Table Mountains

Grand Bruit resettlement vote delayed again

Source:

NATALIE MUSSEAU
The Gulf News

More than a year after the first official request to start resettlement talks was written, residents of Grand Bruit are still waiting to vote on the issue.

Kelvin Parsons, Burgeo-La Poile MHA, said residents are anxious to have the issue progress. The vote on whether to resettle the community was initially scheduled for May but was delayed several times.

Difficulty sorting through which of the 39 property owners identified should be classed as permanent residents of the community has caused the delay.

Mr. Parsons said the Department of Municipal Affairs is expected to make a final decision on the last few cases in question this week.

Only those determined to be permanent residents will be allowed to vote. A decisive majority in favour of resettlement is usually required before government moves the process forward.

The determination of permanent residents is also important when it comes to compensation. Mr. Parsons said during the resettlement of Petites, permanent residents were given $80,000 per couple, plus $10,000 for each child up to a maximum of $100,000. Non-permanent residents were given the appraised value of their dwelling.

Mr. Parsons said the entire resettlement process for Petites was completed in about 18 to 24 months. He said the process for Grand Bruit is going much slower - more than a year has passed and the vote hasn't been taken yet.

nmusseau@gulfnews.ca

The fate of this community was probably sealed when the school closed in 2007.