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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

West Side Residents Happy With Power Line Decision

Fundy Heights resident Wendy Cyr spearheaded the campaign against the power lines because of fears of reduced property values and a ruined view of the coast.

She tells CHSJ News the neighbourhood is happy with the result but they doesn't want the project to die.  She's hoping an alternate route can be found for the powerlines.

She says her community is not anti-development but a balance needs to be maintained between job growth and the quality of life.

Metal Shredder Expansion In Possible Jeopardy

The future of the 30 million dollar metal shredder expansion by American Iron and Metal on the city's west side may be in trouble.

Council voting to not allow NB Power to put above-ground power lines on city-owned land along the Fundy Coast.

The lines were intended to power the expansion -- Mayor Ivan Court hopes the project can be moved to an industrial park or another location.

There was also opposition from west side residents who worried about losing their view of the coast and a drop in property values.

The city is currently looking into what land is does own in the area and work by NB Power is on hold.

Our newsroom has placed a call to American Iron and Metal to see how this will impact the expansion.  We have yet to hear back.

Police Seek Help In Finding Those Responsible For Several Crimes

City police want your help in figuring out who set fire to railway ties earlier this month.


The fire took place July 10th at 800 Bay Street where the railway ties belonging to NB Southern Railway were set ablaze.

Saint John police are again reminding people to lock their vehicles after several breakins on the west side.
Officers are also investigating several reports of atv thefts over the last two weeks and reminding you to never leave them unattended and park them inside where possible.

If you have information on any of these crimes, call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or City police at 648-3333.

Review Board Ruling Critical Of Smith Case

An Ontario health review board ruling is critical of the treatment troubled young inmate Ashley Smith received in the days leading up to her death.
    The Health Professions Appeal and Review Board was looking into the case of Smith, a 19-year-old from Moncton, who choked herself to death in an Ontario prison in 2007.
  
    The board found that the investigation of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario was adequate, though it was still critical of how Smith's case was handled in prison.
    The review finds it is difficult to understand how the resources of the Correctional Service of Canada could not have somehow treated her appropriately.
    A delay-plagued coroner's inquest into Smith's death will resume under a different coroner in September.

SJ Will See Heat Splash, Not Full Heat Wave

With extreme heat hitting much of the country this week, Saint John will be feeling a bit of it, but won't be getting the scorching weather expected in Toronto and Winnipeg.

Linda Libby with environment Canada tells CHSJ News Toronto is expected to hit 38 degrees on Thursday.

She says Saint John may be 30 degrees tomorrow, but will die down to 22 degrees on Thursday.

Libby says Saint John normally sits at around 23 degrees so these are much warmer temperatures, but they are not unheard of for this time of year.

She says its unlikely any records will be broken.

Quebec Couple Brighten Up King Street

Two Quebec artists are bringing some colour to a section of King Street.

Eric Couture and Krystal Schippers are creating sidewalk art in the middle of the block between Charlotte and Germain Streets.

The young couple are camping in Rockwood park and living off the money their art brings in to buy food. 
Couture says they were in Saint John for half a day when they decided to stay here.

Mayor Says He Hates Election Years

Mayor Ivan Court upset with his fellow councillors and is blaming next year's municipal election.

Common Council voting down two housing projects on Loch Lomond Road that would have seen 187 residential lots developed.

But the nay votes which included Councillors Bill Farren and Mel Norton, said developing in that area went against the new municipal plan, which focuses on building the uptown core. A dejected Mayor Court was none too pleased calling some of the councillors "anti-development" and charging the votes were politically motivated.

Court says the area was an ideal spot for housing as it was close to commercial areas as well as schools.

Common Council Decides How Big It'll Be

After flirting with the idea only two weeks ago, the size of Common Council will not be reduced.

The move was voted down after several councillors changed their minds since the idea was first presented.

Councillor Mel Norton says the feedback from his constituents was loud and clear that proper representation outweighs any cost savings.

 Councillor Bill Farren initially liked the idea because of the cost savings but had a change of heart after hearing from people but Councillor Peter McGuire voted in favour for the cuts because of the financial benefits for the city.

Council was considering the elimination of four council seats in order to save about 450-thousand dollars over four years.

City Ponies Up Cash For Its Pension Plan

It's time for the city to settle part of its huge pension tab.

The city will be paying 8.7 million dollars to make good on its 2010 pension plan contribution.

Commissioner of Finance Greg Yeomans says it has to be done since the province did not accept the city's initial pension reform plan.

A revised plan will not be looked at by the province until the fall sitting of the Legislature. He says the money will be charged against the city's 2010 operating budget unless the province allows at least some of it to be deferred to lessen the financial impact.