Energy Minister Still Waiting To Hear From Ottawa On Lepreau Mediation

(Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir)
                (File Photo)

Energy Minister Jack Keir hasn't heard anything back from Ottawa yet about getting a mediation process to decide who should pay for the Point Lepreau overruns.

Keir made the request late last week after finding out the refurbishments were at least another year behind schedule.

Keir says this is about the million dollars a day that it's costing New Brunswick rate payers right now as Atomic Energy of Canada works through its learning curve.

 He asked federal cabinet ministers Christian Paradis and Keith Ashfield not to reject the proposal without thinking it through and says they both agreed to do that.

Street Closure In North End

MacLaren Boulevard is closed today and tomorrow for construction.

A gravity sewer is being installed and the work is part of Harbour cleanup.

A detour will be posted during the construction.

For more information, contact Saint John Water at 658-4455.

Moosehead Gets Loan For Upgrades

(Energy Minister Jack Keir with Moosehead President Andrew Oland in front of the brewing kettle)
(Photo by Sherry Aske)

Moosehead Breweries is working to make beer more efficiently.

The company is getting a 3.5 million dollar forgivable loan from the province as they work to make 35 million dollars worth of upgrades.

Company president Andrew Oland says the want to reduce energy, water, and fossil fuel consumption.

He says the upgrades will take four to five years to complete.

New Garden Feeds Salvation Army Residents

With the help of the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission, the Salvation Army in the South End now has a garden and is growing much of its own food. 
 
Karen Powell is overseeing the program and she tells CHSJ News the garden has really taken off. 
 
They're already eating the lettuce and waiting for the beet greens, carrots and peas.
 
Powell says the residents have taken ownership and are also learning better eating habits.
 
She's hoping the garden will become a permanent fixture.

Crimestoppers Focuses On An Unsolved 2006 City Hit And Run

Police are trying to get someone to come forward so they can find who was responsible for a hit and run death in East Saint John back on December 9th of 2006. Crimestoppers is focusing on the tragic death of 70 year old Gilbert Savoie of 3291 Loch Lomand Road who was struck and killed by a car outside his home after being dropped off by a friend shortly before 10:30 at night. Marlene Savoie tells CHSJ News the shock of losing her husband like that is just unbelievable.

She says unless you have been through it no one can believe the shock when your soulmate is gone.
Savoie says you have nothing to get up for in the morning except to find out who did this and wrecked your life.

The car in question was a beige 1992 to 1995 Mazda which likely had damage to its front fender, hood and windshield. Police suspect a local autobody or windshield repair shop may have worked on it. If you can help with the investigation by providing any information to find the driver, call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-tips.

Seniors Advocacy Group Offers 10-Points List To Politicians

The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents Rights has a list of 10 points it wants front and centre during the coming election.
Executive Director Cecile Cassista tells CHSJ News they include 3.5 hours of hands-on care for nursing home residents and home support provided by well trained workers.

Cassista says they need an independent body investigating complaints in nursing homes because it's not good for the government to be investigating themselves.
Cassista says she has upcoming meetings planned with some politicians to explain directly what they want for provincial seniors.

Two Serious Accidents Along Highway One At Musquash

(Overturned Vehicle On Highway One at Musquash)
   (Photo Courtesy Of Captain Andrew Sanojca)

The volunteer firefighters in Musquash were kept busy beginning yesterday morning and finishing up late last night.

 Shortly after 4 in the morning, a car overturned on Highway One near the Gilmore Subdivision. The driver managed to get out of the car on her own and appeared to be unhurt.

They were called last night to help a boater who became stranded in the East Branch Musquash River after running into mechanical problems.

Around 10:30 last night, a car collided with a moose on Highway One near Mink Brook Road, leaving the highway and being discovered upright in the bushes. The driver was taken to hospital.

Parking Problem At Regional Hospital Highlighted In Letter To Health Minister

(Saint John Harbour Independent Candidate John Campbell)
                             (File Photo)

The independent candidate running provincially in Saint John Harbour has sent a letter to Provincial Health Minister Mary Schryer about parking and traffic at the Regional Hospital.

John Campbell tells CHSJ News security guards now have an increased presence outside the Emergency Department to make sure the vehicles that want to stop there should be doing so. Campbell questions whether security guards are capable of doing that since they have no medical expertise.

He goes on to say there was one man who had major pain from an earlier operation, was bleeding from his head and then was, according to what Campbell was told, held up needlessly outside the E-R.

The driver ignored security and the man, in question, was taken into the E-R and treated.

Provincial Energy Minister Says Ottawa Is Listening To Idea Of Mediation On Lepreau

     (Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir)
                     (File Photo)

With the Point Lepreau refurbishment delayed by at least another year, the Province is looking at mediation to determine who is going pay for the cost overruns.

Energy Minister Jack Keir tells CHSJ News they want Ottawa to appoint a mediator to look at the contract to find a way to lessen the burden on provincal taxpayers.

Keir says the Federal Government are listening to them on this idea of mediation.

The refurbishment of the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant is delayed by at least another year, putting the project 2 1/2 years behind schedule.

Traffic Delay On East Side

It will be slow going on Loch Lomond Road near the Little River Resevoir this week as construction continues.

The work is on the East side water transmission line.

Access on Loch Lomond Road will be alternating single lane traffic through the construction.

The through traffic normally using Loch Lomond are encouraged to find an alternate route as traffic will be reduced to one lane.

City To Examine Dangerous Traffic Hazards

(Common Councillor Patty Higgins)
              (File Photo)

The city is going to see whether right turns on a red light should be banned at the lights on the bottom of King Street outside City Hall and across from Market Square as they are at the top of King Street across from King's Square.

 Common Councillor Patty Higgins says there have been some close calls with pedestrians almost getting hit while they were crossing the street.

Councillor Carl Killen says another safety hazard are dumpsters sticking out from the street into traffic that are not all that visible at night.

Annual Campaign To Clear Vegetation Starts At C-F-B Gagetown

The annual vegetation management program starts today in the Range and Training area of CFB Gagetown.

The military use controlled burns along with aerial and ground herbicide in the program which runs until early September.

Vegetation management personnel are experienced and qualified and ensure that all precautionary measures are taken to mitigate the effects of the program on local communities.

Daily morning updates are available throughout the spray period by calling the Base's toll free line at 1-877-893-5500.

Graham Wants Mount Carleton As National Park

Premier Shawn Graham is pressing Ottawa to designate Mount Carleton as a national park.

Graham and Tourism and Parks Minister Brian Kenny hiked up the mountain yesterday as part of the 75th anniversary of New Brunswick's provincial parks.

Graham says making Mount Carleton a national park would give Parks Canada more of a presence in Atlantic Canada.

Mount Carleton is the highest point in the Maritimes and the province has spent 2.5 million dollars on upgrades to the park since 2008.

Ignatieff Voices Key Concerns

(Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff)
(File Photo)

Although there are only rumours about the possibility of a federal election in the fall, Liberal Leader Ignatieff Michael Ignatieff says if one was called one of the key issues would be how the Conservatives govern.

Ignatieff says the Conservatives lack respect for the Canadian Democracy and the limitations on the Prime Minister's Power.

He says Harper regards all opposition as something to be pushed away, whether it's the courts, or Statistics Canada, or parliament.

Little League Championships In Town

The 2010 Canadian Little League Championships begin this week in the Port City.

There are 18 games during the tournament and all will be played at Memorial Field on the West Side.

The opening ceremonies went last night with two local athletes throwing the first pitches. This is Saint John's second year in a row hosting the event.

Marathon By The Sea Goes Today

Some 1300 runners are expected to lace up their sneakers and participate in the 16th Annual Marathon by the Sea today.

Pat Grannan is the run's Chairman and tells CHSJ News there are runners participating from countries all over the world, including Bermuda, Ireland, Germany, China, and the United Emirates.

He says this year's course is the flattest one they've ever had and it's designed by runners, for runners.

Police Find Stolen Truck

City Police have found a half-ton truck that was stolen from near the Little River Reservoir off Loch Lomond Road.

Police say the stolen truck was involved in a hit-and-run late yesterday before the man driving it was caught a few hours later.

The man faces charges for having stolen goods.

Bookstore Celebrates 10 Years

The independent bookstore "Dave Shoots, Bookseller" is celebrating its 10 year anniversary, which is nothing compared to the age of the books they sell.

Wendy Matheson and her father opened the store on Coburg Street ten years ago to sell old hard covers.

The store is having an Open House on August 13th and 14th to celebrate the milestone and will have a display of old bindings and miniature books.

Matheson says they don't really have a problem competing with major book stores because they don't carry the same type of stock.

Harbour Rocks Country

(A crowd of people waiting for the gates to open for Harbour Rocks on Friday evening)
(Photo By Sherry Aske)

Country music fans in the city will be headed to Reunion 2010's Harbour Rocks Country show at Fort LaTour tonight.

The event is part of Saint John's 225th birthday celebrations and spokes-person Lisa Hrabluk tells CHSJ News Fort LaTour can accommodate a few thousand people so they're hoping for a crowd.

Hrabluk says along with performances by Tara Oram, Kevin Chase and Phil Kennedy there's also a 20 minute firework show beginning at 10 o'clock that you should be able to see from anywhere on the waterfront.

Rothesay Launches Book For First 150 Years

What is expected to be a must read for anyone who lives in Rothesay will happen tonight.

A book looking back at the 150 years of the municipality will be unveiled by the authors Jude Carson and Gretchen Kelbaugh.

Kelbaugh tells CHSJ News, there are a variety of topics covered for all the communities before amalgamation back in 1998.

Kelbaugh adds the book opens with an over-view of the communities from 1860 til World War Two.

Along with the read of the Town's history, there are plenty of pictures to have a look at as well.

The book launch happens tonight at the Common starting at seven o'clock.

Cohen To Receive Award From U.S. Adoption Council

A retired Senator from Saint John is travelling to Hartford this weekend to get an award for her efforts in promoting local adoption.
Erminie Cohen tells CHSJ News the award is from the North American Council on Adoptable Children.
Cohen says the award is for the volunteers and donors and she says they are all very proud.


Cohen was asked by former Premier Bernard Lord to head the New Brunswick Adoption Council that has helped over 800 children in the province find forever famillies.

Drugs and Cash Seized From Home In Black's Harbour

RCMP seizing drugs and cash after a search of a home in Black's Harbour yesterday.
The search the result of weeks of investigation into drug trade activities.

Police seized enough marijuana that could produce more than 5000 joints along with drug paraphernalia and over $4000 in cash.

A man and woman in their 30's will be in court at a later date to face drug trafficking charges.

Lepreau Refurbishment Is Further Delayed

(Energy Minister Jack Keir)

 NB Power has announced the refurbishment of the Point Leprau nuclear power plant is at least another year behind.

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited knows the problem is getting a seal on the calandria tubes and while they have a solution, they don't know how long it will take.

Energy Minister Jack Keir tells CHSJ News right now the cost of overruns is on the backs of ratepayers in this province.

Keir says they want Ottawa to appoint a mediator to look at the schedule and the contract at Lepreau and see if there is something they can do to mitigate the cost to ratepayers.
The cost to buy replacement power while the reactor is offline is about 1 million dollars a day.

Impaired Driving On An ATV in Baxter's Corner

Sussex RCMP are looking into an incident involving a man on an ATV in Baxter's Corner.
The 38-year-old man was driving an ATV when he collided wtih two parked vehicles while trying to go between them at a home in Waterford.

The driver was not injured but had been drinking and blew over three times the legal limit on the breathalyzer.
He was held in custody until sober and released and is due in court later to face charges.

Give Blood At Market Square Today

If you get tired of the sunshine today, you can go give blood at Market Square.
Amanda Cullen of Canadian Blood Services tells CHSJ News there is a clinic on until 3 today.

Cullen says they have some opening so, people are encouraged to drop by and donate but, they do need to bring photi identification with them.
She says the summer months are a challenging time for blood dononation with people on vacation but, she adds hospital patients still need blood and blood products.

Saint Johners Can Have Their Say On Quality Of Life

The more information the better.........That's why the Greater Saint John Community Foundation is reaching into its pocket to pay for an online survey to measure the quality of life in the Saint John area. The Foundation's Executive Director Jane Barry tells CHSJ News such areas as learning, housing, healthcare and poverty will be graded and this will help decisionmakers who might otherwise be flying blind.


Barry says the more people in the Saint John area who fill out the survey, the better it will be for everyone.


You can find the survey to fill out by going to: www.surveymonkey.com/s/SaintJohnVitalSigns2010

Blaney Responds To Suggestion Of Conservatives Being Unconcerned About Highway Safety

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

The Provincial Liberal candidates who are running in the K-V are trying to paint the Conservatives as being unconcerned about safety along the MacKay Highway.

There has been some criticism about expanding the highway to 6 lanes from the Valley into Saint John and whether that will ease congestion or make it safer.

Rothesay Conservative M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney tells CHSJ News there's more to this than just making the highway bigger such as better access on and off the MacKay.

Blaney goes on to say she would like to hear more talk about how the Liberals will address the problem of not having enough classrooms in the K-V with schools having to use portables.

More Traffic Expected In Saint John Over The Weekend

Two city events mean more traffic in the Port City this weekend.
The Reunion 2010 concerts at Fort LaTour being held today and tomorrow will mean many pedestrians in and around the Uptown area.

Concert goers can access Fort LaTour from Long Wharf only.

Drivers are also reminded of Marathon By the Sea coming up on Sunday.

Traffic in and out of the Lily Lake entrance may be delayed.

Rainbow Pride Festival Kicks Off Today

(Gay Pride flag flies outside City Hall)
(Photo by Sherry Aske)

No doubt you have seen the rainbow signs all over the city signalling the kickoff of The Greater Saint John area Pride Festival.
The 9-day event features a parade, a bowling night, theatre event and a dance.

Festival Chair Mack Mackenzie tells CHSJ News Mayor Ivan Court will be raising the Pride flag to start things off at 12:15 today in City Hall plaza.

The Greater Saint John Area Pride Festival continues until August 15th with the parade coming up next Saturday.

Liberals Candidates Want To Hear From Alward

(Rothesay Liberal Candidate Victoria Clarke)

Three Liberal candidates in the Kennebecasis Valley want to know how the Conservative leaders feels about expanding the Mackay Highway.
Rothesay Liberal candidate Victoria Clarke tells CHSJ News they want to hear from David Alward.
Clarke says the exits and entrances to the highway from the outlying communites to Saint John are not safe.


She says their focus is the safety issue but, they also realize the route is an important corridor for trade.

Joining Clarke is Quispamsis MLA Mary Schryer and Hampton-Kings Liberal candidate Kit Hickey.  The upgrade to the Mackay highway is a 50/50 partnership between the Province and Ottawa.

Reunion 2010 Kicks Off Tonight

Reunion 2010--the four day music festival which is part of Saint John's 225th birthday celebrations begins tonight.
Organizer Lisa Hrabluk tells CHSJ News it's kicks off with shows at two intimate City venues.'
She says Jazz on Princess at the Saint John Theatre Company rehearsal hall is nearly soldout.   The event for songwriters in also tonight at the Saint John Arts Centre.
Jazz on Princess and the Songwriters on Hazen Ave both start at 7 tonight.


Tomorrow is Harbour Rocks with an outdoor stage at Fort Latour featuring the Stereos and Wintersleep and Saturday's show features country stars Tara Oram and Aaron Prichett.


For more info: go to http://icalendar.esolutionsgroup.ca/Module.aspx?PMID=5907c8fe-34bf-44a0-81ba-2c442c18cb9d

Kiwanis Conference Undereway In Saint John

400 Kiwanians from 18 different countries are in the City for the 93rd Kiwanis Convention.


President of the Saint John chapter,  Linda Jarvis,  tells CHSJ News the delegates are being kept busy.  Jarvis says they are taking tours in the city and the region and taking part in training sessions.


Mayor Ivan Court and the Province's Lieutenant Governor Graydon Nicholas will be on hand for the opening ceremonies this afternoon at the Delta.
For more information, click here http://www.kiwanisecc.org/index.asp

West Side Robbery Suspect In Court

Sentencing will take place September 13th for a Grand Bay-Westfield man who pled guilty to four robberies on the west side. 37 year old Trent Douglas Mersereau was charged with armed robbery at the Bowl R Rama last Monday, theft with violence the day before at the Buccaneer's Pub and then two counts of theft with threats of violence at the Tim Hortons by Simm's Corner and the other Horton's further on down Main Street last year. Mersereau has been sent back to jail. In the meantime, a pre-sentence report will be prepared and victim impact statements submitted.

Realtors Call For Changes To Property Taxation

(Jason Stephen of the NBREA speaks about rising property taxes in the province)
(Photo by Sherry Aske)

The New Brunswick Real Estate Association is calling on political candidates and leaders to make property taxation a primary election campaign issue.

Jason Stephen is Chair of the Government Relations Committee and says it's difficult to attract people to the province when there's an uncompetitive tax advantage.  

Stephen says the current property tax system is unpredictable and leaves people in the unknown because they can't plan out their budget for the year.

He says they are suggesting the province eliminates double taxation and puts in place a cap or maximum annual increase for property value assessments.

No Real Change In Gas Pricing

The maximum prices that can be charged for both self serve and diesel have increased ever so slightly after the weekly setting. As of early this morning, the prices at the pumps have not been changed......Self serve regular was still going for 99.3 a litre in the city and diesel was selling for 100.6. Propane has increased to a maximum of 101.4 a litre.

No Guarantees HEMA Quebec Would Keep Saint John Blood Centre Open

(Premier Shawn Graham)
        (File Photo)

The back and forth on Canadian Blood Services continues.

Provincial Health Minister Mary Schryer announced on Tuesday that K-P-M-G will do an independent analysis of the blood service options for the province.

Premier Shawn Graham was asked why Hema Quebec is continually mentioned as a possible parter for this province when the task force report says there is no guarantee that Hema Quebec would keep the Saint John facility open. The Premier argues partnering with Hema Quebec is one of many options to province is looking at.

Plans call for the Millidgeville Blood Distribution Center to be closed and transferred to Dartmouth in the Spring of 2012.

The K-P-M-G report is due in March of next year.

Military Driver Training Begins Today In Saint John

Soldiers from CFB Gagetown will be conducting driver training beginning today possibly in your backyard.

The training is taking place in Saint John, Sussex, Moncton, Stanley, Marysville and Gagetown.

Military officials tell us the movement and activity of Canadian Forces vehicles and personnel shouldn't be big disruption.

Routes may be adjusted throughout the day in order to minimize interaction with civilian traffic.

The training continues until the 27th.

Human Trafficking Discussed At Meeting On Status Of Women

(Minister Mary Schryer with the Ministers responsible for the Status of Women from Nova Scotia and PEI)
(Photo by Sherry Aske)

The Atlantic Ministers responsible for the Status of Women want to harmonize laws regarding women's issues.
 
Ministers from Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland met in Quispamsis this week to explore areas for regional-co-operation.
 
MLA Mary Schryer is the New Brunswick Minister responsible for the status of women and says one of the issues they looked at was human trafficking. 
 
She says the Atlantic provinces can be seen as a corridor for transporting women into other parts of Canada and urban centres.
 
This is the first time an meeting of Atlantic Ministers responsible for the Status of Women was held and there are plans to hold a second one next year with PEI as a host.

Government Pledges To Create 20,000 Jobs

(Premier Shawn Graham addresses Enterprise Saint John roundtable discussion)

(photo by Tamara Steele)

The Premier is promising to create 20,000 jobs if his government is re-elected in September.
Shawn Graham laid out his plan at a roundtable discussion with Enterprise Saint John, it includes holding spending to 1 per cent.

He says if re-elected they will create 15,000 jobs in traditional sectors but 5,000 jobs will be in the new sector that are identified as high-paying.
Graham says the high-paying jobs are in telecommunications, energy and in modular fabrication.

Man Arrested For Four Robberies On West Side

A Grand Bay-Westfield man is behind bars looking at four robbery charges when the 37 year old makes an appearance in Provincial Court tomorrow.

The man, whose name won't be released until that time, is accused of robbing the Bowl R Rama on Lancaster Avenue and the Buccaneer's Pub on Main Street West this past long holiday weekend.

He's also facing charges of holding up the Tim Horton's on Main Street West by Simms Corner.

City Wants Ban On Boating In Watersheds Used To Supply Drinking Water

(Municipal Operations Commissioner Paul Groody)
                         (File Photo)

The Province will be hearing from the city on stopping people from boating on waterways which are used to supply drinking water.

The head of Municipal Operations, Paul Groody says the city has wanted something done about this for over a decade.

The issue has come to the forefront again after a recent incident in which a truck left Otter Lake Road and plunged into a brook which flows into the Loch Lomand watershed that supplies drinking water out east.
 
Groody points out boating is allowed on four watersheds which are used for drinking water and two of them are used by Saint Johnners at Loch Lomand and Musquash.

Disaster Dining 101

(Deputy Fire Chief Dan McCoy, Saint John's Emergency Preparedness Manager Murielle Provost, and a Red Cross volunteer make a tasty meal for the Disaster Dining Competition)
(Photo By Sherry Aske)

The Canadian Red Cross was in town today giving a crash course on disaster dining.

Three teams used a variety of canned goods and non parishable items found in 72-hour emergency kits to create a meal that would impress Mayor Ivan Court.

Carolyn Enman is the Lead for New Brunswick Disaster Management and tells CHSJ News every family should have a 72-hour emergency kit. 

She says every emergency kit should have a lot of protein and 2 litres of water, per person, per day.

Mayor Ivan Court had the honour of judging the competition and says Saint John has heavy rain storms where the power goes out so you never know when you might need those extra couple of cans.

One Person Stabbed And Deliberately Set Fire Being Investigated

There has been a stabbing on Taylor Avenue in the north end. The victim's injuries are not life threatening according to city police and no one has been arrested.

The fire department reports a half ton truck was set ablaze on Egbert Street off Thorne Avenue early this morning.

City Ignores Request From Anglo Society To Fly Its Flag

(Jim Webb of The Anglo Society of New Brunswick)
                 (Photo by Tamara Steele)

Common Council has effectively said...no. Last night, Mayor and Council received and filed a request from the Province's Anglo society to fly its flag September 18th outside City Hall.

A similar request in Bathurst sparked controversy when the town's initially said yes and then rescinded its earlier approval.

Jim Webb of the Anglo Society says many people are upset about this and there could be a protest held in Saint John as well as Bathurst and Fredericton. Webb claims the Province's Official Languages Commissioner calls his group rednecks and bigots.

Webb is also making the claim that the British Ambassador in Washington has heard about the controversy and questions why an English flag can't be flown in the province.

Concern Over Pension Board's Legal Bills

          (Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase)
                         (File Photo)

The city's pension plan is reporting better returns, as of the end of last year, but is still short alot of money.

Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase is concerned about a big increase in legal fees and he suspects one major reason is the ongoing lawsuit for defamation launched by the Pension Board against former Common Councillor and now City Manager in St. Stephen, John Ferguson.

The legal bills have gone up from just over 30 thousand dollars in 2006 to more than 782 thousand dollars last year. Chase was told by the city's Finance Commissioner Greg Yeomans the Ferguson lawsuit may account for 60 per cent of the total.

Mayor Ivan Court, who chairs the Pension Board, claims attempts have been made to settle the lawsuit but no to avail.

Common Councillor Looking For Guidance On Future Of Rockwood Park

           (Common Councillor Bill Farren)
                         (File Photo)

There is no end to the continuing discussion about allowing development on city owned lands in Rockwood Park south of Sandy Point Road, especially around Harrigan Lake.

Councillor Bill Farren says he's not opposed to development but he wants to know what the Common Council of the day wanted to do with the land that was purchased decades ago.

The City Solicitor will pull those resolutions to try to find out if a reason was given.

Approval Of East Side Rezoning Deferred Over Objections By Nearby Residents

Rezoning of land behind St. Joseph's Church and Community Centre on Loch Lomand Road is on hold for the time being.

The people who live on Johnston Road are objecting. They claim a driveway onto their street from the church property will mean more traffic and make it less safe for children where there are no sidewalks.

The Parish Council's George Quigley says the Diocese is shocked by the reaction. He claims Loch Lomand Road is a speedway at times and there have been several near misses as buses have slowed down to make the turn into the Church property.

The residents and Parish Council will meet to see if a compromise can be worked out.

Blaney Still Concerned With Future Blood Services

Conservative MLA Margaret-Ann Blaney is still concerned despite today's announcement.
 
She says it would have been nice if the Minister had included members of the task force in the decision because the task force originally made the recommendation for an analysis to be conducted. 
 
Blaney says she's concerned with how long the study is going to take because it doesn't give them a lot of time to make a decision once the report comes in. 
 
Blaney says she's also concerned with what the terms of reference are, and is worried the door is open for the study to say, just let it go.

Province To Seek Other Blood Service Options

(Health Minister Mary Scrhyer and MLA Margaret-Ann Blaney discuss the announcement)
(Photo By Sherry Aske)

The province is asking an independent company to look at what blood-service options are available in the province.

Health Minister Mary Schryer says with Canadian Blood Services closing the doors of the Milledgeville distribution centre in Spring 2012, the province needs to find a reliable blood supply.

Schryer says this could mean partnering with HEMA Quebec or it could mean going it alone, but they won't know until the report's recommendations are in next March.

Boil Water Order

There is a boil water order in effect for people located after and including 537 Green Head Road in the West Side after bacteria was found in the water.

It is safe for people to take showers, bathe and use swimming pools.

It is also safe to wash dishes in hot water or in a dishwasher.

Saint John Water is working with the Department of health to fix the problem but the boil order is expected to last at least until the end of the week.

Iggy Addresses Rural-Urban Divide

(File Photo)

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff says he's looking out for New Brunswickers who are living in remote parts of the province.

Ignatieff was in town over the long weekend to attend a barbecue at former MP Paul Zed's house, and says the rural-urban divide is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Making sure rural New Brunswickers have 100 per cent Internet access and that there aren't any more rural postal closures are two things Ignatieff says need to happen.

Ignatieff says the rural-urban divide is a huge part of his vision for the country, which is let's work together and bring Canadians together.

Garbage Still Causing Problems

After looking at beaches from St. Andrews to Saint John, the province's Conservation Council is worried about litter and garbage appearing along the shorelines.

David Thompson with the Conservation Council tells CHSJ News they're still finding a lot of Styrofoam floating around as wells as plastic bags and wrappers.

Thompson says when birds and fish see small pieces of rope or Styrofoam, they mistake it for jellyfish and end up eating it.

Thompson says the material they are finding comes from fishing boats, smaller commercial vessels, illegal dumping, and material that is just blown around.

City Police Investigate Two Robberies And Arrest Man For Serious Assault

Two robberies over the long holiday weekend on the west side. One man got away from the Bowl R Rama on Lancaster Avenue yesterday afternoon around 2:00 after going behind the counter and grabbing some cash. A similar holdup took place the day before at the Buccaneer's Pub, just a short distance away.

City Police also tell us a man was arrested early this morning and faces a charge of assault causing bodily harm after a domestic disturbance on Ellerdale Street.

City Pension Plan Shows Improvement

         (City Manager Pat Woods)
                  (File Photo)

The City's operating budget will have a projected surplus by the end of the year of over a million dollars.

On the other side of the coin, the water and sewerage utility will have a deficit of more than 242 thousand dollars.

Those figures will be presented to Common Council tonight along with a report on the pension plan which has shown improvement in its financial picture.

City Manager Pat Woods has warned Councillors, they will have to restrain their spending next year. Councillor Carl Killen concedes that will represent a change from recent years.

Council will also be getting a request from the Anglo Society to fly its flag on September 18th outside city hall.

Friends Of Rockwood Park Step Up Campaign To Stop Development

           (Entrance To Rockwood Park)
                      (File Photo)

The Friends of Rockwood Park warn there have been three proposed developments they say would have a serious impact on the park.

 The three, which they oppose, are a 48 unit townhouse development overlooking Harrigan Lake, a pair of six storey buildings with 166 apartments and a subdivision of single family homes.

The city's chief planner, Ken Forrest says water and sewage services were extended along Sandy Point Road adjacent to the park for development. Right now, there is a moratorium on development in that area and the situation has been complicated by uncertainty over where the park's boundary lies.

Conference on Women's Issues Starts Today In Quispamsis

(Provincial Health Minister Mary Schryer)
                 (File Photo)

Health Minister Mary Schryer is playing host to an Atlantic regional meeting of ministers responsible for the status of women in Quispamsis today.

It is to discuss issues of common concern and explore areas for regional co-operation. Schryer, who also holds the portfolio of minister responsible for the status of women tells CHSJ News, a meeting of this magnitude is long overdue with the agenda going further than pay equity.

Schryer adds says the issue of human trafficking will be foremost on the agenda. The conference runs today and tomorrow at the Town Hall.

Ignatieff Blasts Harper Government Over Census

(Federal Liberal Leader Micheal Ignatieff)
                 (File Photo)

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff doesn't think scraping the country's long form census is a good idea.

Ignatieff was in town over the long weekend as part of his cross Canada tour and says the whole issue renders him speechless because we need more information about Canadians in order to have a better Canadian government.

Ignatieff says the Conservatives want the country to fly blind, and says he'll be fighting it as long as he has to.

Former Saint John M-P Paul Zed is a long time friend of Ignatieff's and argues the census has nothing to do with privacy but everything to do with New Brunswick getting it's fair share from Confederation.




           

Painting Completed To Mark Rothesay's Anniversary

There will be a presentation of a special painting done by local artist Norman Jackson tomorrow in honor of Rothesay's 150th anniversary.

Jackson tells CHSJ News, it isn't easy jamming 150 years into one portrait but historian Bill Thompson played a huge role in helping get this finished.

The painting is entitled "Rothesay's Journey" and features 28 vignettes from original photographs. James Crosby will present the work to the principal of Rothesay High School, Roger Brown, at 12:30 p.m on the Common.

Michael Ignatieff Tries Moosehead Beer

Fewer Forest Fires This Summer

The number of forest fires around the Province are way down this year and that might come as a surprise to many with the all the hot, humid weather.
 
So far, there have been 120 fires which have burned 110 hectares.
 
Jeff Betts is the Provincial Fire Center Operations Officer and tells CHSJ News, it doesn't seem like it, but the rain is spaced out enough that the woods are not tinder dry and campers are being very cautious to extinguish any fires before leaving their site.
 
Betts says last year, 230 hectares of forest was lost around the Province which is also low with the ten year average being close to 400.

Quispamsis To Host Next Year's Celebration

You won't have to travel far next year to take part in the biggest New Brunswick Day celebration. Quispamsis has been awarded the status as the Provincial Site.

MLA Mary Schryer tells CHSJ News, this is well deserved.

Schryer adds the status also brings plenty of Provincial exposure to the municipality and further details on the celebration will be rolled out in the coming weeks.

Double Robbery in East Side

City police are looking into two robberies that happened in the East Side.

One man was assaulted near the Westmorland Road, McAllister Mall area at one o'clock in the morning on Saturday and had things taken from him.

The second happened just after 2:30am when a cab driver in the East end of the city was robbed.

No further details are available at this time, but both robberies are being investigated by a major crime unit.

Iggy Speaks On Lepreau Refurbishments

(Michael Ignatieff gives a speech at Paul Zed's BBQ)
(Photo by Sherry Aske)

A crowd of people turned up to watch Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff roll into town on the Liberal Express.

Ignatieff was in Rothesay last night for a barbecue at former MP Paul Zed's house.

He spoke about his stance on the Point Lepreau refurbishments, saying his focus as a federal politician is that Stephen Harper has walked away from the Canadian nuclear industry for the past four years.

Ignatieff says we need to make sure we have nuclear technologies and the capacity to repair our nuclear stations.

He says we're losing nuclear scientists almost daily now, and the responsibility for that is ultimately not with AECL, but with the Conservative government.

Darryl Olsen Dies

A man whose name was thrown into the spotlight after a massive case of vandalism back in April has died.

Darryl Olsen, Manager of the Saint John Catholic Diocese Cemeteries is dead after a motorcycle accident yesterday morning just outside of Petticodiac.

It was announced during a service at St. Pius Catholic Church this morning.

Olsen leaves behind his wife Brenda, mother, father and two sons.

RCMP tell us the crash happened near Elgin at 11:30am and a doctor on the scene pronounced Olsen dead.

Officers believe speed may have been a factor in the crash but continue to piece together what happened.

Olsen was the spokes-person and took the lead on re-storing over 300 grave-stones at St. Josephs cemetery after they were toppled over in a fit of rage by 20-year old Dana Bartlett back on April.25th.

He will be back in court for sentencing on September 23rd.

Call For More Diversity On EUB

An anti-poverty group would like to see even more change with the Energy and Utilities Board than what has been proposed by Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir.

Bethany Thorne Dykstra of Voice of Real Poverty tells CHSJ News members of the Board should be elected instead of appointed.

She would like to see representation on the E-U-B from someone who can speak up for the interests of consumers, especially those who don't have a lot of money to work with.

Iggy Comes To Town

(Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff)
(File Photo)

Liberal Party Leader Michael Ignatieff continues his cross province tour this weekend with a stop-over in Rothesay today.

Former Saint John MP Paul Zed is hosting the get-together at his home and tells us he expects there will be several hundred people on hand to greet Ignatieff when he arrives.

Zed points out this is Ignatieff's fifth trip to Saint John and there is no political agenda, just a chance to come and have a more relaxed visit to the area.

Suburban Bus Service Well Used

(File Photo)

Despite early scepticism, the suburban bus service is getting a lot of use with a new route starting in Quispamsis on Tuesday.

Frank McCarey is the General Manager for Saint John Transit and tells CHSJ News people living outside the city are taking the bus more than he originally thought they would. 

He says he expected it to take 3 years to get the rider-ship they wanted in suburban areas, but it actually only took 8 months. 

McCarey says he thinks people using the service are people that went from 2 cars to 1, and that's why there's more demand.

New Look In The Uptown

A walk through the uptown and it is very easy to notice work is underway to re-store several buildings that used to house a business or apartments.

Steve Carson is General Manager of Enterprise Saint John and tells us, a strong variety of restaurants and galleries has created a vibrant heart of a community.

Carson adds the residential development and new technology company start-ups are leading to a number of new bars and restaurants choosing the uptown to call home.

Nature Trust Cleans Beaches

The Nature Trust of New Brunswick is making an effort to clean up the beaches in Bocabec Bay near St. Andrews today.

The stretch of shoreline was chosen for this year's Charlotte Isles clean-up and Executive Director Renata Woodward tells CHSJ they normally collect just over one ton of garbage.

Woodward says they see a lot of commercial bins, plastic containers and oil containers that get washed in from the ocean.

She says the goal is to get people involved in land conservation and land stewardship.

Bay Of Fundy At Risk

(Marine biologist Jamie Steele)
(Photo by Gary MacDonald)

A St. Andrews marine biologist says the Bay of Fundy remains a resource at risk.
Jamie Steele tells CHSJ News the bay's fragile ecosystem is linked to influences around it.

Steele says even though we strive for a balance between uses such as shipping or tourism -- we usually go too far the other way and have to backtrack to repair any damage to the ecosystem.

But -- Steele says talk of tidal power generators in the bay is miles ahead of past suggestions of large damns to harness the tides which would have a significant impact on the bay's marine life.

He says we have to become more aware of our own backyard and how we influence what happens in it.

Candidate "Runs" For Election

(Liberal candidate Gary Keating)
(File Photo)

Saint John Fundy Liberal candidate Gary Keating has plenty to do this Long Weekend.

He is strapping on his sneakers and will run from Simonds High to the caves in St. Martins which is just shy of 50 kilometers.

The question on your mind I'm sure is why?

Keating tells CHSJ News, it is a play on his campaign slogan of "Running for You" but goes further than that.

He believes it is a great way to promote the election, physical fitness and let the voters get a look at him.

Camping Season In Full Swing

As the Long Weekend rolls along, one campground owner is loving what the season has produced to this point.

Howard Haines is the owner of Harding's Point and tells CHSJ News, the Victoria Day Weekend set the tone with good numbers.

Haines says the wonderful warm weather no question is a big reason for the large numbers but a turn-around in the economy is also playing a part.

Haines adds he rarely hears complaints about the price of gas but is very pleased to see caravans from the United States making a return this summer after a dip due to the recession last year.