Lights Add Sparkle To Uptown Saint John

(White Lights On King Street)

(photo by Tamara Steele)

No doubt you noticed the white lights along King Street at the parade this weekend, while now we can tell you why.

It's the third year in a row Uptown Saint John is adding the white lights to bring some sparkle to the uptown.

The lights are low voltage LED lights put up by the City's Leisure Services Department and new this year are lights on the King’s Square bandstand.

Plan SJ Planning Community Input Session Next Month



(Plan SJ Storefront In Brunswick Square)

The City is half way through the two year consultation process of putting together the new municipal plan.
Plan SJ's Jacqueline Hamilton tells CHSJ News it's a key time for the public to get involved.

Hamilton adds it needs to be a made in Saint John plan that reflects community values.
She says they have had good success but, they need to continue to build on it.
The next session is coming up December 8th at UNB Saint John's Grand Hall on Charlotte Street beginning at 5pm.

Mayor Frustrated As Recommendations Are Made To Reform City Pension Plan

(Saint John Mayor Ivan Court)

           (File Photo)

City Manager Pat Woods is expected to bring recommendations to Common Council to change the municipal pension plan and make it financially self sufficient.

Mayor Ivan Court is frustrated because the returns have been good since the financial meltdown but made little, if any dent, in the deficit according to the last valuation.

Court says the city will challenge the actuarial assumption on mortality. He says the retirees have not been living as long as the actuaries predicted and their assumption has cost the city millions of dollars.

The Mayor does concede, without changes, the city's pension plan is unsustainable even though the returns of late have been very good.

Council members have been warned city assets could be seized if overdue payments are not made. The city missed a November 15th deadline to make a five million dollar payment because of not being in a financial situation to do so, according to the Mayor.

Friends Of Rockwood Park Not Happy With Recommendations

(Joan Pearce Of Friends Of Rockwood Park)
                 (File Photo)

Joan Pearce of the Friends of Rockwood Park is disappointed with the recommendations from city staff saying the public was not listened to and she dismisses this claim of the park being expanded. Pearce claims city staff is talking about the Howe's Lake dump site which is a toxic mess.

She's also concerned about allowing 5 storey apartment buildings along Sandy Point Road and what effect there will be of any runoff from development and increased traffic into the park. The Rockwood Park Advisory Board had recommended no apartment buildings be built.
 
Pearce also tells CHSJ News she believes the majority of Council members will go along with the recommendations.

Common Council To Get Recommendations On Development Next To Rockwood Park

(City Manager Pat Woods)
         (File Photo)

The long awaited recommendations on development near Rockwood Park from city staff will be presented to Common Council tonight. The various city departments have accepted most of the recommendations from planning consultant, A-D-I.

The proposed park boundary would follow Sandy Point Road with residential development at the corner of Samuel Davis Drive and Sandy Point Road as well as next to Cherry Brook Zoo at the existing trailhead and the 18th hole of the golf course could be relocated to allow for new housing. The city would allow what's called recreation based commercial development near the zoo.

City Manager Pat Woods is telling Councillors the residential development would consist of mixed housing similar to what you find in Millidgeville and also makes the point that the plan calls for the park to be expanded.

Mommy Blogs Growing In Popularity

(Mommy Bloggers Leigh Combrinks and Meg Wismer)

                        (File Photo)

Mommy blogs are extremely popular including one by two sisters from Toronto.

Meg Wismer and Leigh Combrinks are the authors of "Me and Meg".

Combrink tells CHSJ News the idea of sharing stories and moments they have with their kids was very appealing.

She adds there is a close-knit mommy blogger community and it's great way to share some of their experiences.

While Wismer and Combrink find the blogging community supportive, their blogs can be polarizing and they do experience criticism.

For more info: go to http://www.meandmeg.com/

Board Of Trade To Hear From Provincial Finance Minister As Deficit Rises

(Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs)
              (File Photo)

The province's finance minister will be appearing before the Saint John Board of Trade just days after conceding the deficit is at least 50 million dollars more than last projected.

Blaine Higgs says a fiscal update to be released this Friday will show as of the end of September, the projected deficit for 2010-11 exceeds 800 (m) million dollars. He says all measures to improve the province's fiscal situation will be examined during public budget consultations but raising taxes should be the last possible option.

Premier David Alward has promised not to increase the H-S-T. Liberal finance critic Donald Arseneault says he wants to see the government's numbers to ensure they don't include funding for some of the Conservative Party's election promises.

Man Killed By Fallen Tree

A 40-year-old man from the Bathurst area is dead. 

RCMP says Stacy James Ellis died yesterday around 5:30 in the evening while attempting to clear an ATV trail of a fallen tree. 

The tree managed to fall on him and the victim was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries.

Also, more than a dozen cottages broken into in the Restigouche area.

RCMP says the break-ins occurred within the past week and are asking for the public's help.

If you have any information, call RCMP or Crimestoppers at 1 800 222 TIPS.

More Co-Operation Needed

The Saint John Board of Trade wants to see more co-operation between the Atlantic Premiers.

President Imelda Gilman tells CHSJ News what's good for one province is good for the other.

Gilman says she fully supports the the Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce, which has put a renewed focus on promoting regional co-operation.

Q-Plex ornament for sale

The town of Quispamsis is looking to bring some holiday cheer to everyone.

As part of their continuing fund-raising efforts for the Q-Plex, they're selling pewter ornaments of the sports complex.

Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News it would make a great gift.

The ornaments are available at Quispamsis Town Hall.

2010 Saint John Santa Claus Parade

Parade Winners Announced

(A float in the 2010 Saint John Santa Claus Parade)

(photo by Tamara Steele)

A die-hard crowd of parade-loving Saint Johners braving the bitter wind for the annual Santa Claus Parade.

It did not disappoint with dogs, marching bands, classic and new cars cheerleaders and a stunning collection of Christmas floats.
Simonds High School with their sports car, cheerleaders and classic recreation of King Square including the gazebo wins Best in Parade.

Port City Dance Academy wins Best Association or Church, #9 Rodney Band taking best band and our very own Country 94/The Wave float in partnership with Commercial properties winning best commercial entry.
Millidgeville North wins Best Cheerleaders and Samuel Du Champlain takes best school.

Chairperson's Choice goes to Huntsman Marine Science Centre for their aquarium float including a squid and jellyfish.
Honourable mentions going to Oromocto Pipes and Drums, Knights of Columbus, Ambulance NB, Somerset Cheerleaders and Key Industries.

Roads Closed in North End

If you're travelling around the North End today, you better plan some alternate routes.

Main Street from Landsdowne to Adelaide and Douglas Avenue from Clarendon to Main Street are closed due to a 16 inch water main break.

It broke around midnight due to the cold temperature.

Work crews are on the scene making repairs but no word yet on when the streets will reopen.

58th Annual Santa Claus Parade Goes tonight

With 65 unique entries, tonight's 58th annual Saint John Santa Claus Parade is promising to be a memorable one.

The honorary Parade Marashall is Second World War Veteran Merrill Rumson who began his naval career back in 1931.

Uptown Saitn John spokes-person Leslie Keating tells CHSJ News, alogn with honoring veterans, the parade is also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy:

Keating adds there is something for everyone to enjoy. The parade gets started at six along the usual route.   

Santa Claus Changing Traffic Flow

With the big parade comes many a road closure.All four lanes of the causeway will be blocked as of 3:30 today for parade line-up.

The route follows the causeway to Union Street, left on Sydney Street, right on King Square North, left on Charlotte Street down King Street onto St. Patrick then Main Street right on Landsdowne Avenue and right at Wellesly Boulevard.

Motorists are asked not to park on King Street as of 5pm.

Spectators are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items as city workers will be collecting them just before the parade begins.
Also, if your child has a letter for Santa, remember to put your return address on it.

Early Childhood Care Can Shape Futures

The Atlantic Institute for Market Studies releasing a paper which says early childhood care for poor and vulnerable children can make the difference in their futures.

Author Ian Munro tells CHSJ News part of the problem is that in the coming years there will be fewer workers because of retirements.

Munro adds if you can intervene in a child's life and set them on a path to high school and university, it can end the cycle of poverty.

WorkSafe NB gets new Chairperson

The Mayor of St. George getting a big job.Sharon Tucker is new the chair of WorkSafeNB appointed by the Alward government.

She has been Mayor since 2008 and spent 10 years involved in St. George serving on many committees and also as deputy mayor.

Tucker is a registered nurse and the administrator at the Charlotte County Hospital.

Prison Time For Baxters Corner Woman In Rothesay Stabbing

A Baxters Corner woman has been sentenced to three years in prison on 12 charges which include aggravated assault for stabbing her then boyfriend September 5th at an apartment on Scott Avenue in Rothesay. That was the second time 21 year old Mary Lisa Joyce Carrier had stabbed him. A few months earlier it had been with a fork.

While sobbing in the prisoner's dock, Carrier apologised to him and his family. She told the court going to jail might have been the best thing that could have happened because she calls the experience life altering.

The court was told Carrier suffers from a borderline personality disorder which is characterised by over reaction. Judge Henrik Tonning described her relationship as toxic and traumatic but added that's no excuse for violence.

He also cautioned treatment for her disorder will take a long time.

Inquest To Be Held Into Construction Death

A coroner's inquest will be held next month into the death of a 55-year old Summerville man two years ago.
Kirk McGeachy died in November of 2008 from injuries he suffered while working at a construction site in northwestern New Brunswick.
The inquest will open December 7th at the Sydney Street courthouse -- the coroner's jury will have an opportunity to make recommendations to try to prevent similar workplace deaths.

Voting Continues For Porter Memorial Playground

An effort is underway to raise 200 thousand dollars to build a new playground at Seawood school in the memory of the late RCMP constable Jason Porter and his two young children, 2 year old Jack and 5 year old Hannah. They all died two years ago in a tragic accident along Highway 7 while they were driving back from Woodstock leaving behind wife and mother, Christy.

Erica Lane of the playground committee tells CHSJ News Christy is doing amazingly well considering the circumstances but would like them to be remembered.
Saint John is now in an online competition that would provide all the funding needed and Lane says people are being urged to vote.


She says it's a Canada-wide contest and if they win, they would have the $200, 000 they need to build the playground.
To vote for Seawood School, click here

Bargain Shop Store Is Closing

A long-time fixture at the top of King Street is closing its doors.
The Bargain Shop is nearing the end of their lease.


When CHSJ News asked for the reason for the closure, we were told we would have to come back Monday to speak to the manager.
There are reports some of the employees will be working at the uptown store until January.

Fields Set For Municipal By-elections

Nominations have now closed for the December 13th municipal by-elections here in the city and Grand Bay-Westfield.
There are six candidates vying for the Ward 3 seat vacated by Carl Killen when he was successful in the September provincial election -- those looking to fill the vacancy are Mel Norton - John Campbell - Mark Leger - Anne-Marie Mullin - Danny Robichaud - and former councilor Jay Chang.
In Grand Bay-Westfield -- three candidates are in the running for the vacancy on town council - Stephen Evans - Mike Likely - and - Allen Titus.
All candidates have until Monday at five to withdraw their names if they have a change of heart over the weekend.

Keep Your Car Off The Street Overnight

With snow in the forecast this weekend, the City letting residents know in most cases on street parking is not allowed overnight.
Communications Officer Leah Fitzgerald tells CHSJ News even on streets where it is allowed, they would still like you to not park there.


She says if you can park off the street you should because the plow drivers and operators can do their job safely if too many cars are on the street.


She adds depending on how congested the street is, the plow operators may not be able to plow at all or it will take several passes.


For more info on the winter parking rules, click here.

Drivers Urged To Keep Their Eyes On The Road

Do not take your eyes of the road, that is the message from the Harbour Bridge after a slew of multi-car accidents yesterday.
General Manager Ken Anthony tells CHSJ News drivers need to be very careful because a car ahead could put their breaks on at any time.

He says thousands of cars are going over the bridge every hour with no break and even a second's inattention can cause what happened yesterday.
Anthony adds crews are working to finish the seasonal repairs by the end of the month.

Police Videotape Played At Saint John Murder Trial

The jury at the 2nd degree murder trial of 28 year old Crystal Dawn McKenzie saw a police videtape of the statement she gave after her common law husband 29 year old Patrick Thomas was stabbed to death on Alma Street last March.

McKenzie was sobbing as she told police she didn't mean to kill him. City police officer Shawna Doiran testified McKenzie told her she was trying to protect her children.

Earlier, two witnesses who live at 260 Waterloo Street told the court they saw McKenzie being pulled down to the ground, dragged along the street and pinned against a wall before the stabbing.

Saint John 225 Celebration Ends With A Call To Build Arts And Culture In City

(Jacqueline Hamilton, Steve Carson, Judith Mackin and Kate Wallace)
                   (Photo by Tamara Steele)

"Our past has held us back" was one of the opinions heard at a panel discussion about keeping culture alive in the city as Saint John 225 celebration wraps up and harnessing the momentum of Saint John 225's many artistic highlights this year was another focus of the discussion last night.

Panelists and the audience at the Saint John Arts Centre giving their views on how to create vibrant original culture that brings people here and spurs economic development too.

Plan SJ's Jacqueline Hamilton says urban planning is about people not cars and that's something the City has forgotten over the years. Enterprise Saint John's Steve Carson tells CHSJ News cities for years spent time chasing the big fish and a vibrant arts and culture community will bring those big fish to us.

Entrepreneur Judith Mackin would like to see the City's 1 per cent for art initiative for new buildings extend to small businesses. Another recommendation is to make art more accessible with a student saying most of the culture is centred uptown and should be spread out.

Provincial Cabinet Minister Reacts To Report On How Fat We've Become

(Provincial Minister of Wellness, Culture and Tourism Trevor Holder)
                              (File Photo)

Alarming..........That's the reaction of the new Minister of Wellness, Trevor Holder on the Health Council's report which concluded we are the fattest province with 30 per cent of the population overweight combined with one of the lowest rates of being physically active.

Holder vows the new provincial government is bound and determined to tackle this issue because in order for health care costs to go down the emphasis will have to be on preventing people from getting sick in the first place.
 
 He also warns unless the situation is turned around the younger generation could wind up dying sooner than their elders.

Quispamsis Mayor Says There Are No Major Disagreements With Rothesay

Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll says it would be wrong to downplay the upcoming discussions between his town and Rothesay on how to better co-operate.

Driscoll is part of a committee that will take part in the face to face discussions with their counterparts in Rothesay and has no doubt a study on amalgamation will be talked about as well. He doesn't see the point of talking about amalgamation until you have all the information about the ramifications.

In his view, Driscoll doesn't believe there are any burning issues of disagreement between the two towns and there's a misperception they're at one another's throats.

City Called On To Develop Strategy On Arts And Culture

(Ward 3 Common Council Candidate Mark Leger)

                        (File Photo)

The time has come for Saint John to develop a strategy on arts and culture to build on the momentum of being designated a cultural capital of Canada this year.

That message being delivered by one of the candidates running in the December 13th byelection to fill the seat on Common Council left vacant when Carl Killen was elected as the M-L-A for Saint John Harbour.

Mark Leger tells CHSJ News he disagrees with those people who dismiss spending on arts and culture as a waste of money. Leger goes on to say culture is much more than just public art and can become a vital part of the local economy especially when cities are trying to attract people of creativity who work in the knowledge economy.

Taxpayers Watchdog Group Would Welcome Privatisation Of NB Liquor

There have been noises from the Alward Government about privatising NB Liquor.

Kevin Lacey of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation in the Atlantic Region tells CHSJ News this would be a good step for all concerned. He predicts if NB Liquor were privatised, there would be more competitition, better service for consumers and government revenues would actually increase as a result.

Given the size of the deficit, Lacey can see the province privatising more of its assets such as the iconic Algonquin Hotel in St. Andrews.

Continuing Testimony In Murder Case

There was more eyewitness testimony at the 2nd degree murder trial of 28 year old Crystal Dawn McKenzie who's charged in the stabbing death of her common law husband, 29 year old Patrick Thomas.

Two people who live at 260 Waterloo Street told the court what they saw in the early morning of March 15th.

Both say they heard yelling in the street and saw McKenzie being pinned against a wall and dragged along Alma Street by the hair before emerging from an apartment building on Alma Street with a knife raised above her shoulder.

The court was told there was a struggle before the man fell to the ground.

Both of the witnesses testified McKenzie was friendly, nice and not violent.

Several Arrests Made By RCMP

The case appears to have been cracked by Hampton RCMP in connection with a string of break, enter and thefts in the St. Martins area over the past few weeks.

Three men and a teenager have been arrested after a search warrant was executed at a home in Baxter's Corner where stolen property was found.

Officers also recovered several other items, ride on lawn mowers, tools and liquor, not related to the search.

A 23-year old man is due in Sussex court today with other people arrested to appear before a judge in the coming weeks.

RCMP expect to make other arrests related to the crimes.

Hestia House Says No To Used Goods For Now

Used goods are no longer being accepted at Hestia House due to the recent out-break of bed bugs around the Province.

Director Elaine Northrup tells CHSJ News, this is a direct hit to it's residents who are looking for clothing and furniture to set up an apartment with.
Northrup says the shelter has not been hit with bed-bugs and by putting this measure in place, they hope to keep it that way.

Lung Association promoting Awareness

10 per cent of people over the age of 40 could have COPD and not even know it.

The Lung Association is promoting the spirometry tests to diagnose the disorder.

Director of Health Promotion Barbara Walls tells CHSJ News, they are trying to create awareness of the simple test.


Walls add COPD commonly afflicts long-time smokers even if they have quit for a period of years.

Tele-Care Now Available For Those With Disability

Modern technology has taken another step forward for anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing.

Access is now available to Tele-Care with TTY systems for anyone who suffers from either condition to use the telephone to communicate by typing messages.


Tele-Care is a provincewide, 24-hour, toll-free bilingual service that provides a range of health-related information, including advice and assistance on how best to get health-care services for specific needs.

Deadline Nears For By-election Nominations

Nominations close tomorrow for the December 13th municipal by-elections here in the city and in Grand Bay-Westfield.
So far -- four people have filed nomination papers for the vacant Ward 3 seat -- John Campbell - Mark Leger - Anne-Marie Mullin - and - Danny Robichaud.
In Grand Bay-Westfield there are three official candidates for the vacant council seat -- Stephen Evans - Mike Likely - and - Allen Titus.
Nomination papers must be filed by tomorrow afternoon at two.

New Brunswick's Belt Continues to Add Notches

(NB Health Council CEO Stephane Robichaud)
                   (File Photo)

Health behaviours are getting worse in the province -- that according to the second Population Health Snapshot by the New Brusnwick Health Council.

Council CEO Stéphane Robichaud tells CHSJ News, we are the most obese province.


However, this province ranks second in the country when it comes to having a regular medical doctor.

Robichaud adds the province has a high number of doctors per capita and good public access.

Discussing Arts And Culture

Finding out how to include culture into building design is the focus of a panel discussion tonight.

It's part of the cultural capital of Canada speaker series which is included in the Saint John 225 celebrations.

Executive Director of the Saint John Arts Center Heather White-Britain tells CHSJ News, tonight's talk is the last in the series.


The Building By Design panel discussion features Steve Carson of Enterprise Saint John and Jaqueline Hamilton of Plan SJ and gets started at 7 at the Saint John Arts Centre.

Petroleum Products On The Rise

As predicted, the price of gasoline, diesel, propane and furnace oil are all up.

The Energy and Utilities Board has released it's latest weekly price setting which shows the maximum retail for unleaded gasoline is $105.2, diesel comes in at $111.9, furnace oil is selling for 92.1 a litre and propane tops off at 97.8.


Most gas stations in the metro have a listed pump price of $105.2.

City Releases Garbage Totals From Area Where Most Saint Johnners Get Their Drinking Water

It cost the city over 26 hundred dollars at the landfill just to get rid of all the garbage that was collected in the cleanup around the Loch Lomand watershed last week where most people in this city get their drinking water.

The city reports it collected more than 23 and a half metric tons of trash. That amounts to 52 thousand pounds of garbage.

The junk included a pool table, couches, tires, scrap metal, heating oil tanks, oil containers, mini propane tanks and diapers.

Two Possible Locations Mentioned For K-V Skateboard Park

(Skateboard Park Chair Robin Parks)
      (Photo by Brian McLain)

The committee formed to get a skateboard park built in the Kennebecasis Valley has a couple of possible locations in mind. Committee chair Robin Parks tells CHSJ News being close to the Q-Plex and at the Culture Park by the town hall come to mind right off the bat.

Having a location in mind is one thing but then comes the hard part.........Where will the $500 thousand come from to build it? Parks is hoping for business sponsorships, government funding and money from fundraisers.

She goes on to say Rothesay Regional Police are on board because they're tired of getting calls about young people skateboarding where they shouldn't and parents are getting fed up with having to take their children to skateboard parks in Saint John and Moncton. It's estimated there are 800 regular skateboaders in the valley.

Parks says if there is enough land, as part of the project, basketball courts and even a splash pad could be added later on.

Christmas Card For Troops In Afghanistan Vandalised In Market Square

(Christmas Card At Market Square Kiosk To Be Sent To Troops)
                 (Photo by Brian McLain)

Some fool with a black felt marker has vandalised the large Christmas card at the Market Square kiosk that people were signing for the troops in Afghanistan.

Some sort of grafitti type marking was scrawled on the inside of the card. Artist Norm Jackson came up with the idea of the card and tells CHSJ News he's disappointed.

Jackson is hoping he can clean the card up but concedes some of the names and messages might be lost.

He's urging those who signed the inside to come down and have a look to see if their names and messages are lost. If so, they can sign again once the card is cleaned up.

A Call For An Increase In Social Assitance

The cry for more cash for those on social assistance can be heard coming the Common Front For Social Justice. Spokes-person Aurea Cormier tells CHSJ News, the Alward Government must realize the rate isn't competitive:

She says it's one of the lowest if not the lowest in the country and it's long overdue that it be adjusted.


Cormier points out that between 2006 and this year, basic items like eggs went up by 21.9%, cheese 36.7%, rice by 42.6% and flour by 84.9%.

Armoured Car Workers Going Back To Work

After months of walking picket lines around the Province, members of the Teamsters Union are going back to work.

Armoured Car Workers with G4S Secor Cor Cash Solutions have voted 85% in favor of accepting the latest offer from the company. The vote was held earlier today but no details are being released until it has been ratified.
Workers hit the picket lines over two months ago over several issues including a wage increase, saying no to current and new employee’s being subject to a polygraph test and looking for back wages from the previous contract.

Management has been filling since the strike began and employees are expected to be back on the job with-in weeks.

Premier Plans To Keep Campaign Promise to Seniors

(Premier David Alward)

The Premier says it's full steam ahead with his property tax freeze for seniors over the age of 65.

David Alward tells CHSJ News it's an important campaign promise that he intends on keeping.

He says he doesn't have a date for the freeze in place yet but wants to make it happen as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Saint John Mayor Ivan Court says such a freeze would sap millions from the city coffers and makes planning municipal budgets problematic.

Eyewitness Testimony In Alma Street Stabbing Case

Eyewitness testimony was delivered at the second degree murder trial of 27 year old Crystal Dawn McKenzie who's charged in the stabbing death of her of her common law husband, 29 year old Patrick Thomas, back in March.

A neighbour in the Alma Street apartment building where they lived testified McKenzie ran into her bedroom out of sorts, saying she wasn't going to take it anymore. 

McKenzie grabbed a broom and after scrapping on Waterloo Street where she was put in a headlock by Thomas, McKenzie went back into the apartment and got hold of a knife.  She then stabbed him in the neck and shoulder while he was choking in her in the doorway.

Saint John Police Kept Busy This Morning

The search is on for two men in their twenties after a home invasion in the South End this morning.
It was just before two o'clock when a man was woken up by a knock on his door at 240 Duke Street.
Two masked men with a weapon greeted the 26-year old and demanded dope and cash.


He told them he had neither, so they grabbed his Blackberry, charger and DVD's.


Nobody was hurt.


Then roughly about a half n hour later, City Police were called to the parking lot at 411 Ellerdale Street East to find a man unconscious.
He was taken to the Regional where he remains getting looked over.
 
No word on what happened but Major Crime has been called in.

Construction At Sussex Mine Continues

Construction of the new Potash Corporation Mine in Sussex continues to make steady progress.


General Manager Mark Frachia tells CHSJ News, there are close to 1000 people working on site and that number is expected to grow to close to 1200 in the new year.

Frachia adds a dispute with the contractor working on the compaction plant has been resolved and it's expected it will be finished early in the new year and commissioned by January.

As for the rest of the project, salt mining is still on schedule to begin in 2012 and potash the following year.

Amalgamation Talk Still On The Table

(Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop)
        (File Photo)

Amalgamation remains on the discussion table for both Rothesay and Quispamsis.


In a letter to Quispam, Rothesay asks if the topic can be discussed and the answer is yes.
Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News, if a decision is to be made, he would rather have it done on this level than be mandated into it.
Bishop adds it would only be wise for both Town's to do their home-work before there is any pressure from the Province.

Alward Government Is Asked For An Increase

The group Common Front For Social Justice is calling for action by the Alward Government when it comes to social assitance.
Calling it one of the lowest rates in the country, it is looking for an increase as the price of everything continues to climb.
Spokes-person Aurea Cormier tells CHSJ News, their data shows that a walk through the grocery store is no easy task for those on a budget.
Some of the numbers show the price of basic items like eggs went up by 21.9%, cheese 36.7%, rice by 42.6% and flour by 84.9%.
Cormier says the fact thousands of people in this Province go to bed hungry is a shameful result of our political leaders’ inability to govern in the interest of the common good.

Heavy Damage To ATV Trails Around The Province

Thousands of dollars in damage is being reported on ATV Trails through-out the Province.


This after the heavy and record rain-fall over the past few weeks.


Spokes-person Jacques Nadeau tells CHSJ News, in some area's, culverts have been exposed and bridges washed out.
Nadeau adds they made need to get approval from the Province before moving ahead with some of the repairs but hope to have everything fixed soon.

No Cash For Amalgamation Study In Quispamsis

Quispamsis Council has voted down, almost unanimously, setting aside 30 thousand dollars in next year's town budget to study the implications of amalgamating with the town of Rothesay.

Councillor Gerry Maher was the only vote in favour and warns Rothesay and Quispamsis are being targeted for amalgamation by the Province.


Mayor Murray Driscoll says the two towns will talk about merging but he disputes the contention that those who would be directly affected by a merger will do all they can to scuttle the process for their own self interest and preservation.

Driscoll says there's not enough money in his job as mayor to be looking out for it.

Push Is On For SkateBoard Park In Quispamsis

(Skateboard Park Spokes-person James Buchan)
               (File Photo)

A big turnout at Quispamsis Council to show support for construction of a skateboarding park in the Kennebecasis Valley.

Town Councillors were told the need is there with an estimated 800 regular skateboarders in the K-V and that could be low balling the actual number.

Council heard from an active skateboarder, James Buchan who offered his opinion of the skateboard park in Saint John.


The estimated cost of a skateboard park in the Valley is pegged at half a million. It's hoped development can begin in the spring but the town has not committed itself to providing any money yet.

Insurance Bureau Of Canada Backs Alward Government

A 36 per cent reduction in provincial insurance premiums since the $2500 cap on soft tissue injuries was brought in proves it's working.

That from Bill Adams of the Insurance Bureau of Canada who say they will work with the Alward government's review of the controversial legislation.
Critics of the law say the payout is nothing when accident victims are suffering with life-long injuries that require treatment and medication.

Resident Rattled After Home Invasion

Major Crime has been called in to investigate after a home invasion in the South End early this morning.

City Police tell us someone in an apartment was woken up by noise just after two o'clock and called officers to come and check things out.
When they arrived, the person who broke in had already taken off with a few items. No one was hurt.

Peoples Alliance party Leader Elected

(Peoples Alliance Party Leader and Minto Councilor Kris Austin)
                           (File Photo)

The Peoples Alliance Party Leader has a new voice after being elected a councilor in the village of Minto following an unsuccessful bid at becoming an MLA in the Provincial Vote.

31-year old Kris Austin captured 440 of the 920 ballots after coming in third in September's provincial election in the riding of Grand Lake-Gagetown.

Admitting the loss was a tough pill to swallow, Austin says he still wants to contribute to his community and the municipal seat was one that he couldn't pass up.