Boil Water Order Could End This Afternoon

If everything goes according to plan, Saint John Water should be able to lift a boil water order by this afternoon. It has been in affect for homes and businesses east of the Rversing Falls Bridge since Friday morning. Dr. Scott Giffen is the District Medical Officer of Health and says the City has done everything by the book. The boil water order is not in place for Millidgeville and had to be implemented after a valve was left open and chlorine gas failed to treat the water for about 15 minutes with 2.1 million litres entering the system.

Call Being Made To Get More Women To Run For Political Office

(Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney)

Equal Voice is issuing a challenge directly to Provincial Party Leaders.....find more female candidates for the election September.27th. Lisa Merrithew is spokes-person and tells CHSJ News, there is no easy answer as to why more women aren't involved.
Merrithew does say there are external barriers within the parties. During the last Provincial Election, 15 of the 48 NDP candidates were women, 10 of the 55 Liberal candidates were women and only 8 off the 55 candidates for the Conservatives were women.
One of the longest serving MLA's in the province is Rothesay Conservative Margaret Ann Blaney. She tells CHSJ News, there has been a sharp decline in the number of women participating in the democratic process period.
She adds there are currently eight women nominated and ready to run in the fall election for the Conservatives which matches the number of women the party had in 2006.

City Looking To Make Building And Land Permits Easier To Get

People looking to get building and land permits approved in Saint John may soon find it a lot easier. The City is holding a public hearing during tonight's meeting of Common Council to discuss possible amendments to the Community Planning Act. The Act currently makes it so any permit requests must go through the provincial Planning Advisory Committee before being approved. Changes would allow minor permits to be passed by the local Development Officer, cutting some time out of the process. Moncton, Frederiction, Miramichi and Rothesay will use the same system.

Boil Water Order Remains in Place

Homes and businesses east of the Reversing Falls bridge are now into day three of a boil water order.


Officials say a valve was left open and chlorine gas failed to treat the water for about 15 minutes on Friday morning.


Tests on the system have been and will continue to be conducted as officials look for the green light to allow home-owners and businesses to turn their taps back on.


The Millidgeville area is the one exception where water doesn't have to be boiled. The earliest the order can be lifted is tomorrow afternoon.

Department of Transportation Sets a New Record

A record will be reached tonight at midnight but it will come and go with very little fan-fare.


Spring weight restrictions for heavy trucks will be lifted from all provincial highways, nearly four weeks ahead of schedule.


This is the earliest removal of the spring weight restriction in the Province's history.


The weight restrictions are put in place to protect highways from damage during the spring thaw by reducing allowable weights.

New Look Coming for Millenium Drive

Quispamsis may soon be the home of a new Pre-Fabricated Homes Sales Lot.


A company is looking to use land located on Millennium Drive that is now an empty Used Car Sales Lot.


Citizens in the area that may be effected can go to a public hearing set by Town Council for May 18 to voice any concerns.

Traffic Flow Near the Gondola Point Ferry

The Gondola Point Ferry Landing will soon have better traffic flow.


Quispamsis Council voted in favor of building a right turning lane at Route 119 and Riverfront Crescent.


Council has agreed to pay for half of the $400,000 project with the Department of Transportation paying the other 50%.


After an email poll Council says it will pay $125,000 of their half this year leaving $75,000 next year.

More Money For New Dog Park in Quispamsis

New funding will give dog walkers in Quispamsis a place to stretch their legs.


The Regional Development Corporation has agreed to give the town $25,000 to help pay for the proposed Dog Park Project.


The park will be located at the Arts and Culture Park with the money covering the cost of dog paths.

CHSJ Gives Away Brand New Truck Today

  (Cheryl Shillington's Brand New Ford Ranger)
                  


Cheryl Shillington of Grand Bay-Westfield is going to be cruising the streets of Saint John in style.
Shillington is the grand prize winner of a brand new Ford Ranger from Downy Ford.
One-hundred and twenty people were registered for the elimination draw that took place at noon today.

Samuel De Champlain is Celebrating it's Birthday

There is a party in Millidgeville tonight and everyone is invited.


Samuel de Champlain is celebrating is 25th anniversary and Executive Director Michelle Cote tells CHSJ News, it promises to be a big show.


As for the Center turning 25, Cote says he knew there was potential for growth but never iamgined it would happen this fast.


Tonight's celebration gets started at 7:30pm at Samuel de Champlain.

Global Youth Service Day

Events are underway and will continue through-out the weekend in Saint John to celebrate Global Youth Service Days.
100 countries are taking part in events designed to celebrate youth accomplishments over the last year.


Scott Crawford of the Teen Resource Centre tells CHSJ News, sometimes young people don't get the credit they deserve.


Posters are on display at Brunswick Square showcasing the many charity events that local students support.


A Battle of the Bands and concert is scheduled for tomorrow in the parking lot of Harbour Station.

DNR boats capsizes in Grand Lake

A Department of Natural Resources boat overturned this morning in Grand Lake and an officer ended up in the water.
RCMP officers from Minto and Oromocto responded to the scene along with other emergency personnel who launched a small boat and brought the officer to shore where paramedics were waiting for him.


He was taken to hospital for treatment for hypothermia because he was in the water for about 45 minutes.
The officer was wearing his safety gear and a life jacket and at this time, it's not known why his boat overturned.

Cruise Ship Volunteers Needed

A call going out today for volunteers for the "Meet and Greet" committee for this year's cruise ship season.
The Port Authority's Bill Eaton tells CHSJ News they've had a waiting list in the past -- but -- they've now exhausted that list.
Eaton says there is a real need with 78-ships scheduled this year -- a lot of them larger than in the past.
If you're interested contact Brittany Halpen at the Saint John Port Authority.

Byrne Disputes Blaney's Claim Beds Will Close

Acting Health Minister Greg Byrne is calling Rothesay Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney out on her claim that 40 beds will be closing at the Saint John Regional Hospital.
Byrne tells us he finds it unfortunate that someone is choosing to play politics with an issue of health care.


Earlier this week, Blaney told us that despite the new Shannex nursing home being open for business, it would not free up 60 hospital beds at the Regional.
Byrne says there is no truth to that and the beds will be available.

River Levels Are Dropping

Good news if you live or play along the St. John River.


With little or no rain expected over the next three days, River Watch believes water levels along the basin will continue to drop over the weekend.


All areas are presently well below flood stage and should remain so for the foreseeable future.


River Watch will not issue any further bulletins unless there is a major change to the weather pattern that might bring a threat of flooding.

Saint John Water Discusses Boil Order

North End Group Gets Financial Shot

(Saint John MP Rodney Weston)
            (File Photo)

Saint John MP Rodney Weston has presented the ONE Change organization with a cheque for over $900,000 dollars.

The cash will be used for the groups Youth Inclusion Program over the next four years.


It targets people between the ages of 11 and 15 with specific risk factors, including substance abuse, poor school attachment and lack of recreational activities.

Boil Water Order Issued for Portion of Saint John

A boil water order is in place for close to 35,000 homes and businesses east of Reversing Falls this weekend.


It was just before eight o'clock at the Latimore Lake facility, a valve was left open and chlorine gas did not make it into the system which meant chlorine wasn't flowing for close to 15 fifteen minutes.
Deputy Commissioner of Water Brent McGovern says 2.1 million litres of untreated water made it's way into the system.
McGovern adds the earliest the boil water order can be lifted is Monday afternoon.


The order is not in affect for those living at the intersections of Spar Cove Road and Belleview Avenue, Millidge Avenue and Ropewalk Road and Somerset Street north of the Superstore.

Dangers If You Don't Boil Your Water

(District Medical Health Officer Dr. Scott Giffen)
              (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Dr. Scott Giffen is the District Medical Officer of Health and says if you feel there is no need to boil your water, you might as well go to the edge of the resevoir and dunk a glass in.


Dr. Giffen adds you have to remember, animals are defacating in that water as well which means you could be exposed to a variety of bacteria's and contaminants.

Construction Continues at UNB Saint John

     (Shot of Construction Activity at UNB Saint John)
                          (File Photo)

Much of the construction taking place in the city these days is happening at U-N-B Saint John.


University Vice-President Dr. Robert McKinnon is hoping the facelift will also boost the number of students attending.


Dr. McKinnon says you have to have the facilities up and running before you can get the students.

Money for Sussex Railway Crossing

(Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore)
        (File Photo)

Fundy Royal M-P Rob Moore has announced an upgrade to a railway crossing in Sussex at a cost of more than 140 thousand dollars.


Moore, who's also the Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, says the federal contribution is for more than 112 thousand dollars.


The money will be used to install flashing lights and signal bells.
It's part of the plan to bring 155 railway crossings across the country up to par at a cost of close to 11 million dollars.

Blaney Claims Opening Of Nursing Home Won't Free Up As Many Hospital Beds As First Thought

(Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney)
                 (File Photo)

The opening of the Shannex Nursing Home in Quispamsis earlier this week may not necessarily free up sixty hospital beds in the Saint John region after all. That word coming from Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney. The Conservative Party's healthcare critic tells CHSJ News she has heard 40 of those beds will be closed elective surgeries had to be postponed because there were no beds available. Blaney says despite all the talk and controversy over the failed NB Power deal with Hydro Quebec, Blaney maintains health care is still the number one priority for voters.

West Side Standoff

 (Manawagonish Road Standoff)

(Photo Courtesy of Doug Epton)

It was a tense night on the West side after a stand-off created some anxious moments for residents.

City police were called to a home on the Manawagonish Road just after 6 to find a man had barricaded himself inside it and was threatening to harm himself.


After 5 1/2 hours of police trying to get him to surrender, just before midnight police convinced the man to leave his home.

He was taken into custody but, there is no word yet on charges or a court date and his name is not being released.

The standoff also snarled traffic, with Manowogonish Road being closed off for several hours.

Leah Richardson is the 2010 Leader to Watch

(2010 Leader to Watch Leah Richardson)
(photo by Tamara Steele)

The 2010 Leader to Watch award winner might be fielding some interesting offers today after being gushed over by the Premier and Roly McIntyre as the future of this city.
UNB Saint John student Leah Richardson tells CHSJ News she did not expect the Premier to talk about her.


Richardson says it's nice to be recognized by someone in government just to know that they are watching what are youth and students are doing.

McIntyre receives 2010 Red Triangle Award

(Roly McIntyre and the 2010 Red Triangle award)
 (photo by Tamara Steele)

Retired Saint John East MLA Roly McIntyre won the Red Triangle Award from the Saint John YM-YWCA, he gave a light-hearted speech thanking his family, friends, political colleagues and fellow volunteers.

Premier Defends Achievements In Charter For Change

(Premier Shawn Graham)
(photo by Tamara Steele)

The Premier is unfazed by the comments of Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney who laughed at the idea that his government has achieved 95 per cent of the goals set out in the Charter for Change.


Shawn Graham tells CHSJ News the facts speak for themselves saying most of the 232 commitments are underway or completed.


While he will not admit that his government has an uphill climb to get re-elected, Graham adds that they do not take any election for granted.


Graham was in town for the Saint John Y's Red Triangle Awards, where he said the government will be at the table when they Y's announces their future plans after supporting efforts by the Y's in Fredericton and Moncton.

Police Dealing With Standoff

City police have a home surrounded off Manawagonish Road at this hour -- they're not offering any official comment as to what's going on.
But we do know they have police dogs and the emergency response team on scene -- some residents in the area say they've never seen such a heavy police presence.
Traffic along Manawagonish Road is slow moving and is being rerouted around the area which is near the Pumpkin Patch.

Woman Killed in Crash is Identified

RCMP has identified the woman killed earlier this week near St. Stephen.

78-year old Elizabeth Isenor of Wallace, Nova Scotia died when the vehicle she was travelling in hit a tractor trailer on Monday afternoon.


The crash happened at the intersections of Highways 170 and 127.

The vehicle the victim was in failed to stop at the stop sign.

RCMP tell us driver inattention was the major factor in the crash and the man driving suffered only minor injuries.

Irving Oil Applies For New Set-Up

Irving Oil has applied to the Department of the Environment to hook up a bio-refinery at it's refinery site in East Saint John.


The proposed plant is intended to produce 120 million liters of biodiesel which will be made from refurbished cooking grease, animal fats, vegetable oils and agricultural seed oils.


Officials tell us an Environmental Impact Assessment review typically takes between three and four months to finish up.


The public is also invited to send in it's comments on the proposal.

New Restaurant Coming to East Saint John

  (Wox Box Restaurant Coming to East Point Shopping)
                   (Supplied Photo)

There is a new face coming to the restaurants that call East Saint John home.


The Wox Box Fresh Asian Kitchen will set up shop in the East Point Shopping Center.
It's the first restaurant in the franchise to open in the Province.


The owners say everything is made fresh to order, nothing pre-packaged and MSG is not added to the food.


The new restaurant will be set-up next to Starbucks and if everything stays on schedule, should be open by the first week of July.

New Piece of Equipment For The Landfill

It's been in the works for two years and today, the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission is celebrating Earth Day in a big way. It's electricity-producing generator has arrived from Austria.

The generator will produce green energy from landfill gas, the first for an operating landfill in Atlantic Canada.

General Manager Mark MacLeod tells CHSJ News, this goes a long way in reducing their carbon foot-print.


The project is set to produce 1 MegaWatt of electricity beginning in July which is equivalent to the energy used in 800 to 1,000 homes.

Conservative MLA Is Re-Offering

(Rothesay Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney)
                     (File Photo)

Saying she loves the job, Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney tells CHSJ News she will be seeking re-election September 27th.
Blaney says the intense feelings arising from the failed NB Power deal with Hydro Quebec have not diminished.
Blaney also chuckles at the Premier Shawn Graham's claim that 95 per cent of his charter for change has been achieved saying he must be leaving out all the promises that were reneged on.

Studded Tires Are Due to Come Off

If you do have them on your vehicle, a reminder that it's almost time to get your studded tires off.
RCMP tell us that as of May.1st, you can no longer have the studded tires on your vehicle anywhere around the Province.
Officers add along with it being illegal, it can also be very dangerous because if there is no ice, they can cause skidding.

Schools Pick Up Earth Day Awards

15 schools around the Province have picked up Earth Day Awards.


It's part of the third annual NB Power Earth Day Conservation Education Challenge.


There are a list of challenges for students to achieve including what all of us can do to help achieve a sustainable future for the Earth.


The winner include Quispamsis Middle, Cambridge Narrows and Sussex Middle Schools.


Schools sent in videos, stories and presentations in a variety of creative styles.

Very Little Change in Gas Prices After Weekly Setting

A mixed bag this morning when it comes to the price of gas after the weekly setting. Self serve regular is down a bit being sold for 101.7 in the city. On the other hand, diesel has risen to 104.1 a litre. Furnace oil is at 91.5 cents and propane is going for 103.1.

New Fire Chief Takes Over In K-V

(Honour Guard at Change of Command Ceremony in Rothesay Fire Hall)
                    (Photo by Brian McLain)

There was alot of pageantry and emotion last night at the Rothesay Fire Hall as Bill Ireland took over as the new K-V Fire Chief from Larry Greer, who's retiring. Ireland tells CHSJ News its time for the department to be bigger, not smaller and take its rightful place in the province.
Greer is leaving after a quarter of a century as Chief and became quite emotional as he finished off his farewell address.
Greer first joined the fire department in the valley as a volunteer when he was just 15 years of age and served as Chief for 25 years. Early in his career, Ireland worked for the Toronto Fire Department.

Resolution Could Be Near In Dispute Over K-V Fire Department Budget

(Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop)
       (File Photo)

The dispute over the K-V Fire Department budget might be resolved soon without going to arbitration. Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News he has received a letter from the new K-V Fire Chief Bill Ireland on what he would like to see done and an announcement could be made in a few days time after town council has a looksee.
The dispute is about Rothesay wanting the fire department's budget reduced by 100 thousand dollars. Quispamsis, on the other hand, has been calling for another firefighter top be hired for the fire station within its town limits to put it on an equal footing with the fire hall in Rothesay.

Red Triangle Awards To Be Handed Out Tonight In Gala Ceremony

(Retired Saint John East M-L-A Roly McIntyre)
                      (File Photo)

The Saint John Y's Red Triangle Awards will be handed out tonight to retired Saint John East MLA Roly McIntyre and this year's Leader to Watch is UNB Saint John student Leah Richardson.
McIntyre tells CHSJ News that receiving the award is a real honour and he can't believe they are giving the award to him. Premier Shawn Graham will be in attendance at the YM-YWCA's Red Triangle Awards dinner at the Trade and Convention Centre which gets underway at 6:00. Graham has said McIntyre is one of the reasons he got into politics.

Earth Day To Be Marked In Saint John

Today is Earth Day and many schoolchildren and adults will be taking part in clean up efforts.
A-CAP Executive Director Tim Vickers tells CHSJ News agrees with a survey that found the majority of Canadians want to see pollution reduced and place a high priority on recycling.
For the second year in a row, employees with the City of Saint John will be honouring Earth Day with a lunch-hour litter pickup on Harbour Passage and around City facilities. Up to 20 different cleanups are happening over the next week involving over 1000 people from schools, community groups and businesses. According to Vickers, illegal dumping is an issue that is coming back to the forefront.

Big Read book revealed

This year's selection for the Big Rothesay Read is The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill.


This community-wide reading initiative invites both Rothesay High students and the community at large to read the book over a 6 week period and then join the author on June 2 & 3 at Rothesay High School.

Hill is really pleased that the school and town have chosen his book.
Last year, over 2000 people took part in the first Rothesay read.

An NDP candidate comes forward in Quispamsis

A Quispamsis small businessman is seeking the NDP nomination in the town.

Matt Doherty has lived in Quispamsis for more than 30 years and launched an IT business in 2006 and is also partner in a property management company.

In a release, Doherty says it's time for Quispamsis to have real local representation.
He adds the NDP is running on a sensible and restrained platform that will help our community develop.
Doherty lives in Quispamsis with his wife and two sons.

McCarville running for the Liberals in East Saint John

Another candidate is in the race to over take Roly McIntyre's old job.
Kevin McCarville is running for the Liberal nomination in Saint John East.


Councillor Bruce Court has already announced his intentions to seek the Liberal nominaton while former Fire Chief and Common Counciller Glen Tait has secured the Conservative nomination.

Saint John Family Doctor Passes Away

    (Doctor Leonard Morgan)
           (File Photo)

A man who brought alot of Saint Johner's into this world has passed away.


Dr. Leonard Morgan died yesterday after a period of failing health.


Morgan was a practising family physician in Greater Saint John for 50 years.


He was also the founding member of the Rotary Boys Choir.


The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at one at Portland United Church in Millidgeville.

Quispamsis Turns Down Advertising For It's Q-Plex

It's thumbs down from Town officials in Quispamsis to proposed advertising for it's still under construction Q-Plex.
A call for opportunities was put out six weeks ago but the two local and one provincial company bids they received did not meet certain criteria.
Town Administrator Mike Brennan tells CHSJ News, they will now try and sell the advertising locally on their own.
Brennan adds he can't get into specifics as to why the advertising was rejected.

Rothesay Also Wants to Help with Deer Problem

         (Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop)
                    (File Photo)

A regional public education program to discuss the growing deer population will include Rothesay.


Like Quispamsis and Hampton, it has seen the number of animals explode in recent years.


Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News, there has to be a solution but a good place to start is to remind people not to feed the deer.
Bishop adds the deer population up north is dwindling while it is exploding in this area so there has to be a reason.
As for culling the herd, the municipality has no authority to approve that.

Hampton on Board With Looking for Solution

Hampton is in when it comes to forming a regional public education program to discuss the growing deer population in Greater Saint John.
The proposal was put forward by Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll who believes one voice from municipalities can produce more results.
Mayor Ken Chorley tells CHSJ News, there is a bigger problem than people losing flowers and gardens.....ticks carrying Lyme Disease.


Chorley adds a recent presentation from the Department of Natural Resources told them if people would stop feeding the deer, maybe they would go somewhere else.

Former Polish Prime Minister and Wife Are Immortalized

(Picture of the Former Polish Prime Minister and Wife)
          (Compliments of James Richards)

If you find yourself with some extra time on your lunch break, a local artist is asking you to drop by the multi-cultural center in the City Market.


James Richards has painted a portrait of the Polish Prime Minister and his wife, just weeks after they perished in a plane crash.


Richards tells CHSJ News, he hopes people will stop by and sign the picture.


Richards says on the painting, he painted a rose of every person who was killed and used the countries colors red and white.

High Schools In The Province Are Graded

Despite claiming there is a scarcity of information, the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies has still ranked 46 high schools in the province. Samuel de Champlain is cited as the top Francophone high school with a "B" moving up from fifth place. Among the Anglophone high schools, Sir James Dunn in St. Andrews is second with a "B plus. Saint John High is third also with a "B" plus, Rothesay High and Kennebecasis Valley High are 4th and 5th on the list with grades of "B". St. Malachys also has a "B" but is ranked 9th and Harbourview comes in 19th with a "B" minus.

Man Assaulted In The Uptown

City police are investigating an early morning assault at the Subway on King Street. One man was taken to hospital with head injuries. How serious his injuries are isn't yet known. Police are on the lookout for one suspect.

Nationwide Call To Commission Major Artwork For Saint John's 225th Anniversary

A big part of the Saint John 225 celebration is to commission a major work of art that will represent the city's history. Committee member and art gallery owner Peter Buckland, who calls Saint John "the original city" tells CHSJ News the them of the sculpture will be the city as a meeting place starting with the first nations people.
200 thousand dollars have been set aside and the competition is open to any artist in the country. Buckland says the winning piece of art will be installed in a prominent location along the waterfront in 2011. He wouldn't divulge where that might be but did say it could not be put in place this year anyway because of the work being done on the Harbour Bridge.

Phase Two Of Redeveloping Rockwood Park Well Underway

          (Entrance To Rockwood Park)
                      (File Photo)

You may have noticed the construction that's taking place right now at the entrance to Rockwood Park. The parking lot being built is part of the 3 million dollar second phase of the park's redevelopment. Landscape architect Larry Stewart tells CHSJ News there were a couple of themes he wanted to incorporate including better accessibility for both the handicapped and those people riding bicycles, a more natural look and better water quality in Lily Lake.
Two matching boulders will be installed at the entrance to the park that will replace the existing sign. The Public Gardens on Seely Street will be connected to Rockwood Park by a trail. Stewart says people will visibly notice a big change once phase two is complete.

Volunteers Pick Up Some Hardware

      (Volunteers Receive Recognition in Quispamsis)
                     (Photo by Sherry Aske)

Plenty of pride was showing for fifteen volunteers and their families as they were honored by the Town of Quispamsis last night.


The annual Volunteer Recognition Awards were handed out prior to the start of last night's council meeting by Mayor Murray Driscoll.


A few of the winners were Tina Doiron-Wilson from Canadian Parents for French, Denise Brennan of the Kennebecasis Public Library and Matthew McQuade from the Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department.


Two of the selected volunteers, Peter McGinn and Candace Snowden, were recognized but were unable to attend the event.

Quispamsis Officials Speak About Roaming Deer

(Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll)
            (File Photo)

One combined voice and education is what Quispamsis is hoping will produce some results to a growing deer problem in it's town.
An invitation is being sent to Rothesay, Hampton, local service districts and the Department of Natural Resources to form a regional public education program.


Mayor Murray Driscoll says town officials can't solve this issue on it's own.
As for re-locating the deer, Driscoll adds the cost is one thousand dollars an animal and suggestions of a new form of birth control is not a solution as it is not approved in this country.

Quispamsis Resident Speaks to Council About Deer

(Anne Downey Speaks to Quispamsis Council)
            (Photo by Sherry Aske)

A resident of the Model Farm Road spoke to council last night and pleaded with them to help find a solution to the deer problem.


Anne Downey tells CHSJ News, ticks are set to hatch and Lyme Disease has already been detected in Millidgeville and agree's.....education to this problem is the first step.


Downey says from the research she has gathered, there are 20,000 cases of Lyme Disease in the United States every year.

Volcanic Ash Could Affect Us Here at Home

If you've been following the plume of volcanic ash in Iceland, here is the latest we can tell you and how it might affect us here at home.

Environment Canada has issued a special advisory which says there is a possibility of low level ash falling in areas of the Maritimes and eastern Quebec.

Right now, the satellite shows no ash in Canadian airspace.

Meteorologists also tell us the presence of volcanic that could impact air travel in this area is very low.

The same advisories have been issued for Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

Sheet Metal Workers Hit the Picket Line

(Union Members Walk the Line on University Avenue)
                    (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Sheet metal workers in Greater Saint John are off the job and walking the picket line.

This as they ramp up their demand for a raise. John London is a member of local 437 and tells CHSJ News, the Province doesn't want to sign a contract which would give them a raise unless something else in the contract is taken away.
London adds there are still non-unionized contractors working on the expansion at the Regional but the other unions refuse to cross the picket line.
Other picket lines are set up on the West Side and in the Industrial Park.
Pat Darrah with the Saint John Construction Association saw sheet metal workers are making $32.24 an hour and in Moncton, they make $29.25.


Darrah says they want to level the playing field so that contractors can work in both areas and stay competitive.
A mediator was appointed to try and find middle ground for both sides. No word on when negotiations might resume.

What To Do About the Growing Deer Population

Deer and what to do about the growing number of them in the Kennebecasis Valley will be up for discussion tonight.

It's one of the agenda items for the regular meeting of Quispamsis council.

If you live in the area, we don't need to tell you how the population of bambies has exploded recently.

Many fear lime disease is carried on the ticks of the animals and families are at risk.


There are several theories about the growing population including the clear cutting of wooded area's to make room for commercial and residential development.
 
Many believe that people feeding the animals is bringing more of them in to the area.
 
Tonight's meeting gets started at seven o'clock.

Premier Graham on Piont Lepreau Refurbishment

(Premier Shawn Graham)
        (File Photo)

Atomic Energy of Canada and the refit delay at Point Lepreau will be the main focus of a meeting in Ottawa soon.

Premier Graham and several of his cabinet ministers are close to locking up a date to meet with the Prime Minister to discuss problems at the site and how the project has fallen 16 months behind schedule.

Graham tells CHSJ News, Saint John MP Rodney Weston has a responsibility with this file.
Graham says Atomic Energy of Canada has told them the reason for the delay is this is the first refurbishment of a Candu Six reactor and there is a learning curve.

Changes Proposed for Peel Plaza

(Artist's Rendition of What Peel Plaza Might Look Like)
                       (File Photo)

Several changes are being made to the Peel Plaza development to make it cheaper for Saint John taxpayers.

City Manager Pat Woods concedes the new parking garage will not be as large as first proposed.
Woods maintains those changes will not negatively impact how the police station operates.

He also claims the parking garage will be financially self sustaining.

There will also be more green space around the arts centre with fewer bells and whistles.

Quality of Life Still Concerned

Concerned about drilling activity by Corridor Resources in the Kings County area and beyond, the Quality of Life Initiative continues it's fight.

They are hosting an information session Thursday night with a member of the environmental law society to speak on a variety of issues.

Spokes-person Otty Forgrave tells CHSJ News, wells and life-style are the main concerns of home-owners.


Forgave adds there is currently no work going on by Corridor Resources but the group is staying pro-active.
 
The meeting Thursday gets started at 7:30pm at the Upham Rec Center.

New Faces on NB Power Board

Some new faces have been appointed to NB Power's Board of Directors.

Ed Barrett's term has been extended for an additional four years and has been named chair of the board, effective immediately.

This after serving as vice-chair for the past three years.

Robert Youden, Lise Ouellette and Louis LaPierre have also been named as new board members for three-year terms.

John Mallory has also been reappointed to the board for three years.

Deadly Collision Outside St. Andrews

The RCMP along with Ambulance and Fire Crews from St. Andrews and St. Stephen responded to a deadly collision yesterday afternoon at the intersection of Highways 170 & 127 outside St. Andrews.
A woman from Nova Scotia was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name has not been released yet.
The driver of the vehicle, the woman's husband, suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to hospital. The RCMP tell us the car failed to stop at the intersection when it collided with a tractor trailer whose driver was not injured.

Final Decision On Peel Plaza Development Not Made

(Common Council - file photo)         

Still no final decision on whether the Peel Plaza development will go ahead even after a special meeting of Common Council. 42 million dollars is the estimated price tag for a revised and somewhat downsized development north of Union Street. Council rejected the idea of a public-private partnership as too expensive and instead wants bids submitted for each individual project starting with the new police headquarters. Councillor Donnie Snook is hoping the final price tag will be lower than the estimate.
Councillor Peter McGuire leaves little doubt where he stands believing the project will lead to private investment which the city desperately needs. He claims the economy of Saint John is at a crossroads.
A final decision is now expected in four to six weeks time when the tenders come back and the city has a better take on the final cost. Mayor Ivan Court, who again locked horns with Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase accusing him of not understanding the situation, is promising all the numbers will be revealed at that time.

Former Deputy Mayor Critical Of Peel Plaza Discussion

Former Deputy Mayor Michelle Hooten turned out to hear the discussion on Peel Plaza but concedes she was disappointed at the lack of information and tone which she describes as hostile to Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase who was asking questions about what the impact would be on the tax rate and spending on other city services.
Hooten makes clear she supports the building of a new police station but adds the costs of the project have never been justified even when she was a member of Council.

Employee at Worksafe NB Is Injured On The Job

As investigators try to piece together what happened, a 21-year old man remains in stable condition after he was injured last week on the job.
Andy Nyenhuis received an electrical shock while working at Worksafe NB's Portland Street office. Nyenhuis is a data cable technician with 3D communications.

Quispamsis Nursing Home is Open for Business

(Shannex President Joseph Shannon)
      (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

After a year and a half of construction, the nursing home at the Shannex Complex in Quispamsis is open for business.
Several dignitaries including Premier Graham and Health Minister Schryer were on hand to cut the ribbon.


President of Shannex is Joseph Shannon and says 60 hospital beds will be freed up when the 72 bed facility opens Wednesday.
Total cost of the nursing home is eleven million dollars with close to 100 staff.


The other two components, an assisted living set-up and retirement complex are still under construction.

Minister Schryer on Freeing Up Hospital Beds

(Health Minister and Quispamsis MLA Mary Schryer)
                        (File Photo)

With 60 new hospital beds set to be freed up with the opening of the new nursing home, Health Minister Mary Schryer says it won't take long to put them to good use.


Schryer points out since the Liberal mandate began in 2006, there are now 147 new nursing home beds in Quispamsis between the Shannex set-up and the Kingsway Care Center on the Gondola Point Arterial.