Press Release (.pdf)

 “There are many new housing and business developments occurring in Conception Bay South and residents want better planning to address their concerns,” said Kennedy. “Infrastructure challenges, a disappearing natural environment and congested roads are issues that residents want addressed. While there is significant expansion taking place, there appears to be little co-ordination between provincial government departments to ensure all concerns are heard and taken into account.”

 Kennedy says significant frustration is being expressed with the levels of traffic congestion on Topsail Road during morning and evening rush hours. These concerns, combined with disappearing forested areas and a lack of infrastructure to handle the increasing population is creating unnecessary stress for residents.

 “The Departments of Municipal Affairs, Transportation and Works, and Environment and Conservation are not playing a strong enough role in meeting the demands that are being placed on this growing region. Greater co-ordination and consultation between these departments would at least ensure that they know what the other is doing. Currently, this doesn’t seem to be happening and apparent gaps exist. Without attention being paid to these concerns, they will only magnify as greater pressures are added to the development agenda taking place.”

Media Contact: Simon Lono, 689.0809

info@shanekennedy.ca

HQ Telephone: 782.4224

1676A Topsail Road (next to Marie’s Mini mart)

“Residents have certainly expressed their disappointment that there is no arena, swimming pool or fire station within the Town of Paradise,” said Kennedy. “We are the fastest growing community in Atlantic Canada without key infrastructure that is available in other neighbouring communities. Unfortunately, families are being faced with delays in accessing these services and are often given less priority to use facilities, particularly when it comes to recreational programming.

“Why hasn’t the provincial government committed to cost-sharing a full recreational complex that will house an arena and swimming pool? With the growing number of children within our community, there is certainly more than enough demand to build such a facility and offer the appropriate programming. Forcing families out of Paradise to receive access to recreational programming on an ad hoc basis is no longer acceptable and must be addressed.

“Also, not having fire services readily available within the community is leading to delayed response times that are crucial when dealing with fires. There is no reason why Paradise should not have a stand-alone fire department. The provincial government has been funding fire infrastructure in other areas of the province and the time has come for them to step forward in our region as well.

“Improved infrastructure and access to programs and services are very important issues that must be addressed during this campaign. There are many needs in Topsail District and it is time the provincial government began to take notice. Sending an Opposition voice to the House of Assembly will ensure this message is heard loud and clear.

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Media Contact:

Simon Lono, 689.0809

info@shanekennedy.ca

HQ Telephone: 782.4224

“Government is currently building two elementary schools in Paradise, yet there are no immediate plans to construct junior high or high schools,” said Kennedy. “There are hundreds of children in Paradise that will require educational facilities as they get older and it is unreasonable to send these students to Mount Pearl and Conception Bay South and overcrowd already existing facilities.

“Paradise is the fastest growing community in Atlantic Canada with young families moving to the area on a daily basis and there is a significant need for these educational facilities for children as they grow. The status quo is not acceptable and the major planning gap that appears to exist must be addressed by the Department of Education to ensure this problem is fixed.

“Elementary schools are a good start, however, we cannot ignore the needs of our grade 7 to grade 12 students. The planning process must start now to ensure these facilities are in place to accommodate the hundreds of adolescents that require an education in our community.”

Media Contact:

Simon Lono

689.0809

info@shanekennedy.ca

HQ Telephone: 782.4224

1676A Topsail Road (next to Marie’s Mini mart)

 Media Contact: Shane Kennedy 728-6348, Liberal Party of NL 754-1813

“It is very encouraging that young, educated, articulate candidates are coming forward to run for our party,” said Liberal Party President Judy Morrow. “Shane’s commitment to the people of Topsail district is evident in his desire to improve infrastructure and services and strengthen the community in which he lives. I look forward to working with Shane as our candidate, and hopefully as the newest MHA in our caucus.”

“I have spoken with Shane and I am very excited that we have attracted such a strong candidate who wants to stand up and be heard on issues that are important to the people of Paradise, Mount Pearl and Conception Bay South,” said Yvonne Jones, Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador. “Shane’s campaign team is ready to go and I look forward to a good campaign that will provide people with a solid Liberal voice to represent their issues.” 

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Media Contacts:

 Liberal Party of Newfoundland & Labrador

T: (709) 754-1813

Shane Kennedy

T: (709) 728-6348 

SHANE KENNEDY

Shane Kennedy lives in Paradise and believes more services and infrastructure are needed to address the challenges facing the people of Topsail District. While the region is one of the fastest growing in Atlantic Canada, the level of government investment is not allowing the necessary facilities to be established. 

Shane graduated from Memorial University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and currently works as an account executive with Triware Technologies and has significant experience in the sales and customer service industry.

When not at work, Shane enjoys spending time with family and friends participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, gardening and snowshoeing. He is also passionate about his community and improving the level of government investment in the region, especially to address the lack of recreational facilities, fire services, junior and high schools in Paradise and increased traffic congestion. Shane also feels that an Opposition member will have a stronger voice and serve the district much better than a silent government backbencher. He has always prided himself on serving the needs of people and hopes to extend this commitment to the people of Topsail District as their Member of the House of Assembly.

The Liberal Party of Newfoundland & Labrador

Suite 205, Beothuck Building

20 Crosbie Place

St. John’s, NL    A1B 3Y8

Should more than one person file nomination papers in this district, nomination meetings will take place on Saturday, February 27th.                                                                          

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Media Contact:

Liberal Party of NL Headquarters

St. John’s, NL  

W: (709) 754-1813

Nominations for the position closed today at 5pm and Mr. Dawe was not contested in his bid for the nomination.

Liberal Party President Judy Morrow says she is very pleased to have such a strong and well-respected candidate as Peter Dawe representing the Party in the Topail by-election and is looking forward to the opportunity to elect another Liberal member to the House of Assembly.

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Media Contacts:

Liberal Party of Newfoundland & Labrador T: (709) 754-1813

President Judy Morrow T: (709) 727-3773

Mr. Peter Dawe T: (709) 727-6737

The Liberal Party of Newfoundland & Labrador

Suite 205, Beothuck Building

20 Crosbie Place

St. John’s, NL    A1B 3Y8

Should more than one person file nomination papers in this district, nomination meetings will take place on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 from 4pm to 8pm. Voting stations will be located in Topsail, NL.

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Media Contact:

 Liberal Party of NL Headquarters

St. John’s, NL  

W: (709) 754-1813