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News
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Joyce calls on government to live up to agreement to replace Nicholsville bridge November 2, 2006 |
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Eddie Joyce, Opposition Transportation and Works Critic and MHA for the
District of Bay of Islands, is calling upon government to live up to an
agreement signed by the former administration to replace the Nicholsville
bridge. As part of the amalgamation agreement signed by the Liberal Government with the Town of Nicholsville and the Town of Deer Lake, the Nicholsville bridge was to be replaced when the bridge was deemed unsafe. This agreement was negotiated in good faith and signed by all parties involved. Since taking office, the current administration has given no indication that they will live up to this agreement even though regular monitoring has taken place and the bridge has now been closed. "I am very disappointed that Transportation and Works Minister John Hickey doesn’t believe this project is a priority for government," said Mr. Joyce. "I am also very concerned that MHA Kathy Goudie is echoing the sentiments of her colleagues, instead of standing up for the people she represents. This project is of very important significance for the people of the Deer Lake-Nicholsville area and the local MHA should be fighting for this project to proceed immediately. "Not only does the closure of this bridge negatively impact potential emergency situations and slow emergency response times that may arise in the Nicholsville area, it is also a municipal issue since water and sewer lines are connected to the bridge. If there is a problem that arises with this line, repair crews are not allowed access to the bridge. This has the potential to create significant problems for residents in the area. "Premier Williams has continuously stated that the federal government should honour agreements such as the Atlantic Accord that were signed by a former administration. I suggest the premier and his government use the same approach and honour the agreement that was put in place by the Liberal administration in this province. The people of the Deer Lake-Nicholsville area are suffering because of the inaction of this government and their local MHA. I call upon Minister Hickey to make this a priority and approve the replacement of this bridge immediately."
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