Drug Raid In The North End

A raid last night by City Police has taken more dope off the streets of the North End.


It was at 8:30pm when officers entered a home on Albert Street and found five grams of crack cocaine which has a street value of one thousand dollars.


A teenager has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking but has been released to one of his parents but no word on a court date.
Officers say further charges are possible.

Store Window May Have Been Smashed For A Third Time

(A broken window at the Fortune Market on King Street)

(photo by Tamara Steele)

For possibly the third time, the window of the Fortune Market on King street has been smashed.

The owners reported the property damage on Wednesday which happened sometime overnight.

It appears to be smashed again today.

Sargeant Pat Bonner tells CHSJ News Wednesday's damage may have been result of a fight where someone was pushed into the glass breaking the first pane since no glass was found on the street.

The owners telling police on Wednesday they had just had the glass replaced two days before which runs about $500 dollars each time.

Giving Alcohol To Minors Comes With A Stiff Fine

Crime Stoppers and NB Liquor teaming up to raise awareness about adults providing alcoholic beverages to minors.
Some adults think they're doing a favour for a young person by buying them alcohol but, it is illegal and can result in a substantial fine.

Under the Liquor Control Act, the fine for a first offence is $292.50 and repeat offenders can be fined up over 5,000.
Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest of people supplying alcohol to anyone under 19.
For more info, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Geopark Evaluators Arrive In Saint John Next Week

It's almost time to find out whether or not the Greater Saint John Area will become the next geopark. A geopark is an area with geological heritage and sustainable development. The Global Geopark Network Evaluators arrive next week, and to prepare for their visit Saint John will be raising the Stonehammer flag today in front of City Hall.

Project Chair Bill Merrifield told CHSJ News in July that evaluators want to make sure this application is coming from the ground up and not the top down. He says they'll be looking for high quality, first class geosites.

Paula Waddell Wins Alpine Country Star

(Alpine Country Star Winner Paula Waddell)

Paula Waddell is the new Alpine Country Star.
She was crowned the winner of the Country 94 singing competition in last night's finale at a jam packed Market Square Boardwalk.
Waddell wins 5000 dollars cash while runner up Neil Wheaton walks away with 1000 dollars.
The show featured the band Sidekick and last year's winner April Delong.

Police Nab Drinking Drivers East And West

City police arresting two impaired drivers overnight, one on the east side and the other west.Two men facing charges of mischief after a mailbox was thrown through the window of the commissionaire's office on Prince William Street.


Both released on the condition not to return to the uptown bar district between 9pm and 3am because they had been drinking.

Elections NB Updates Sign Controversy

Elections NB continues to gather information into whether campaign signs were put up in three communities hours before they were allowed to.


Under the spotlight is Saint John Lancaster Liberal Abel Leblanc, a Conservative candidate in Nigadoo-Chaleur and one in Moncton Cresent.
The rule states no campaign signs can go up until after midnight.


Elections NB spokes-person Paul Harpelle tells CHSJ News, he doesn't feel this gets the campaign off to a bad start.
Harpelle adds there are several measures they can take for punishment including a fine, but it's very clear the campaign signs in all three ridings did go up early.
A decision into the matter is expected with-in days.

Country Star Wraps Up Tonight On The Boardwalk

The fourth year of Country 94's Alpine Country Star comes to an end tonight, rain or shine. After nine weeks of competition the winner will finally be announced and it's down to Paula Waddell and Neil Wheaton. The winner takes home the title and $5000 dollars, while the runner up gets a cheque for $1000 dollars.

The finale will feature some audience favourites from this year as well as Sidekick and last year's Star, April Delong. Things get started at 8 o'clock on the Boardwalk.

Charges Laid In Break And Enter

Charges are being laid after a break and enter near the Sandy Point Road last night.

Two 21-year old men and one 38-year old man are being charged with break and enter and violation of probation.

They'll be back in court on November 10th.

Conservative Candidates on the Hustings

Two Conservative Candidates in Greater Saint John are getting their campaigns jump-started this afternoon.


Glen Tait in Saint John East is hosting a dessert party at the Loch Lomond Villa starting at 6:30pm.
Out in the Valley, Quispamsis Conservative Candidate Blaine Higgs is openign the door of his headquarters at the former Lane Furnishing building on Millenium Drive.


Things get started at 4:30pm.

Lancaster Conservative Candidate Files Grievance

A grievance has been filed with Election NB by the Conservative Candidate in the riding of Saint John Lancaster.

Dorothy Sheppard's camp is claiming Able Leblanc and his team were putting out campaign signs last evening, before the writ was officially dropped at midnight.


Sheppard's campaign manager Lisa Ferguson tells CHSJ News, the entire team is disappointed by the move.


Ferguson says Sheppard is disappointed by the move but continues to concentrate on her campaign.

Liberal Campaign Chair Evaluates The Race

     (Liberal Campaign Co-Chair Roly MacIntyre)
                    (File Photo)

Liberal campaign co-chair Roly MacIntyre tells CHSJ News he expects some of the barbs delivered by the Opposition over the summer will heat up on the campaign trail.


MacIntyre is expecting some tight races especially in the Saint John area -- but -- he says his party has a solid slate of candidates who have been told to campaign like they're running behind the pack.

Peoples Alliance Unveils Campaign Slogan

""Real People, Real Change.""


That is the campaign slogan for the Peoples Aliance Party revealed now that the official election campaign is underway.
Party Leader Kris Austin says it's a direct and honest message just like every piece of work his party tries to approach.
The Peoples Alliance is the newest party on the political scene, born out of the hatred spawned when the Graham Government attempted to sell assets of NB Power to Hydro Quebec.

Golf Sign Is Stolen

Its hard to imagine why anyone would but the main sign at the Welsford Golf Course has been stolen.


RCMP tell us it reads ""Welsford Golf Club--Public Welcome 2 for 1 Tuesdays."" and was taken earlier this week.


The sign is four feet by three, weighs 70 pounds and is white and green in color.

New Addition To City Skyline

The city's waterfront skyline has a new addition -- a large construction crane now towers over the Harbourfront Residences condo project near the Three Sisters Lamps at Water and Prince William Streets.
The crane will be used in construction of phase one of the project which see 81-new condo units completed by next summer.
Developer John Rocca told CHSJ News earlier this year most of the units have been presold with marketing underway to sell the remaining units.
Rocca says no date has been set for the start of construction on phase two of the project.

City Police Arresting Two After Uptown Assaults

City police arresting two men after two assaults in the bar district last night.
The men were released with the condition that they not return to the bar between 9pm and 3am.

Both men will be in court today to face charges.

Police also arresting four men in connection with a break and enter near the Sandy Point road.

Gas Prices Down Slightly

The price of gas is down slightly after the weekly setting.
The maxium price for regular self-serve is 97.2 while diesel is going for 102.8 and heating for 86.7 both unchanged from last week.

Elections NB Is Ready For The Campaign

We know the politicians are ready for the race and Elections NB officials appear to be in good shape as well. Chief Electoral Officer Michael Quinn tells CHSJ News, a fixed election date certainly takes the suprise element out of the equation:

Quinn says the advance poll voting will be held on the 18th and 20th of next month and any of the parties have until September.7th to file papers for a candidate to be in the race.

The Newest Party Is Ready For The Campaign

Being new to the Provincial political scene isn't slowing down the Peoples Alliance Party. Leader Kris Austin tells CHSJ News, five months ago, this party was nothing more than a thought:


He says they have come a long way since the party started as a conservation about how bad things are in the Province.
Austin says he would love to see the party capture several seats but knows realistically, that one is more than they had in the last election.

Greens Are Ready To Put Their Candidates On The Firing Line

Green Party leader Jack MacDougall tells CHSJ News he is excited about the candidates they have running in the election.
He says they are pleased to have Patty Higgins, Stephane Warner and Sharon Flatt-Murphy run in the Greater Saint John area.
MacDougall says the Green party candidates are willing to put themselves on the firing line for the voters of the Province despite not having a real shot at winning.

Duguay Says His Team Is Ready

NDP Leader Roger Duguay tells CHSJ News the party is ready to go.
After 28 years with the party, he feels ready and very optimistic about the campaign.
Duguay adds they will have candidates in all 55 ridings.

Alward's Team Has 14 Women Candidates

Conservative Leader David Alward tells CHSJ News, he is feeling very good heading into the campaign:
He tells us they have a great team of candidates running across the province including 14 women.


Alward adds along with being organzied, the party has spent months reaching out to voters across the Province.

The Liberal Party Ready For Writ Drop

It has been a busy summer of announcements for the Liberal Party but the real leg work gets started today. The writ will be dropped for the Provincial vote later this morning in Fredericton and Premier Graham says he is extremely proud of what his party brings to voters:

Graham says every region of the Province is important for the Liberal Party and are taking none for granted.

Money Found For West Side Project

(Saint John Lancaster MLA Abel Leblanc)
                 (File Photo)

Funding for the Baby's Triangle Project in Cedar Hill Cemetery has been found by the Liberal MLA for Saint John Lancaster.

The Graham Government is committing five thousand dollars to the project and Able Leblanc tells CHSJ News, not if but WHEN he is re-elected, he will make sure the total cost of the project is taken care of by canvassing businesses with-in his riding.
The names of children buried at the cemetery on the Manawagonish Road, whose gravestones have fallen into disrepair, will be placed on the momument.
 
Total cost of the project is $25,000 dollars.

Still No Word On Future Of Theatre

The Paramount Theatre is still standing, but no word yet on what will happen to the old movie house. Peter Asimaskos is the General Manager of Uptown Saint John and told CHSJ News in the last week of July that there would be an announcement concerning the building's future in a week's time.

Now the end of August, Asimaskos tells CHSJ News things are taking longer than they thought and he says that's not unusual when dealing with property. Asimaskos maintains his group will have an announcement soon as they continue to move forward in the process.

Request Appears To Fall Within Act Guidelines

Councilor Carl Killen's request to be relieved of his council duties during the provincial election campaign appears to fall within guidelines in the Municipalities Act.
The section of the Act dealing with council vacancies reads a vacancy occurs "when a member is absent from four or more consecutive regular meetings of the council - except in the case of illness or by leave of the council."
The Act requires council to pass a motion indicating it has approved the absence from four or more consecutive meetings.

Councillor Killen Makes A Request

(Ward Three Councillor Carl Killen)
              (File Photo)

A seat around the council horseshoe could sit vacant for the next month if a request from Carl Killen is approved Monday night.


Killen is asking to step aside from the business of council as he flys the flag for the Conservative Party in the riding of Saint John Harbour.
Killen tells CHSJ News, this is in order to devote himself to the campaign.


Killen says he is not totally walking away from his council duties and will still be available to all his constituents on any issue.


Killen is also donating his council salary for the writ period to charity.

If approved by council, Killen will miss three council meetings.

Be Wary Of Fake Offers Of Employment

There's another scam going around the province.

RCMP tell us they've been receiving reports for two weeks now about people responding to job offers for "Mystery Shopper" positions advertised in their local newspapers.

People who apply online get a cheque in the mail for their first assignment but it bounces when they try and cash it and then they have to pay a fee to their bank.

Cpl. Chantal Roger of the Commercial Crime Section says there's no such thing as easy money and reminds people to check the legitimacy of any company before doing business with.

Friends Of Rockwood Park Continue to Defend Greenspace

(Friends Of Rockwood Park Protest at Entrance)
             (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Also on hand for the announcement were the Friends of Rockwood Park continuing its protest against any development with-in the green space.
Spokes-person David Thompson tells CHSJ News, when Mayor Court speaks about selling pieces of land they are cleary in the park.
The petition, with over two thousand signatures on it, will be presented to Mayor and Council during the regular session Monday night.

Mayor Court Says Park Is Not For Sale

(Saint John Mayor Ivan Court)
         (File Photo)

Mayor Ivan Court tells CHSJ News, there is no plan to sell park space now or in the future just the piece of land that runs from the golf course down to the Cherry Brook Zoo and no further.


Mayor Court points out some of the protestors live in an area along the Sandy Point Road they consider to be park land so wants to know if they are making plans to move out.

Rockwood Park Gets A New Look

(New Entrance To Rockwood Park)
      (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

After months of work, the entrance to Rockwood Park has taken a on a new dynamic look.


More green space, parking lot and landscaped area. Peter Hanlon is with Leisure Services and tells CHSJ News, he is thrilled with the final product and the feed-back he is getting is this looks exactly like the final drawings from the architect.


Hanlon adds the ball got rolling on this second phase of the park's restoration when discussion about the gas pipeline going through the park first got started.


Phase three of the project will see work done to the duck pond area and entrance to the camp ground.

Wind And Rain Forecast For Our Region

If you live in Glen Falls, get ready for some rain.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for parts of the Province warning of heavy rain and winds starting tonight.

A low pressure system near Cape Cod will move across Nova Scotia tomorrow and into the Gulf of St. Lawrence tomorrow night.

The storm track may bring 50 millimetres of rain to some areas of the southern half of the province tonight and tomorrow and coastal areas can expect strong winds.

Break, Enter and Theft In Hampton

Hampton RCMP arresting an 18-year-old from the man town after a break, enter and theft at a home in the town.
The man will be in Sussex court to answer to charges today.
Officers responding to a silent alarm coming from the home arrested the man inside the residence.

Preparing For His Last Day In Politics

The official start of the provincial election campaign tomorrow marks the end of the line for two Saint John area M-L-A's.


Saint John Fundy Independent M-L-A Stuart Jamieson is retiring after almost 20-years as a member of the Legislature -- and -- Saint John East Liberal M-L-A Roly MacIntyre is also not re-offering. MacIntyre tells CHSJ News he's enjoyed helping people and leaves with no real regrets:


He says there are days he wishes he did things a little differently but, most of the time he was very pleased.  MacIntyre has one more political task -- he's co-chairing the Liberal campaign for the September 27th vote.

West Side Candidate To Open Office

With two strong candidates in the running, many political observers agree, Saint John Lancaster will be a close race for next months vote. Incumbant Liberal Abel Leblanc is taking on long time business owner and Conservative candidate Dorothy Sheppard. She tells CHSJ News, she is also expecting a close race:

She says she and Abel have a lot of respect for each other and she hopes they stay with the facts.
Sheppard is opening the door to her campaign headquarters this afternoon at 4:30pm at 77 Catherwood Street.

Conservative Leader Promises Power Rate Freeze

Marr On Rate Freeze

Eric Marr is the President of Saint John Energy and says customers will likely be a happy if there's a three year rate freeze.

He says that's one less bill that doesn't increase on you, however, NB Power is always faced with increased costs the freeze has to be feasible. 

Marr says rates will have to rise at some point to get the revenue stream that NB Power needs to keep their debt in control.

Minister Keir Questions Move

     (Jack Keir Speaks at Recent News Conference)
                         (File Photo)

The Energy Minister has several questions about a move to freeze utility rates.


Jack Keir wants to know if the Conservatives consulted with anyone from NB Power about this promise with the exception of retired utility employee's like Darryl Bishop who Keir wonders why never brought forward these points about how profitable the utility could be when he worked for it.


Keir also wonders if David Alward factored in the deferral account set up for replacement electricity during the refit at Point Lepreau.
When the plant goes back on line, $400 million dollars has to be paid back as part of the contract.

Conservatives Promise To Freeze Rates

(Conservative Leader David Alward Speaks To The Media)
                  (Photo By Gary MacDonald)

A huge promise from the Conservative Government today. If elected to power next month, the party will issue a three year rate freeze for NB Power customers.
David Alward was peppered with questions about how the numbers will balance out but said all will be explained when the party's energy policy is rolled out tomorrow morning.


Alward adds NB Power every year continues to pay down it's debt and will be profitable for all three years during the rate freeze.

Highlights From Premier's Speech On Challenges Of Aging Population

Keir Explains Landfill Gas Utilization Project

Switch Flicked On Green Energy Project

Green energy is now flowing from a landfill to homes for the first time in the Province.

The Crane Mountain Landfill is using methane gas to fuel a generator that creates enough power for up to 800 homes. 

Marc MacLeod is the General Manager for the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission and says projects like this have been growing in popularity over last four or five years. 

He says this is the facility of it's kind on a live landfill in Atlantic Canada.

MacLeod says they're probably one of the largest green house gas reduction facilities in North America because of the project and their work with recycling.

The project will get rid of 61 thousand tonnes of greenhouse gas annually, which is the same as removing 11,000 cars from the road.

Insurance Industry Spokesperson Says More Money Is Available

Only 45 per cent of people in this province know that their auto insurance policy pays more than $2500 for minor accidents.

Bill Adams of the The Insurance Board of Canada told CHSJ News earlier this month victims have access to accident benefits that can pay up to $50,000 dollars for medical treatment and more.

Adams says since the cap was introduced premiums in the province have decreased by 35 per cent.

Group Calling On The Province To Scrap The Cap

(Frances McConnachie of Consumers For Insurance Fairness)

(photo by Tamara Steele )

Traffic on the Consumers for Insurance Fairness website increasing 400 per cent since their public campaign began earlier this month.
They want to province to scrap the $2500 cap on insurance payouts for minor injuries.


Spokesperson Frances McConnachie tells CHSJ News the claim of the Insurance Bureau of Canada that victims of minor accidents are eligible for additional $50,000 in benefits is subjective.
She says that is individual to each case and she was not elligible for that money after her injury.
Conservative Justice Critic Jody Carr says no one in their right mind would consider epilepsy and broken bones a minor injury.

Expansion For The Loch Lomond Villa

With the tender issued to clear the land, forward progress is being made for the expansion plan of the Loch Lomond Villa Nursing Home.
If everything stays on schedule, 100 residents will be able to move into their new home in February of 2012.


Chief Executive Officer Cindy Donovan tells CHSJ News, these new beds are much needed with 300 people on a waiting list between Sussex and St. Stephen.
The $75 million dollar project will feature a cafe, movie theater, spa and outdoor courtyard.

Premier Graham Speaks Of Health Care Costs and Solution

(Premier Graham and Candidates At Loch Lomond Villa)
                (Photo By Jim Hennessy)

The issue of health care and it's future needs is not lost on Premier Graham.


With days before the writ is dropped on the Provincial Election, Shawn Graham was in the city speaking about the future needs of our health care system and what can be done for a solution.

Graham says the Liberal Party hopes to create 20,000 jobs over the next four years that pay at least $70,000 dollars.


The Province currently brings in revenue from 1000 people working for $20,000 a year and the same amount can be generated from 125 people earning $70,000.

Three In Custody After Truck Is Stolen

Three people are in custody after a pickup was stolen from the Westfield road about 4:30 this morning.
Officers nabbed the suspects on foot near Ocean Westway after they abandoned the vehicle.

The three will be held in custody before a court appearance sometime today.
Earlier this morning, the group led police on a short chase and the truck reached a top speed of 170 kilometres an hour.

Province Offers Program For Moms And Babies

Mothers and their newborn babies are getting a care program from the province to improve their health. The goal of the program is to provide them with quality care, education, information and consultation.

Dr. Chris Losier is President of the New Brunswick Medical Society and says many other provinces already have similar programs. He says this will also give health care workers the opportunity to sit down together on a regular basis and share the best practices.

City Police Investigate Stolen Pick-Up

City police investigating after someone took off in a truck from the Westfield Road.
Officers involved in a short pursuit where the person driving the pick-up reached a speed of 170-kilometres an hour.

Police stopped pursuing the truck for safety reasons.

North End Deck Fire

City Fire crews responding to a small blaze in the North End.
District Chief Peter Sabb tells CHSJ News the call came in for a home on Spring Street just after 5pm.

When crews arrived they found a deck on the second story on fire and it was quickly exstinguished.
One woman was treated at the scene and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

RCMP Release Year In Review Report

The provincial RCMP's 2009-2010 Year in Review Report shows the province's crime reduction strategy is yielding results.

RCMP tell us property crime has dropped by 5.6 per cent and drug enforcement efforts have gone up by 14 per cent since 2007.

The province's commanding officer, Wayne Lang says they want to make New Brunswick the safest province in Canada, but need to improve on highway safety and diverting at-risk youth away from criminal behaviour to make that happen.

Cupe Rallies For Hours

(Protestors Greet Mary Schryer at Ferry Landing)
          (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

After a year and a half with-out a contract, members of Cupe Local 2745 continue their fight for a new deal.


Spokes-person Tanya McLaughlin tells CHSJ News, teachers assistants need more hours. 


She says right now no one is working full time hours and if that changed they would have more time to work with the students.


With school set to start in just over two weeks, McLaughlin adds they don't want to go on strike, but if they have to, they will.

Murray Driscoll Happy With The Work

(Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll)
(File Photo)

Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll is very pleased with all the projects going on in his municipality.

He says safety is the biggest issue as well as increasing traffic.

Driscoll adds the Gondola Point Ferry work not only benefits residents of Quispamsis but also those living on the Kingston Peninsula.

Work Projects In Quispamsis

The drive down the hill to the Gondola Point Ferry is going to be much smoother.

Work on a second lane is close to being finished and MLA and Health Minister Mary Schryer says this will provide better access and address any safety concerns. 

She says now the crossing will have what is refered to as a slip lane because it's seen increased traffic and back-ups.

Two bridge culverts in Rothesay have also been awarded some Provincial cash for work but no word on when that will get started or be finished.

Woman Dies In Crash

47-year old Annette Cormier of Sussex is dead after a crash in the Dairy Town last night.

A truck was making its way down Stewart Avenue just after eight o'clock when the driver lost control, went off the road and rolled.

The driver of the truck is 48 years old, also from Sussex and was taken to the Regional to be checked out.

RCMP believe alcohol may have been a factor in the crash and Cormier wasn't wearing a seatbelt.

Whale Crashes Into Boat

It looks like a boat got a little too close to a whale over the weekend.

RCMP were called to Passamaquoddy Bay near Campobello Island Saturday night after a boat capsized when the mammal swam underneath it.

Officers tell us the boat was out observing a pod of the creatures at the time of the accident.

All five people on board were thrown into the water but were picked up by a sardine fishing vessel.

RCMP also point out that life jackets were in the vessel but nobody had one one.

Province Launches New Program For Mothers And Newborns

New Brunswick is joining other provinces by adopting a care program to improve the health of mothers and their newborns.

The program is meant to provide quality care, education, information and consultation.

President of the province's Medical Society, Dr. Chris Losier, says it will also give health care workers the opportunity to sit down together on a regular basis and share the best practices.

The province is putting together an advisory committee to help implement the program with representatives from the Horizon Health Network, the Midwifery Council, and the Department of Health.

District 8 Launching Discovery Education This Fall

District 8 is introducing a new program this fall to teachers and students from the Discovery channel.
Discovery Education is a companion resource is available for students and teachers from Kindergarten through to Grade 12.
Superintendent Susan Tipper tells CHSJ News it can help a grade three class learn about growing tomatoes.

She says the program will allow teachers and students in a grade 3 classroom to create a lab that will show them how to grow them.
Tipper says the Discovery education should be easy for teachers to navigate to help them reach certain goals for their students.

RCMP Investigate Internet Scam

Hampton RCMP are warning the public to be careful when dealing with companies over the Internet.

Officers received a complaint over the weekend from a woman who was dealing with a Satellite company named TOTALFTA.

She paid by credit card to get a satellite and receiver but never saw either.

RCMP tells us the company is a fraud run out of Quebec and has used similar names in the past.

People are reminded to do research before giving out any personal info or credit card information over the Internet.

Funding For City Water and Pavement Projects

Thanks to $2.3 million from Ottawa and Fredericton, clean drinking water is another step closer to reality for Saint John. Work is underway on two projects including a water-main installation for the Spruce Lake Industrial Park along with work on the Cottage Hill and Rockwood water storage resevoirs. The cash comes from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund which stipulates the work must be finished by the end of March and Mayor Court says that shouldn't be an issue:

Court says the good weather is on their side and he thinks they will be able to get them finished along with work on Howes Lake.
The remainder of the cash will go toward paving projects in and around Greater Saint John totalling just over 40 kilometers including work on Campbell Drive, Marr Road and Golden Grove areas.

Keir Says They Want Share Bridge Costs With Ottawa

With both Ottawa and Fredericton saying the file is active, it doesn't appear a resolution to the tolls and future maintenance on the Harbour Bridge is any closer to reality. Energy Minister Jack Keir tells CHSJ News, his government wants to get rid of the tolls and has no problem making the bridge part of Highway One but it belongs to Ottawa.

He says the Harper government can't pass the responsibility of the entire bridge on to the province without sharing the cost of maintainence.

Provincial Green Leader Aiming To Change Voter's Minds

The Leader of the Province's Green Party says they are out to change voter's minds about politicians.
Jack MacDougall tells CHSJ News between the province's huge debt and MLA's doubling their own pensions, voters are fed up.


He says voters are disgusted and turned off by politicans and that includes the green party.
MacDougall says the Greens are not a one issue party because the environment itself is not one issue but, many with sustainability being the top issue.

911 Dispatch Centre Moving Next Year

Quispamsis and Rothesay are moving their 911 dispatch centre to Saint John starting next year. Mike Brennan is the Town Administrator for Quispamsis and says the province is passing new legislation that would make keeping the centre in the Valley extremely expensive.

Brennan says 911 calls from the Valley go directly to Saint John as it is, and then are sent to the Valley centre after the fact. He says by using one centre it will eliminate that extra step.

Quispamsis Candidate Says Campaign Going Well

(Conservative Candidate Blaine Higgs)

The Conservative candidate in Quispamsis is a rookie to the political scene but is enthusiatic about what he can achieve. Blaine Higgs is looking to knock off Health Minister Mary Schryer and tells CHSJ News, the door to door campaign is encouraging:

Higgs adds he supports what the Conservative Party stands for and admires Leader David Alward's willingness to listen to people and putting those ideas together for the best end result.

Conservatives Releasing Energy Policy This Week

 
After hearing plenty of talk about it and a session of open houses have been completed, The Conservative Party is set to roll out it's energy policy this week. Leader David Alward says it is a comprehensive piece of work by Pierre Marcelle DesJardin and Darryl Stevens:

He says they have taken on exstensive reviews and he thinks it will form the base as they move forward.

Alward says the Liberal Party, over the past several weeks, have tried to distance itself from a decision to sell NB Power by coming forward with last minutes decisions like changes to the Energy and Utilities Board.

Motorcycles Can't Jump The Ferry Line

Motorcyclists using the Gondola Point Ferry aren't allowed to jump the line anymore. Alan Kerr with the Department of Transportation tells CHSJ News the older ferries had un-used space on the deck that the motorcycles could squeeze into.

Kerr says the new larger ferries have a more efficient use of the deck space, so motorcyclists will have to stay in line and wait their turn along with any other vehicle.
Kerr says now motorcycles will take up the same space a car would, but says both ferries can now hold 24 cars so there is still plenty of room for everyone.

Former Mayor Keeping Busy

CHSJ News caught up with former Saint John Mayor Norm McFarlane recently who tells us he has been keeping busy since he lost the last municipal election in 2008.
He says he's been working on a number of board and behind the scenes with a construction company to make sure some of the projects approved under his term are moving along.
McFarlane says he isn't trying to steal the spotlight but a lot of the projects he started when he was in office are now coming to fruition including the City Police/Justice Complex.

St. Joes Cemetery To Hold Ceremony

The Catholic Diocese is holding a special ceremonial mass this afternoon at St. Josephs Cemetery.

You'll remember the East Saint John resting place was the scene of vandalism earlier this year when close to 400 headstones were kicked over by one man upset about losing his girlfriend.

LeAnne Nogueria is Acting Manager of the Catholic Cemeteries and tells CHSJ News, this is another step in the healing process.

The ceremony will also pay tribute to Darryl Olsen, the former Cemetery Manager who spear-headed the restoration but passed away in an accident a few weeks ago.

The service gets started at two o'clock.

RCMP Going To The Ball Game

If your going to be checking out the Blue Jays Red Sox game on the tube this afternoon, keep an eye out for three RCMP officers from home.

Corporal Jean-Marc Paré, Corporal Greg Lupson, Constable Ian Grassman and Staff Sergeant Jamie George of Prince Edward Island will carry the Canadian and American flags prior to the game.

Red Sox management made the request to the Mounties back in July about serving as the Colour Guard for the game.

All four officers are thrilled with the opportunity and are paying their own way to take part.

The game gets started at 2:35pm.

Remembering A Crash

70-year old Lawrence Cummings and an old friend are going to get together this week to remember what could have been a tragic accident.

The Salt Spring resident was working on his farm back on May.19th, 1958 when a plane crashed into his field and he rescued the pilot.

Cummings tells CHSJ News, he doesn't consider himself a hero.

Cummings says the pilot, who now calls British Columbia home, is eighty years old and he is looking forward to seeing him.

Final Decision On Rothesay Condos

(Crowd of people petitioning against the building of condos in Rothesay)
(File Photo)

It's final, Rothesay council will allow two contractors to build condos on land near Rothesay Elementary School.

Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News there is a great demand for that type of housing in Rothesay and he bets they'll be sold before they're built.

77 people petitioned the development saying it would change the characteristic of the neighbourhood.

The condos will make Robertson Drive and Clermont Lane moderate density areas.

City Tries New Traffic Marking Technology

The city is trying out some new traffic marking technologies over the summer.

They're looking at ways to make the white lines and arrows painted on the pavement last longer.

Two new technologies are now installed at the intersection of Rothesay Avenue and McAllister Drive for a trial run.

One is 3M marking tape and the other is a material known as "Thermoplastic".

Both are supposed to last for close to 3 years, whereas traditional water-based paints only last for 4 months to one year in areas that get snow.

Tucker Says Ferry Toll Is Unfair

With the Liberals saying tolls can't be removed from the Grand Manan Ferry without services being lost, the Conservatives are singing a different tune.

Sharon Tucker is the PC Candidate for Charlotte the Isles and tells CHSJ News, her party is committed to removing the tolls without creating an additional cost to taxpayers and without eliminating ferry runs.

She says the people of Grand Manan are the only people in New Brunswick who have to pay to travel within their own province and this decision is about fairness. 

Tucker says getting rid of the tolls will help kick start the economic engine of the island, and bring new jobs and businesses to the area.