Initial Ok For Marr Road Development

45 Marr Road in Rothesay getting an initial "okay" from council for the development of two 8-unit appartment buildings and office space. Sheila MacDougall lives nearby and says she and her neighbours are worried about incresed noise and traffic, as well as decreased property value.

MacDougall says they don't want any type of business on that residential property adding the homeowners will suffer.
Land owner David Long says he lives in Rothesay and he's trying to add to the community, not take away from it. He says it will be an upscale project with full landscaping that is well maintained.

Invest NB Will Be Open For Business Next Month

Premier David Alward says Invest NB will hit the ground running by July 1st.

He tells CHSJ News the group in bringing together it's private sector board of directors and doing some hiring.
Invest NB is designed to foster job creation and attract investment to the province. 

Provincial Energy Minister Prefers Talk Over Lawsuit

Provincial Energy Minister Craig Leonard says talks between the province and the federal government are going well with regards to the cost overruns on the Point Lepreau Refurbishment.
The project is 3 years behind schedule and the province believes is should not be on the hook for the payment of replacement power.

Leonard tells CHSJ News negotiations are progressing well but litigation is in the backpocket.
He says the two sides will be meeting again in the coming weeks.

Province Takes Steps To Minimize Strike Impact

While the postal strike drags on, the province is putting in place measures to minimize the impact before the services return to normal.
Next Tuesday and Wednesday, regional offices of the Department of Social Development will distribute social assistance cheques at specific locations.  You can also call the nearest office to hear a recorded message about where to pick up their cheque.   You will need to produce a health card and one other piece of i.d. to pick up your cheque.

To find locations for picking up social assistance cheque next week click here
You can also call 506-444-4131.

Clients who normally make Family Support payments by mail are encouraged to use online or telephone banking or make payments in person at their local Service New Brunswick office. Employers are also encouraged to use direct deposit to make payments.
For more info on the government's efforts to minimize the impact of the postal strike, click here

Delay In The Fix To Flooding In Oakville Acres

Disappointing news for residents of Oakville Acres in Rothesay as they learn a detention pond will not be going in this fall to deal with flooding issues.

Mayor Bill Bishop says the town tried to get a necessary piece of land through expropriation but the land owner has appealed and that will take time.

Terry Melles of Oakville Acres says she's disappointed but remains optimistic the project will go forward next year.

Another obstacle is working something out with Quispamsis about what to do with a lift station because the detention pond could could have an effect.

The town is also waiting for the go ahead from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which still needs to approve the project.

Nursing Home Conditions Lambasted

"Deplorable"..........That's how Liberal M-L-A Rick Doucette describes conditions at the Grand Manan Nursing Home where four elderly residents, one of them over a hundred years old and another with advanced dementia, are sleeping in the dining area because of an ongoing problem with mould which has forced the closure of part of the home.

Doucette tells us the people who work at the nursing home are also being adversely affected with at least one staff member on sick leave.

Construction of a new nursing home was to have started this spring but is on hold because of the provincial government's budget problems.

Doucette argues hundred of thousand of dollars have been spent trying to get rid of the mould and, in the long run, it would be less costly to build a new nursing home.

IT Company Gets Provincial Money

Money from the provincial government will help IT company Innovatia fulfil a new contract with a global technology client.

The province is investing 3.3 million dollars into the the company -- 425-thousand dollars will be used a payroll rebate while 75-thousand dollars will be used to upgrade infrastructure.

Co-owner of Innovatia David Grebenc tells CHSJ News they have already filled 35 new jobs.

Newly Expanded Barbour's General Store Opens For The Season

A tourist fixture in the Uptown is bigger and better this summer.
Barbour's General Store and Museum are offering hot and cold tea, "tea"-shirts and a spot to play checkers.  Sylvia MacVey-President of G.E. Barbour Inc. says they decided to expand after a complete change in the management team.

She says it's a way of showing Saint Johners they are part of the community now, always have been and will be for a long time.
The expansion is allowing the company to hire about ten staff and they will be hiring more people as they plan to increase their hours to tie in with events on the boardwalk.

Court Appearance For Saint John Cop

There was a brief court appearance for a 10 year veteran of the Saint John Police Department.

34 year old Chris Messer is charged with assault causing bodily harm, assault and uttering threats. Those charges were laid after an outside investigation carried out by Miramichi Police.

Messer's home was also the target of a drive by shooting and breakin.

Messer's lawyer, Brian Munro elected trial by judge and jury.

Another court appearance is scheduled for July 22nd at which time a date for a preliminary hearing will be scheduled. That hearing will determine if there's enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Sussex Man Imprisoned For Stealing Guns

Two years in prison for a 28 year old Sussex man, Joseph Shortridge of Fowler Avenue who stole 7 handguns May 27th from Sussex Outfitters on Main Street. All of the handguns were recovered.

Shortridge claims he wasn't in his right mind when he stole the guns, had no intention of selling them and even thought about returning them when he realised what he had done.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen credit card, theft of a $125 jacket from a store in Market Square, possession of marijuana and failing to make an earlier court appearance in Saint John

Graduation Ceremonies And Proms Take Over Greater Saint John

As June draws to a close grade twelve students in Districts 6 and 8 are picking up their caps and gowns for graduation.

Belleisle Regional High School holding the first graduation ceremony of the week tomorrow night at 7pm in their school gym. Sussex Regional High and St. Mac's both have ceremonies on Thursday. St. Mac's goes at 6:30 at the school, while the Sussex ceremony starts at 7 at the 8th Hussars Sports Centre.

Energy Minister Forges Ahead With Shale Gas Development

Provincial Energy Minister Craig Leonard is hoping the shale gas industry will be in full swing by next near.

He tells CHSJ News their priority right now is to get industry regulations up to par in order to handle such an expansion.

He acknowledges there has been vocal opposition against such development but he says it's a matter of educating the public about the safety and success of the industry in other jurisdictions.

He says revenue generated by shale gas is estimated at 300-400 million dollars a year, which would make a huge dent in the province's debt.

Local CUPW Not Enthused About Back To Work Legislation

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says thing are not looking good them once back-to-work legislation get enacted and an arbitrator is brought in to settle their dispute with Canada Post.

Local President Wally Moore tells CHSJ News the government appointed arbitrator will be choosing either Canada Post's offer or the unions -- and he's pretty sure how things will turn out.

He says the corporation will get everything they want and the Union and workers will get none of the things they want.
He says government involvement has already cost the union a bump in wages -- as the back-to-work legislation includes wage increases that are even lower than what Canada Post was offering.

Crime Mapping Software Assisting Local Police Force

It's been almost 3 months since City police began using the online tool CrimeMapping.com.
The software identifies the type of crimes happening in any given neighbourhood.
Deputy Chief Bruce Connell tells CHSJ News it encourages public involvement.
He says one of the options is the public can email the department about crimes in their neighbourhood.  He adds the force can then send units out to those areas for follow-up.  You can register for alerts about crimes in your neighbourhood.  To sign up, click here

Saint John Man Pleads Guilty In Fatal Collision

Four guilty pleas from a Wright Street man charged after a fatal head on crash between two trucks on Golden Grove Road May 22nd.

35 Year old Vincent Eric Reid will be sentenced July 18th for impaired driving causing the death of Gerald Troy Bridges and three counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm for injuries suffered by three women passengers.

Reid has been remanded to jail and a presentence report has been ordered by Judge Anne Jeffries.

EI Cheques Need To Be Picked Up

For those of you receiving Employment Insurance cheques, Service Canada is reminding you they are not being mailed out like other government cheques and will have to be picked up due to the postal strike.

However, Canada Post will continue to deliver Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security benefit cheques.

To find out where to pick up your EI cheque, click here.

Children Released From Hospital After A-T-V Flips

Two young children who were injured when an A-T-V flipped over in Red Head were treated and released from hospital.

Police say a woman and two children were riding just before noon yesterday on Harbourview Drive when the A-T-V crashed and the children, both under the age of 5, were pinned underneath.

Reports from the scene indicated helmets were not being worn.

Relocation Of Flood Prone Homeowners In Glen Falls Off The Table

Despite asking the flood-prone residents of Glen Falls to consider relocation last year, it is not a viable option now. That, from the city's director of public works Shane Galbraith.

He says the idea is pretty much off the table because the homes at risk are spread out in Glen Falls so turning the plots back into wetlands is not feasible and a fullscale relocation is just too costly.

He adds the city will continue its efforts to prevent flooding. An environmental impact assessment is planned next year at Mystery Lake for flood relief infrastructure. The city will examine the feasibility of constructing detention reservoirs at Kelly Lake and Ashburn Lake.

Glen Falls resident Blair Glazier, who can't get flood insurance, liked the relocation option and is disappointed that it is no longer an option. Crystal Lockerbie is with the Glen Falls Community Committee and says those people who want to stay aren't looking for a miracle.

Man Charged After Truck Ends Up In River

Charges of dangerous and impaired driving have been laid against a 34 year man after a truck went off the end of Millidge Avenue into the river by the yacht club early Sunday morning.

Two bystanders heard a man screaming he couldn't swim and they plunged into the water and brought him safely to shore. 

District Chief Gerry Morris says when fire crews arrived they found a truck submerged and the driver already safe and sound. 

A boat and a pick-up truck were utilized to pull the vehicle out of the river. This is the third time in the last 2 years that a vehicle wound up plunging into the river.

Grand Manan Ferry Back In Service Tomorrow

The regular Grand Manan ferry will be back in service beginning tomorrow morning.

It's first run will begin at 7:30am, from North Head, Grand Manan, to Blacks Harbour.

The ferry went out of commission last month after getting moored on a ledge near the wharf in Blacks Harbour.

The regular schedule from June 21 to 29 will be as follows:

●    depart North Head: 7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 7 p.m.;
●    depart Blacks Harbour: 9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m, 9 p.m.

As of June 30, additional runs will be added to the ferry service to accommodate the annual summer tourism season.

Labour Council Supports Postal Workers

The Saint John District Labour Council joining CUP-W in their rally. 

President Ron Oldfield tells CHSJ News the council believes this is a fight for every public worker, not just for Canada Post. 

He says free collective bargaining is the main stay of the system, and if that is lost then it will be hard for anyone to negotiate a fair contract.

Oldfield says it was Canada Post that decided to lock the workers out, and they're the ones that should be penalized for that, not the Union.

Union Members Say No To Back-To-Work Legislation

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers isn't gung-ho about the tabling of back-to-work legislation in the House of Commons. 

Members gathering outside MP Rodney Weston's office today to present a letter asking him not to vote in favour of the legislation. 

President Wally Moore tells CHSJ News the Union wants a negotiated settlement, not an arbitrated one. 

He says legislation does nothing to get the other side to sit down at the table and negotiate.

Workers have been locked out since last Wednesday, following two weeks of rotating strikes.

A-T-V Flips Over In Red Head

Emergency crews were called out shortly before noonhour after an ATV flipped over on Harbourview Drive.

The four-wheeler was being driven by a woman with two young children on board.

No one was wearing a helmet.

Spray Painting Lines Around Potholes Is A No-No

Well intentioned it may be but the city is asking whomever is spray painting lines around potholes not to do it anymore.

The City's Leah Fitzgerald tells CHSJ News it's the practice to paint lines on the street to indicate where digging should take place and if those lines are in the wrong place, contractors and city workers are put at risk as well as the infrastructure itself.

She warns digging in the wrong place could, as an example, rupture a line and knock out half of the uptown's internet service.

Fitzgerald says if you want to do something about potholes, give Municipal Operations a call at 658-4455 to report where they are and contact them as well if you see any spray painted lines around potholes.

New Brunswick Coalition For Pay Equity "Frustrated"

The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity has a new chair who has promptly taken the provincial government to task.

She's Vallie Stearns who formerly worked in a women's transition shelter. Stearns tells CHSJ News voluntary measures to bring about pay equity have not worked and she charges the Alward Government is not committed to legislation.

Stearns says workers in women's shelters, home care, community residences and day care have gone through job evaluations but are still waiting for wage adjustments and the delay in bringing those about is beyond what should have happened.

ATV Accident in Red Head

Emergency crews responding to an ATV accident on Harbourview Drive in Red Head.

The four-wheeler being driven by a woman with two children on board has flipped over.

No one was wearing a helmet.

City Told Attracting New Industry To City Should Be Left To Province

Enterprise Saint John might benefit if it left attracting new industry to Invest NB, the province's new economic development arm.

That from consultant David Campbell, who says unless the city's aware of a company's specific interest it should let Invest NB do the heavy lifting.


Councillor Bill Farren says the city isn't making progress and has to stop relying on everybody else.

Campbell says it will be hard for Enterprise Saint John to do generic promotion of the city because Invest NB will have more resources to do the job and he claims there's every indication Invest NB will be more focused on Saint John's interests than Business New Brunswick was.

Visits To Each School In District 6 To Focus On Student Learning

As the school year winds down, members of the District 6 Education council are doing their annual visit with each of the 24 schools.

Superintendent Andrew Hopper tells CHSJ News he and the Director of Education Gary Hall thinks it's a wonderful process because it focuses on student learning.

Hopper, in these visits with each school's principal and vice-principal, go over the school improvement plan indentifying priorities for the next school year.

He says they also review data from the perception surveys that parents do in the fall.

Traffic Disruptions Beginning Today

Major construction work begins today along Union Street with the first phase starting at Wellington Row and Germain Street.

There are four phases to the project with the work being done down to St. Patrick's Street and continues until the latter part of September.

There's another traffic note to keep in mind while you're driving today. Hilyard street will be closed between Chesley Drive and Simonds Street from 7 this morning until 7 tonight while work is done to the Chelsey Drive off-ramp.

Motorists headed east on Chesley will not be able to turn right onto Hilyard. People who need to get to Place 400 will be able to access the parking lot via Simonds Street.

And don't be alarmed if you see high flames coming from the L-N-G Terminal over the next two weeks. Maintenance is being carried out on the L-N-G storage tanks.

Summer Boardwalk Events Ready to Go

The warm weather may be a little late, but the line-up of summer events on the boardwalk is ready to go. 

Heather Peterson with the Hardman group tells CHSJ News there's something five days a week starting with Saint John Idol on June 29th.  Country star kicks off on July 7th. 

Peterson says Salty Jam goes July 8th and 9th, and the Buskers are booked for for July 21st-24th. This year a Lumberjack act is coming as well.

For more information about summer events and celebrations follow this link.

Geopark Celebrates First Year

The city's Stonehammer Geopark celebrating the launch of it's first official year.

Executive Director Gail Bremmer tells CHSJ News Saint John's park is the first of its kind in North America, making it a leader for other sites that are trying to become certified.

Bremmer says for people who don't know, a geopark is a an area with unique geological history.

She says the Stonehammer park is 25 hundred square kilometres and stretches from Lepreau Falls to St. Martin’s.

Delegates from the geopark will travel to Norway this year to help develop tourism and economic development for the park.

Waste Commission Benefits From Added Revenue

Two new sources of revenue helping the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission meet bottom line.

General Manager Marc MacLeod tells CHSJ News part of the revenue is coming from their new material recovery centre.

The commission has also started selling surplus power from a new electrical generator.

MacLeod says the more revenue they can make from other sources the less they have to rely on tipping fees, which means costs are kept down for taxpayers.

Construction Kicks Off On Union Street

Extensive construction work begins tomorrow on Union Street with phase one, which will continue until July 8th, at Germain and Wellington Row.

Project Engineer Gerry Mattson tells CHSJ News the project, when completed, will result in a completely rebuilt Union Street including underground electrical wires.

The city is making it clear at no time will Union Street be closed to traffic completely but you might want to steer clear of the area if you don't want to be held up.

An uptown shuttle for parking lots in the South End will be up and running next month. The work will continue until the latter part of September.

Centre Re-named After City Staffer

The North End Community Centre getting a new name.

The 32 year-old building on Victoria Street now called the C. E. Nicolle Community Centre after Nick Nicolle, a city staffer who was instrumental in the construction of the community centre in 1979.

In his 31 years with the city, Nicolle worked as the Director of Recreation and Parks, and also championed for the Charles Gorman and Stewart Hurley arenas, and six of the city's community centres.

The North End centre is set to undergo extensive interior and exterior renovations this fall.

Investing In Uptown Key, Irving Says

President of Commercial Properties John Irving says the uptown is definitely undergoing a renaissance.

Irving recently picking up a trio of awards at the Live Life Awards, which celebrates contributions to the improvement of uptown Saint John.

His honours include Heritage Project of the Year for the Saint John 225 Clock.

He says it's absolutely vital for the entire city to grow the uptown, and he has a particular affinity for it because he used to walk through it to get to school.

Bystanders Perform Water Rescue

The quick action of two bystanders saving a mans life in the early morning hours.

At quarter to one in the morning city fire receiving a call that a vehicle was in the water at the end of Millidge Avenue near the RKYC yacht club.

District Chief Gerry Morris says crews arrived on scene to find a truck submerged about 100 feet off shore.

Morris says two witnesses who were in the area heard the driver yelling that he couldn't swim, and swam out and brought the man to shore.

The man was checked out on the scene but did not need to be taken to hospital.

The truck was pulled out by local residents using their boat and their pick-up truck.

Police seized the vehicle while an investigation is ongoing.

Col. Nase Suggested For New School Location

Colonel Nase Boulevard being suggested as a possible location if District 8 decides to build a new elementary school in Grand Bay-Westfield.

The District has talked about the possibility of closing 3 schools to build one larger one, and Mayor Grace Losier says the current schools don't have the necessary infrastructure to sustain a larger student body. 

Losier says the District is looking at a 300 person school and the new commercial drive has the services for waste water treatment and enough space for proper bus pull-offs.

She says if the school was built on the new commercial drive it could become the anchor for the community and development could go up around it.

Local Golf Course Off To Rough Start

The grey and rainy skies over the past few weeks has cast a huge grey cloud over the cash register at the Rockwood Park Golf Course.

Owner Gerry Connolly tells CHSJ News people business is down by the thousands of dollars and it is the worst start to the golf season he has ever seen.

He says even though there were some sunny days, golfers still stayed home simply because the forecast called for rain.

Grand Manan 5 Returns To Service On Tuesday

The Grand Manan V ferry will be back in service by next week.  Transportation Minister Claude Williams says work on the Grand Manan V is wrapping up and going through inspections before the ferry can be approved to set sail back to New Brunswick. It will leave the Quebec shipyard about 4 am tomorrow and if everything goes according to plan the ship will return to service on Tuesday.
The ferry is being repaired at a dry dock in Quebec after losing its steering capabilities and getting moored on a ledge near the wharf in Blacks Harbour.  For more information, call 506-662-3724 or click here

Harbour Passage Fans Get An Alternate Route

Fans of Harbour Passage have an alternate route to walk this summer while repairs are made to the Harbour Bridge.

The City of Saint John telling CHSJ News the route along Main Street is now complete.
You should follow the red dashed line to walk from Uptown Saint John to the North End or Douglas Avenue to access the other end of Harbour Passage.

There are now signs showing the alternate route posted at connection points to Harbour Passage and fluorescent pedestrian crossing signs are in place on the Viaduct.
Traffic and Pedestrian Services is working with the province's Department of Transportation to have a cycling route approved for Main Street--a provincially designated highway.  For more info, call the City of Saint John at 658-4455.

Fredericton Firefighter Calendar Benefits Local Cancer Patients

Half-naked firefighters from Fredericton raising big bucks for those struggling with breast cancer.  The Fredericton Fire Department bringing in over $22,000 dollars with their 2011 calendar.   Jeff Gillies tells CHSJ News it all came about because they wanted to raise money for a combat training tower and help out a charity.

He says a firefighter calendar proved to be the best option and the hospital recommended the Erin Appleby Breast Health Fund because it was local.
The fund recently receiving a cheque for over $6800 thanks to the success of the Fredericton Firefighters Calendar.

Walk To Cure Diabetes Breaks Local Fundraising Mark

Last Sunday's Walk for to Cure Diabetes at Rockwood Park bringing in over $116,000 beating the highest fundraising total by over $11,000.
Organizer Kelly Hare tells CHSJ News they will continue to hold fundraisers until the end of the year and expect to exceed $125,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation chapter in Saint John.   The organization bringing in over $415,000 including Saint John, Campobello Island, Oromocto and Moncton.

Last year JDRF funded 50 human clinical trials in their work to find a cure.
Over 45,000 people took part in the walk last weekend across the country with the event raising $7.5 Million.

Rookie MLA Reflects On First Session In The Legislature

The spring session of the legislature is over and rookie MLA for Saint John Harbour Carl Killen says it has been quite the experience.

Killen tells CHSJ News one of his most satisfying experiences from his first session in the ledge was enacting the province's distracted driving law.
 
He says being an MLA is definitely a challenge as you're literally learning on the job but he says he has no regrets.

Ugrades To Point Lepreau On Track

An update on the Point Lepreau refurbishment: according to the latest release from NB Power, more than 60 percent of the calandria tubes are installed  -- with a completion date of August -- and fuel channel installation is set to be finished by December.

The plant is on track to be up and running by the fall of 2012.

The refit was originally to be completed in September 2009 but was hit with several delays.  

Costs are one billion dollars over budget.

School District 8 Superintendent Says Budget Cuts Had To Be

An estimated 15 per cent of teens in Saint John have sought help for mental health issues. District 8 Superintendent Susan Tipper tells CHSJ News the school system can't tackle those needs by itself and the double digit figure should be a concern to the entire community.

Tipper says students should be getting the same messages about proper behaviour 24/7 not only at school but also from their parents and in the workplace as well.

Unlike francophone School District 1, District 8 has implemented the provincially mandated 2 per cent budget reduction which amounts to over 2 million dollars. School

Superintendent Susan Tipper, while conceding budget flexibility to move money around if need be has been lost, says judging by the province's dire financial situation, it had to be done.

Waste Commission Wants More Composting Done

The Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission is trying to keep people from putting compostable yard waste in the garbage can.

General Manager Marc MacLeod tells CHSJ News the Commission wants to charge a higher tipping fee for garbage that shows up at the landfill with yard waste in it.

MacLeod says other provinces can ban the throwing out of compostable material but that's not the case in New Brunswick. He says such a ban would help make composting mandatory.
 
MacLeod concedes voluntary composting seems to have reached it's peak

Duck Poacher Pinched

A 32-year-old Fredericton man pleading guilty in a Burton court for hunting too close to migratory birds.

Sameul Keith F. Drummond given a $1000 fine for hunting migratory game birds within 400 metres of where bait was placed and he is also suspended from hunting for a year or being near anyone hunting the birds.
Drummond also had to surrender all hunting bait along with the birds he hunted and killed to the Court.

Unionized Workers At Airport and Air Canada Call Centre Back To Work

The Canadian Auto Worker's Union and Air Canada have reached a tentative agreement, meaning unionized employees at the call centre in Millidgeville and at the Saint John Airport will be going back to work.

Local union rep Cheryl Robinson tells CHSJ News everyone is happy the ordeal is over.

She says employees will be going back to work as soon as tonight.

The deal comes after the federal government introduced back-to-work legislation seeking to force the customer service agents back to their posts.

Community Groups Get Major Funding

160-thousand dollars worth of cheques being handed out to eight priority neighbourhood organizations.

The money is part of the city's Neighbourhood Development Stimulation Grant Program.

Tammy Calvin of ONE Change receiving a cheque for over 22-thousand dollars and she tells CHSJ News the money will go towards paying for their full-time staff member, who plays a pivotal role in their group.

Other groups receiving funding include Vibrant Communities, the Teen Resource Centre, and the Crescent Valley Resource Centre.

Commercial Development By Airport Not A Priority

Agree to disagree -- the city's planning department isn't seeing eye to eye with the Saint John Airport with regards to future development of land around the airport.

Saint John Airport President Bernie LeBlanc says commercial and retail space needs to be grown around the airport as it can't live on passenger fares alone.

But Ken Forrest with the city's planning department tells CHSJ News it's more of a priority to encourage that kind of growth in the uptown and surrounding areas.

He says the city does support the growth for air-related business out by the airport, like cargo or exporting.