ACAP Saint John Also Vying For Aviva Contest Funding

ACAP Saint John also has an entry in the Aviva Community Fund contest.


Executive Director Tim Vickers tells CHSJ News their project centres on the Marsh Creek Eco Challenge.

He says it would put people into the Marsh creek watershed and see what it has to offer and it would also include a bio blitz where students and biologists and students would identify to fish, birds, reptiles and mammals.


He adds it will also include the Eco Challage that may involve mountain biking, canoeing or kayaking.
This round of the voting ends tomorrow but, Vickers feels with their entry in third place now they will make into the top ten.

Saint John has two other entries, one from the Saint John Community Loan Fund and a memorial playground at Seawood school.

To vote for the ACAP project click here

Two People Trapped After Truck Leaves Road

City firefighters responding to a pickup truck leaving the Old Westfield Road last night between the Co-Op and Sobeys shortly after 7:30 . District Fire Chief Eric Garland says the truck rolled over and wound up in a ditch on its side. A man and woman were trapped inside. They were eventually lifted out and taken to hospital.

Unions Are Divided Over Planned City Pension Changes

The city's outside workers union has accepted the proposed changes to its pension plan but Jim Stanley of the Canadian Union of Public Employees tells CHSJ News the members aren't happy about it but recognised the economic realities.

He says they were confronted with the possibility of the city tax rate rising by 17 cents. Despite that, the inside workers at City Hall have voted against the planned changes but Stanley says discussions are continuing and that could change. The Firefighters Union has not spoken publicly about what it thinks.

According to the Saint John Police Association, police department management was not kept in the loop about the changes that were passed by Common Council. The police union is urging M-L-A's to reject the proposed changes claiming there are other options that have not been examined.

Stanley maintains 30 or 40 options were looked at but there was no agreement on what the final package would be.

Child Poverty Rate Down But Future Outlook Doesn't Look Good

17,000 children live in poverty in this province but the child poverty rate is down 5 per cent.

The Human Development Council has released its report card on child poverty with statistics from 2008 that do not reflect the economic realties brought on by the recession.
 
Researcher Kathryn Asher says they expect things to get worse before they get better with increases in the social assistance caseloads and in the usage of food banks.

Asher adds while the child poverty rate is down, the proportion of children living in working poor famillies is on the rise.

Saint John Board Of Trade Honours Outstanding Businesses

(One Of The Awards Handed Out By Saint John Board Of Trade)
                      (Photo by Nelson Hum)


The Saint John Board of Trade hosting the 26th annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards.The event recognizes companies or individuals in the community that aid business development and increase economic progress in the city.

Kelson and Kelson Limited picked up the Entrepreneurial Achievement Award with its President Terry Kelson telling CHSJ News things look promising for New Brunswick as a place to do business.

Other recipients include Dillion Consulting for Business Excellence, Clinic Server in the Emerging Enterprise Category, Kiera Fraser of Ju Suis Prest Boutique for the Young Entrepreneur Award and the Saint John Kiwanis Club takes home the Big Heart Award for community work.

Price of Diesel Drops After Weekly Setting

Very little change in the price of self serve regular after the weekly setting. It's selling for $105.5 around town. Diesel has dropped a couple of cents and it listed at $109.7 in the city. Heating oil is at 95.3 cents a litre and propane stands at $107.4.

Survey Plane Causes Some Concerns

A plane during a survey along the natural gas pipeline in the Musquash area causing some concern this afternoon -- a motorist saw a plane go below the tree tops in the Five Fathom Hole area.

RCMP tell us checked with Halifax search and rescue along with some airports but failed to turn up any reports of a missing plane -- but -- a helicopter was dispatched from Greenwood to help do a quick check of the area just in case.
It was finally traced back to the plane flying at a low level checking out the pipeline right of way.

Saint John Police Association Accusing City Of Steamrolling Pension Changes Through

(Labour Analyst For Saint John Police Association Bob Davidson)
                   (Photo by Brian McLain)

The Saint John Police Association is accusing the city of not examining all the options with the financially beleaguered municipal pension plan and is appealing to the M-L-A's not to approve the changes.

Retired CUPE Rep Bob Davidson is acting as a labour analyst for the police union. He says Common Council refused to listen to an option that was put together by an actuary commissed by the Police Association. Davidson says that option was presented to the M-L-A's in the Saint John caucus and, in his view, was enthusiastically received.

Peter Haslett of the Police Association accuses City Manager Pat Woods of flying by the seat of his pants with these changes and what they will mean for the bottom line because he doesn't know what the financial ramifications will be.

Davidson says there are several Common Councillors who are on the provincial pension plan which was not cut and he accuses them of being hypocritical in wanting to slice and dice city pensions.

He also warns it will be more difficult to retain and attract new police officers because of the elimination of the disability pension and the fact they will have to work longer to retirement than they do in other cities such as Fredericton.

Councilor Wants Derelict Buildings By-Law Moved Forward

Councillor Peter McGuire wants things sped up when it comes to legislation on dealing with derelict buildings.

According to the latest update from the province, the Department of Local Government plans to hold workshops with municipalities, including one in Saint John, to explore legislation on derelict buildings in early 2011.

McGuire says he wants a more specific and quicker timeline.

He says he will speak with the province in hopes of speeding things up and adds the city built the By-law so all they need is approval from the province.

Saint John Woman Cleared Of All Charges

28 year old Crystal Dawn McKenzie has been found not guilty of 2nd degree murder in the stabbing death of her common law husband, 29 year old Pat Thomas in March on Alma Street just off Waterloo.

A jury of 9 women and 3 men deliberated for 8 hours and asked the judge to define manslaughter before reaching its decision.

Defense lawyer David Kelly describes it as a tragic situation for all concerned.
McKenzie's relationship with Thomas was described as stormy with alot of fighting and abuse.

Eyewitnesses testified to seeing McKenzie pinned against a wall, pulled down to the ground and dragged along the street before she got hold of a knife and stabbed Thomas in the area of his neck and shoulder.

For her part, McKenzie was tearful as she left court saying she wanted to be with her kids.

City Police Speaking Out About Proposed Changes

The Saint John Police Association is responding this morning to the City's pension changes.

City manager Pat Woods says inside workers, fire and police will lose their their disability pension and their benefits will be slashed by nearly 40 percent.

These workers will still get their wage increases.
The news conference gets started at ten.

Local Developer Feels Betrayed By City Hall

A local developer is pulling out of development near Rockwood Park.

Common Council has approved the development of high-rise and apartment buildings near the green-space and developer Darryl Gallant says he won't be building high scale homes because of it.
Gallant says he feels sold out by Council as he has been developing his land for 8 years and has invested about 2 million dollars.

National Housing Week Events Continue

National Housing Week events are focusing on youth homelessness with various events in the city.

Young people from the four Saint John high schools and Rothesay Netherwood are doing outreach with Outflow and serving luch at the Saint John Community Chaplaincy.

Colin McDonald of Vibrant Communities tells CHSJ News, it's about the youth learning from someone who knows what homelessness feels like.


Tomorrow is the Tin Can Challenge where students make sculptures of the food donations they have been collecting for 6 weeks.

After the competition, it will be donated to a variety of local food banks.

Alward Government Calls The Deficit A Crisis

The Conservative government describing the province's financial situation as a crisis, but their first throne speech doesn't explain how the crisis will be addressed. The 14 page document is a laundry list of the Conservative campaign promises.


The province could face a deficit of a billion dollars by next year and a debt expected to hit 9.5 billion.

Premier David Alward says he wants to consult with the people to determine how to address the fiscal crisis.

He says they have gone to the internet to find ideas from staff and the peopleon how to fix the province's finances.
Alward also says a deal with the federal government is being finalized that will see the Harbour Bridge transferred to the province and the tolls removed.

Crown and Defense Rests In Murder Trial

The Crown and the defense resting their cases in the 2nd degree murder trial of 27 year old Crystal Dawn McKenzie.
She's charged in the stabbing death of her common law husband, 29 year old Patrick Thomas, back in March.

The defense argues McKenzie had no intention to kill Thomas but was trying to defend herself and her home.  They say she wanted to keep him out of their Alma Street apartment but struck him with the knife when he had his hands around her throat.  The defense also stressed the years of abuse she endured.

The crown argues McKenzie had many other options aside from stabbing Thomas, such as calling the police or seeking help from friends.  She followed Thomas throughout the streets seeking confrontation, which lead to her being dragged and choked on Waterloo Street.  The crown says Thomas never tried to get into their Alma Street apartment.  They say she was fed up and snapped from being in an abusive relationship for years.  The crown reiterated that several witnesses heard her say she was going to kill him.

The jury is currently in deliberation.

Enbridge Gas Applying To Increase Delivery Charges

Enbridge Gas is applying to increase its delivery charges for natural gas. General Manager Dave Charleson tells CHSJ News, if the Energy and Utilities Board agrees, the rate increases would not go into effect until after the winter heating season.


He says today they are not able to recover all their operating costs throught the rates that we charge to ensure that they start to recover more costs and keep them below the cost of the competing fuels.

 Charleson claims residential customers who use natural gas will still be paying less than by using other fuels but he expects opposition from the industrial users.

There Are Signs Of Hope In The Local Housing Market

It's still not pretty but there is hope in local housing market.

Stats from the real estate board show on a seasonally adjusted basis, sales activity edged up two per cent between September and October.

The average price for a home sold last month was just over $165, 000 down 8 per cent from October 2009, 145 homes sold last month which is down 15 per cent from last year.

Across the province, sales are down four per cent on a year-over-year basis for October.

Three Local Groups Vying For Contest Money

A third entry from Saint John is seeking enough online votes to secure money from the Aviva Community Fund. Seth Asimakos of the Saint John Community Loan Fund concedes they have a lot of catching up to do with just three days of voting left. Asimakos tells CHSJ News they want to construct a new building along Prince Edward Street to house non profit organisations like the Learning Exchange and also provide affordable housing.

The first phase is $500, 000 and another $600 to $700 thousand dollars for the next phase

The other projects from Saint John are about Marsh Creek and constructing a playground at Seawood School in memory of the late RCMP officer Jason Porter and his two children, 5 year old Hannah and 2 year old Jack who died in a traffic accident along Highway 7 two years ago.
To vote for one of the projects click here.

Saint John Murder Trial Nearing A Verdict

It's into the home stretch at the second degree murder trial of 28 year old Crystal Dawn McKenzie after she testified in her own defense. The case will be going to the jury later today.

 McKenzie is charged in the stabbing death last March of her common law husband 29 year old Pat Thomas on Alma Street just off Waterloo. The court was told she had been dragged along the street by her hair just before the stabbing.

Her lawyer David Kelly claims McKenzie acted in self defense after years of abuse while the prosecution maintains she could have called police.

New Session Of The Provincial Legislature To Open With Speech From The Throne

(Premier David Alward)

       (File Photo)

The new session of the Legislature kicks off this afternoon.

Premier David Alward tells CHSJ News, since becoming Premier, he has already begun to work towards some of his key priorities which include include the health care, pension reviews, automobile insurance, and forestry.

The provincial deficit remains a high priority and his government is promising decisive action with the goal being to balance the books in four years time.
 

The Legislature will kick off with the Throne Speech, which which outline the Alward government's top priorities.
 
This might be wishful thinking but the new Premier also tells us he's looking forward to having a co-operative spirit to the Legislature.

Big Changes Approved For City Pension Plan

(Saint John City Manager Pat Woods)
             (File Photo)

The long awaited changes to the city's financially beleaguered pension plan are now reality.

Common Council will accept City Manager Pat Woods' recommendations to the pension to help make it more self-sufficient.

They consist of two sets of changes -- one for fire, police and the inside workers at City Hall and  the other for the outside workers, management, professional, and non-union members.

The former will see their pension credit reduced from 2 percent to 1.5 percent per year as well as having their benefits slashed by about 40 percent. However, they would still get their wage increases.

The latter group will see benefits cut by about 20 percent but with a 2 year wage freeze.

City Manager Pat Woods concedes it's not an easy pill to swallow but the changes will bring down the city's annual payments from 20.7 million dollars to 13.7.

Rockwood Park Recommendations Get Thumbs Up From Common Council

(Saint John Common Councillor Peter McGuire)
                    (File Photo)

Common Council is moving forward with development along Rockwood Park.

Council approving recommendations from city staff to allow apartments, townhouses, and single family homes along the edge of the park. Councillor Peter McGuire says it's a good use of land.

The recommendations include creating active transportation links between Crescent Valley and the Park and also between Sandy Point Road and the UNBSJ.

Council needs to make several municipal plan amendments before any development can begin.

Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase along with Councillors Patty Higgins and Bill Farren voted against. David Thompson of the Conservation Council is accusing Council of breaching the trust of those who donated or sold land years ago for park purposes.

Discovery TV Channel Teaming Up With School District 8

(Phillippe Cousteau of Discovery Education Canada)
           (Photo by Tamara Steele)

School District 8 students, teachers and administrators hosting the official launch of Discovery Education Canada in the city.

The program uses the resources of the Discovery channel in a classroom program that students and teachers can cater to their needs.

Chief Spokesperson Phillipe Cousteau tells CHSJ News he met with elementary and middle school students and this program makes learning relevant for young people today.

The program includes 3 million video clips that are available for use.

Bell Aliant Cuts 100 Management Positions

Bell Aliant is trimming 100 management positions with employees being informed today.
Spokesperson Allyson Queen tells CHSJ News it's too soon to say how many of those jobs are in Saint John.

She says the management employees affected are in the six provinces where they operate and the changes are about proportional in each province.
Queen says because the workers just found out this morning, they won't be releasing specifics about cities and provinces yet.
The reasons given are to reduce duplication and to cut costs in order to stay competitive.

Canadian Taxpayers Federation Targets M-L-A's Pension Plan For Deficit Cutting

(Kevin Lacey of  the Canadian Taxpayers Federation)
              (Photo by Brian McLain)

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is adamant the new provincial government should not raise taxes at time when the economy remains fragile. The Federation's Kevin Lacey came to Saint John to hear what Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs had to say about tackling the deficit.

Lacey maintains the new provincial government doesn't have to look that far to find taxpayer dollars being wasted. He says one area the new government should look at cutting would be the M-L-A's gold plated pension plan which costs New Brunswick taxpayers 7 and a half million dollars with some politicians walking away from the last provincial election with a yearly pension in the neighbourhood of 80 thousand dollars.

Lacey vows the Taxpayers Federation will be keeping a close eye on what's in the provincial budget and holding the government's feet to the fire.

Mayor Ivan Court On Provincial And City Finances

Finance Minister Promising Decisive Action On Provincial Deficit

(Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs)
            (File Photo)

We have to do things differently in the province from now on......That message was delivered to the Saint John Board of Trade by the new Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs.

He says the first step is to look for efficiencies within government but he wouldn't be specific beyond that. Higgs does concede reducing government waste, by itself, won't be enough to balance the books.

He told Saint John businesspeople the time has come to take a serious look at health care which consumes 40 per cent of the provincial budget  and growing with too many seniors occupying acute care hospital beds when they don't need to be there. He warns if nothing is done, seniors will occupy 100 per cent of our acute care hospital beds by 2021.

Higgs also points out education costs have increased by 20 per cent over the last ten years while student enrollment has fallen by 7 per cent. He's now looking for ideas from people around the province as the government starts pre-budget public consultations.

To see video: go to our website--country94.ca and click news.

Finance Minister Blaine Higgs Speaks To Board Of Trade

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.