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Friday, September 23, 2011

Landfill Doubles Fees For Yard Waste In Garbage


The local landfill is serious about you leaving the twigs and brush out of your garage.
To that end, the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission doubling the tipping fees for any garbage containing yard waste.
Brenda MacCallum tells CHSJ News they are giving everyone the fall to make the change with the new fee taking effect in January.

She says it's not a big change but, people just need to package their compost correctly.

MacCullum says any extra material should be beside the compost cart in clear or brown paper bags.
For more info, click here

Take Back The Night Back In Saint John

It's back after more than 30 years, the Take Back The Night march taking place tonight in Saint John.
The event shining a light on the reality of sexual assault in our community.
Organizer Sharon Amirault tells CHSJ News while they want to take back the night, they also want everyone to be safe when they walk at night.

She says more than 85 per cent of sexual assaults happen in homes by someone you know and the tv version in a dark alley is rare.
The event at King Square begins at 8 tonight and features a video with the testimony of three survivors.

Walmart Heading To The West Side

It looks like the west side will be getting a Walmart after all - the giant box store retailer has completed a deal with Target that will see it assume the Zeller's location in the Lancaster Mall.

It's one of 39 Zeller's locations Walmart is picking up across the country as part of an agreement with Target.

Walmart says conversion of the stores to its brand should be completed by late next year -- meantime -- the McAllister Place Zeller's will be rebranded a Target store in 2013.

Walmart shelved plans for a new west side location a couple of years ago.

Taxpayers Federation Objects To Use Of Government Money For CFL Game

Not everyone likes the idea of using government money to help stage Sunday afternoon's Canadian Football League game in Moncton. 

Last year, the provincial government and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency spent 1.5 million dollars but Premier David Alward maintains the game was worth 7 million dollars to the province.

Kevin Lacey, Atlantic Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, has a different take telling CHSJ News the money could be used better on Education or in healthcare.
Part of that 1.5 million last year was used to provide additional seating at the Moncton Stadium. The Calgary Stampeders take on the Hamilton Tiger Cats Sunday afternoon.

Police Union Unhappy About Uncertainty Over Pension Plan

A deal is a deal...........That's the reaction from the President of the Saint John Police Association, Jamie Hachey to word the city has to come up with a new proposal to change its pension plan for the provincial government to approve from six options.

 The Police Union accepted a two year wage freeze back in April to help put the city's pension plan on a firmer financial footing.

Hachey tells CHSJ News his members might be willing to offer up more money in contributions but he hasn't heard anything from the city about whether it would be willing to up its contribution to the plan.

Hachey vows the police union members will not accept any further cuts.

Former City Councillor In Court

A former member of Common Council finding himself in court for violating the city's residential standards bylaw. 

Jay Chang pleaded guilty to not carrying out repairs to a building he owns at 56 to 58 Queen Street.

Nathan Gionet also pleaded guilty to the same charge and both were fined a thousand dollars each, which is the mnimum fine. 

The court was told the city found 32 violations during an inspection. Both Gionet and Chang have been told to have those repairs done by December.  

Saint John Men Learn Fate For Pub Robberies In November

Two men facing charges after two bar robberies in Saint John and a theft in Rothesay will learn their fate in November.

23-year-old David John Harris of Iona Avenue and 28-year-old Joshua Peter McIntyre of Elizabeth Court were charged in robberies at the Somerset Pub and Colonial Inn on August 30th and possession of stolen property after thefts in the Rothesay Area on September 3rd.    Harris also faces charges for wearing a mask during the crimes.

Court heard that Harris entered the Somerset Pub with a weapon ordering the patrons to get on the floor and demanded an employee to give him all their money leaving the bar with $1500.    Less than two hours later, Harris entered the Colonial Inn demanding money from a worker and leaving with $40.     The attorneys for both requesting a pre-sentence report with both men not having a record.   

The weapon used in the crime was an air pistol.
Each entered guilty pleas on all charges and sentencing will be handed down on November 8th.

City Police Seize Pot Plants

The details now just coming to light about the seizure of 28 marijuana plants on the west side in Randolph. This happened earlier this month. 

The plants were about two feet high and were growing in a wooded area off Sawdust Road near Dominion Park.  

The value of each plant is estimated by police to be about a thousand dollars. No arrests have been made.