"We should build bridges, not walls."- Martin Luther King

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*This petition is not "against" the non-profit organization “Fishing for Success." The organization does not own the land. The land is privately owned by a resident/town councillor in the community, who runs the business on the land and who has obtained a permit to alter a body of water.

Newfoundland and Labrador is known for its leadership in preservation of its shorelines, for people to have access and for all to enjoy. The Lands Act states that their is a “shoreline reservation of 15 metres on land that borders any salt or fresh water”. A person can obtain a permit  (like the owner of the land) however, there is a provision in the act, which states there isn’t to be any restricted access to the reservation from the general public. So why block off public access to a shoreline??

Children and adults in the community of PHMC, as well as other communities in Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond, have signed the petition. The land owner has erected a fence on their property, while also claiming the historical shoreline that has been used for decades to fish.

The petition has approx. 450 signatures right now both online and paper copy, and is still gaining momentum.

As I had mentioned, Residents of the community- both children and adults have availed of this shoreline for decades. Enjoying some family time fishing or just going their themselves for some self care, to catch sea trout. It is also very therapeutic and has benefits to ones physical and mental health.

While talking to some of the residents/past residents and tourists of the community, I've been told that they themselves have used this shoreline. Some of the non-residents come back in the summer and will go there to fish.

The shoreline area that we are talking about, was also an area which was once under water and was filled in by small crafts and harbour authority. Money that was given and paid for by government funding. Some of the area that they have encompassed in their survey didn't exist until 1986. Prior to that, it was a part of the river.

I was listening to the broadcast interview with Ms. Orren the other day (who is the owner of the land/council member of PHMC) and I was disappointed to hear about the vandalism that she experienced. We wonder why this business would be a target of such vandalism? I could be wrong in saying, but I don’t know of any other fisherman who had experienced any vandalism in the last several years. It sounds like this is a personal issue.

The story that was told on CBC radio of someone fishing off the shoreline with a fly rod, while the business had school children present, is a little far fetched in my opinion. Unless the person fishing was following her around, its very unlikely that this happened as she had stated. People generally know what they are doing when fly fishing and there is tons of room on the shoreline for people to avail of fly fishing and not interfere with the business running on the privately owned land.

We understand that the property owner wanted to protect their property and the non-profit organizations assets, but barring off a shoreline that has been historically used was not the way. It is very evident that they are doing this for their own agenda.

Statements of reasoning for the erecting of the “penitentiary looking fence” are weak. They could have still have protected their property without erecting the fence on the shoreline, the way that they have. It looks as though it was purposefully designed in order to totally blocked off the shoreline, loved by so many people living in and outside of the community.

One of the operators of the business stated not long ago on a news cast that “promoting the industry of youth and newcomers is her passion” What about the young people and youth of our own community, that have availed and want to continue to avail of fishing off of the shoreline reservation?

The significance of the shoreline was also very downplayed. People are not feeling good about this shoreline being blocked off. As an advocate for fishing, while living and operating out of a fishing community, she has disregarded the experiences and shows lack of empathy for the people of the town.

I have advocated and worked with troubled youth for close on 19 years and know a thing or two about non- profit organizations and I am very familiar with the organizations that she has named, with whom the organization serves.

Having been dealing with some personal health issues myself, and seeing what this community are facing, I felt the need to join the people who are not in favour of this and advocate for the community and what the community stands for.

One of the fundamental keys to success for a non-profit organization, especially centred in a small community, is by building healthy communities and strong community relationships. Keeping the people of the community happy, which also getting your needs or your business needs met.

This is sadly, something we are not seeing here. We have seen some unethical and questionable behaviour from one of the male operators that helps runs the business. Several residence (who I won’t name for confidentiality reasons & because they feel there would be a "target on their back" (Not my words)) have come out to say that they have experienced bullying and/or verbal abuse of some sort by a male operator of the business. People have gave me examples of how they have been treated. Families, with small children have been kicked off of the shoreline, young residents and older residents. This fact is not being put out there to start drama or “he did/she did.” We want people in the community to be treated with respect, especially while running such business.

It is certainly not good business or leadership. This is practising what I would like to refer to it as “tragedy in the commons” meaning the organization in the community is thriving and benefiting from the community but its negatively affecting the community, and ultimately Fishing for Success is getting bad PR because of their actions.

The style of fence should never have been approved by council. (CORRECTION MEETING MINUTES/PERMIT WASNT FOUND BY TOWN COUNCIL UNTIL LATE LAST NIGHT JUNE 28,2020 AFTER A TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TOOK PLACE).

Also, usually these type of requests from property owners get put out to the community via email/post mail. Again, this did not happen. This lack of transparency, looks very shady. Especially when the founder/operator is on the town's council.

Over the last few years, council had lengthy discussions of erecting rope type fences. A few residents in the community erected these fences in order to protect their own private property and were asked to take it down because it was unappealing to tourists. Which I might add, the council member who owns this particular property, was against as well.

Now, what we have is someone on council, with no notice gone to the public, being issues a permit for a gated, eye sore of a fence. It’s not a power plant they are protecting, or a prison and it definitely doesn’t fit the picturesque community and fishing village.

The towns website states that Through the Plan of development, “Council aims to protect the historic character of the Town, encourage development in a sustainable manner.” Preservation of the built heritage in Petty Harbour is a priority for residents. In responses to an online survey conducted as part of the Plan review process, 61.1% of residents surveyed feel that safeguarding the heritage character of the Town is one of the most pressing issues for Town Council to address.”

This is obviously very contradicting to what council have let the property owner do and what the property owner is doing, especially being on council themselves. 

It would be great to see the owner of the land/business running in the centre of PHMC, to ultimately work together collectively with the residents.

Its not too late to change it....

 

 

 

Traditional fishing, knowledge and skills still continue to be of importance to the residents of the community of Petty Harbour Maddox Cove.

The community members (children, youth, adults) of PHMC have been denied access to a "historical" right-of- way  (on Lee's Lane next to the bridge- by a private owner of a property who runs a non profit organization). This shoreline has been used for many, many years and we, as residents shouldn't be denied access to this from anyone, including the council member/non profit business thats being run in the community.

The organization/claimants of the business have put a fence up and have blocked access to the shoreline, to everyone, even though they promote outdoor learning, learning to fish, and connecting young people to the community in a way of traditional fishing.

As well, the design of the fence is appalling. It does not match the look of the community.

By signing this petition, you agree that people in the community have rights and should not be denied access to this  shoreline in order to fish. As well, the people deserve respect from the business owners.