr. Simmonds come ahead as he’s doing, that takes a lot of hones off us to try to go ahead because we can never look at something like this and afford it, really.

Construction on the new development will begin as soon as weather permits according to the developer.

The My space page states, “Ennis is formerly The Ennis Sisters. Ennis is Maureen Ennis (lead vocals-songwriting-acoustic guitars)

Karen Ennis (backing vocals-acoustic guitar-mandolin-tin whistles)

ENNIS is a dynamic, JUNO award winning original group with a unique contemporary voice, ?avored by deep roots and Celtic traditional Newfoundland in?uences. Maureen and Karen are powerful, interesting and humorous story tellers with a broad mix of Maureen’s accessible original songs and uniquely interpreted tunes and ballads. With 7 albums (1 Gold) and inclusion on countless compilations CD’s (2 gold) to date, they have shared the stage and recorded with the Chieftains, toured with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jann Arden and Colin Linden among too many others to mention.
Plans appear to be well underway for the Iceberg Festival in St. Anthony in June.
Touring highlights include Playing for Canadian Troops in the middle east, the Millenium Celebration in St John’s Newfoundland, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, the Strawberry Music Festival (California), Merlefest (North Carolina), The Cleveland and Pittsburgh Irish festivals. They have also played Canada Day events on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada and Trafalgar Square in London, England.

Having spent much of last year in Nashville, TN, Maureen and Karen have returned to Newfoundland to embrace a musical style and direction that they are truly excited about. While working in Nashville, it became obvious that their love of Newfoundland and its unique culture was something they were too proud of to leave unsung. They are currently working on a new Folk/Celtic CD based on the seven- generation history of their family in Newfoundland. The new collection of songs will include a mix of originals, as well as traditional Celtic songs and instrumentals passed down to them from their rich musical heritage. The album is set for a November 2009 release.”

The information on the Iceberg Festival Page states, “ENNIS is a dynamic, original group with a unique contemporary voice flavoured by deep roots and Celtic traditional influence. Maureen and Karen’s charm is evident from the minute they walk on stage. They are powerful, interesting and humorous storytellers with a broad mix of Maureen’s accessible original songs and uniquely interpreted tunes and ballads. Tickets can be purchased at the Grenfell Interpretation Centre – St. Anthony, Irving – St. Anthony, The Dark Tickle Company – St. Lunaire-Griquet & Tuckamore Lodge – Main Brook. Fee: $20 per person”

We contacted Mayor Simms to ask for an update on the water improvement project that was being done by the town he confirmed by email today that, “Problems encountered at wharf on west side during off loading. Presently being repaired. Should be back shortly.

As for the upgrades to the water supply system he also stated, “Upgrades to water supply will continue as soon as company can do work at reservoir. Still waiting of word from govt regarding Phase 2.”

Mayor Simms is attending meetings in Gander and still took the time to respond to our request on Friday afternoon.