The new PC government says it will not honour a previous commitment by the former Liberal-led government to allocate thousands of taxpayers’ dollars to the Amelia Earhart statue project in Harbour Grace.
What’s more, the new minister of Women and Gender Equality, Helen Conway Ottenheimer, is describing attempts by Liberal Pam Parsons — the MHA for Harbour Grace-Port de Grave — to pressure and embarrass the new government as “disingenuous.”
Conway Ottenheimer would not agree to a recorded interview, but in a written statement, said “since the statue was found and is now being restored, this funding is no longer required.”
She added that Parsons’ media statements in recent weeks contained “inaccuracies and omissions” regarding the Amelia Earhart statue.
“It is disingenuous for the MHA for Harbour Grace-Port de Grave to question the status of funding she knows is unnecessary,” said Conway Ottenheimer.
Restoration project is insured
In late April, thieves brazenly ripped the 120-kilogram bronze statue from its base at the Spirit of Harbour Grace Park, and according to security video from a nearby business, loaded the statue into a vehicle and drove away in darkness.
It’s believed the thieves intended to sell the bronze to a scrap metal dealer.
The incident prompted national media attention, and various sources — including the town, businesses and anonymous donors — raised a $25,000 reward for information leading to the return of the work of art by Luben Boykov, and the conviction of those responsible.
At the time, the Liberals were the governing party and Parsons was the Women and Gender Equality Minister.
On May 9, Parsons announced that the department would provide $50,000 over a two-year period to the town — which is in her district — to build a replacement statue of the famous aviator.
“Replacing it, with the help of support from the provincial government, is a powerful statement that we will not allow acts of disrespect to erase our shared heritage,” Parsons said at the time.
Days after her funding announcement, Parsons was shuffled to another portfolio.
In early August, Heart’s Delight-Islington resident Elaine Traverse discovered the stolen statue, which was cut into pieces and discarded in some brush off Route 74.
The town hired sculptor Morgan MacDonald to restore the statue, who has since completed the work and strengthened it with a new stainless steel skeleton.
A new concrete and decorative base is being built at the park in Harbour Grace, where it’s been on display since 2007.
A rededication ceremony will take place on May 20, on the 94th anniversary of Earhart’s historic solo transatlantic flight, which began in Harbour Grace.
Town officials have confirmed the restoration project is being paid for by the town’s insurance provider, but declined CBC requests to talk about the government funding.
“The town has confirmed to the Office of Women and Gender Equality on multiple occasions that insurance is covering all restoration and installation costs,” said Conway Ottenheimer.
Meanwhile, Parsons has done multiple media interviews on the subject in recent days.
In an interview with CBC News on Tuesday, she issued this challenge to the premier.
“I’m calling on Premier Tony Wakeham to ensure that money remains. It was allocated. It was put aside. It was dedicated for this,” said Parsons.
Parsons acknowledged the initial $50,000 funding announcement was for a replacement statue, but said her Liberal successor in the Women and Gender Equality portfolio, Sherry Gambin-Walsh, pledged $25,000 for site restoration work.
The Liberals were defeated by the PCs in the Oct. 14 election and Parsons and Gambin-Walsh now sit as Opposition MHAs.
When asked why taxpayers should support a project that is being paid for by an insurance company, Parsons said the town could use the funding to enhance security and accessibility at the park.
“The money certainly will be well utilized. It’s needed. It’s my job as a MHA to advocate for my constituents and all the towns within my district,” said Parsons.
Parsons described the statue as “one of only three statues [in the province] that celebrate the achievements of a woman,” and that the statue is “a significant heritage and economic driver with regards to tourism in the historic Town of Harbor Grace.”
But Conway Ottenheimer said Parsons has her facts wrong.
“There are five statues honouring women in our province, not three,” she said. “They include Amelia Earhart, Armine Nutting-Gosling, Shanawdithit and two statues of Demasduit.”
As for the funding initially earmarked for the Amelia Earhart statue project, Conway Ottenheimer said her department is working with partners “who strongly champions awareness of women’s contributions to our storied history, to help us identify new initiatives across the province that this funding can support.”
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