Community task force members announced

Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and Minister responsible for the Rural Secretariat, announced today the members who will sit on the Bay St. George Community Development Committee. The community development committee forms part of the task force established to address the impact the closure of Abitibi Consolidated�s Stephenville mill will have on the Bay St. George area.

"The community development committee has a vital role to play in rebuilding the Bay St. George area in the wake of the Abitibi mill closure," said Minister Dunderdale. "Having members of the community involved ensures we have input from the people who know the area best and who can use that knowledge to help identify economic development opportunities."

The community development committee includes representatives from the area and relevant line departments at the regional level. Members of the committee include: Larry Bentley, Rosa Dollard, Mark Felix, Brian Joy, John MacPherson, Danny McCann, Tina Moores, Tom O�Brien, Wayne Ruth, Ken Thibeau, Dr. Wayne Wheeler, and Selina White (bios follow). The community development committee will be chaired by Cyril Organ, who is seconded to the task force committee from the College of the North Atlantic.

Minister Dunderdale said that Premier Williams and other ministers are meeting with the community development committee in Stephenville today. "This is the first meeting the Premier and cabinet ministers will have with the group," said Minister Dunderdale. "The task force process is very important to the Premier and to government, which is why Deputy Premier Tom Rideout and Justice Minister and Attorney General Tom Marshall are also attending. The Premier and the ministers are looking forward to an open and productive dialogue with the community committee and the collaborative work that will be done in the coming months."

"I am glad to have the community development committee in place and to move forward on our mandate to develop and implement strategies to respond to the impact of the mill closure," said Mr. Organ. "We also plan to establish sectoral working subgroups which will include members of the community development committee as well as other members from the community. This will provide even more opportunity for community involvement, which is vital to the success of this process."

The community development committee will lead the short and longer term sector and project identification, with the overall goal of generating employment opportunities. The committee will also identify economic issues and priorities, and policy and program funding challenges and communicate those to the larger task force. The committee will work with the interdepartmental committee and both will report to and receive direction from the ministerial committee.

"Active community involvement and participation is essential to this task force. I am very pleased that the committee includes individuals from a wide range of sectors and backgrounds. This will greatly enhance the committee's work and I am eager to work with them through this process," said Joan Burke, MHA for St. George's-Stephenville East and Minister of Education.

"The community development committee has an important task ahead of it. I am glad the committee is up and running and I look forward to working with them as we develop and diversify the economy of Bay St. George," said Port au Port MHA Jim Hodder.

Larry Bentley is a regional project manager with the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. Larry is a social worker with over 30 years experience in networking, community collaboration, and labour market development.

Rosa Dollard is a member of the Economic Development Committee of the Town of Stephenville. She has worked for over 30 years in the post-secondary sector and is currently an associate with the Investment Planning Counsel of Canada.

Mark Felix is an economic development officer with the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development in Stephenville. He has worked in the field of community economic development in various capacities for the past 25 years.

Brian Joy is Mayor of the Town of Stephenville Crossing and is an active community volunteer with various associations and not-for-profit organizations.

John MacPherson is from Bay St. George South and is the executive director of the Long Range Regional Economic Development Board.

Danny McCann is a resident of Port au Port West and is an active community volunteer. Danny is especially interested in the development of tourism sector, most recently in his capacity as chairperson of the Gravels Development Committee.

Tina Moores is a retired administrator with over 30 years experience in health care sector. Tina continues to be active in the health care sector as vice chair, Western Regional Integrated Health Authority.

Tom O�Brien is the Mayor of Stephenville and a successful entrepreneur. He is an active member of the community with extensive volunteer work, including with the Western Regional Integrated Health Authority and the Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital Foundation.

Wayne Ruth is the Mayor of Town of Kippens and was recently elected president of Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities.

Ken Thibeau spent over 24 years working with Abitibi Consolidated. He represents the Local CEP 1093 Union and is committed to representing the views of his membership.

Dr. Wayne Wheeler is a local entrepreneur and active member of the community. He is also president of Bay St. George Chamber of Commerce.

Selina White is the Mayor of the Town of St. George�s. Selina is a social worker with the Western Regional Integrated Health Authority. She is an active community volunteer, especially focused on children and youth.

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-4570, 690-6290

2006 01 05        2:50 p.m.