The Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games will be staged next year and the town of Bay Roberts is getting ready to showcase their town to the rest of the province. They're sprucing things up and hoping they do a respectful job in representing the area.
Somehow, I don't feel that Shearstown and Butlerville will be part of their showcase. For many years, these towns have been overlooked and given the impression of second-class citizens.
Where would Bay Roberts be without these towns? Both towns have many people as municipal workers and employed in various businesses that keep the economy prospering.
Bay Roberts municipality incorporates a few towns , but when they're feasting at the dinner table, guess who are the two dogs begging for scraps, hoping for a few tidbits to be thrown their way? Isn't it expected that all partners in a relationship be treated the same?
Because so many businesses and infrastructure have left the towns, we have become a residential area. With many people and dogs walking the roads, we need safe passage – i.e., sidewalks. Why does the main highway going through Bay Roberts have sidewalks? People hardly use them because just about everyone drives to where they want to go. Big companies with lots of tax money speaks plenty.
Points to ponder: 1. Cat Hill controversy. 2. Muddy hole controversy. 3. Elimination of ball/soccer field. 4. Bay Roberts' only water supply runs across the barrens and has to run through Shearstown – what could be more important than that?
I'm tired of getting the bad end of the stick. It's about time our politicians see what needs to be done.
Jeff Holmes,
Shearstown
