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Thursday, July 2, 2009

Two Companies File for Bankruptcy

Two Quebec companies that raised millions of dollars from New Brunswick investors are now in bankruptcy. Groupe Financier CTIC, CIT-CAP Groupe Financier and their principal, Patrick Gauthier, were recently the subject of an order issued by the provincial Securities Commission. They raised more than 5.7 million dollars from provincial residents in Edmundston and Grand Falls-- and to a lesser extent-- in the Acadian Peninsula, Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton, between 2006 and 2008.

A Commission investigation in early 2009 revealed that neither company had complied with securities laws in selling its investments. Investors are urged to seek professional advice with respect to their rights under the bankruptcy.

Two Wharves Get Federal Cash

Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore has made two harbour related announcements today. St. Martins is on the receiving end of 530 thousand dollars for harbour repair and maintenance as well as dredging projects.

The Black River Wharf will also get money to support repairs and reconstruction of the local wharf. Both funding announcements come through the federal Small Craft Harbour program. Tenders will soon be available and it is hoped contracts will be awarded in the coming months.

RCMP Investigate Suspicious Fires

Fire officials say three fires last night near Oak bay and Rollingdam are suspicious and may be connected. Oak Bay Fire Chief George McLeod tells CHSJ news the first fire was at a building on the intersection of highway 127 and highway One. The building was vacant at the time but fully engulf in flames by the time the fire department arrived. McLeod says 12 vehicles in a garage were destroyed by the second fire.

Mcleod says a car was also stolen from the Rollingdam area and set on fire in the Elmsville area. Meanwhile, RCMP are investigating a fourth fire this morning at the Kent Building Supplies in St. Stephen. A car in the parking lot went up in flames around 9:30am. No word on the cause.

Raid on Home by RCMP

463 grams of marijuana, marijuana seeds and two thousand dollars in cash. That is what RCMP seized from a home in Tracey Mills on Tuesday.

Charges are pending against two people........a 28-year old man and 31-year old woman.

WorkSafeNB Explains Closing the Pool

A spokesperson for WorksafeNB tells CHSJ News, the reason the pool is closing is because of the small amount of clients who use it.Mary Tucker says the pool is not used enough by clients to justify the cost of operating it.She says no jobs are being affected by this decision.

Second Turbine Travels to Point Lepreau

After falling into the harbor, two trips to the U.K. and back, two huge turbines for the refit project at Point Lepreau are almost done travelling. The second was loaded onto a barge this morning and will arrive at the generating station by the end of the day. The first arrived on Tuesday.

No word on when they will be installed at the plant.

Work on Costco Store Continues

Completition of the pad for the new Costco store in East Saint John is coming along at a steady pace. If everything stays on schedule, construction of the building is expected to get started next month. Troy Northrup with East Point Shopping tells CHSJ News, no confirmed date but the store will be open in the spring of next year.

Northrup adds there will be some announcements in the coming weeks about new development for the area.

Town Responds to SpyGlass Hill Fight

Rothesay Town officials do admit they are reviewing it's municipal plan. Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News, the over 200 acres owned by Derek Oland is currently residential and the plan calls to increase the density of the population a bit.

Bishop adds if you look at the bigger picture.....the area is private property and residents really shouldn't be using it with-out permission.

The Fight is on to Save SpyGlass Hill

With currently over 900 signatures on his FaceBook site, one man is hoping he can preserve a piece of greenspace in Rothesay. Know as SpyGlass Hill, it is used by many to hike, bike, walk and just enjoy nature. The proposed review of the municipal plan calls for the area to be rezoned for moderate growth over the 200 acres span. Nick Gresh tells CHSJ News, they also heard of a plan to put in a connector road.

Gresh says he isn't anti-development but is hopeful the population number can be increased in a different spot.

CUPE Protesting Removing Pool Services at WorksafeNB Facility


[CUPE President Danny Legere outside Rehab Centre----Photo By Dave Briggs]

Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees are protesting WorkSafeNB's decision to get rid of pool services at it's rehab centre.President Danny Legere tells CHSJ News, this decision will set back any progress made on injured workers using pool therapies.
Legere says the plan is to bus patients who need the therapy into a Saint John facility from Grand Bay-Westfield.

Business Council Announces Changes

Derek Oland, the Executive Chairman of Moosehead Breweries is taking on some new responsibilities. He is the new chair of the New Brunswick Business Council, taking over from Denis Losier, President and CEO of Assumption Life. Also, the council is actively recruiting for a new position.......President and Chief Executive Officer.

The new post will be in replacement of the Council’s founding Executive Director, Donald Dennison, who will retire in the fall.

Saying Goodbye to Romeo Leblanc

Before the state funeral tomorrow----the public has the opportunity to say goodbye to Romeo LeBlanc today. There will be limited seating for the viewing at his home in Memramcook. His state funeral is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 11 at the Saint Thomas Church and is closed to the media and the public.

Politicians from all three levels of government are expected to be on hand. LeBlanc was the first Acadian appointed governor general, and died last week after a lengthy illness at the age of 81.

New Campaign for Summer Tourism

Summer tourism for Saint John has kicked into high gear. Several promotional partners have begun the "Give Saint John John a shot" campaign to bring in more visitors. Hilton Saint John spokesperson Tammy LeBlanc tells CHSJ News, people often forget the great resources the city has to offer.

Tourism in the city brings in roughly $250 million dollars to the economy a year. The advertising campaign is going to be running until October 15th.

New Chair of Securities Commission

David Barry is the new chair of the New Brunswick Securities Commission. He has been practicing law in the city for over 30 years focusing on commerical law, tax planning, venture capital spending and corporate finance and securitires.

Barry has been appointed to a 5 year term by new Justice and Consumer Affairs Minister Mike Murphy and takes over the position immediately.

Temporary Lot for Parking Commission

The Saint John Parking Commission has gotten the go ahead to create a temporary parking lot on Union Street. The Planning Advisory Committee approved the application but stipulates it can't be operational for more than a year.

PAC members were concerned about excess lighting on residents living nearby, but Commission General Manager Richard Smith says additional lighting will not be necessary.

Operation JellyBean Update

Three Fredericton area men will find out their fate from a judge in the coming weeks and months. All appeared in court over the past week on drug related charges in connection with Operation JellyBean. It was a drug sting carried out by RCMP with the help of Saint John and Fredericton police forces. 27 year old Troy Albert has pled guilty on all counts and will be sentenced on October 13. 39 year old Timothy Clayton Price, who also faced charges of weapons and firearms possession, was found guilty on all counts and will be sentenced at the end of this month.

28 year old Christopher Gregory Trites pled guilty to conspiracy to traffic marijuana. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 27. Several other people w2ho are facing charges in t5his investigation, are due in court later this year.

Greater Saint John Celebrates Canada Day

Despite the wet weather.......a good crowd showed up around Greater Saint John to take part in Canada Day festivities. The Boardwalk was full as the crowd enjoyed toys and games for the kids along with food and tunes for the older crowd. The fireworks went off as scheduled over the Harbor just after ten o'clock and City Police say despite the huge crowd, everyone was well behaved.

Rothesay Regional Police report a quiet night as well with the exception of a few calls to homes concerning people shooting off fireworks.

Cupe to Hold Demonstration

If your travels today take you past the Workers Rehabilitation Center in Grand Bay Westfield, don't be suprised if you see a few people outside the building.

Cupe members will hold a demonstration to mark a ceremony that they are calling....""the death of public not for profit health care to the employers and injured workers of this province. Things get started at ten o'clock.

Fire Call in East Saint John

Nobody hurt after City Fire-fighters were called to a home in East Saint John last night. The alarm was sounded just before 9:30pm at 895 Grandview Avenue and when crews arrived, they found the basement full of smoke. They got inside and found there was a malfunction with the furnace causing it to spit out smoke.

Crews ventilated the home and were on their way.