Friday, 2 October 2020

Return of Gagetown ferry brings boon for local businesses

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Replying to   @alllibertynews and 49 others
Methinks folks should wonder why their local hero and our MLA Ross Wetmore got kicked of the cabinet N'esy Pas?  


https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/10/return-of-gagetown-ferry-brings-boon.html

 

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/ferry-return-brings-business-1.5744795


Return of Gagetown ferry brings boon for local businesses

DOT says it won't extend season past Oct. 12

 

Mia Urquhart · CBC News · Posted: Oct 02, 2020 8:00 AM AT 

 


The Gagetown ferry is pictured here on June 28, its first day back in service after four years. (Gary Moore/CBC)

Bringing in the winter's supply of hay was a lot easier this year for Queenstown farmer Hugh Harmon. 

With 300 large round bales across the St. John River from his farm, it's been a tough four years without the Gagetown ferry. 

Instead of a quick ferry ride from field to farm, Harmon had to drive an hour with each load.

"So we moved seven tractor-trailer loads of hay from over there last Saturday, and usually it takes two days, because we have to drive all the way around. And with the ferry on, it took one day. So that's a big savings."

A lot of things have been easier for Harmon since June 28, the day the Gagetown ferry was put back into service. Along with one-third of his hay, the majority of his herd spends the summer grazing on land across the river from the main farm. 

Harmon had to buy a boat to save him driving around twice a week to check on the cattle. And any time he had to take equipment to the other side, he was forced to drive the long way around.


Gagetown farmer Hugh Harmon says it was a lot easier to bring in 300 round bales across the ferry this year than the hour-long drive of the previous four years. (Submitted by Hugh Harmon)

It was a long four years. 

"It's been unbelievable," Harmon said of the ferry's return. "Yeah, we're just thrilled. It just makes everything so much easier."

In February 2016, residents found out that the ferry would not return to service after the winter off-season. The former Liberal government of Brian Gallant cited maintenance and repair costs for the decision. 

Without the ferry, it's nearly a 70-kilometre round-trip detour for residents, who cross the river for everything from medical appointments to church services. In summer, the ferry also helps farmers and local restaurants, bed and breakfasts and other tourism-reliant businesses.

Wilf Hiscock, who led the save-the-ferry committee, said there were a lot more customers at local businesses this summer. 

"Having the ferry back has revived the whole area here," said Hiscock. 

Gagetown-Jemseg seasonal ferry service resumed this year on June 28 and will continue until Oct. 12. (Gary Moore/CBC)

He, too, said it was a tough four years without the ferry. 

"The economy was down, there was hardly any tourism. We were just in a bad way."

The area is home to hundreds of cottages and, without the ferry, most of them completely bypassed the town for four years. 

"I live right on the main road here," said Hiscock, "and I know traffic has increased substantially in the last three months. It's unbelievable, really."

He said business at his apple orchard has surged this year. 

"This year, since the ferry's back on, we're very busy. Business is way up. And not just for me. All the businesses on Front Street — the pubs, the restaurants, craft shops — they will all tell you their business has gone up."

The deputy mayor of Gagetown said the economic spinoffs have benefited everyone. 

"I don't know how many times people can say this in 2020, that they have across-the-board increases, but it's been across-the-board increases," said Derek Pleadwell.

Although he would have liked to see the ferry return sooner, it couldn't have come at a better time. 

Gagetown deputy mayor Derek Pleadwell says local businesses would really benefit by extending ferry service beyond Oct. 12. (Submitted by Derek Pleadwell) 

"The one-two punch of pandemics and the shock to the economy, having the ferry come back really mitigated things for us. And, yeah, it couldn't have come at a better time."

He said the number of people who visited the village this summer was "phenomenal." 

Flo Greig, who owns Greig Pottery on Gagetown's main drag, said business has rebounded since — and because of — the ferry's return. 

She said many customers are specifically in the area to check out the ferry, and end up frequenting some of the local businesses.

"We have many more people traveling within the province ... And many have come to our village simply to take the ferry," she said.


Flo Greig, of Greig Pottery in Gagetown, said customers were coming to the village specifically for the ferry. (gregpottery.com)

"And when they have that goal, they often stop in the shops for something to eat and to shop. So we certainly have seen an increase. It's wonderful."

Hiscock, who lives on the Gagetown side of the St. John River along Route 102, said taking away the ferry kept family and friends apart. 

He said he's run into people from the Jemseg side who said they hadn't been to Gagetown in four years. 

"And now they're back. So it gives you an idea. People just didn't drive around and come down into the village. They bypassed Gagetown. No one came in here."

Hiscock said a lot of people would like the ferry to continue longer into the fall. As a "seasonal" service, the ferry is taken off its run for the winter.

On Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation said ferry service will not be extended beyond Oct. 12. 

"The ferry will serve as a replacement for other ferries in the fleet while they undergo required dry docking, in accordance with Transport Canada's Marine Safety regulations," said Jeremy Trevors.

"Two ferries are currently scheduled for dry docking before the end of this fall."

He said the Canada Shipping Act requires ferries to be "removed from the water once every five years for a thorough hull inspection by a Transport Canada marine surveyor."


Wilf Hiscock, who spearheaded the committee to save the ferry, said there are still quite a few signs around - he hopes to never need them again. (Save Gagetown-Jemseg Ferry)

Harmon said keeping the ferry running "until the freeze up" would allow him and other farmers to finish out the season. He said there's a lot of equipment across the river on a flood plain that has to be taken back to his farm before winter. 

Hiscock said extending ferry service into December would also allow the village of Gagetown to make the most of its annual Christmas in the Village event, which has been modified because of COVID-19. 

Instead of a one-time event, vendors and the Gagetown Farmers Market are participating in The 12 Weekends of Christmas, which started on Sept. 20 and will run until Dec. 6. 

Pleadwell said there were a number of requests from residents for the government to extend ferry service beyond Oct. 12. 

He said the extension would have have seen them through the 12-weekends-of-Christmas event, and it would help the apple orchards in the area finish out their season. 

 

 
 
 
 
36 Comments 
Commenting is now closed for this story.
 
 
 
 
 
David Amos
Methinks folks should wonder why their local hero and our MLA Ross Wetmore got kicked of the cabinet N'esy Pas?  
 
 
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: I'm wondering why you didn't run ?? I suspect 25 signatures was about 20 more than you could have attained on your nomination papers ! Or was your bicycle broke ??
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks everybody knows Higgy's desperate spin doctors do post desperate things N'esy Pas?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
David Amos
Methinks the clowns are so confused that they don't even know what part they should play in the circus these days N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
David Amos 
Content disabled
I would lay odds that the Gagetown deputy mayor Derek Pleadwell and his pal Wilf Hiscock remember my concerns about my missing Harley and the integrity of Service New Brunswick and the RCMP in 2009 while their liberal buddies were threatening to take the Gagetown ferry out of service
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Lou Bell
A reasonable solution . Open and running during farming and tourist season . Too bad the self entitled with empty ER's couldn't have come to a similar solution ? With Healthcare costs as they are , having empty ER's for 10 hours an evening and paying for most likely well over 1000 hours to man 6 ER's by Physicians and support staff , well those people shouldn't be doing any whining about Healthcare costs !!!
 
David Amos 
Content disabled
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks you must be off your meds I trust that my mindless MLA Ross Wetmore and everybody else who stood with Bruce Northrup outside the Sussex hos[ital during the protest know this article does not address Higgy's wish to close ERs I bet that was just another another reason the dude who likes to pick fights got booted from Higgy's latest cabinet N'esy Pas?
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to @David Amos: Too Too Funny Indeed
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emery Hyslop-Margison
This ferry is the lifeblood for Gagetown. If it was in Caraquet it never would have been cancelled.
 
 
Theo Lavigne
Reply to @Emery Hyslop-Margison: Shippagan has been waiting for a new bridge for over 10 years, what your point ? The one they use now is over 60 years old when they have a power failure it doesn't work. Check the amount of ferries that are government run in the south of the province..
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Theo Lavigne: Touche Very Good Point Sir

Please continue to annoy Higgy's many conservative spin doctors with my blessings and thanks 
 
 
DJ Redfern 
Reply to @Theo Lavigne:
The ferries are an integral part of our Provincial highway system and by definition the responsibility of the Minister of Highways.....Lets not keep kicking this around, speak with the Minister to keep the ferries operating...toll free.... 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lou Bell
Liberals had no interest in maintaining the ferry . . It wasn't a language issue , although most likely D'Entremont would most likely have filed a complaint if the operator wasn't bilingual if they hadn't scuttled the ferry 
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to @Lou Bell: Take the ferry and cry me a river on your way over to the other side 
 
 
Emery Hyslop-Margison
Reply to @Lou Bell: not about booze, gambling and whatever - it’s about getting your head out of the dark ages and taking action to advance the provincial economy Lou.
 
 
Emery Hyslop-Margison
Reply to @Lou Bell: not a language issue but definitely a political issue. In this case that’s a distinction without a difference.
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to @Emery Hyslop-Margison: Methinks many folks should find you and little Lou quite an entertaining couple just as I do N'esy Pas?
 
 
Lou Bell
Reply to @Emery Hyslop-Margison: " not about booze ........... " Are you seeing something we aren't ?? I think someone needs to lay off the booze though !!!!!!!!!!!!
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks somebody else should get back on their meds ASAP N'esy Pas?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Colin Seeley
Whoever heard of a free ferry ?

Time for tolls
!
 
 
Greg Bragdon
Reply to @Colin Seeley: So tolls on all the bridges and roads in the province too? The ferry was and is a cheaper alternative to building a bridge at that location.
 
 
Donald Gallant
Reply to @Greg Bragdon:
Hysterically it seems a bridge is floated into the discussion.

Ferries are tolled all over Canada.

NB should be no exception.
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to @Colin Seeley: Not on my watch
 
 
Emery Hyslop-Margison
Reply to @David Amos: you don’t have a watch 
 
 
David Amos  
Reply to @Emery Hyslop-Margison: Most mechanics don't wear a watch Whats your point? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Roy Kirk
Timing is everything, I guess. What party's candidate won the riding(s)?
 
 
Dianne MacPherson
Reply to @Roy Kirk:
PCs won....Ross Wetmore .
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Dianne MacPherson: and he got the boot from cabinet immediately aftewards 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Theo Lavigne
I'm sure we will see the savings passed on to the consumer...
 
 
Bill Henry
Reply to @Theo Lavigne: lol
 
 
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @
Theo Lavigne: When pigs fly or Higgy learns not to lie
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Theo Lavigne: Methinks you would have enjoyed my reply but no doubt it wasn't permitted for political reasons N'esy Pas?
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Bill Henry: I second that emotion
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kevin Cormier
I continually hear about the "Farmer needs the ferry to transport hay"... how about a co-op barge? I just don't think this sells the case for a ferry (because of one farmer and his hay issue). While I do support the ferry, I really support a ferry for Campobello. This is no way that any discussion on ferries in NB can happen without talking about Campobello... or do we have to say: "Fisherman needs the ferry to transport nets"? 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Kevin Cormier: I concur
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Donald Gallant
Who cancelled the Gagetown ferry ?
But the phoney games were ok !
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Donald Gallant: So you say but you should remember Victor Boudreau's budget and the local liberal Vaughn Blaney a former cabinet minister who wore an interesting hat as he protested in front of the legislature. Methinks Higgy et al cannot deny that he saved the Gagetown Bellisle ferries back then N'esy Pas?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marc LeBlanc
We've enjoyed the lovely drive along the river several times
It's a great break from the ho hum highway
A walk down Gagetown's main street is a must as well
Wouldn't it be great to have a place like McAdam had with the fresh baked pies
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Marc LeBlanc: Blueberry is my favourite I trust thet Higgy cannot deny that he helps a rich liberal from Nova Scotia to take advantage of our Crown land to produce them. Hence those pies should come cheap to us
 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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