It was reported in Wednesday’s edition of The Telegram that the NLHC will pave a section of road that leads to The Woods golf course in the Southlands area of St. John’s, a golf course that is owned by Premier Danny Williams.

"I find it outrageous that government money is being used to pave the road to the Premier’s golf course when residents in my district were forced to stay in their homes last winter because of government cuts to road maintenance," said Barrett. "Many residents on Old Mill Road in Goobies have had major problems getting to work, school or receive medical treatment. Now government is spending thousands of dollars to pave a section of a road to the Premier’s golf course and I find that completely unacceptable.

"When cutting government services last year, the Minister of Transportation announced that class four roads would no longer be maintained or plowed by government in order to save $800,000 annually. This road is used only for access to that golf course, a private business interest, and should not be treated any differently than the people living on class four roads anywhere else in the province.

"I sympathize with the residents of Southlands who have paid market value for land and built houses for their families. The dust problems in that area must be addressed, but not with government money earmarked for home improvement grants and other services offered by NLHC. If dust is a problem in that area, residents should force St. John’s city council to deal with the operators of the golf course to rectify the problem.

"There is a double standard that must be rectified by the Premier and his government. In light of this conflict, I once again asking that government develop a comprehensive roads strategy to deal with essential services to class four roads in the province."