Relocation of SkillsPEI, Career Development Services to Mill River concerns O’Leary mayor: ‘We’re not happy at all’
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS
O’LEARY, P.E.I. — On the finish of the month, SkillsPEI and Profession Improvement Providers are scheduled to maneuver from O’Leary to Mill River – a call that O’Leary mayor Eric Gavin is set to reverse.
“We’re proper towards it as a lot as we may be,” stated Gavin. “We’re not blissful in any respect.”
By the point Gavin and the city councillors heard concerning the deliberate transfer in February, it had already been within the works.
It was not the province who knowledgeable Gavin, although. Reasonably, he stated they heard about it “by the grapevine.”
Upon trying into the problem, Gavin stated he heard a variety of causes for the transfer, together with mice within the constructing, or a small hearth, or the constructing being outdated or poorly heated.
If the present constructing – fairly than the situation in O’Leary – is the problem, Gavin wonders why the Division of Financial Progress and Improvement shouldn’t be transferring the companies to a unique spot on the town.
“They (the province) received a constructing within the heart of city, that’s the place Entry P.E.I. is,” stated Gavin. “And the constructing’s half empty. There’s all types of room in there.”
The constructing, stated Gavin, had simply been renovated just a few years in the past.
In a March 17 electronic mail to SaltWire Community, a spokesperson for the Division of Financial Progress and Improvement stated that the transfer was made for accessibility and visibility causes.
The SkillsPEI O’Leary workplace lease expires on March 31 and can transfer to Mill River in April.
“SkillsPEI is working with companions to extend entry for employment associated companies to Islanders,” the e-mail learn. “The visibility and accessibility of public areas is a part of discussions when contracts and leasehold agreements are renewed.”
In line with the spokesperson, SkillsPEI within the West Prince area have seven full-time staff who serve round 800 residents.
One among Gavin’s largest considerations is what the transfer may imply for companies in O’Leary.
If these 800 residents now not have to cease into city to entry SkillsPEI or Profession Improvement Providers, that’s fewer folks which may seize fuel or lunch whereas they’re within the neighbourhood.
“All the things was hush-hush … if we hadn’t’ve came upon from anyone speaking about it, perhaps we nonetheless wouldn’t find out about it. The federal government by no means informed us.” – O’Leary Mayor Eric Gavin
After listening to the information, Gavin and the city despatched letters to a variety of folks, together with the Premier’s Workplace and the native MLA, hoping somebody may be capable to help the city in its quest.
“We’re not listening to lots,” stated Gavin. “It doesn’t appear to be it issues anymore.
“They stated ‘we’ll take care of this when the election’s over.’”
Finally, whether or not the transfer goes by or is stopped, Gavin needs there had been extra preliminary communication to the city, and that they might have come to an settlement.
“All the things was hush-hush,” he stated. “If we hadn’t’ve came upon from anyone speaking about it, perhaps we nonetheless wouldn’t find out about it. The federal government by no means informed us.”
Kristin Gardiner is a reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. She may be reached by electronic mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @KristinGardiner.
