Central Newfoundland mayors hope Furey's resignation won't stall ongoing projects
Mayors of Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander say Furey was easy to work with, difficult to replace
Leaders in two of central Newfoundland's largest communities hope the surprise resignation of Premier Andrew Furey doesn't complicate their plans for their towns.
In Grand Falls-Windsor, the town and province are working on a new community centre — a multi-sports venue with two ice surfaces, a pool and other recreational space.
It's still in its early stages, and Mayor Barry Manuel hopes a change in leadership doesn't mean a change in plans.
"We're hoping for the site preparation to begin in 2026. And then again, it would be a phased approach from there," he said. "I mean we've gotten good reception not only from the premier but from Transportation Minister [Fred] Hutton and others. So, government as a whole has been very receptive and we don't expect that to change."
About 100 kilometres east in Gander, officials have been working with the provincial government on several issues, including concerns over plans to move the provincial air ambulance out of central.
Mayor Percy Farwell says Furey has taken a position that Gander will have an important role in a new, integrated ambulance system.
"I have to have confidence that … the administration that he led has come to certain realizations and has understandings of issues under his leadership that they perhaps wouldn't have had otherwise," he said.
Good working relationship
Both mayors agree the outgoing premier was good to work with.
"I found the Premier Furey to be very genuine and sincere," said Manuel.
"It's a difficult job. Obviously, we got a lot of challenges facing the province. But I felt that he was someone who really wanted to find solutions. And he showed that, I think, in his speeches. And that when he spoke, he spoke from the heart."
WATCH | Could Furey's departure derail plans in central? These mayors hope not:
Farwell says he established "a good, trusting relationship" with Furey during his short tenure as leader of the province.
"I could trust his word," he said.
And while he didn't always agree with the premier, Farwell says the discourse was respectful and Furey would always listen to his council's perspective.
"He's probably accomplished more in that brief tenure than a lot of others have in much longer tenures. And he recognized the right time to come in. And he's probably recognizing the right time, certainly for him personally to leave," Farwell said. "I certainly respect that decision."
Manuel says Furey will be difficult to replace.
"He was hands-on, he was solutions driven, he was someone who was unique to the position," he said. "He would reach out to me, unsolicited at times, and he always wanted to know how things were going, whether or not we had any issue that was needed to be addressed."
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