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Thursday, September 10, 2009

New Brunswick's First Aboriginal Lieutenant Governor Appointed

Graydon Nicholas continues to make history -- the province's first aboriginal judge has just been appointed the province's first Lieutenant Governor.

Prime Minister Harper made the announcement late today -- and -- Premier Graham tells CHSJ News it's a proud moment for New Brunswick and the country.

Graham recommended Nicholas for the post during a meeting with Prime Minister Harper earlier this year.

Nicholas is a former president of the Union of New Brunswick Indians and recipient of the N-B Human Rights Award as well as a Golden Jubilee Medal.

He is replacing Hermenegilde Chiasson.

Graham Government Floats Deal To Save Ferries










(Premier Graham talks with residents on the Gagetown ferry late Thursday afternoon - photo by Gary MacDonald)

The Belleisle and Gagetown ferries will continue to ply river waters on a reduced level -- they were on the chopping block as a cost cutting measure.

Premier Graham made the announcement during a late afternoon news conference yesterday at the Gagetown ferry landing -- and -- former Gagetown Liberal M-L-A Vaughn Blaney tells CHSJ News it's the result of a lot of hard work by residents and the government.

The Belleisle ferry will operate year round 21-hours a day while the Gagetown ferry will offer seasonal service between 6 in the morning and midnight.

In addition most ferries in the province will have crews reduced to one operator subject to federal approval -- the changes will save the government 1.2-million dollars a year.

Former Saint John Mayor Wins Award

Former Saint John Mayor Bob Lockhart has been awarded the Harold Hatheway Distinguished Volunteer Award for 2009.
The award was issued by the New Brunswick CNIB Board of Directors recognizing exemplary service by a CNIB volunteer with the criteria being the winner give some time and effort to improving the quality of life for individuals with vision loss.

Lockhart has been an active CNIB member since 2003 and is the Co-Chair of the Government Relations Committee. He is also a member of Canada's Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Lockhart was presented the Harold Hatheway award at the CNIB annual general meeting yesterday.

Reaction to Funding

The Leisure Services Coordinator at the Carleton Community Centre says this funding is greatly helping the centre and the community.
Chuck Edison says this announcement adds on to previous ones aimed at improving the community centre.
Edison says the hardwood in the gymnasium was originally laid in 1975, and it's taken a beating over the years by the amount of ball hockey and basketball played on it daily.
Edison says there are more projects slated for the Carleton Community Centre, including renovating the bathrooms, and improving the structures outside the building.

Carleton Community Centres Gets Shot in the Arm

[M-P Rodney Weston----Photo By Dave Briggs]
The Carleton Community Centre is getting over $60 thousand dollars in funding from the federal government and the city.
The city is investing $40 thousand dollars, while the feds are giving $22,500 to help replace the hardwood gymnasium floor at the centre.
Saint John M-P Rodney Weston says this announcement will benefit the community as a whole.
Weston says this project will create local construction jobs and help the community economically.
City Councillor Donnie Snook says the money will provide many years of activity for children and adults in the Lower West side.

Future of Ferry Service to be Outlined

They have been waiting since April and late this afternoon, residents of Gagetown and Bellisle will get an update on ferry service in thier communities. A news conference has been called for 5:30pm with Premier Shawn Graham who will be joined by Transportation Minister Denis Landry and Grand Lake-Gagetown MLA Eugene McGinley. The announcement will take place in Lower Jemseg where the Gagetown Ferry docks.


Back in the spring, the Provincial Government announced due to a lack of funding, they planned to permanetly drydock the Gagetown and Bellisle ferries.

Make a Run for the Border

A swim across the St. Croix River has landed a woman from California in custody. The 41-year old was arrested yesterday in St. Stephen by RCMP and border officials after a woman in the United States noticed the woman sliding into the river. The woman had previously been denied entry into this country and still remains in custody of the Canada Border Services Agency.


No word on charges.

Money for Quispamsis

With word of funding for a new project, there are some big plans on the table for up to 200 homes in Quispamsis. Ottawa, the Province and the Town are all putting up $1.73 million dollars to go towards improving the Town's Waste Water infrastructure. Director of Engineering Gary Losier tells CHSJ News, safety is the main factor for this decision.


The project will connect homes in Sun Valley Park and Forrester's Cove Subdivisions to a sanitary sewer collection and treatment system. If your thinking you like your current set-up, that doesn't matter.....the municipal bylaw reads if a sewer system passes with-in 100 feet of your property, you are required to connect to it.

Businesses Urged to Prepare for H1N1 Autumn Outbreak

A new guide is available on the Internet to help employers prepare for the inevitable spread of the H1N1 flu virus. Director of Planning with Business New Brunswick, Shannon Stanford, says businesses need to figure out how they will continue operations if several employees are absent.


Chief medical officer of health, Dr. Eilish Cleary says they expect about 30 per cent of the provincial population to get sick with the pandemic flu strain. The "Be Safe, Act Now" Guide for employers is available on the Business New Brunswick website.

Minimal Relief for Drivers

Drivers in the province will see another slight break in the price of gasoline this week. The Energy and Utilities Board has released its weekly price schedule and the maximum price for regular self serve gas has dropped about 2 pennies to land at 99.4 cents a litre. Many gas stations in the metro area are selling gas for 98.8.


The maximum price for Diesel has dropped more than 3 cents to land at 96.8, while propane has inched up percentage points to 97.4 cents a litre.

District 6 Classrooms Crowded

It's still early, but District 6 may have too many students for some classes. Superintendent Zoe Watson says there are hot zones in the district where some classes have more students than allowed by the teachers collective agreement.


She says the district may have to hire more teachers. Watson says enrolment in high schools in the Kennebecasis Valley are the ones pushing the maximum students in a class.

District 6 Officials Question Timing of Provincial Budget

The chair of the District 6 education council is wondering how the province announcing it's budget in December will affect the district. Roger Nesbitt says it's highly unusual that the province will be unveiling the numbers so early in the year.


He says he's not sure what to make of the news of the early budget, and says the DEC will have to wait to see the impact it has on the district, municipalities, and the council.

District 8 Irons Out Budget

The budget for School District 8 is in. The districts expenditure plan for this year shows a lot of cut backs and not much gain. Chris Toole, the districts director of finance and administration, tells CHSJ News the budget was very challenging to meet and balance.

The 93 million dollar budget is left with a 180,000 dollar contingency plan. A smaller amount compared to years prior.

Saint John Area to Get More Federal Cash

You will forgive voter's in Greater Saint John if they laugh when they hear a policitician say there is no Federal Election coming up. This is because money has been flowing into the metro area steadily since June and more is on the way. Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore has called a news conference at ten o'clock at the Town Hall in Quispamsis to make what is being called an important infrastructure announcement.

Then this afternoon at two, Saint John MP Rodney Weston will be at the Carleton Community Center hosting what is being called a special event for the City of Saint John

Anniversary of Cruise Beginnings








(File Photo)

Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the day the Cunard Princess cruise ship came to Saint John effectively starting the new industry in the Port City. On September 10th 1989, the ship came into the port of Saint John after being diverted here by Hurricane Gabrielle. Betty McMillan of the Port Authority tells CHSJ news the city literally rolled out the red carpet.
McMillan says they gave all the displaced passengers roses when they arrived in Saint John, a tradition that continues today.