In conjunction with Martek Morgan Finch (Atlantic Place Property management) and Southwest Properties Partnership (Atlantic Place owner), the City of St. John's is providing an extended program of family entertainment to coincide with this year's ending. Recent renovations and the addition of a balcony at the rear of Atlantic Place makes this eastern area of Harbour Drive an ideal location for an old time Newfoundland party.

Beginning at 9:30 p.m., December 31, 2006, the St. John's Harbour front will come alive with a street dance.

Bridges to Hope volunteers will be on hand to promote their program "Building Tons of Hope" whereby a toonie donation buys a pound of food. Bridges to Hope will distribute hot chocolate and milk (kindly provided by Central Dairies) to children attending the Celebrations. The Bridges to Hope program is a joint project of the United Church of Canada and the Presbyterian Church, to reduce the impact of food services on low income families in the City.

Spirit of Newfoundland Productions is hosting a variety show of skits, sing-a-longs, and dance. The Spirit of Newfoundland show is scheduled to begin at 10:45 p.m. and will herald in the New Year. Performers will take advantage of Atlantic Place's new balcony as their stage.

This year's fireworks display at midnight promises something special. Each shell has been hand selected for its festive colouring, multiple bursts and high percussion.

Should weather conditions not be favourable, alternative arrangements will be made for 7 p.m., January 1, 2007.

For more information contact:

Bernadette Walsh
Special Projects Officer
Dept. Of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture
City of St. John's
576-8537 or bwalsh@stjohns.ca
www.stjohns.ca

The results of yesterday's DDC Board election are in and the successful candidates are as follows:

William (Bill) Mahoney - Regal Realty / Murray Premises Hotel
Charlie Cook - Sonco Inc. (Atlantic Place Parking Garage)
Phonse Miller - Gallery Shoes
Ron Fougere - Ron Fougere and Associates
Janet Kelly -Auntie Crae's
Susan LeDrew - Smyth, Woodland, Del Rizzo and LeDrew

Congratulation's to all of the successful candidates and thank you to all those who expressed interest in serving on the DDC Board.

As you now know, we have a greater number of candidates for positions than there are vacancies on the Board of Management for the Downtown Development Commission (DDC). Therefore, an election is required to select the members of the board.

I'm told this may be the first time since our inception in 1988 that an election has been required. From the perspective of the board this is extremely good news. This is a very positive indication of the interest in our downtown and DDC activities. This is understandable with the recent increase in occupancy and business activity in the downtown. Our downtown is growing and once again returning to it's former glory as the center of economic, commercial and tourism related activities for the province.

By now you will have received notice of the election which will take place tomorrow at City Hall and DDC offices at 155 Water Street. There are a number of conditions which must be met in order to qualify to vote. One unique requirement is that you must present written authorization by the entity you represent in order to vote on their behalf. This is cumbersome, but is being imposed by the City to insure the eligibility of the voter. Also, you should be aware that you are entitled to one vote for each place of business that pays a business improvement area (BIA) levee.

Despite the busy time of year, I strongly encourage each one of you to take the time to drop by City Hall or the DDC offices tomorrow and vote for the six (6) individuals that you would like to represent your interests on the Board of Management of the Downtown Development Commission.

Merry Christmas!

Bill

W. D. (Bill) Mahoney
Chair
Downtown Development Commission
Tel: 709-722-3222
Fax: 709-722-3223
Cell: 709-685-6885
email: bmahoney@regal.nf.net

The following eight (8) nominations were received by the City Clerk/Returning Officer by close of nominations Friday, December 1, 2006 at 4:30 pm to fill the six (6) open positions of the DDC Board of Management.

1. Andrews, Mary of Details & Designs Ltd. 151 Water Street
2. Cook, Charles of Sonco Parking Inc. 1 Baird's Cove
3. Fougere, Ron of Ron Fougere Associates Ltd. 2F Bates Hill
4. Hutchings, Krista of Downhome Shoppe & Gallery 303 Water Street
5. Kelly, Janet of Auntie Craes 272 Water Street
6. Ledrew, Susan of Smyth, Woodland, Delrizzo & Ledrew 16 Forest Road
7. Mahoney, William of Regal Realty Ltd. 291 Water Street
8. Miller, Phonse of Gallery Shoes Ltd. 179 Water Street

In accordance with Section 14(1) of the BIA By-law, an election will take place on Wednesday, December 15, 2006 between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm at Polling Station A, Office of the City Clerk, 4th floor, City Hall and Polling Station B, DDC Boardroom, Suite 202-203, 155 Water Street.

In order to be eligible to vote in the election a person must have paid to date all levies assessed in accordance with Section 21 of the By-Law and must be:

A. a person carrying on a business trade or profession within the Area and assessed for business tax: or

B. a designated representative of a person, company, corporation, firm, group, organization or other similar body carrying on a business within the Area and assessed for business tax.

Each person, company, corporation, firm, group, organization or other similar body has one vote only for each location from which the business is carried on and for which business tax is assessed, and for the purpose of exercising this vote shall have only one designated representative for each location.

Prior to being provided with a ballot and entering the polling booth persons designated as representatives under item (B) above, shall provide the City Clerk with written confirmation of their designated status.

For more information contact Mr. Neil Martin, City Clerk/Returing Officer, City of St. John's at 576 8446.