Deer Lake -
Deer Lake town councillor and well-known businessman Todd Goodyear will be moving from the Humber Valley to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador.
The move comes following Goodyear's acceptance of the position of business and sales manager with The Labradorian newspaper.
While fellow members of his town council expressed some surprise at the move, Goodyear's transition to the mainland portion of the province has its reasons, he said.
"I know this move to Goose Bay is exactly the right thing for my family right now," said Goodyear on Tuesday. "You know we've had 15 great years in Deer Lake."
Goodyear said, in addition to family considerations, he had "been wanting and looking forward to a new challenge" on a personal level.
While he has spent the last two years on the Deer Lake town council, he has also become well-known through his business and volunteer work.
Goodyear bought and developed the local Yamaha dealership in Deer Lake into a successful enterprise.
He has also spent eight years with the Deer Lake Chamber of Commerce, six years as president of the Humber River Golf Club, and has worked on the Deer Lake primary school council and with Crimestoppers.
Although he will be leaving these activities behind, he said it is likely he will take part in similar volunteer work in Labrador.
"My volunteering won't change," said Goodyear. "I've already got my feelers out."
Goodyear has family connections in Labrador. His wife, Loretta, is from Port Hope-Simpson, on the southern coast of Labrador. The two were engaged in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
The councillor said he is excited to make the move in the coming days, and is especially looking forward to his new position.
"I'm very proud to be going to work for The Labradorian," he said.
Goodyear admitted he had previously thought about having "a crack at the mayorship" in the future in Deer Lake, but abandoned the thought when these new opportunities opened for him.
Goodyear's departure from council will leave yet another space to be filled in the fall elections, following the announcement by Deer Lake Mayor Barbara Ball who said she will not be in the running for another term.
