Local Government
	Local government brings to mind Community or Town Council or some other form of elected leadership, which governs under the aegis of the Provincial Department of Municipal Affairs.  Councils are responsible for the efficient operation of community services such as fire protection, snow clearing, garbage collection, law and order, road maintenance, etc.
However, municipal government did not exist until 1938 and it was not until 1964 that Fox Harbour became incorporated.  Road boards were the only form of government for many years and existed periodically until the 1950's.
The earliest known road board in this community came into being in 1890 and lasted until 1920.
The board members were: Patrick O'Leary  1890 - 1905                      Richard Healey  1890 - 1905 Thomas O'Rielly 1890 - 1905                      Richard Davis   1900 -1910 Philip Davis        1900 - 1905                      Patrick Davis    1900 - 1905 Patrick Murphy  1895 - 1910                      James Davis      1890 - 1899 John Sampson    1905 - 1920                      James Healey     1905 - 1912 John Davis         1905 - 1912                      Issac Duke        1912 - 1920  Michael O'Rielly  1912 - 1920                      Maurice McCue 1912 - 1920
Other members in the 1920's - 1940's included: John Davis - Leader                     Denis O'Rielly   James Davis - Chairman               Arthur O'Rielly Michael King                               Jim King Issac Duke
Sporadically, through the years, government had designated funds for road maintenance, to be allocated on April 1 and October 1. Not only were those boards responsible for roads, but also for relief distribution in communities.  However, this was rarely done.
In 1930 grants to Local Road Boards were cancelled and it was not until 1942 that government set up the Local Roads Commission. This was the period when the American bases were providing employment and working people were required to contribute funds to road maintenance, with those unable to pay giving free labour.  Later a system was brought in whereby a man with horse and dray was hired to maintain sections of the road.  The road from the church to Ville Marie was worked on by various men including Michael O'Leary and John Healey Sr.
In 1956 the Local Roads Board Act was brought in and a chairman and vice chair were elected for the first time at public meetings.  A grant of $2.00 per head was allowed and free labour was abolished.
The community's board members at that time were: Pat Duke - Chairman Members   James Spurvey                John Foley Tom Howe                     John Healey.
In 1964 the grants formula changed and as well, Fox Harbour became a municipality.  The responsibility for local roads was passed from road boards to the council.  Allocations for roads were now $4.00 per mile plus $ 1.00 a head of population.  The grant system changed many times in the next thirty years and today the road grant as such, is no more, but is part of the Municipal Operating   Grant which is based on the number of households.  The Municipal Operating grant for this present year is $14,537.00, but government has announced that this will be reduced by 20% for each of the next three years.
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