Linked Header

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The City Recognizes Volunteers At 3rd Annual Awards Night

Acadia Broadcasting's promotion of and participation in the 2012 Dragon Boat Festival garnering the company an Outstanding Corporate Sponsor award.

Country 94 and 97.3 The Wave not only promoted last year's event but also entered a team.

Other winners in the 3rd annual awards night include Mike McCluskey of Lancaster Minor Hockey and Sheila (Nanny) Levesque a longtime volunteer of the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation who brought in $5400 for Skate to Care this year.

The other winners are:

Fundraisers of the Year:  Kate Worden, Kathy Davison and Bob Apperly.

Corporate Sponsors of the Year: Irving Oil Limited

Volunteers of the Year in Sports and Recreation:
Bruce Watts, Craig Bird and Ken Keith, Sue Ellis Loparco and Scott Geike

Volunteers of the Year in Community Development:
Harold and Joan Richardson, Gerry Levitt, Ann Barrett and Pat Adams.

Lifetime Achievement:
Mary Hewey and Sherman Palmer



Saint John To Mark National Day of Mourning

A day of remembrance is coming up for those who have been injured or lost their lives on the job. 

The National Day of Mourning is recognized in over 100 different countries across the world, Canada being one of them. Ron Oldfield of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour tells CHSJ News that in this year alone we've had seven fatalities in the province.

Oldfield tells us that this day has a lot of resonance in an industrial city like Saint John. They're having a memorial service at Lily Lake, where there is a monument dedicated to injured workers on Sunday, April 28 at noon.

Project To Turn Vacant Lots Into Green Spaces Kicking Off

The Port City is about to get greener. After a dilapidated building is demolished at 60 Jack street, the city will be putting topsoil and slow-growing grass seeds on the lot to make it less of an eyesore. 

It's the first round of a pilot project that councillor John Mackenzie came up with, and he tells CHSJ News that so many lots in the city, particularly in the North end where vacant buildings have been torn down or burnt down, are just left the way they are. And that this project is a way to beautify the area.

He tells us at first, the reception from city staff was lukewarm because they thought it would be too expensive and high maintenance. But MacKenzie says after they started researching ways to implement the project, they decided it would be a worthwhile venture.

They'll be using a slow-growing grass seed on the lots, and the cost to put those seeds and topsoil down depends on the size, but each one will run between one to two thousand dollars on average.

"Bottle Bombs" Being Treated As More Than A Prank

It might seem like a harmless childhood prank to some; however, the St Andrews RCMP is warning the public that so-called "bottle bombs" are serious business.

The RCMP is investigating reports that as many as five "bottle bombs" were set off in a residential area of the seaside village. Remnants from one of the devices indicated that plastic bottles were used to create the explosions.

Sgt. Robert MacKnight warns the public that it's more than a prank, and people caught setting them off could face criminal charges such as mischief, endangering life, or arson.

Operating Season Cut For Fundy National Park, Parlee Beach, Mactaquac And More

If you enjoy spending time in nature in our provincial parks, you're going to have fewer weeks to do so this summer.

The province announced over 2 million dollars in cuts to the Department of Tourism, Culture and Wellness.

That will mean parks and visitor information centers will be open for fewer weeks this spring and summer.

The parks will open and close as follows:

●    Herring Cove: May 31 to Sept. 29;
●    New River: May 17 to Sept. 22;
●    Sugarloaf: May 17 to Sept. 29;
●    De la République: May 31 to Sept. 2;
●    Parlee Beach: May 31 to Sept. 2;
●    Murray Beach: May 31 to Sept. 8;
●    Mactaquac: May 17 to Sept. 29; and
●    Mount Carleton: May 15 to Sept. 2.

Body Found Near Sussex Identified As Wanted Man

Sussex RCMP have identified the body found yesterdayin a vehicle parked in the woods near the Carsonville Road in Smiths Creek.

The body is that of 49-year-old Robin White, who was wanted by Sussex RCMP in connection with a stabbing of a woman on February 27.

An autopsy has been completed and the cause of his death isn't considered suspicious.

Big Contest To Design Logo For New Bike Route

Uptown Saint John is looking for your help designing a logo for a new bike route linking the uptown and UNBSJ Campus.

Anne McShane of Green Feet tells CHSJ News anyone and everyone can enter the "Give Us A Sign" Contest to promote the soon-to-be-built route, called the Campus Harbour Connection.

First Prize is $250 gift certificate to Bike Works and your artwork used along the bike route Campus Harbour Connection. Second and third prizes will be donated from Uptown Saint John and Bike Works.  The winner will be chosen by a panel from Active Transportation Saint John, the City of Saint John and Bike Works. Among the aims of the contest are to raise awareness of the route and give the community an opportunity to get involved.

The bike route is expected to be finished by fall of this year.

You can submit entries until May 17th to Info@uptownsj.com or call 633-9797 for more information.

NB Doctors Suing Alward Government Over Medicare Cuts

The province's doctors are taking the Alward government to court.

The New Brunswick Medical Society is saying they've lost trust in the Tories as a result of Medicare cuts and a long line of "disrespected" written agreements. The signed agreement the government is allegedly refusing to honour binds doctors to a 0% fee increase and lasts through this year. The society says the lawsuit stems mainly from unilateral cuts Medicare, violating that agreement and their commitment to 0%.

New Brunswick Medical Society President Dr Robert Desjardins tells CHSJ News the history of clashes between the NB government and its doctors could be scaring off medical professionals who would otherwise want to practice here.

The last time the Medical Society pursued legal action against the province was in 2009 against the Liberals--and on the campaign trail the Tories had promised never to let that happen again.

Ward 3 Candidates Have Chance To Sell Themselves

More people turned out for a Meet the Ward 3 Candidates forum in the south end than expected although there was no debate. Each of the candidates got a chance to make their pitch and then answered questions.

 Former Deputy Mayor Michelle Hooten says she would not be in favour of getting rid of Enterprise Saint John but Anne Marie Mullin argues the city has to be more aggressive in attracting new businesses and jobs and Brian Boyd maintains there has to be more accountability.

Allen Leslie coming out against a 4-Plex ice surface at Long Wharf, claiming it would kill the uptown. Gerry Lowe also expressing his reservations with the worry that the neighbourhood arenas would be killed and would there be enough parking if the Sea Dogs, for instance, are playing at Harbour Station. Graeme Stewart-Robertson says he's in favour of a multi-ice surface but the big question is whether Long Wharf is the right location. 

Hooten says people want value for their tax dollars. Mullin argues the city's unionised workers will have to give a little because the city doesn't have any money and Lowe is suggesting the city, in its contract negotiations, should never opt for arbitration like it did with the firefighters. 

Lowe, Mullin, Hooten and Barb Ellemberg all touting their business experience.

One of the candidates Mark LeBlanc did not show up saying he didn't like the format because there was no debate among the candidates themselves.

Another Meet the Candidates Forum will be held tonight at the Carleton Community Centre with a starting time of 6:30.

Man Arrested In Valley With Machete

A 51 year old man armed with a machete was arrested by Rothesay Regional Police on the Marr Road.

Police tell CHSJ News he was threatening his girlfriend in a car outside the Superstore in the parking lot but was disarmed and arrested without anyone being injured. 

The man, whose name can't be released until he's formally charged will be appearing in court today. 

Several charges are expected to be laid including assault with a weapon, forcible confinement and uttering threats.