Cottlesville Book Chapter 5

    CHAPTER 5
LOCAL GOVERNMENT


    Notable People of Cottlesville

Samuel Rideout was one of the first settlers here.  He was great at building schooners (the first one he built was before he reached the age of eighteen).  In 1907 he built the Snowbird on the same spot where Clarence Rideout's garage is now.  In 1910 he built Halley's Comet.  His last schooner was the EML Emmanuel.  He was killed in France during World War I.

William Philpott was another early settler.  He was a boat builder and a letter writer.  Many times he would write letters for people who couldn't write. Merchants had him write many business letter for them.  He also worked on a freight ship.

Woodrow Philpott, a resident of Cottlesville ran for a General Provincial Election.  He sought for an election in 1972, but didn't get nominated.  He then ran for an election on September 16, 1975 for the Liberal Party.

His opposition candidates were Joseph R. Smallwood a member of the Liberal Reform, Thomas Doyle a member of the PC Party, and Roderick Woolridge of the NDP.  Joseph R. Smallwood won by only 267 votes.  This brought an end to his political career. Woodrow Philpott was also the Vice President of Fishermen, Food, and Allied Workers Union in 1972.

Arthur King started out in 1944 with a store just 12 by 15 ft.  Since Lewisporte Wholesalers were not in existence he acquired groceries from a local store in Lewisporte.  In 1948, he built a new store, and since then has been extended a number of times.  But in 1990? Arthur passed away.  His son, Graham took over the store.  Since that time business slowed down until in 1995 it was closed.

Wharf facilities were constructed in 1968, and the freezer unit in 1975.  In past years this citizen also operated a number of passenger boats out of this town.  The route was from Cottlesville - Bridgeport - Black Is. - Samson's Is. - Lewisporte.  The boats were Miss Cottle’s Island, Lanedo, Seamobile, Marine roller, Earl Keefe (part - time freight carrier). 
Since I, Victor Cassell, came to teach in 1969 I have worked very closely with almost all the committees, especially council and recreation committees formed in Cottlesville.  Allow me to make some observations.

Having worked with the present committees, making hundreds of phone calls, writing hundreds of letters, and attending a couple dozen meetings a year, makes  me realize that getting something done requires devotion, commitment and persistence.  It helps one to appreciate all the things that were done in the community in the past.  The forefathers bore the heat and the burden of the community.  It took determination and foresight to take the lead in the community.

For example, in the past, the church was a prominent leadership group in the community.  They took the responsibility of building and running the schools with the help of government funding.  They organized the building, cleaning, staffing, heating and maintenance of the schools.  Because of their great efforts, many of it's people have acquired some degree of education.  The level of education has risen over the years until today.  Many can graduate high school and go on to higher  education.

Some people organized and worked on road construction and maintenance projects with manual labour.  They had to survive on the bleak, isolated, barren coast of coastal Newfoundland.  The people whose names are included in this book are those to whom hats have to be taken off.  Many have passed on but they must live on in our memories.  Their efforts should not be taken for granted.

As the years passed the provincial government and federal government played a greater role in people's live.  These governments are not able to solve all the problems of each community.  Consequently, local municipal governments had to be organized to allow the federal government to accomplish its aims and objectives for the community's local development.  In 1970 Woodrow Philpott took the initiative to organize a meeting to elect a committee.  However, despite good government, the community had to have aspiring and inspiring people, people with aim, ambition and vision.  Such people put the community on the map.

First, the hats have to be off to the people who can make a living off the land or off the sea.  They are the reason why the community exists.  Take these people away and the community will not survive.  Think of the woodsmen who will cut and haul the wood under the scorching summer sun.  Think of the fishermen who in some cases build their own boats and venture out to sea to catch various species of fish.  Then there are those who are willing to work for relatively low wages.  What's most remarkable about the residents of this town is how they can wisely manage their earnings.

Some of the major employers of this area are connected with Cottlesville.  Remember the schooner skippers of the past. The long liner owners would employ a lot of people.  Consider people like Ted Watkins, Hardy White, Otto Anstey, Lloyd Rideout, Max Anstey, Lester King and Rayfield Anstey.

Lewis Eveleigh married Olive Rideout, a Cottleville resident.  He was able to build a factory on a little rocky island on the shores of Cottle’s Island and make into a thriving operation employing many people.  He  later went to Comfort Cove and built a fish plant.  This is commendable when one considers that fish had to be brought in to be processed.  Today it is a major successful business.

In the late sixties Ralph Philpott set foot on a rock between Southern Tickle on Chapel Island and Dildo Run, and said that "one day fifty people would work there".  Twenty five years later that dream became reality.  His sons believed in the prospects.  One of his sons Rex Philpott managed it to a viable, successful operation called "Cottle’s Island Lumber Company".  This business employs over fifty people.

Arthur King mentioned before, made a major contribution to Cottlesville and this area.  He owned stores and apartments in Summerford and Virgin Arm as well as the former B. A. and Gulf gas station in Summerford. 

Gerald Rideout a former resident of Cottlesville has created and built up a major retail grocery and hardware building supply store in Summerford.  Gerald sells all over Newfoundland and Labrador.

Harvey Watkins runs Ultramar Heating and Oil services for the New World Island area.

Ron Rideout built, owned and operated the Ultramar gas station at Summerford presently known as Wheeler’s Ultramar.

Ivan Rideout operates a grocery store at Summerford.

There are other employers who may not be immediately recalled  who have contributed to the area.

In the seventies Cottlesville was in need of the necessary amenities and infrastructure to attract business.  Carl Philpott who had a good job in Labrador City desired to come home to Cottle’s Island.  To him the survival of the town required proper water and sewer system, paved roads, recreational facilities, housing subdivisions, industrial sites, cabin sites, a municipal park and other ideas.  He devoted all his time and energy to the task.  He became a member of the local recreation committee and the town council.  Government officials at all levels were asked to get involved with the developing of Cottlesville.  Together the people of Cottlesville can achieve more.

In the eighties when the fish of Cottlesville was being shipped out for processing, one of the wishes of the residents was that processing could be done here.  One day, when the water supply was accessible, through a three inch hose to the plant, the council approached Lemuel White and Randy Barnes to come to Cottlesville to buy and operate the local fish collecting plant.  They envisioned a major operation here.  These men had a dream for this plant.  Today, what seemed to be impossible has become reality.  "Breakwater Fisheries" employs hundreds of people in this area.

As a resident of Cottlesville and a member of council I have been amazed at the ability of people to cope and succeed even when many of our talented people have moved away from home.  Hopefully, these very people will be able, someday, to come back home and offer their expertise and knowledge to contribute and to build a community that will survive the test of time.  It's good to see that some of the people can work away from home and still maintain a residence here.  Vive Cottlesville.


Town Council

In the fall of 1969 a meeting was called in the local school to deal with the serious water shortage in Cottle’s Island.  People had wells in ground depressions close to their houses.  Not far from the house an outdoor tiolet was located.  There were no indoor toilets.  Slops were thrown over banks especially near the seashore.  Piles of rusty cans were located here and there.  Most garbage was burned.  Every garden was fenced in and sheep's manure and horse's manure was a common sight around town.  Fish was shipped out of the place unprocessed.

As a result of the committee formed in that meeting the face of Cottle’s Island was about to change.  This committee, along with the government of Premier Joseph Smallwood and MHA Leslie Curtis accomplished a great deal.  The sixties brought the Curtis Causeway, improved roads and electric power, resettlement of people from Samson’s Island and Black Island.  The task of the committee was to lobby government for other improvements.

1970's:
Mr. Smallwood's government was replaced by Premier Frank Moores and MHA Herb Gillett and Bill Rowe.  Under them we got deep water wells which was quite an improvement over household wells.  Water still had to be brought in buckets.  Local garbage collection was done by Frank Philpott, Ronald Philpott and Wallace Cooper.  Sheep and horses were not permitted to roam the town.  The committee that set about to improve our community, was changed from a water committee to Local Improvement District.  Taxes began at $12.00 per year.

Monthly meetings were held in the basement of A.R. King store until the new town hall was built in 1975.  As a result of their many meetings, hundreds of letters and phone calls, the occasional delegation to provincial government in St. John's,  government funding came our way, and the main road through the town was upgraded.

1980's:
Under the government of Premier Brian Peckford and MHA's Ida Reid and Walter Carter, Cottlesville persisted until proper water and sewer was being installed, recreational facilities were constructed, local roads widened and upgraded, and main road upgraded and paved to Summerford.  Having paved driveways and water to flush toilets and shower was worth all the persistence.  Attempts to create an industrial park and build a municipal park began.  Note figures 6 and 7 on pages 69 and 70.

During the eighties Cottle’s Island Lumber Company began to grow and expand and employed many people from our town.  Breakwater Fisheries began to prosper and many people found employment there.

1990's
Under Premier Clyde Wells and MHA's Walter Carter and Gerry Reid, our water system continued to be installed.  However, the failure of the fishery was a setback.  Breakwater Fisheries was now processing caplin and crab.  The government deficit caused government to put out less funding into Health and Education.  Water rates and property taxes had to be increased considerably.


    Town Leaders

The Local Improvement District Committee was the first local representations our community ever had.  The members were:

Woodrow Philpott (Sep./22/72-Mar./14/77); Arthur King (Sep./22/72-Mar./14/77); Gilbert Canning (Sep./22/72-Mar./14/77); Otto Anstey (Sep./22/72-Jan./27/77); Ivan Anstey (Sep./22/72-Mar./17/74); Lloyd Watkins (Sep./22/72-June/13/75); Frank Philpott (Sep./22/72-Feb./09/80).

On April 1, 1980 the Local Improvement District was changed to a Town Council.  The Council members were: Austin Poole (Mar./26/74-Aug./30/80); Edgar Anstey (June/23/76-Jan./20/80); Ted Watkins (July/04/77-Nov./18/78); Leslie Rideout (July/04/77-May/14/81); Carl Philpott (Nov./07/77-Present); Fred Flight (Feb./11/78-Mar./17/79); Victor Cassell (Feb./10/79-Present); Frank Rideout (July/21/79-May/21/84); Herman King (Jan./10/81-Feb./25/85); Edwin Rideout (Oct./17/81-Oct./31/84); Austin Butler (Mar./09/83-Jan./06/87); Frazer Brown (Mar./09/83-Sep./13/83); David Anstey (Mar./4/85-??); Randy Philpott (Mar./4/85-??); Don Philpott (May./09/86-Feb./12/92); David Rideout (Nov./22/89-July./27/1996); Theophilus Gillard (????-June./8/92); Baxter Cooper (Dec./4/89-??); Arthur King (Nov./22/89-??);  John Philpott (Apr./16/92-June/15/92); Madeline Snow (Apr./20/92-June/27/95); Veronica Hawkins (Nov./18/93-Aug./30/94);Arlene Flight (Nov./18/93-Present); Lester King (Nov./18/93-Present); Harold Perry (Nov./18/93-Present); Gary Steele (Oct./96 - Present); Wylie Canning (Oct./96 - Present)














Mayors

Woodrow Philpott (Sep./22/72-Mar./14/77); Ted Watkins (July/04/77-Nov./18/78); Edgar Anstey (Nov./18/78-Jan./20/80); Victor Cassell (Jan./20/80-Nov./16/85); Don Philpott (Nov./22/89-Feb./12/92); David Rideout (Feb./12/92-July/27/96); Gary Steele (Nov./96 - Present)

















































Town Clerks
       
Eric Snow (Nov./30/72-Dec./01/73); Victor Cassell (Dec./01/73-June/30/77); Dorothy Philpott (June/01/77-July/30/83); David Anstey (July/01/83-Feb./1/85); Edwin Rideout (Feb./1/85-May/13/91); Shelly Philpott (May/13/91-Present).






























    Around the Town



















    Charlie's Park

Our present park facilities are made up of land which was first cleared and owned by Charlie Froude.  This land was later passed down to Charlie Froude's daughter, Blossom, wife of James Philpott.  After both Blossom and James had passed away, the land was passed on to their children.

When plans were made to start a municipal park in Cottlesville, this and other privately owned land was sold or donated to the town.  Local residents such as  Woodrow Philpott, Frank Philpott, Willis Canning, and  Reginald White either donated or sold their land for the park area.  It is hoped that some day soon that this park will be developed to the extent where it will be used by tourists.  Note figure  6 on page 69.


    Recreation

In the 1970's a skating rink was built on main Street.  However due to problems obtaining water it didn’t get much usage.  The town replaced it with a playground in 1985.  It consists of two sets of monkey bars, four adult swings, two children size swings, a slide, two see-saws, two rocking horses, two benches, and a merry go round in many different bright colours.

A tennis court was constructed beside the ballfield in 1988, by  students on a youth project.  This attracted a lot of people from all over New World Island.  Dr. Sheldon of Virgin Arm donated two nets.  Dr. Sheldon and Dr. Mast (dentist), held a tennis meeting on July 10, 1990 for tennis players to watch a video and the outcome of this meeting brought about interested people who were later given free lessons from a professional tennis coach.

A ballfield was completed by the students on a project in 1983.  The area used to be a bog, but this was drained and covered to make it  suitable for ball playing.


    Terry Fox Day

Terry Fox was a Canadian who lost his leg to cancer and set out to walk across Canada to raise money for the cancer research.  He started in Newfoundland but didn't complete the trip across.  In his memory each September there is a Terry Fox run to raise money for cancer research.




    Summer Youth Town Projects

Each year the town randomly selects a couple youths from the community to help out around the town.  Some things the students have done in the past are pick up litter, sweep the pavement in certain areas of the town, work on the town book, help with the tennis court, help with the playground, building a bridge, cleaning the town hall, erect street signs, cut the trail around Pot Cove Pond, build tables, build the road in the park and painting town property.  It provides students in the community with a summer job and allows students to do something for their town.





















    What to Look for in the
    Future of our Community

Lukes Arm is a prime development site for fish farms and marine service center.  It is a large deep harbour with a narrow entrance.  The town is pursuing the idea of making our park which is located in Lukes Arm a service center as we are located central to Lewisporte, Twillingate, Samson’s Island, Exploits Island and Black Island.

Little Harbour has being designated as a cabin area (two lots are taken).  This is a small sheltered deep harbour ideal for wharves and large boats.  Pot Cove pond is a good area to put recreational walkways.



Two subdivisions are being developed for new housing.  Towns View Road has 10 surveyed lots (two are taken).  The Road between Circular Drive and the end of Lukes Arm Road is in the process of being built for housing.  See figures 7 and 8 on pages 70 and 71.

Plans for an industrial park are completed awaiting development (two lots are presently being used).  It is hoped that a miniature incubation mall can be built, surrounded by lots for separate businesses.  See figure 9 on page 72.

To develop our community it would be in the best interest of the residents and council to lobby government for funding.  The present government of Premier Brian Tobin and MHA Gerry Reid are prepared to work with the council to develop the necessary infrastructure of the town.  George Baker, our House of Commons member will continue to help.  Our governments are looking for ways to keep people in Newfoundland.  Only the people can do that with the help of government.Figure 6        Navigational chart of Cottlesville    ( Depth - Fathoms,    1cm : 0.5km )

        1. Industrial Park
        2. Marine Service Center Park
        3. Designated cabin area (deep water)
        *Notice deep protected harbours
Figure 7                  Cottlesville Layout 1996 (126 households)
∘ house      ---- proposed roads     ───  local roads

1. Industrial Park        2. Marine Center (town park)        3. Designated cabin area
4. Fish Plant        5. Town Hall            6. Recreation areas
7. Housing SubdivisionFigure 8                    Jim Point's SubdivisionFigure 9    Proposed industrial subdivision
    Existing 8" town water supply with 90 psi