2009-03-28
05:08:04
Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore will be joined by several other dignititaries for an affordable housing project in Hampton this afternoon.
Things get started at two o'clock at 24 Robb Court and the project involves cash for low income seniors.
2009-03-28
05:07:08
The Saint John Harbor will be busier than normal this weekend as 60 Naval Reserve Sailors from across Atlantic Canada and Quebec will take part in a security exercise. The teams will conduct training including force protection, small boat tactics, port surveillance, jetty security, communications and vessel escorts.
The training will take place today and tomorrow until four in the afternoon and normal marine traffic will not be disrupted.
2009-03-28
05:06:43
And if you plan to light a few candles during Earth Hour, the Musquash Fire Department is reminding everyone to use them safely. Whether it may be for a romantic purpose or just to throw off some light so you don't run into the furniture, candles can easily be knocked over especially with small children or pets in the home.
Fire-fighters remind everyone to keep them in a safe place so they don't start a fire.
2009-03-28
05:05:53
NB Power is also ready to do their part for Earth Hour. Spokes-person Heather Mclean tells CHSJ News, this is a fantastic initiative:
McLean says like last year, they will track the useage before and during Earth Hour and encourage everyone to take part but keep safety in mind.
2009-03-28
05:04:35
Saint John Energy officials are geared up and ready for Earth Hour tonight. Spokes-person Marta Kelly tells CHSJ News, they are encouraging all of it's customer's, both residential and business, to do their part:
Kelly says last year the equivalent of 150,000 light bulbs were shut off during Earth Hour in Saint John and they should have this years total counted up by Monday.
2009-03-28
05:03:39
It won't be long before those parking along Coburg and Waterloo Streets for longer than 2 hours will be ticketed. The City recently put up signs on the uptown streets indicating 2 hour parking from 8am until 5pm--but--forgot to add those streets to the city's traffic by-law. As it stands now, vehicles cannot ticketed until the by-law is changed.
Common council has passed the first and second reading of an ammendment to the by-law to include Coburg and Waterloo Streets. Third reading is expected to be passed on Monday.
2009-03-27
15:24:50
A 52-year old man from Dieppe has been arrested in connection with an attempted murder in Shediac. RCMP responded to a 9-1-1 call yesterday evening around five o'clock about a man pointing a gun at a woman. A neighbour noticed what was happening and managed to intervene convincing the man to put the weapon down. No one was injured and the man was arrested by police in the area shortly after.
He is now facing numerous charges including attempted murder, kidnapping, pointing a firearm, break and enter and uttering threats. He is due in court later today.
2009-03-27
15:23:48
The provincial Fisheries Minister has released a joint statement today with Quebec regarding persistent rumors the federal minister of fisheries and oceans is about to give greater shrimp access to two other provinces. It's believed federal minister Gail Shea will give Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia larger shrimp quotas for the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Rick Doucet says the shrimp fleet is in great financial difficulty, and any reallocation of shrimp would be disastrous. He says any change to the regional shares of shrimp would create instability for the entire Atlantic fisheries.
2009-03-27
15:22:44
Enterprise Saint John is hoping to build on the momentum of business growth on the West Side. Jay Reid has been selected as the new resource person for West Side development. Enterprise Saint John General Manager Steve Carson tells CHSJ news Reid will work with developers, ward councilors and the West Side Business Association.
Reid is a West side resident and the former executive assistant to former mayor Norm McFarlane.
2009-03-27
15:21:51
Three provincial companies are receiving awards for their support to Canada's Reserve Force. Saint John based Innovatia, Dillon Consulting--with offices in Saint John and Fredericton--and--Norampac Moncton Division will be presented with the awards tomorrow at HMCS Brunswicker.
Elisabeth Rybak with the Canadian Forces Liaison Council will hand out the honour at one o'clock.
2009-03-27:
10:38:29:
A cat and two dogs were killed after fire ripped through an apartment in Sussex last night. RCMP and fire-fighters arrived at the building on Church Avenue to find flames were spotted on the third level of the four unit high structure and spread to the second floor.
Investigators don't consider the fire suspicious.
2009-03-27:
10:37:37:
The investigation into a fire last week that ripped through three West-Side homes is almost finished. Fire Chief Rob Simonds tells CHSJ News, the cause is not suspicious but exactly what sparked the blaze won't be know until next week. Fire crews were called to 693 Manawagonish Road in the early morning hours of the 17th to find flames in the basement apartment which quickly spread 685 and 687. Nobody was hurt.
Chief Simonds also tells us the mystery of how a fire on Elliot Row the following night started has been solved. It was electrical in nature and left 15 people with no place to call home.
2009-03-27:
10:36:46:
A verbal attack by MP Greg Thompson is being defended by the company in the spotlight.....Jamer Materials. The Regional Minister for the Province is also slamming the Provincial Environment Department for it's claims the companies quarry in Bayside poses no health or environmental risks. General Manager of Jamer Mark Clark tells CHSJ News, he has not be told by Fredericton or Ottawa that there will be no environmental impact assessment.
Clark says the company has always been willing to listen to any concerns and looks forward to adressing all of them during a public hearing in the coming weeks.
2009-03-26
17:50:40
A military funeral service for a soldier killed in Afghanistan last week will be held on Tuesday afternoon in Gagetown. New Brunswick resident, Trooper Corey Hayes was killed when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device north-east of Kandahar City on March 20th. He was one of four soldiers killed that day.
The funeral service will take place at St. Luke's Chapel at 1 o'clock March 31st.
2009-03-26
17:47:58
The federal Regional Minister for the province, M-P Greg Thompson, is slamming the provincial Department of Environment for its claims that the Jamer Materials' quarry in Bayside poses no health or environmental risks. Thompson tells CHSJ News the arsenic levels are approximately 180 parts per million - or 15 times the national Guidelines- in the Jamer Material's soil.
Thompson says the contamination threatens the water supply for the entire town of St. Andrews. He says it's clear the province has utterly failed to meet its most basic responsibility of protecting New Brunswick's environment and the health of its people. Environment Minister Roland Hache is declining comment.
We have placed a call to the general manager of Jamer Materials to get his reaction to MP Greg Thompson's comments--but--have not received a reply. However, in a release dated February 27th GM Mark Clark says there will be safe guards in place for their expansion plans in Bayside. He also says less than one per cent of the watershed will be impacted by those activities.
Neither a federal nor provincial Environmental Impact Assessment will be carried out for the project.
2009-03-26
17:46:24
The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council is challenging the private sector to place more women in senior management positions. ACAP 's quarterly report says women account of only 18 per cent of senior managers in the private sector in this region. It is slightly higher when including the public sector-- at 30 per cent. Rosella Melanson with the New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women tells CHSJ News it is to their benefit to have more women in senior management.
When it comes to regular management positions, ACAP says women make up 39 per cent of managers in the Atlantic Region. That is slightly higher than the national average of 37 per cent.
2009-03-26
14:11:41
(Supporters of three river ferries rally on the front steps of the Legislature - photo by Gary MacDonald)
They carried signs and sang songs -- about 300-people converging on the Legislature over the noon hour to protest the planned cut of the Gagetown - Hampstead - and - Belleisle ferries.
Gagetown mayor Randy Smith says the ferries can be a vital part on Premier Graham's road to self sufficiency -- he says the ferries are part of the rural road system which could turned into a tourism promotion to keep visitors from driving through on the Trans Canada highway.
But -- Transportation Minister Denis Landry isn't backing down -- he says he doesn't have any wiggle room in his budget -- and -- when asked by CHSJ News how many ferries may suffer the same fate next year -- Landry responded we will have to wait until next year.
The communities have until the end of April to come up with solutions to keep the ferries afloat.
2009-03-26
13:26:50
Enterprise Saint John has chosen UNBSJ graduate, Jay Reid, as its resource person for West Side development. Reid is a West side resident and the former Mayor's Executive Assistant.
Council last year unanimously voted to request Enterprise Saint John assign a staff person to examine the economic needs of the West Side. Councillor Bill Farren has been a champion for business growth on that side of the city. He says there will be a meeting soon to announce a project involving the public and private sector on the West Side for late spring-early summer.
2009-03-26
13:21:31
The provincial Child Death Review Committee has released three recommendations today to prevent deaths of children who have been placed under the care of Social Development. The committee was established to investigate the case of a child who died while receiving services from a First Nations child and family service agency.
The recommendations include that written guidelines be established to clarify kinship placement practices, a clinical audit be carried out to assess the effectiveness of social work practice in First Nations child and family services agencies--and--finally that the Department of Social Development give priority to assessing the need to increase resources for monitoring and support of quality child welfare practices. Social Development Minister Mary Schryer says she will issue a full response to the committee's recommendations within 45 days.
2009-03-26:
11:27:19:
Would you be willing to let anyone hear you sing the shower? The answer from most would be no but the Breen Sisters from Saint John want you to vote for their tub tune. Jill Breen and her sisters have reached the final of a contest on the Ellen Degeneres show titled your favorite bathroom singer. Jill tells CHSJ News, they are very excited to have gotten this far.
The girls sing ""Sold"" The Grundy County Auction song by John Michael Montgomery. You can see the video and vote for the girls at ellen.warnerbros.com.
2009-03-26:
11:26:15:
The clock is ticking for Education Minister Kelly Lamrock with five days left in the month. The minister has said he would speak about the future make-up of Lorne, Hazen White St. Francis and Princess Elizabeth by the end of the month. There is a proposal on the table to consolidate Hazen White and Lorne and make Princess Elizabeth an elementary school.
District Eight officials says the shrinking student population has forced this recommendation. A spokes-person in Minister Lamrock's office says a decision would be made by next week.
2009-03-26:
11:25:22:
Down sizing efforts continue at Bell-Aliant today. The company has announced a voluntary retirement incentive to a limited number of its unionized employees in Atlantic Canada. This will allow senior front-line employees to retire and also supports the companies plan to introduce a more efficient cost structure this year.
The offer is a financial incentive to some employees, who are already eligible for retirement this year. A total maximum of roughly 120 employees will be able to take advantage of the offer, which will be limited by department, to ensure service to customers is not affected.
2009-03-26:
08:09:52:
One body has been found but one is still missing near Eastport Maine today. Coast Guard crews and other local agencies are searching by air and sea after a 34-foot fishing vessel from Lubec, Maine with two people on board is said to have gone down.
The crew of the fishing vessel Perfect Choice reported by radio to a Coast Guard Station they observed a debris field in Johnson Harbor that contained a survival suit and what appeared to be a submerged boat. The Maine Marine Patrol recovered a body near the debris.
2009-03-26:
04:37:13:
Rothesay Regional Police are asking for your help as they investigate a hit and run. It was five last night when a vehicle was rear-ended near Colwells Store. The driver pulled over to exchange info with the vehicle that rear-ended him when it circled around him, turned towards Saint John and took off down the road.
Officer's are looking for a small silver colored vehicle which was being driven by a woman with a dark complexion. If you saw this accident and have any info, give police a call at 847-6300.
2009-03-26:
04:33:05:
The Energy and Utilities Board has made a correction to it's early released gas price schedule. The numbers were dated March.19th which of course is a week ago. The new figures show an increase in the maximum retail price of gasoline at an even 85 cents which is up just under two cents. Most stations are selling a litre of self-serve for 85.3.
Diesel is up over a nickel coming in at 93.3 and furnace oil is up over five cents as well, in at 71.9.
2009-03-25
21:01:19
(Belleisle ferry is one of three on chopping block - file photo)
They've gained a 30-day extension -- but -- residents between the Belleisle and Gagetown are planning to march on the Legislature Thursday.
The residents are protesting the pending loss of river ferries in the Belleisle - Hampstead - and - Gagetown as part of the Graham government's cost cutting measures.
The services were scheduled to be shut down at the end of the month -- but -- today in the Legislature -- the government announced it was delaying the shut down by a month to give residents time to come up with some options.
2009-03-25
18:33:06
The provincial Emergency Measures Organization is cautiously optimistic there will be no flooding along the St. John River this year. Hundreds of homes faced water damage last spring when the river's banks overflowed during the thaw and melt. EMO Spokesperson Carl Wilmot tells CHSJ news the risk is much lower this time around because the mass of snow in the upper region of the province is down from last year.
2009-03-25
15:53:33
The mayor remains convinced the controversial tax concession granted for the Canaport L-N-G terminal four years ago was - and - remains a bad deal despite spin off developments being proposed.
Ivan Court says residents deserve something in return for having their quality of life disrupted by energy projects -- and -- that's what he's looking for with any new proposals.
Court does give credit to companies like Irving Oil and Emera for giving back to the community -- he says that's setting a good example for others.
2009-03-25
15:50:59
He's giving some good grades to Irving Oil's announcement of a proposed wind and natural gas fired power power plant -- but -- Gordon Dalzell of the Clean Air Coalition isn't fully enthralled with the fact a large portion of the plant is still relying on fossil based fuel.
Dalzell tells CHSJ News he is happy with the plan to have an energy corridor for transmission lines which will lessen the environmental impact of the lines and pipes.
He says sending more green based energy to the northeastern U-S will lead to a reduction in emissions drifting our way from south of the border.
2009-03-25
15:45:41
Some high profile guests will be in the city later this year -- we will be hosting the annual conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.
Premier Graham made the announcement during the energy news conference this morning.
The conference will be held in September.
2009-03-25
15:35:40
The New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women says women are a largely untapped labour pool when it comes to meeting the workforce needs for major energy projects. Executive Director, Rosella Melanson tells CHSJ news there will be massive construction projects in Saint John that will require thousands of skilled labourers.
According to the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council women account for nearly half of employment in the Atlantic region--but--men still dominate the manufacturing sector. Melanson says the province should be doing more to prepare those workplaces for women--and--encourage women to consider skilled labour.
2009-03-25
15:34:31
Small and medium-sized business optimism remains well above the national average in this province, according to the latest survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Provincial spokesperson, Andreea Bourgeois tells CHSJ news New Brunswick is the second most optimistic in the country despite the economic uncertainty--but--businesses are still leery about the future.
Bourgeois says this province's advantage is greater market stability--with fewer extreme highs and lows.
2009-03-25
13:23:13
Tim Currie of the Atlantica Center for Energy says the potential for private investment in the corridor and related energy projects speaks volumes.
Currie says the projected demand for energy even with the current economic state will continue to out pace the supply -- so -- there should be no end to potential markets for the Irving projects and additional reactors at Point Lepreau.
2009-03-25
13:17:42
Irving Oil is exploring the possibility of building a wind and natural gas co-generation power plant.
The plant would be capable of generating between 12 and 15-hundred megawatts of power -- and -- Irving's Jeff Matthews says it would be built in phases.
The plant's capacity is more than double that of the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station -- the company is currently doing technical and commercial feasibility studies.
Matthews says the natural gas fired power plant would be located as close as possible to the Canaport L-N-G terminal.
2009-03-25
13:14:41
It's being heralded as the next major step in the growth of our area as an energy hub -- our province is working with neighboring Maine to develop an energy corridor which will also promote more so called green energy projects.
The announcement was made with much fanfare this morning at the Delta -- Premier Graham says it will cover all forms of energy.
Maine Governor John Baldacci says it's the most environmentally friendly way of moving energy to markets by keeping transmission lines in the same footprint.
2009-03-25
12:54:55
The warmer weather is drawing out an abundance of deer near roads and highways. Charlotte County RCMP are warning drivers to slow down and be watchful particularly along Highway 1 from St. Stephen to Saint John. A collision with a deer can cause serious damage and injury.
The Department of Transportation had posted numerous deer warning signs along Highway 1 but Mounties say several have gone missing mainly in the Pocologan area.
2009-03-25:
11:16:32:
No serious injuries after an accident between a school bus and vehicle in Sussex Corner this morning. RCMP tell us they were called to the Post Road just after eight o'clock to find the bus had hit the vehicle trying to back out of a driveway when the driver was blinded by the sun.
The bus tried to swerve but failed. The driver of the vehicle was taken to hospital to be looked over.
2009-03-25:
11:14:45:
A speech tonight by Provincial Conservative Leader David Alward will focus on last weeks budget. The Conservatives contest the governing Liberals have a spending problem which has put this province millions of dollars in debt. Leader David Alward tells CHSJ News, his party continues to gear up for when the writ is dropped in about a year and a half.
Tonight's dinner at Riverside Country Club gets started at seven o'clock.
2009-03-25:
11:09:10:
Moosehead Breweries has let go of 13 of it's employee's due to economic troubles. Five of the affected worker were here at the West-Side plant with the other scattered between Nova Scotia, Ontario and the United States. Mike Lee is with Human Resources and tells CHSJ News, this move was made to position the company so it can weather this economic storm. Another five positions that will be vacant in the coming months due to retirement, resignations and transfers will not be filled.
Lee says all of the employee's that have been let go will receive a severance package and this was not an easy decision for the company.
2009-03-25:
04:29:25:
Energy will be the focus of a news conference later this morning at the Delta. Taking part will be Premier Shawn Graham, Energy Minister Jack Keir and Main Governor John Baldacci.
Also taking part will be Jeff Matthews of Irving Oil. Things get started at Nine O'clock.
2009-03-24
21:20:37
(Hampton Kings M-L-A Bev Harrison - photo courtesy CNB)
Hampton Kings Conservative M-L-A Bev Harrison says Belleisle residents may have bought some valuable time to prepare a better case for alternatives to axing the ferry service.
Harrison says one of the alternatives could center around moving a ferry from Westfield when a new unit arrives there -- he says the existing ferries appear to meet new federal standards.
And he says the number of people upset by the decision to can the river ferry is growing -- he says there are now over four thousand facebook members while emails and calls continue to come in.
2009-03-24
17:15:47
Conservative Health critic Margaret Ann Blaney is calling out the Health Minister on placing the 130 dollar fee back on ambulance service. Mike Murphy say the number of people using ambulances rose dramatically when the fees were eliminated--and--attributes that to people abusing the service. Blaney tells CHSJ News the minister has no data on how many calls were for actually taxi service.
Blaney says the fees should be removed so that seniors and those on low incomes won't suffer--and--government should be focusing on weeding out those who are really abusing ambulance service.
2009-03-24
17:14:43
A rally planned for tomorrow in support of the Belleisle Ferry will go ahead as scheduled. One of the Organizers, Janice Bates, tells CHSJ News she is happy to hear the Transportation Minister will consider their recommendations for the ferry service--but--is not going to quit the fight just yet. Bates says the minister could still turn around and say he just doesn't have the money to keep the ferries.
The rally is planned for 4:30 tomorrow afternoon on the Hampton Side of the Belleisle Bay Ferry Landing.
2009-03-24
17:06:39
They may have some breathing room! - that's the thrust of a meeting between Belleisle residents and Transportation Minister Denis Landry at the Legislature this afternoon.
Spokesperson Linda Watson tells CHSJ News the minister has given them the option of formally requesting an extension of next week's deadline to tie up the ferry - and - they will be sending an email right away.
Meanwhile -- Landry tells us he's not cutting the ferry service because he wants to -- he doesn't have the money in his budget to keep the service operating -- but -- he will give careful consideration to the request.
Landry says he would then consider proposals like having the community operate the ferry or turning it over to a private operator.
The Belleisle - Gagetown - and - Hampstead ferries are scheduled to be axed at the end of the month as part of the government's cost cutting measures.
2009-03-24
15:36:25
Saint John's drinking water is meeting the Guidelines for lead content under the Canadian Drinking Water Quality standards--but--some residents may still be drinking elevated levels of lead. Recent testing has confirmed levels of lead are well below the national limit when pipes have been flushed-- however-- traces of lead have been attributed to water sitting in fire hydrants or residential pipes.
Brent McGovern with Saint John Water says the problem is old lead pipes or pipes that have been soldered with lead. He says anyone with concerns about internal plumbing should run their water for about five minutes in the morning before drinking it. The running water will flush out any stagnant water containing leached lead. He says the only way to completely remove the problem is by replacing lead pipes, brass plumbing or fittings and leaded soldering pastes.
2009-03-24
15:08:40
The province is participating in an international student assessment to determine how our achievements in reading, math and science compare to the rest of Canada--and about 30 other countries. School District 6 spokesperson, Gary Hall says a random sample of 15 year old students will be selected over the next few weeks for the Program of International Student Achievement. The assessment is administered every three years and several New Brunswick teens will take part this April and May.
Hall says one teacher from each high school will be responsible to help students and teachers prepare for the PISA test.
2009-03-24
14:23:25
RCMP are warning drivers to slow down because of slippery roads and white out conditions throughout the greater Saint John area. There have been several accidents in the Barnesville and Loch Lomond areas, as well as a couple of highway crashes.
Emergency crews are on the scene of a head on collision on Route 820 by First Loch Lomand Lake--past the Saint John airport. Few other details are immediately available. Also, a woman in her 40's was taken to hospital after the truck she was driving rolled over on Highway One before 1pm. Emergency crews closed off the East Bound lane of the highway in that area for a time while they removed the truck from the road. No word on the extent of the woman's injuries.
2009-03-24
13:33:46
The final attendance report for the 2008-2009 Q-League season is in and not much change for the Saint John Seadogs.
According to the league web-site, the team is down close to 50 fans per game averaging 3930.
President Wayne Long says they are comfortable but not satisfied with their numbers.
Halifax has almost 6700 fans per game, in Moncton they are averaging just over 4300 per game, Cape Breton is just shy of 3400, the Rocket are bringing in just over two thousand and Bathurst brings up the league rear averaging just over 1700 fans per game.
2009-03-24
13:31:14
Symphony New Brunswick is first out the gate and has come away a winner after making a request to common council for more funding.
The organization is requesting their annual grant be doubled from five thousand to ten thousand dollars.
Council narrowly approved the vote 5 to 4 -- and -- councilor Gary Sullivan says this sets a dangerous precedent and is worried everyone who received a grant in the 2009 budget will now come back looking for more.
The five grand will come out of the city's unspecified grant budget.
2009-03-24
13:30:30
The Rockwood Park Golf Course is placing a freeze on its green fees for this year--with the exception of a three dollar hike for seniors. President of Total Golf Management Gerry Connolly says the price freeze is in response to the current economic situation. As for the raise in seniors fees, he says it will allow for fewer restrictions on when seniors can play at the discounted rate of $25. Now they can play during prime time hours earlier in the day. The regular adult green fee ranges from $25 to $37.
The golf course has 300 thousand dollars in specialized golf maintenance equipment this year with a 16 thousand dollar state of the art aerator to maintain tees and greens, along with 35 new power carts.
2009-03-24
13:29:13
A group of residents fighting the loss of ferry service in Belleisle are planning a rally tomorrow on the Hampton Side of the Belleisle Bay Ferry Landing.
The Belleisle Ferry is the longest Cable Ferry in Eastern Canada and residents that it attracts tourists and visitors to the area. The rally is to be held at 4:30pm.
2009-03-24
13:27:52
Police are blaming high winds and whiteout conditions for a crash on Highway One near the Spruce Lake exit around 12:30pm. A woman in her 40's was taken to hospital after the truck she was driving flipped over. Emergency crews are closing off the East Bound lanes of the highway in that area until they can remove her truck from the road. No word on the extent of the woman's injuries.
2009-03-24
09:06:58
(Energy Minister Jack Keir - photo courtesy CNB)
There's another major energy related announcement coming for the city tomorrow -- Energy Minister Jack Keir let the cat out of the bag during a speech to a Board of Trade breakfast this morning.
But Keir is refusing to give any more details despite being pressed by reporters - saying he doesn't want to steal the Premier's thunder.
The premier's office confirms to CHSJ News there is an announcement tomorrow but so far isn't offering any details on location or time.
You can listen to the reporters scrum with Keir - click on Wild Audio.
2009-03-24:
04:31:29:
Nobody hurt after fire broke out at an uptown business early this morning. City Crews were called to Mahogany Manor on German Street just after four o'clock to find the building full of smoke. Crews made their way inside and quickly extinguished what was smoldering.
No word yet on how the fire started.
2009-03-24:
04:16:36:
Council has decided to keep the city solicitor through the process of amending the pension plan--despite his advice to seek outside legal help. John Nugent says the proposed changes to save the city money may put him in conflict of interest. Councilor Bill Farren says it would be a waste of tax payers money to hire outside legal advice when they already pay Nugent's salary.
Council will hire consultant Morneau Sobeco for 50 thousand dollars to review how the possible pension plan changes will affect liabilities, costs and plan members.
2009-03-24:
04:14:08:
Council is still considering a public inquiry into the city's troubled pension plan. This despite an odd recommendation from the Nominating Committee to forget setting up a committee to consider the feasibility of an inquiry and just vote on whether they want to hold one. Councilor Gary Sullivan says this is another example of a council motion not being followed through.
Council has referred the issue back to Nominating Committee to have them nominate a group to examine the feasibility of a public inquiry into the troubled pension plan.
2009-03-24:
04:12:54:
No major damage in the metro from the latest calling of winter. Most area's are waking up to five centimeters with another two or four that could fall through-out the morning. The hardest hit area's of the province are Moncton and Fundy National Park which have ten centimeters on the ground. Meteorologist Guy RuSelle with Environment Canada tells CHSJ News, most of mainland Nova Scotia is waking up to 20cm's on the ground.
Roads around the metro are slick and the bad news is, most of the pot-holes are now covered up with snow so ease that foot off the gas.
2009-03-24
00:29:02
(Belleisle Bay ferry service to end Friday - photo courtesy DOT)
Belleisle area residents are getting their chance to make their plea to Transportation Minister Denis Landry in a bid to save their ferry service.
Spokesperson Linda Watson says Landry has agreed to join Tourism Minister Stuart Jamieson when he meets with them this afternoon in Fredericton.
Watson says they will ask Landry to delay cancellation of the service until an economic impact assessment is completed along with making some other suggestions.
The Graham government announced in last week's budget -- the Belleisle - Gagetown - and - Hampstead ferries will be tied up permanently Friday as a cost cutting measure.
2009-03-23
21:37:34
No matter what, when it comes to poverty it must be a made in New Brunswick solution--- that from Saint John Portland Conservative M-L-A Trevor Holder who tells CHSJ News the province wide dialogue sessions are a step in the right direction---
Holder cites the Crescent Valley area as a recent example of success in poverty reduction--- the neighbourhood boasts a resource center and a community police officer.
21:33:50
2009-03-23
There is still a long road ahead but things are coming together in building a poverty reduction plan for the province--- About fifty Saint Johner's turning out to the second public dialogue session held in the city last night, co chair of the project Gerry Pond tells CHSJ News he is still in a listening mode but there are some issues which keep coming up:
This marks the fourteenth meeting, with one left to go in Fredericton-- the three phase initiative will next hold round table discussions with experts on issues of poverty, they will discuss proposals put forth in the public sessions. Finally, a forum will be held to establish the Poverty Reduction Plan. If you missed your chance to attend a dialogue session you can still participate, to get involved with the initiative visit gnb.ca/poverty
2009/03/23
15:39:45
Irving Oil crews continue to work to drain the storage tanks at the refinery after a leak was found last week.
Spokesperson Jennifer Parker tells CHSJ News, the crews expect to have the tanks completely drained in a day or so.
She says luckily the wind is blowing in a direction that diverts the smell of gasoline away from houses in the Champlain Heights area.
A foam is also being used during the process to keep the odour down.
Still no word on the cause of the leak.
2003/03/23
14:43:29
The RCMP is ending the investigation of an eight year old murder, after finding out the person responsible for the death is also dead.
The body of Robert Joseph Lobb was discovered in his home in Val D'Amour in November of 2000.
Evidence gathered over the years has identified the man responsible for shooting Lobb died in 2005.
No charges can be laid, and it is believed Lobb's death is related to a drug deal.
13:37:00
The Loch Lomond Villa is once again open to visitors after lifting the ban due to several cases of influenza.
Director of Care Terry Lee Martin says visitors are permitted, but if they are feeling unwell they should wait until they are better before stopping in.
The ban has been in place since March 13th.
2009-03-23:
11:19:23:
The former East Saint John School continues to undergo a transformation. The building is being converted into new office space for Irving Oil. Spokes-person Jennifer Parker tells CHSJ News, due to the cold weather, work was halted for a few weeks but has resumed. The space is still needed regardless of whether or not the company is granted approval to build a new office tower on Long Wharf.
Parker says if everything stays on schedule, the building should be open by the end of the summer.
2009-03-23:
11:17:06:
The Quality of Life Initiative will hold the latest in it's series of public meetings tonight. They continue to protest the proposal by Corridor Resources who want to drill into salt beds, flush them out and make caverns to store natural gas to pipe in through the Penobsquis field and onto the United States. Spokes-person Otty Forgrave tells CHSJ News, there is a possibility other products could be piped in to the same holding area.
Tonight's public meeting gets started at 7:30pm at the Upham Rec Center on the Titusville Road.
2009-03-23:
11:16:04:
A city councilor is asking city staff to prepare and advertise a business improvement levy for the west side. Bill Farren tells CHSJ News, the recommendation to complete the levy was made last year and the West Side Business Association has asked him to intervene in finding out it's progress. Farren says he wants city staff create and advertise for a public hearing to create a business improvement area on the west side over the next 5 days.
Farren says he hopes progress is made soon.
2009-03-23:
11:14:51:
Business partners Irving Oil and British Petroleum are still deciding whether to go ahead with the construction of a second oil refinery in Saint John. Gordon Dalzell with the Clean Air Coalition tells CHSJ news if environmental concerns won't deter them, maybe the economy will in North-Eastern United States where the oil would be shipped.
Dalzell says the existing refinery emits about 35 pollutants into the city's air--and-- a second refinery would further impact the health of Saint Johner's for generations to come.
2009-03-23:
11:13:29:
The latest stats from the RCMP say drug seizures involving methamphetamine are on the rise. Officers say of particular concern is that in a number of cases, what people are buying as “Ecstasy” is in fact primarily methamphetamine. As a result, some people have unknowingly become addicted and have had to seek treatment.
Even though police are seeing more cases involving meth, abuse of the drug is not prevalent in most of the province, with the exception of communities in the Edmunston area. Reports from the Northwest of the province indicate an increase in methamphetamine addiction in the area.
2009-03-23
10:56:38
(Gagetown ferry is one of three being cut as of Friday - photo courtesy DOT)
There's a bright spot coming out of the provincial government's decision to axe the Belleisle - Gagetown - and - Hampstead ferry services.
Transportation Department spokesman Andrew Holland confirms to CHSJ News 11 of the 15 ferry workers have been offered jobs on other river ferries.
And Holland says the Human Resources branch is working with the other 4 to secure employment for them.
The three ferries will stop plying the waters as of Friday as part of the Graham government's cost cutting measures.
2009-03-23:
04:28:42:
You can have your say, again, on poverty in the province. The New Brunswick Poverty Reduction Initiative is returning to host an additional dialogue session tonight at the Somerset Community Center. The session will run between 6:30 until 9:30pm. The first session held in Saint John back in January saw over 100 participants.
To participate, you must register by calling 1-888-315-6606 and for more info or to participate online, you can go to gnb.ca
2009-03-23:
04:27:38:
Ever wonder when motions get followed through with after being passed at Common Council? Well so does Councillor Gary Sullivan. Sullivan tells CHSJ News, a better line of communications need to be made to find out the progress of motions passed in the chamber:
Sullivan says some motions should be passed very quickly, such as forming the committee concerning the public inquiry on the pension plan. Common Council is meeting tonight in their chamber at 7 o'clock.
2009-03-23:
04:26:44:
A foul stench in an East Saint John apartment drove people from their homes yesterday. Fire crews and the Haz-mat Unit were called to 80 Coldbrook Cresent just before noon to find elevated levels of hydrogen-sulphite.
Crews discovered the smell was coming from the septic system where one of the traps was not working causing the odor to linger in the building. A plumber was called in to fix the problem and everyone was allowed back into the building a few hours later.
2009-03-23:
04:25:41:
They say if March comes in like a lion.....she will roll out like a lamb but today's weather forecast could throw a wrench into that plan. Environment Canada is tracking a system that will kiss most of the province and leave us with close to 10cm's by tomorrow morning. Snow is expected to start falling late this afternoon and into this evening.
Nova Scotia will get the brunt of the action with most of that province expected to wake up tomorrow with anywhere between 15-25m's of snow. The full three-day forecast is coming right up.
2009-03-22
21:48:44
Saint John businesses and attractions are holding their own against others in Atlantic Canada in a recent poll by Progress magazine.
The business publication's survey of readers ranks Java Moose as the best in the east for your early morning caffeine fix beating out coffee shops in Halifax and Charlottetown.
Best cultural space goes to the Imperial Theater which beat out the Confederation Center of the Arts in Charlottetown and Neptune Theater in Halifax.
Handworks Gallery comes in as the best place in Atlantic Canada to buy staff thank you gifts.
And the best place to jog honors go to Harbor Passage which topped Point Pleasant Park in Halifax and Victoria Park in Charlottetown.
2009-03-22
21:45:51
The Energy and Utilities Board is set to begin a review of N-B Power's latest rate increase -- the utility plans to raise power rates by three percent on April Fool's day.
The review was ordered late last week by Energy Minister Jack Keir who says it's a matter of accountability and transparency.
Under current legislation -- N-B Power isn't required to apply for a rate increase is not more than three percent -- but -- Keir has power to ask the board to investigate the necessity for the rate change.
Saint John Energy has also announced it will pass along the three percent increase to its customers.
2009-03-22
21:41:17
The clock is now ticking for the 180-day public process to renew the air quality operating certificate for the Irving Oil refinery.
The process covers issues like emissions -- and -- pollution control equipment along with monitoring and reporting requirements.
You have until July 17th to submit any comments or concerns in writing to the provincial Environment Department.
You can find a link information on documentation and providing comments here: http://www.gnb.ca/0009/0355/0005/index-e.asp
2009-03-22
13:45:26
Stinky sewers may be the reason behind an evacuation in East Saint John this morning--- Fire officials are leaving the scene of an apartment building where they were investigating reports of a suspicious odour. They tell CHSJ News it looks as though the smell may be coming from the plumbing in the building and so the building owner has been instructed to get in touch with a plumber as soon as possible. Officials say the stench poses no danger to the residents of the Coburg Crescent building.
2009-03-22
10:33:55
More bad news for Kingston Peninsula residents -- Hampton-Kings Conservative M-L-A Bev Harrison says the Transportation Department is planning to close at least two government garages in the riding.
Harrison says the closures are part of the cuts contained in last week's provincial budget -- and -- that's going to mean even less maintenance for local roads which are already in rough shape:
Residents are already battling Transportation Minister Denis Landry over plans to eliminate river ferries in Belleisle Bay - Gagetown - and - Hampstead.
2009-03-22
10:30:00
Next month marks the 10 year anniversary of the Saint John Police Force Auxiliary Unit and the call is out for any new recruits. Since it's inception the volunteer unit has given over 36 thousand hours to the police force. Mayor Ivan Court tells CHSJ News, the amount of hours donated by residents is incredible.
The auxiliary unit mainly helps out on the weekends, and for special events such as parades. Chief Bill Reid says the dedication of the volunteers is amazing, and that many eventually graduate to becoming official police officers. The unit is holding a recruitment drive and anyone interested is urged to contact the police department.
2009-03-22
10:28:09
Women from all ages with gather at the Delta this Friday to celebrate the 5th annual Womens Wellness Conference. It began 12 years ago as the Saint John Womens Conference, set aside to access information contributing to health, well-being and self development. Spokes-person Kim Houlahan tells CHSJ News, the keynote speaker is Josey Vogels.
There are still seats available and you can register at www.sjwomenswellness.ca or call 631-0900.
2009-03-22
10:25:54
If you've driven across the Causeway this week and said to yourself......""Something looks different" you are absolutely right. The sign at the Irving Lube Plant has a new name. The sign now reads Coastal Blending and Packaging but the owner is still Irving Oil.
General Manager of the plant Kevin Boyle tells CHSJ News, the name change was put into place back on the first day of the new year and is there to open up the market so they can sell their other products.
2009-03-22
07:30:05
More bad news for Kingston Peninsula residents -- Hampton-Kings Conservative M-L-A Bev Harrison says the Transportation Department is planning to close at least two government garages in the riding.
Harrison says the closures are part of the cuts contained in last week's provincial budget -- and -- that's going to mean even less maintenance for local roads which are already in rough shape.
The veteran M-L-A says they would become nothing more than winter storage sheds and some residents are concerned it will lead to a reduction of plowing in the winter Residents are already battling Transportation Minister Denis Landry over plans to eliminate river ferries in Belleisle Bay - Gagetown - and - Hampstead -- they meet with the minister Tuesday.
Fredericton is the backdrop today for the first of six policy meetings to be held by the provincial arm of the Green Party. The focus of this get together is Ecological Rights and Responsibilities, the first charter principle. Interim Leader Mike Milligan tells CHSJ News, they hope to have a full card of 55 candidates in time for the next provincial election.
Milligan says the environment and the economy must go hand in hand or future generations will suffer. Today's meeting goes between ten and three at the Charlotte Street Arts Center in Fredericton.
The Department of Culture, Wellness and Sport is hosting an open house at Market Square today. This is to mark the final event of phase two of their social marketing campaign to get people more active. Staggering figures show that only 54% of children and youth in the province are not physically active enough to achieve health benefits. Spokes-person Michelle Bourgoin tells CHSJ News, this is not a counselling or testing day.
Bourgoin says they are making strides in their wellness movement by getting people to be proud to try new things. Things gets started at 10:30am and run til 4:30pm.
Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Prude Saint John is celebrating with an open house. Spokes-person Judy Eatman tells CHSJ News, this is a day when PRUDE's call letters take on their full meaning.
Eatman says they are opening their doors to a wider section of cultures including Asian, Russian, Korean and South African who are taking part in their womens program. The open house today gets started at one o'clock and runs until three.
2009-03-21
01:18:47
Meantime -- Transportation Minister Denis Landry isn't ready to back away from his decision to scuttle the three river ferries -- Landry met with representatives from Gagetown and Cambridge Narrows yesterday.
Gagetown mayor Randy Smith tells CHSJ News the Minister gave them lots of time to make their pitch which included options like scheduled runs.
Smith says Landry offered to sell him the Gagetown ferry for a dollar -- but -- he says his village doesn't have the resources to maintain and operate the service.
2009-03-21
01:04:30
Residents in the Belleisle Bay area are determined to keep the Graham government from docking the Belleisle ferry along with the Gagetown and Hampstead ferries permanently as of next Friday.
Close to 300 people packed the Belleisle High School last night to plot their strategy -- and -- they are smarting over what they term an attack on their way of life.
Meeting organizer Linda Watson tells CHSJ News there is no stopping now -- she meets with Tourism Minister Stuart Jamieson on Tuesday while residents from Belleisle Bay to Gagetown are planning a rally in Fredericton on Thursday.
And they want any decision to cut the Belleisle - Gagetown - and - Hampstead ferries delayed until a full economic impact assessment is done.
2009-03-20
17:52:48
RCMP have seized 300,000 contraband cigarettes from a van traveling east on the Trans Canada Highway, near Saint Leonard. Mounties says the haul is worth about $33,000. The driver was arrested and released pending a court appearance at a later date. The cigarettes were believed to be destined for the north west area of the province.
2009-03-20
15:47:33
The Clean Air Coalition says approving a second refinery for East Saint John will open the door for other major polluters. Spokesperson, Gordon Dalzell tells CHSJ news if the Eider Rock refinery goes ahead, it will only be a matter of time before petro-chemical and plastics plants make their way to the city.
Coalition Member Gary Prosser says there is another problem to consider. He says industry belongs in industrial parks in order to make the city more people friendly--but--in Saint John industry is built anywhere.
2009-03-20
13:43:56
Irving Oil says it will be early next week before there is an indication about what is causing a problem in one of the giant holding tanks at the refinery.
Nearby residents started complaining about a gasoline odor in the area Wednesday night -- refinery crews found gas pooling on the floating roof the tank.
Irving spokesperson Jennifer Parker tells us when crews finish draining the tank -- they will get inside to see why the gas was pooling on the top -- meantime -- foam is being sprayed to keep the odor down.
2009-03-20
13:23:58
The province has teamed up with Saint John to launch a Sustainability Network today. The goal is to work with government and business to encourage growth while protecting the environment. The Saint John Board of Trade has announced it will partner with the network to promote the efficient use of resources among its members.
The city has retained Dillon Consulting Limited, a national consulting firm with operations in Saint John and throughout Atlantic Canada, to coordinate Sustainable Saint John. Kim Hughes with the Department of Environment says Sustainability is not an end goal it's a way of operating.
2009-03-20
13:22:21
Are you ready to bust a move? So You Think You Can Dance Canada is coming to Saint John. Auditions for the dance tour will be held at the Imperial Theatre April 21st beginning at 8AM. CTV has confirmed today that the charismatic cast from Season 1 will return, including host Leah Miller.
2009-03-20
10:52:16
Something to think about as we count down to the end of the month -- city police will be cracking down on people parking in no parking zones overnight in the uptown.
Police tell us they've received a number of complaints about vehicles being left in the "no parking midnight to 7" zones.
So beginning at midnight March 30th - police will be enforcing a zero tolerance policy and ticketing any vehicles parked in the no parking zones.
2009-03-20
10:50:05
(Belleilse Bay Ferry - photo courtesy DOT)
Rural residents faced with losing their ferry service are gathering for a meeting at Belleisle Regional High School tonight.
The Graham government announced in its provincial budget the Gagetown and Belleisle ferry runs will end later this month while the Hampstead Ferry will not operate in May.
Meeting organizer Linda Watson tells CHSJ News, she hopes they can come up with concrete ways to persuade the government to keep the ferries.
The meeting gets started tonight at 7pm in Belleisle.
2009-03-20
10:47:49
A full house is on hand at the Regional Hospital for it's Inter-professional Health Research Day.
Dr. John Steeves is the Director of Medical Education and tells CHSJ News a lot of medical research is underway between the hospital - UNBSJ - and - the Community College.
Steeves says the day long conference is really a chance to get familiar with all of the research underway in this part of the province and look for ways of better coordinating the efforts.
2009-03-20
04:48:37
One of Saint John's finest is being promoted to Deputy Chief of Police. Inspector Darryl Scribner with Major Crime is taking the position and tells CHSJ News, he's got some big shoes to fill taking the post formerly held by Police Chief Bill Reid. Scribner says he looks forward to the challenges the new position will have.
Scribner reports to his new job Monday morning.
2009-03-20
04:47:25
City Police Chief Bill Reid is issuing a challenge to Maclean's magazine to do a follow up story on the city's Family Protection Unit. Earlier this month, the magazine named Saint John the most dangerous city in Canada with respect to sexual assaults. Reid says that is not the case and the numbers show the amount of sexual assaults reported.
Reid says his office sent the request Wednesday and expects a response, but isn't sure if the story will be done. Reid says no one is hiding behind bushes in the city, and this is a story that needs to be told.
2009-03-20
04:46:20
The Clean Air Coalition is getting its act together to make sure the proposed Eider Rock refinery is not rail-roaded through the public review process. An Environmental Impact Assessment of the massive project is expected to be released within weeks. Coalition Spokesperson Gordon Dalzell tells CHSJ News, they want the public to have their say about the refinery while they have the chance.
The Coalition wants to be ready with reasons why the refinery should not go ahead and recommendations on how to lessen its impact if it does. There will be no public hearings for the project, just a meeting and a short window of opportunity for the public to submit written comments. Dalzell says if the refinery is approved, the air pollution on the East Side will double.
2009-03-20
04:45:13
Champlain Heights School got a visit from air quality inspectors yesterday afternoon when a gasoline leak at the Irving Oil Refinery caused a strong chemical smell in the area. The odor was first noticed Wednesday night and was apparently caused by a broken seal on the floating roof of the "G" tank which holds gasoline. The gasoline floated into the roof and pooled there.
Heavy equipment could be seen working around the base of the large tank yesterday as a precautionary measure in case the gas spilled over the edge onto the ground below. Gordon Dalzell with the Clean Air Coalition says he was told by Irving Oil officials the broken seal would take up to 2 days to fix.
2009-03-20
04:44:28
A fire and car accident kept Kennebecasis Valley and City Police emergency crews busy last night. First call came just before 7:30pm about a fire at 474 Bradley Lake Road. When crews arrived, they found flames and smoke coming from a mobile home but quick action saved the trailer from being destroyed. No word on how the fire started. Then just after eleven o'clock, city fire and police were called to Lancaster Avenue near the Hillcrest Cemetery for a single vehicle accident.
A car tried to pass a City Transit Bus, hit a patch of ice, last control of the vehicle and smashed into a utility pole. The driver is going to be alright but the vehicle is a write-off. With the quick dip in the temperature last night, officer's remind everyone to slow down for the ride into the office this morning.
