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Monday, February 22, 2010

Saint John company gets over $300, 000 from Ottawa

The federal government is giving a Saint John Company 333 thousand dollars to develop technology that will monitor offshore call centres simultaneously and fix any problems that crop up. The simple ones would be fixed automatically and the more complex ones would be left to the skills of computer engineers in Canada. John Munro of the Ambir Technology Group says this type of government funding is critical.

Munro says its also getting tougher in this part of the country to find the computer specialists who have the right skill set. He calls it a labour market issue that has to be addressed otherwise growth will be impeded.



RCMP seek help in solving 2007 case of theft

St. George RCMP is asking for the public's help in a case of theft and mischief in Lepreau almost 3 years ago.


Between September 29th and October 1st 2007, a grey Morooka crawler belonging to NB Power was stolen. It was parked on the East side of Route 790, and driven several kilometres to a gravel pit on Seven Mile Lake Road.

The crawler was used to knock over a rock crusher which damaged it’s frame and tracks.
It was found near the Route 790 & Seven Mile Lake Road intersection against a tree.

Damages is estimated at $80,000.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Local Teacher says students need exercise

The Provincial Legislature is debating whether or not to spend a few extra dollars on getting more young people active when they're in school. Saint John High teacher Barry Ogden tells CHSJ News students who exercise regularly not only behave better.........they also do better academically.


Ogden says we have to make sure students get at least forty minutes of aerobic exercise daily for their brains to work well.


Ogden, who also chairs the city's recreation committee, points to a study done by Harvard University that shows comprehension increased by as much as 400 per cent for some young people who did engage in daily exercise.

Minister wants search to continue

Now is not the time to be giving up on finding answers in the disappearance of two fishermen from White Head in the Bay of Fundy.
So says Provincial Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet who isn't happy with the search for 45 year old Harold Cossaboom and 35 year old Corey Cossaboom being called off.
Doucet tells CHSJ news the search was called off a little too prematurely and
hopes something can be done to find out what happened to the boat.
The Transportation Safety Board is trying to determine why the fishing boat "The Whole Family" sank. The RCMP are also investigating as a missing persons case.







Weston on Harbour Bridge

[Saint John M-P Rodney Weston---File Photo]
Saint John M-P Rodney Weston says there is always progress being made on the Harbour Bridge issue, and the province even being willing to discuss it shows that.

Weston tells CHSJ News, he's surprised when he hears reports the Harbour Bridge Authority is waiting on the federal government to approve it's budget before it seeks out a lender.
Weston says what it's going to take is the provincial government to sit down with the feds and find a solution.
The Harbour Bridge Authority needs to receive $35 million dollars to perform mainenance, and the city and province have both signed off on allowing it to find a lender.

Mayor Reacts to New Bus

[Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll----Photo by Dave Briggs]

Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll says the amount of traffic and interest the Comex service is generating reflects the growth happening in the town.

Driscoll tells CHSJ News, he wants everyone to try commuting on public transportation, and use the Park and Ride lots.
He says there are a lot of parking spaces to accommodate everyone, and says it's a way to save money.
Driscoll says he consistently hears positive feedback from citizens on the service, and says while every bus isn't full, a lot of them are.

New Bus in Quispamsis

[Articulated Saint John Transit Bus]
Quispamsis is the new owner of a brand new articulated bus.

The purchase of the second accordian style bus for the region was in collaboration with Hampton, Quispmasis, the Saint John Transit Commission, as well as the provincial and federal governments.
Chair of the Transit Commission Chris Titus says he's surprised how quickly the Comex service needed a new bus, but isn't surprised the service is working.
Titus says the service is helping save millions of dollars in regards to parking in Saint John, as the service has save the Parking Commission from having to build another parking garage.
Titus says the buses are designated for the park and ride system, where passengers in Quispamsis can commute into Saint John and leave their vehicles in a designated parking lot.

The new bus can hold approximately 61 passengers, where the regular city transit buses hold 40.

Shots Fired at Vehicle in Grand Manan

Grand Manan RCMP are investigating after shots were fired at an empty vehicle Sunday afternoon. No one was hurt but, police have arrested a 37-year-old man from Grand Manan who was seen shooting the vehicle.

After a search of the residence where this happened, police seized three firearms, ammunition and the damaged vehicle. The accused was held in custody and has a court date in St. Stephen today. Another 37-year-old man was also arrested for obstruction and later released. He will appear in court at a later date.



Federal NDP Candidate Chosen In Charlotte County

The New Democratic Party officially has a candidate for the Southwest riding in the next federal election.
Third time runner Andrew Graham is going for the spot and tells CHSJ News he doesn't count his chickens before they hatch but thinks the resignation of longtime Tory M-P Greg Thompson may help his chances. He believes Conservative voters who were loyal to Thompson may look at other parties now that he will not be running again. Graham says his platform will consist of economic development for fishing, farming and forestry.He says even though there will not be a federal election this year,  his campaign gears up today.

First Articulated Bus In Quispamsis

People in Quispamsis are going to be noticing a different 40 foot limo on the roads after this morning.
Saint John Transit is unveiling the town's first articulated bus, with remarks coming from M-P Rob Moore, M-P Rodney Weston, Health Minister Mary Schryer and Mayor Murray Driscoll.
The ribbon cutting gets underway at 11 o'clock, just down the street from the town hall at the Park and Ride lot.

Options Summit on Energy Organised By Opponents Of NB Power Sale


A wide ranging discussion of energy is being promised this morning in Fredericton by those who are opposed to the same of some of the assets of NB Power to Hydro Quebec. Tom Mann of the Coalition to Stop the Sale tells CHSJ News these will be presented as alternatives to any sale which, he charges, have been dismissed by the provincial government.
Tidal power, wind power, solar power, nuclear power and biomass will all be part of what's talked about.



Four Saint John Businesses Vandalised

City Police are investigating after four businesses along Rothesay Avenue were vandalised. Ball bearings were shot through the front windows at Dairy Queen, the new Lexus dealership, Saint John Hun-day and Nissan. The damage was first discovered after midnight with marble sized holes through the windows.