Saint John Lancaster MLA Loses His Temper

(Saint John Lancaster MLA Able Leblanc in the Legislature)
                  (Photo Courtesy of Twitter)

To say things got a little heated in the Legislature this afternoon would be an understatement. During question period, Rothesay Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney was flipped the bird by Saint John Lancaster MLA Abel Leblanc. The session was just finishing when the half peace sign was noticed by members of the opposition. MLA and Government House Leader Greg Byrne then stood up addressed the members assuring them the issue would be addressed as a caucus and respect is a must for all members.


Leblanc then stood up and told the Legislature he would not apologize to Blaney and confirmed he did flip here the bird. He then doubled up his fist and challenged any member of the opposition to meet him outside of the Legislature and to never laugh at him calling one member a punk.

Losing Long Wharf Could Set the City Back 10 Years

 

[Don Mills Speaking at a Board of Trade Luncheon----Photo by Dave Briggs]

Irving Oil pulling the plug on development of it's headquarters on Long Wharf is setting this city back a decade - - - - -that from President and CEO of Corporate Research Associates Don Mills.
Mills says everyone has to ask themselves if losing the project can be solely traced back to the recession, he says it could be related to waiting too long, and missing the window of opportunity.

Mills says the city is not going to be able to find another flagship development for the Waterfront, which is devastating for the municipality.
Mills says the city needs to focus on creating a a longer term outlook other than the Municipal Plan. He says he wants to see what the mixture of commercial and residential development for the city will be over the next 20 years.

Bernard Leblanc Steps Down

(Bernard Leblanc)

(file photo)

Premier Shawn Graham has accepted the resignation from cabinet of Bernard LeBlanc as minister of justice and consumer affairs.Social Development Minister and Attorney General Kelly Lamrock has been appointed acting minister of justice and consumer affairs.
When LeBlanc was serving as minister of local government, an e-mail that contained personal information was sent in his name from his office.
LeBlanc chose to resign because ministers are ultimately responsible for their offices.
Graham calls Leblanc a very honourable man and regrets having to accept his resignation.

Irving Oil Makes Huge Donation

Irving Oil employee's are feeling pretty good today and well they should. Through several fund-raisers, staff raised $27,000 dollars for the Haitian Relief Fund which will be matched dolar for dollar by the company and be added on to it's original $50,000 donation. That totals $104,000 dollars and spokes-person Lesley MacLeod tells CHSJ News, it is a fantastic effort.
The fundraising efforts started back on Jan.14th and included bake sales and casual days. The final day to make a donation to the Red Cross that will be matched by the Federal Government is tomorrow.

Pepsi on Board With The Q-Plex

             (Pepsi Bottling Spokes-Person Jason Brunt)
                      (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Another sponsor has been found for the Q-Plex. The Pepsi Bottling Company is locked in for the next ten years at $125,000 dollars for the naming rights of the Aquafina Walking Track. Spokes-person Jason Brunt says they have been eyeing this deal since plans for the facility were announced.


Along with it's name on the walking track, the Pepsi Bottling Company will install power saving vending machines, coolers and fountain equipment through the Q-Plex and become it's exclusive beverage provider.

Saint John Company Gets Help From Ottawa

(Saint John MP Rodney Weston)
          (File Photo)

Half a million dollars has been presented to a Saint John company by the Federal Government. Mariner Partners accepted the cheque from MP Rodney Weston through the National Research Council of Canada. Marketing Director Mike McNeill tells CHSJ News the money is earmarked to develop better technology to monitor the quality of I-P based TV on demand to consumers.
McNeill concedes the competition for this business is intense.

Illegal Smokes Are Found

The supply of illegal cigarettes in the city has taken a huge hit. RCMP pulled over a vehicle on Tuesday and found 150,000 contraband smokes and a 52-year old Saint John man behind the wheel.
Officers believe the cigarettes were on their way to supply the habits of those in Greater Saint John. No name has been released but the man is due in court May.5th to answer to charges.

Man in Sussex Charged by the Environment Department

The Department of Environment has laid a charge against a Sussex Man that he violated the Clean Environment Act.
The Department of Environment alleges that on Feb. 16 of last year, Timothy Bastian of 120 Court Street released a contaminant, or class of contaminant into the environment without authority or permission.

Provincial Police Commission Hires New Director

The New Brunswick Police Commission has hired Pierre Beaudoin as it's new executive director. With over 30 years as a police officer, Beaudoin has spent many years in an investigator role. Most recently, he worked as a senior investigator for the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.
The Commission is an independent body that investigates and resolves complaints relating to the conduct of police officers. It also looks into any other aspect of police services.

Slight Decline In Gas Prices

A very slight decrease in gas prices this morning in the Saint John area following the weekly setting. The maximum price for self serve regular is just over a dollar but is being sold in the city for 97.7 a litre. The max for diesel is 104.7 but it's on offer around town for 102.1. Heating oil is listed at 87.7 and propane is at 116.9. In Grand Bay-Westfield this morning, self serve is at 96.7 and diesel is 101.1.

Simonds High Principal To Run For Liberals

With Saint John Fundy MLA Stuart Jaimeson announcing he will not re-offer in the fall Provincial election, one man has stepped forward looking to take his place. Simonds High Principal Gary Keating tells CHSJ News, he will seek the nomination.
Keating has been the President of the Saint John Fundy Liberal Association for many years and feels he has the right amount of support. Keating adds he has a tremendous amount of respect for Jaimeson and that is why he waited until the M-L-A announced his intentions for the fall election.

French Language Program A Success

It appears the intensive French program implemented for grade 5 students across the province is yielding positive results.
Intensive French Learning Specialist for District 6 Johanne Austin says the program is making younger children interested in learning about the language and French culture.
Austin tells CHSJ News, grade 5 students are encouraging the younger students about the program.
Austin says what makes the program work is the amount of oral work being done. She says students enjoy talking about themselves, and what interests them.

Fire at Funeral Home

There was a fire at Brenan's on Paradise Row last night. It was called in around 9:30 because of the smell of smoke in a rear parlour under a newly installed crematorium. District Fire Chief Eric Garland says the ceiling was taken down and the fire extinguished. Brenan's is still open as the other areas of the building were unaffected by the fire.