Close But No Cigar For The Bay Of Fundy

The Bay of Fundy misses out as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

The bay had been the only contender from Canada and one of a group of 28 finalists that included the Galapagos Islands, the Grand Canyon and Mount Vesuvius, all of which did not make the list.

The Great Barrier Reef, the Dead Sea, the Amazon River and Mount Kilimanjaro were among the sites that did make the cut.

All of the publicity generated by the campaign is believed to be worth something like 8 million dollars in advertising for the Bay of Fundy.

Remembrance Day Ceremony Brings Out Thousands

Saint Johners paying their utmost respect to our war veterans as thousands made the wet trek to Harbour Station for this year's Remembrance Day ceremony.

The army, police, and fire were just some of the groups taking part in the parade and ceremony.

89-year old veteran Gill Kenny fought in the Battle of the Atlantic and he tells CHSJ News he's happy to be here and enjoy the freedom that he and his friends fought for.

He says respect for veterans has grown over the years because veterans have begun to open up and share their stories.

To see a video of the ceremony, click here.

 

Police Remind You To Lock Your Car Doors

It may seem like common sense but police are sending out a familiar reminder -- lock your car doors and take your valuables with you.

Police say there have been recent thefts in the city but the majority have been in the Fundy Heights Area.

If something has been taken from your car, you're being encouraged to still report the crime to police or if you see any suspicious activity.

Home Invasion In French Village

No one hurt in a home invasion last night in French Village.  Police got the call around 7 o'clock -- police say up to 3 suspects went into a home armed with a handgun and stole a large amount of cash.  A man and a child were home at the time but no one was hurt.

Police believe that the crime was not random.

Vets Will Remember Tomorrow

Young and old will remember the efforts of many to secure the freedoms Canadians enjoy in many services throughout Greater Saint John tomorrow.
The Harbour Station service begins tomorrow morning at 10:30am.
Randall Hope of the Merchant Navy says you share a bond with your shipmates that never leaves you.

He says sometimes you have a convoy and it gets torpedoed and the guys are on lifeboats and you have to run over your own men.

Hope joined the Merchant Navy in 1944 when he was working at sugar refinery.
For more information on the service, click here

Wastewater Treatment Facility Opens In Red Head

The Harbour Clean-Up Project is that much closer to finally being complete as the Eastern Wastewater Treatment Facility in Red Head is now officially open.

Director of Municipal Operations Paul Groody says the 100 million dollar clean up project is about three-quarters complete and everything should be finished by the end of 2012.

The 57 million dollar plant will collect all of the wastewater in East Saint John, the south central peninsula, the Chesley Drive/Douglas Avenue, and some spots north of the throughway, which makes up about 40-45 percent of the sewerage flowing into the harbour.

Consultant Says The City Was Boxed In

A labour consultant with the police union is putting the additional pension reductions on the shoulders of the province.

Bob Davidson says the first reform package agreed upon by everybody was sound but because the province felt it was too risky, the employees and retirees had to pay the price.

He says that manifested into the retirees having their indexing suspended and he's not sure the MLA's know that because they won't talk to the media or the council.

He says you can't put the blame on the city as they were boxed in and forced into approving the new reforms.

Court Says The Province Must Justify A Second No

The Mayor of Saint John says with the pension changes passed this week, they have taken the necessary steps and it will soon be across the Premier's desk.
 
Ivan Court tells CHSJ News should the province says no again they will have to justify that position adding they spent a lot of time working with the government officials assigned to them to come up with a plan and they now have that.

Court says they can't see how the province won't support this.

City Police And School District 8 Differ on Bullying

The goal is the same but City Police and School District 8 don't necessarily agree on what is the best approach to bullying.

Police would like schools to be more consistent in how they deal with it but the new superintendent in School District 8 Micheal Butler says schools can differ in their makeup and therefore so does the response so a cookie cutter approach he doesn't believe would work. 

The school district says the number of reported incidents of bullying is down and it's happy with the way the staggered start to the school year went with the grade nine students, many of whom are subjected to hazing.
 

A new programme has been introduced in elementary schools called WITS which is about walking away and talking it out but it's too soon to say how it's working out.

Conservation Council Worried Over Cuts At Environment Canada

There will be cutbacks to Environment Canada and the Provincial Conservation Council is wondering what sort of effect there will be on the oversight of fish farms in the Bay of Fundy.

Despite recent charges initiated by Environment Canada over illegal pesticides, Fundy Baykeeper Matthew Abbott tells CHSJ News the monitoring that goes on now leaves much to be desired with the industry pretty much self regulating.

Abbott says by the time you get into enforcement then something has gone wrong.

He adds Environment Canada is the only agency that doesn't have a mixed agenda with Fisheries and Oceans along with the province promoting aquaculture as well as monitoring it.

Satisfaction With Latest Student Scores In District 8

Judging by the latest assessments, School District 8 is moving in the right direction with gains in literacy. 

Reading, writing and math scores were higher than the provincial average with the exception of reading in grade 2. 

District 8 Superintendent Micheal Butler says you can never be totally satisfied.
 
The big area of concern is french immersion where reading and writing were well below the provincial average. No reason has been determined for that. 

The assessments have also shown there has been a decline in writing among grade 10 students over the last couple of years both in Saint John and provincially.

School District 8 Hears From Police On Bullying

The number of reported cases of bullying in School District 8 is down. 

The District Education Council heard from Community Policing officer Sergeant David Hartley-Brown who says schools are still a bit inconsistent in how they deal with such incidents.

He believes a more consistent approach among the schools would reduce the number even more.

Hartley-Brown also reminded members of the District Education Council bullying can be a criminal offense if the perpetrator is over the age of 12.

It's More Expensive To Buy Gas

Gas prices are on the rise after the weekly setting.

The price for self serve regular has risen by almost 2 cents a litre and is being sold this morning in the city for $1.24.1 while diesel went up by 3 cents and is going for an even $1.38 a litre around town. 

Heating oil is almost 2 cents a litre more expensive at $1.19.6 while propane is virtually unchanged at $1.15.8.

Construction Leader Chosen As Santa Claus Parade Marshall

A long time supporter and developer in our region is being tapped to be a rep for Santa Claus -- Pat Darrah is the President of the Saint John Construction Association and has been chosen as the Honorary Parade Marshall for this year's Santa Claus Parade.

He has been a key promoter in economic and social development in the region and has helped develop Market Square, the 1985 Canada Games, the Imperial Theatre, and most recently, the establishment of Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick.

Darrah was also recently awarded the Order of New Brunswick.

The 59th edition of the parade takes place November 19th.

YM-YWCA Lookning for Nominations For Community Award Recepients

The final call is being put out by the YM-YWCA on nominations for the Red Triangle and Leader to Watch Award.

The Red Triangle is given to someone who has a long and recognized history of volunteer service and achievement with the Y and the community.

The Leader to Watch Award is given to someone 35 or younger who acts as a role model in the community.

The deadline for nominations is tomorrow with the awards slated to be given out in April.

To submit a nomination, here.

Two Days Left To Vote For The Bay

Tourism Minister Trevor Holder says the contest for the Bay of Fundy is like an election campaign and the only way to win is to get out the vote.
A voting rally held at the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal encouraging the public to vote with two days left.
He tells CHSJ News a lot of us have grown up with the Bay Of Fundy and he thinks taken it for granted.

He says we have to get the message out to the world that people have to come see the Bay Of Fundy.

The decision on who wins the contest will be announced on Friday afternoon.

To vote click here

Brian Lund Memorial Fund Donates to P.R.O. Kids

The Brian Lund Memorial Fund making a 25-hundred dollar donation to P.R.O. Kids.

The money was raised by a casino night held by the fund back in September.

The money will be used to help place youth from low-income families into sports, music, or other recreations.

P.R.O. Kids has placed 920 children to date in 2011.

Province and Feds Sign Affordable Housing Agreement

The federal and provincial governments signing a new affordable housing deal.

The arrangement will see an investment of 23.4 million dollars from both sides that will be used to build new homes and renovate existing properties.

Social Development Minister Sue Stultz says the plan will give the province more flexibility to design and deliver housing programs.

The agreement is the result of a recently announced deal among the federal, provincial, and territorial governments.

Big Job Gains From Shale Gas Would Require Huge Deposits

If a significant amount of shale gas is found in this province, it could mean 2000 jobs and up to 200 million dollars in royalty revenue and more relating to corporate income tax and license fees.   That from Fred Bergman Senior Policy Analyst with the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council.

Bergman tells CHSJ News one deposit in the province is estimated at 67 trillion cubit feet but most reserves end up being much less. He says you would need a major find in order to produce 2000 jobs.

Bergman acknowledges the environmental concerns that come with shale gas.

He says the province lost $100,000 in revenue after one company decided not to continue their exploration efforts.

RCMP Will Investigate Shale Gas Testing

Windsor Energy may have apologised but the Natural Resources Department is still filing a complaint with the RCMP alleging the company violated the Oil and Natural Gas Act by testing for shale gas in Sussex without first getting the permission of the town.

Under that legislation, written permission from the municipality is required before geophysical activity can be conducted within town boundaries.

Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup says the results of his department's investigation have been turned over to the RCMP and any further comment would be inappropriate.

Breakin Reported At Uptown Construction Site

City Police are investigating a reported break and enter at the condos on Water Street.

It was called in around 4 this morning. 

Copper has been stolen from the site before.

Christmas Card For The Troops Ready For Signatures

For the fourth year a Christmas card handpainted by Norm Jackson will be sent to Afghanistan to lift the spirits of our troops.
It's set up in Market Square for members of the public to sign.
Saint John MP Rodney Weston says it's a nice way to send sentiments from home.

He says it's a great way for us to send our appreciation to our troops at a time of year when we're back here at home.
He hopes it will put a smile on their faces.

The annual  "Salute to our Veterans" concert goes tonight at Harbour View High school at 7:30.

Police Release Description of Esso Robbers

City police releasing a description of the men who robbed the Esso gas station on Rothesay Avenue at knifepoint shortly after midnight.

They are being described as white and in their late teens or early twenties.  

The first suspect is described as white, wearing a light grey hoody, black balaclava, dark sunglasses, dark pants with white stripes down the sides, red gloves and dark sneakers.

The other suspect is described as being white, wearing a dark grey hoody with the hood up, dark sunglasses, dark pants with white stripes down the sides, red gloves with black stripes and possibly green laces in his sneakers.

If you have any information, call the Saint John Police Force at 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).

Premier Says Pension Issue Is Between City and Employees

Meanwhile, Premier David Alward says the province will not get directly involved with the details of the reform package -- that is an issue between the city and its employees.

He says the province only provides the regulatory framework of the pension and the province's next step is to wait for a recommendation from the Superintendent of Pensions once the reforms are reviewed.

Union For Outside Workers Not Happy With Pension Reforms

Outside city workers with Local 18 are another group not pleased with the pension reforms that makes deeper cuts, including the suspension of indexing.

President Mike Meahan says the union doesn't understand why the province rejected the first reform package, which was agreed upon by all the working groups.

He says clawing back benefits from retirees is a tough pill to swallow and he says his union will not accept it.

He says the union will be trying to meet with the province and MLA's to continue to push the first option.

Optimism Over Coast Guard Site Being Developed Despite "Speed Bump"

The General Manager of the Saint John Development Corporation, Kent MacIntyre is optimistic a new partner will be found to develop the Coast Guard site next to Market Square.

He says they have been receiving expressions of interest over the last number of months.

The Hardman Group decided to pull out of the partnership. Executive Vice President Colin Whitcomb tells CHSJ News one factor was the decision by Irving Oil not to build a second oil refinery.

He adds economic conditions have changed alot and not for the better since the memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2006.

Whitcomb says there was also frustration over how long it's taking to actually get ownership of the property from the federal government.

MacIntyre says you won't see shovels in the ground next year but anytime after that......Look out.

Two Saint Johnners Sentenced For Armed Holdups

Two city men have been sentenced to prison terms for two armed robberies at the Somerset Pub on August 30th and the Colonial Inn on September 1st.
 
23 year old David John Harris of Iona Avenue was given 4 and a half years on five charges while 28 year old Joshua Peter Mcintyre of Elizabeth Court got 3 and a half years on three charges.
 
Harris was sentenced to more time behind bars because he had his face concealed while committing the two armed holdups. He was also charged with possessing stolen goods in Rothesay.
 
The two were armed with a 9 millimeter replica handgun and got away with 15 hundred dollars from the pub and 40 dollars from a worker at the hotel. That particular worker has now been robbed twice while at the hotel.
 
 Neither had a criminal record before what the judge called this crime spree.

No Rosy Prediction For NB's Finances

The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council doesn't have a rosy prediction for this province's finances.
Senior Economist David Chaundy tells CHSJ News they expect a slight slowdown in economic growth.


He says overall he thinks the economic climate will be quite weak adding it will take a few years to address the fiscal situation and address the deficit.

Chaundy says the good news is growth in Mining and Potash.

No Hunting In Rockwood Park

The City reminding you today there is no hunting allowed within the boundaries of Rockwood Park.

Signs and discs warning hunters away from the boundaries of the park are being put up and it's also being registered with the Minister of Natural Resources under the Fish and Wildlife Act.

The City had some reports from park users that they saw hunters in the area near Foster Thurston Drive at Owen Lake. 

The area includes near Ashburn Lake, which is surrounded by Sandy Point Road, Foster Thurston and Ashburn Lake Road.  For more information, call 658-2908.

New Home Starts Down In October

 New home construction in the province's urban centres lower last month according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
The data indicates a total of 213 starts in October compared to 349 starts for the same period last year.

CMHC Senior Market Analyst Claude Gautreau says multiple starts in the urban centres were significantly lower in October contributing to the overall decline recorded for the month.  He says year-to date, multiple starts are down 20 per cent from last year's total to 1160 units.

Single starts in October were also down from last year's total, with a 21 per cent decrease to 104 units.
In urban centres across the country, total housing starts recorded in October were up 21 per cent.      For more information, click here

New Partner Will Be Needed To Develop Coast Guard Site

The Saint John Development Corporaton is looking for a new partner to develop the Coast Guard site down by Market Square.

The Hardman Group has decided to bow out in what is described by Charlie Swanton, who chairs the Saint John Development Corporation, as a mutual decision. 

The Hardman Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding back in March of 2006 to see the site developed with a hotel, condos, retail and commercial space. 

The first phase of the Coast Guard site was not acquired from the federal government until March of this year with the rest to be taken over next year.

According to the Hardman Group, a number of things have changed in the interim and you can't do much if you don't own the land.

Major Crime Investigates Armed Holdup

There was an early morning robbery at the 3 Mile Esso at the corner of Rothesay Avenue and McAllister Drive.

It happened just after midnight.

Two teens armed with knives made off with a quantity of cash but there were no injuries.

Retired Police Officers Not Happy With New Pension Plan

Retired police officers are among those affected by the new pension plan and they will be challenging the changes when it goes to the province for approval.

Kevin McDonald is the President of the Saint John City Police Retired Members Association and he says while the cuts could have been worse, no one wants to lose what they have been getting.

He says he is upset over the principal of the matter -- being promised something and then having it taken away.




He says a closer look should have been made on city spending before the cuts were proposed.

Council Passes Approves Revised Pension Plan In Front Of Packed House

In front of a packed council chamber filled with city employees, common council unanimously passing through a revised pension plan that makes further cuts.

The new plan will see cost-of-living increases suspended for both active and retired employees until the the plan brings in bigger returns as well as overtime pay no longer being pensionable.

Councillor Chris Titus says it's with a heavy heart that council needs to approve these kind of measures.  He says after months of negotiations, the plan seems to be the only option available.  However, he remains worried that the cuts will still not be enough to save the plan in the long run.

The city's tax rate could go up as high as 15 cents if reforms are not made.

The revised pension plan needs the approval of the provincial government.

More Construction Activity On The Bridge

Look for even more construction activity in the area of the Harbour Bridge beginning today.  
Galbraith Construction has been awarded the tender to build lanes - curbs - and - speed monitoring signs on the western approach to the bridge where the toll plaza once stood.  
Galbraith was the lowest of five tenders received coming in at just under 600-thousand dollars.  
The work is scheduled to be completed by year end -- meantime -- the west bound lanes of the bridge are still on schedule to open by the middle of this month while the Chesley Drive off ramp is scheduled to re-open at the end of the month.

Common Council Approves Civic Pension Reform

Zoo Is Worried About Deficit And Funding From City

Cherry Brook Zoo is facing a deficit of 150 thousand dollars. The Director of Development at the zoo, Linda Collrin calls that a huge problem.
 
Collrin is worried about what might happen to funding from the city in next year's budget. 

The zoo has been drawing on its growth and enhancement fund but that is now down from 650 thousand dollars to 150 thousand. 

There is no guarantee the zoo will get funding from the city next year and Collrin tells CHSJ News she's worried about the budget crunch facing Common Council.

Strong Canadian Dollar Being Blamed For Moosehead Layoffs

27 administrative employees at Moosehead have been laid off as their jobs have been eliminated because of the strength of the Canadian dollar which has made brewing beer in Saint John more expensive. 

Company President Andrew Oland says this threatened the contractual relationship between Moosehead and a large unnamed international brewer.
 
Oland also says the Moosehead Country Store is being closed to allow for the brewery to expand. The merchandise will be available online and Moosehead is looking for a third party retailer.
 
He adds this has nothing to do with slow beer sales this past summer but warns if this contract with the international brewer is not renewed, then hourly workers will be laid off but Oland doesn't expect that would happen before October of 2012, if it comes to pass at all.  

Lockdown Update

Students, staff and teachers in lockdown at St. John the Baptist for about 45 minutes early this afternoon.
District 8 Education Council chair Rob Fowler tells CHSJ News it all started when a student thought he saw a woman being abducted outside the school, ran in and told administrators who immediately locked down the school.

He tells us he believes an off-duty or retired police officer was trying to get a woman away from someone who had a weapon and sent the child packing to keep them safe and the child misunderstood what was happening.

Fowler says it's District 8 policy if there is any kind of threat to the school, a lockdown it put into effect.

Brief Lockdown At City School Precautionary

Precautionary -- that's how a brief lockdown at Saint John the Baptist school is being described.
    The lockdown went into effect briefly after a brother and sister were spotted by another student arguing outside of the school.
    The student apparently reported it to school officials - police were called - and the lockdown put into effect as a precautionary move while they got to the bottom of the situation.
    Police tell us the lockdown has since been lifted and everything has returned to normal.

Moosehead Announcing 27 Layoffs

It's the unemployment line for 27 employees at Moosehead as the positions have been eliminated.

The Moosehead country store is also closing its doors.

The company announcing last week changes in a contract relationship between Moosehead and a large international brewer will result in either the loss or a significant reduction in the brewing and packaging of the company’s brands in Saint John.


Moosehead President Andrew Oland says the impacted management and administrative employees will be compensated fairly, offered career counselling and other support. 

Irving Oil President Acknowledges Industry Challenges

Irving Oil is navigating through some challenging times.   It's President Mike Ashar says the refinery industry is at the low end of the business cycle.
Asher tells CHSJ News says the key to getting through it is running the operations well, competing vigorously and investing in your people. 

He says you look for opportunities in these tough conditions but, the Irving employees will help them through the challenges. 
Asher gave the key note address at the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council Outlook 2012 conference this morning.

Doubling of Seniors' Prescription Drug Charges Will Hurt

A proposed doubling in prescription drug costs for seniors in the province from 250 to 500 dollars a year will provoke a backlash. So predicts Linda McCaustlin of the Common Front for Social Justice.

She tells CHSJ News with an estimated 48 thousand seniors in the province making do with under 16 thousand dollars a year, this might wind up costing the government more money with additional hospital visits.

McCaustlin takes 12 medications herself and says it would mean less food for her.
 
The Alward Government is seeking public input on the idea.

APEC's Outlook 2012 Kicks Off in Saint John

Irving Oil President Mike Ashar singing the praises of the company's 3500 employees in his keynote address to delegates at the Atlantic Province Economic Council conference in the City. Asher says the employees are key to their success including great customer service. He says the industry has never seen more competition.

Housing Sales Post Small Gain

Real estate sales are slowly bouncing back after a sluggish summer -- the latest figures from the Saint John Real Estate Board show a one percent increase in sales last month compared to October of last year.              
But -- overall sales for the year so far remain down compared to a year ago.    Meantime -- the average sale price for a home last month was around 162-thousand dollars.

Bad News Regarding City Pension Plan

A stark message being delivered to Common Council about the city's deficit laden pension plan. It has to be fundamentally reformed in order to be affordable and sustainable.

The councilors vote tonight on several recommendations they hope will be approved by the province. 

Council has been told without the changes, the tax rate would have to rise by over 12 cents or city services would have to be reduced by 7.3 million dollars.

Even if the changes are accepted, the tax rate could still rise by 2.7 cents because of the pension plan's financial woes.

No one is happy about any of this but Kevin Lacey, the Atlantic Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, tells CHSJ News there's no choice.......the money isn't there with the city pension plan's deficit is now estimated at 131 million dollars.

New city workers who come on board after January will have reduced pension benefits and, as we told you earlier, indexing will be suspended, even for the retirees.

Board of Trade Suggests Reforms

In a letter to Common Council, the Board of Trade putting forward a number of recommendations to alleviate pressure on the city's core services--without raising taxes. The Board of Trade voicing concerns about the impact the current pension deficit will have on the city. According to president Imelda Gilman, it could stand in the way of Saint John's growth.

The Board of Trade recommendations included that Council reconfirm its priorities, cooperate with other regions, and make the pension plan more sustainable. The letter also emphasized the importance of transparency within the city's government.

Presently, Saint John has the highest tax rate in the province, which puts businesses at a competitive disadvantage.

Water Pressure Back to Normal

The City of Saint John, New Brunswick says water pressure is returning to normal after a water main break affected residents east of the Reversing Falls Bridge.

The 60-centimeter pipe ruptured in the Champlain Heights area.

The city issued a statement late Saturday saying the pipe had been isolated from the city's drinking water system. However, Saint John Water is asking residents to conserve water until the repairs are complete.

Revised Pension Plan Will Go To Vote On Monday

City Council will be swimming in numbers Monday night -- they will be presented with the latest reform package intended to save the battered pension plan.

Key additions to the revised plan include suspensions to cost-of-living increases to both current and retired employees.  They would be on hold until the plan becomes more profitable.

Another key change is overtime will no longer be pensionable.

The city's first reform package was turned down by the province and this one will also need provincial approval.

If reforms are not made, the tax rate could jump by as much as 12 to 15 cents.

The city is facing a 131 million dollar deficit that could balloon to as high as 163 million by the end of the year.

Council will meet in chambers at six o'clock.

Study Finds We Would Sleep With An Extra Hour

Canadians need to make time in their busy lives for their human needs.
That's one of the facts coming from a survey by Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada on what you might with an extra hour.
President Bruce MacDonald says they did the survey for two reasons.

He says it was an interesting way to chat with Canadians to see what they are thinking and to tell them about their in-school mentoring program at elementary schools.

He says the survey founds most Atlantic Canadians most sleep or spend time with family and friends before we would go to work.

To learn more about the Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada "Value Of An Hour" contest click here

Clocks Fall Back Tonight

It's that time of the year - remember to turn your clocks back one hour before going to bed this evening.
And also remember to change the batteries in your smoke alarms.