Gloria Pearce and her partner Ron House just finished building their home and garden and have now been told they have to move.

 Government officials met with residents affected by the expansion of a danger area last Monday evening. The community of Daniel’s Harbour has been hit with four landslides since 2006 and the expanded danger zone now affects an additional 23 properties.

“They told us we were all going to lose our homes. I was one of (the people told to relocate), and not for the life of me do I know why,” said Pearce.
Pearce’s home is next door to the community’s all-grade school, a property which is not affected by the re-zoning.
“I’m so far away from where the landslide was. I live right next door to the school, and if they can keep that school there with all those little kids in it I don’t see why I have to move.”

The community’s school, Holy Cross, has 34 students. They had no comment about the expansion of the danger zone.

Pearce said she questioned why her property was grouped with the other 22 properties and the school stayed untouched. Pearce said she was told the line had to be drawn somewhere.
Pearce moved back to Daniel’s Harbour from Port Saunders nine years ago. She said she and her partner built their house and designed their property and just finished the project this year.

“The way we wanted our land, and the house and everything, we just got it done. In the fall I got gravel and rearranged all my flowerbeds and put my walkways in to my gazebo … I’m 65 years old and I don’t want to have to start over again. Ron and I built this house. We built it ourselves. He went in the woods and got his own logs, he sawed his lumber and with help from friends we built our house. We just got it finished and now they’re telling us we got to leave,” she said.

Ross Humber, mayor of Daniel’s Harbour said he understands where Pearce is coming from.

“Why do you draw the line right next to a school full of kids? I’m assuming that they have technical data to make that decision. I mean why would you just pin point a point on a map and draw a line? You’re dealing with people’s lives,” said Humber.

He said these issues and questions must be addressed and further meetings with engineers and geologists are being planned.

A spokesperson from the Department of Municipal Affairs said the decision to add 23 more properties to the current safety zone was based on geotechnical information and is in the interest of public safety.

“Officials had to establish an expanded safety zone to take into account the worst case scenario in the event of a catastrophic event occurred. Based on what we know, a line was established which took into account the part of coastline up from the old landslide scar to the pong which may a contributing factor to previous slides. We have identified a potential for additional landslides and are not willing to put lives at risk,” the spokesperson said.

Pearce said she’s not giving up her home without a fight.

“We might never have another (landslide) and we might have one tomorrow we don’t know that. In the meantime, there’s so many houses and so much land that’s got to go before my house, that I don’t feel like I’m in any danger. I don’t think I got to worry,” said Pearce.
“I’m not leaving my home and my land without a fight. It’s up to the rest of the people what they want to do that’s entirely up to them. If they want to come on board and fight they’re more than welcome. I welcome any help I can get. Right now I’m going to fight for my home and my land because I don’t feel that I’m in a danger zone at all."

The appraisal process is expected to begin immediately for properties affect by the expanded danger zone. Agreements with property owners are expected to be in place by the end of March 2010 with relocation dates set soon after.