I’m in Eastport then Twillingate this week with my family, making the most of this drizzly weather before back to school today I broke 2 fishing rods and petted a —exciting stuff! https://twitter.com/HappyCitySJ/status/1300487746163802112

I’m sorry that people are disappointed in the decision to end the ped mall on the original scheduled date. Being a Council doesn’t always mean making the popular decisions. In this case, feedback from business outside of the water street area + residents had to be considered too.

Residents wanted it to stay, me too! But residents have no stakes in business success. Put yourselves in our shoes: If small biz outside the mall felt like we really should stick to our word and end the pilot Labour day wknd, then wouldn’t you also want to consider them?

I hope we can improve on the pilot then do this every single year Maybe there’s room for a couple of weekends this fall? Maybe we can figure out how to get Duckworth included next year? There are some logistical reviews to be done and then let’s see what’s next!

Personally I wanted it to end on a good note so the taste that stays in our mouths is a totally positive one. Not once did the city say “Sept 7 is a flex date we will see if we can extend it”—we are not reneging on any promises. We had a couple of great months. I’m ok with that.

Try to see the bigger picture and join me in recognizing what a monumental shift has occurred: for the first time in 50 years, we pedestrianized our oldest business street, we took a massive risk with it, and it was amazing. What a prototype. Let’s dream for more & make it happen

Anyway that’s what I would’ve said today in the go around but as I said I have goats to pet and fishing rods to fix, and I also have children who are sweetly but annoyingly complaining that they are bored, then learning how to yo-yo (mom win). Enjoy your weeks!