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Saturday, May 11, 2013

New Brunswick Facing "A Perfect Storm"

"Just get her done" because if we don't, the province is headed for bankruptcy........That was one of the messages delivered during a discussion on energy development at the Cities of New Brunswick meeting hosted by Saint John at Market Square. 

John Herron of the Atlantica Centre for Energy tells CHSJ News shale gas and the west to east pipeline are two possibilies that aren't a silver bullet but could move the needle foward. 

He warns the provincial economy is facing some pretty strong headwinds with private investment stagnant, government spending being reduced, unemployment rising and young people leaving. Herron points out of all the province and American states, New Brunswick is the second oldest in North America and that is, in his words, "a perfect storm".

Herron says it hasn't even been determined yet if shale gas development can be commercially viable in the province. 


The meeting was also told the province is working on a new structure for royalties from natural resources that would generate more revenue for the government. Only 1 per cent of government revenue in New Brunswick comes from royalties as opposed to 21 per cent in Saskatchewan.        

Rothesay Avenue Ranks Fifth To Date In Worst Roads In Atlantic Canada Campaign

Instead of just muttering under your breath when your car hits a pothole on this notorious stretch of road, some of you have vented your frustration online. 

Rothesay Avenue has been voted the fifth worst road in the Worst Roads in Atlantic Canada campaign so far, and Gary Howard of CAA tells CHSJ News that it's not about saying that somebody isn't doing their job, it's about getting the government to pay attention to the roads.
 

To date, 1596 Atlantic Canadians have cast a vote for the road they think deserves the title. You have until the end of the month to cast your vote online. Click here to vote.

Red Shirt Committee Hosting Playground Party

This party will be chaperoned by group in red. 

The Red Shirt Committee, the group of parents on the West Side who announced they would be voluntarily patrolling the the playground at the Carleton Community Centre because they were worried about what kind of trouble their children could get into, are hosting a Playground Party today.

It's a free event with music, games, barbecue and more, and it runs from noon until 2 p.m. at the Carleton Community Centre.

Truck Stolen From Used Car Dealership

The owner of a used car dealership is the victim of vehicle theft. 

Police are looking into the theft of a white 2007 Chevy Silverado Z71 from the parking lot of Ultimate Auto Sales on Millennium Drive. They tell us the owner discovered that his truck was missing when he finished work around 8:30 p.m.

Rothesay Regional Police say if you see anyone driving a truck matching this description with the license plate: COJ 133, to call them at (506) 847-6300, or contact Crimestoppers at www.crimenb.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

New Housing Starts Slow


Saint John is trailing the other major centres in the province when it comes to housing starts - new figures from Canada Mortgage and Housing show 26-new units started between January and the end of April.

By comparison - Moncton posted 184-new units started while in Fredericton foundations were poured for 43-new units. The federal housing agency says construction of multiple unit apartments and condos is fueling the Hub City numbers.