Outer Battery Defence Fund
Donation protected
Message From the Outer Battery Preservation Society:
The Outer Battery neighbourhood is an iconic historic fishing community situated at the mouth of the St. John's harbour and the entryway to the Signal Hill National Historic Park. The community clusters around a narrow no-exit road, with houses very close to each other. You often see it featured in provincial tourism promotion.
A new property owner has installed high intensity flood lights that shine directly into neighbours' homes, challenged existing rights of way, and initiated lawsuits against some community members.
The intensity of these floodlights is comparable to airport runway lighting, and has significantly affected residents' physical and mental health. These lights have been on 24 hours a day, seven days a week, since May 2022.
We have lobbied St. John's City Hall to enforce what we believe to be existing City legislation concerning nuisance lighting. We have the support of our provincial MHA cabinet minister and St. John's Deputy Mayor. Over 5000 supportive citizens have signed our petition on change.org. The Council of Canadians has thrown their support behind us. All asking the City to “Turn Off the Lights”.
The City has said NO. On January 16th, St. John's City Council voted down a motion to ask the Province for power to create a nuisance lighting bylaw. Immediately afterward, the property owner installed more high-intensity lighting, pointed directly into another neighbour's windows.
The Mayor and City Council have suggested that we resolve matters through civil litigation. Although we are gratefully receiving some pro-bono legal work, related legal and court costs have been and will continue to be substantial.
That’s why we need your help.
Funds raised by our GoFundMe will allow us to finance legal costs and other activities. Funds will be held in trust and administered independently by Trustees external to the Outer Battery community.
Your donation can help the Outer Battery and its residents.
Please help us Turn Off the Lights!
Media links on this story:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/bright-lights-shining-on-outer-battery-1.6669991?mibextid=Zxz2cZ
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Administrator notes: My name is Marnie Parsons. I don't live in the Outer Battery but I care deeply about the neighbourhood of this beloved corner of St. John's where I have many friends and acquaintances. When Jillian Kieley, who initiated this campaign, had to step down due to work obligations, I offered to take over the fundraiser for her.
The funds raised through this campaign are going to Preservation of Outer Battery Inc. They will be deposited into an account under the name of Edgar (Ted) Blades, one of three trustees of the organization that oversees the disbursement of donations. No funds can be withdrawn from the account without the signatures of two trustees.
The Preservation of Outer Battery Inc. assesses neighbourhood concerns and objectives in an effort to maintain a positive neighbourhood atmosphere; promote neighbourhood well-being; preserve the social, historical, and physical fabric of the neighbourhood; and to finance legal costs and other activities in the service of these objectives.
Organizer and beneficiary
Marnie Parsons
Organizer
St. John's, NL
Edgar (Ted) Blades
Beneficiary