MR. SPEAKER: On a different petition, the hon. the Member for the District of Port de Grave.

MR. BUTLER: Mr. Speaker, I stand today to present a petition on behalf of 104 residents of Beachside, 80 residents of Little Bay, and 130 residents from St. Patricks. I will read it:

WHEREAS the road from Little Bay turnoff to Little Bay, and from Little Bay to Beachside, was paved approximately forty years ago, and since that time very little has been done to upgrade the road, the road is in a deplorable condition;

WHEREUPON the undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon the House of Assembly to repave the road from Little Bay turnoff through to Beachside.

And as in duty bound your petitioners will ever pray.

Mr. Speaker, this petition was collected and supported by the Town Council of Beachside, the Town Council of Little Bay, and the Local Service District of St. Patricks. They are saying they are just disgusted with how bad this road is, Mr. Speaker, and how it has deteriorated over a period of time.

I understand, Mr. Speaker, where they are coming from. They are saying they are in constant repair of their vehicles because of the major potholes and everything that is happening in that road.

My understanding is, I think it is approximately ten kilometres from Little Bay turnoff to the RC church hill in St. Patricks, and from Little Bay to Beachside is another seven kilometres. Mr. Speaker, this road needs repairs immediately.

The former member for that area, I do not know if that is what he was fired over, but I know it had to do with something where he went looking for money for pavement of roads in his district. I think that is what happened to him and he left this hon. House.

AN HON. MEMBER: A former Premier.

MR. BUTLER: A former Premier, that is correct.

Mr. Speaker, some people might say, why are you presenting this petition? Well, Mr. Speaker, we all heard in this House about the "we care" speech. When they asked me would I present it, I said yes, we care; we will bring this forward on behalf of your residents.

I am sure the hon. member, when he stands to speak, either in Budget debate or whatever, will bring up the issues on behalf of those residents. Hopefully government will – I understand; I spoke to one gentleman today - they may, if at all possible, get a kilometre of this road done this year. That is a start, and they appreciate that, but, Mr. Speaker, they are asking government to really take action and see that this road is completed.