City's Legal Beagles Will Study Viability Of Congestion Tax

The idea of charging a congestion tax on commuters bringing their vehicles into the uptown will be studied by the city's legal department.

Common Councillors Donnie Snook and Bill Farren say it has worked well in London, England but fellow Councillor Chris Titus warns against comparing apples with oranges because Saint John doesn't have the same traffic congestion as London or Boston.

Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase says the city wants people to go downtown and a congestion tax could turn out to be counter productive. 

Snook questions why city taxpayers should pick up the entire tab of maintaining roads that are used by people who choose to live where the property tax rate is alot lower.

Mother and Son Hit by Bus Near Perth Andover

One woman dead and another man in critical condition after being hit by a passenger bus near Perth Andover.

At around 7:30 on Sunday, the bus struck a man walking with his mother on Route 190. RCMP state they were walking with the flow of traffic when they were hit from behind.

The 70-year-old woman died and the 50-year-old man's injuries are life-threatening. He remains in the Saint John Regional Hospital. Although the names of the victims have not been released, both were from the Montreal area.

Teen Dies After Moncton-Area Crash

The Mounties believe slippery road conditions are a factor in a crash that led to a teen's death.

RCMP called to the single vehicle crash on Monday night after a car heading eastbound on Highway 106 in Allison left the road, went down an embankment and landed in a wooded area.

Moncton fire crews and paramedics had to use the Jaws of Life to free the Lower Coverdale teen from his vehicle.

He was rushed to hospital in Moncton where he died this morning.

Enterprise Saint John Bullish On Economic Potential of Research Spending

The partnership at Tucker Park between the new medical school, the Regional Hospital and U-N-B Saint John has the potential for huge economic benefits for the city over the next few years. That, according to Tony Goguen, who chairs Enterprise Saint John.

Goguen estimates such spending on health sciences research in Halifax alone amounts to as much as 100 million dollars a year and there are economic spinoffs to be derived from that.

 He believes that could happen here in the next 3 to 4 years.

 New Brunswick has been last among the provinces when it comes to that type of spending on research.

Animal Rescue League Moving To East Side

After almost 50 years in its current location at 134 Taylor Avenue in the north end, the S-P-C-A Animal Rescue League is moving to a new facility at 295 Bayside Drive.

The move into a bigger building that will be refitted is expected to be complete by the end of this month.

Business Group Optimistic Poverty Reduction Won't Be Abandoned

The Alward Government faces a very tough road financially but Tom Gribbons, who chairs the Saint John Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative, doesn't think the Premier is wavering in his commitment to the poverty reduction plan.
 

The poverty reduction plan was cobbled together at a conference in Saint John that was chaired by then Premier Shawn Graham and agreed to by then Opposition leader David Alward.

Gribbons is calling the social safety net more like a web that traps people in poverty. He says there should be more incentives to go to work with better supports for such things as childcare.

Grand Bay-Westfield In Dispute With Two L-S-D's

Municipalities around the province are waiting with bated breath about what the Alward Government plans to do to bring about increased regionalisation. 

Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Grace Losier doesn't sound too pleased about the town limits being expanded to Petersville Hill considering there's an army base and little opportunity for commercial development.
 
Losier is also not happy with two local service districts refusing to pay for the upkeep of the River Valley Community Centre to keep it going even though they partially own it. 

Losier has written to Local Government Minister Bruce Fitch.

Mayor Dismisses Suggestion Of Hike In Tax Rate

Even though the city's 2012 budget has not been finalised yet, Mayor Ivan Court is talking as if there will not be an increase in the tax rate but it all depends on what the province does about the proposed pension plan changes. 

The Mayor says if the provincial government formally approves the revised changes to the city's pension plan, not only will there be no increase in the tax rate but there won't be any cuts in city services. 

Court tells CHSJ News since the city and province have been working together on the revised changes, he doesn't see why they wouldn't be approved.

Everyone Deserves a Decent Wage, Says Coalition

The NB Coalition for Pay Equity wants the Alward government to prioritize a decent wage for all workers in 2012.

Campaign co-president Louise Imbeault says that the work women do is often valued less than the same work done by a man.

The N.B. Coalition for Pay Equity has managed to raise over half of its $80,000 objective for its Still Standing fundraiser. A recent tour called Pay Equity Means to Me reached out to workers affected by pay equity programs initiated by the government a few years ago. The group met with 150 people from four targeted sectors in Campbellton, Moncton, Grand-Falls and Tracadie-Sheila.

Imbeault says they're working hard to get pay inequality addressed in the next provincial budget.

More Details On Assault Of A Cab Driver In The K-V

More information has been released about the reported assault of a cab driver in Quispamsis early in the morning of New Year's Day. 

Rothesay Regional Police say a man who is accused of attacking the cab driver after refusing to pay his fare is known to them. The incident happened on Hampton Road. 

According to police, a group of about six men, who all appeared to be drunk, were picked up in the city and driven to the Valley.
   
The driver attempted to kick them out of his cab and this is when one of the men attacked him who suffered abrasions and was taken to hospital for treatment.

 

Premier Says Shale Gas Exploration An Opportunity

It may be a new year -- but -- the controversy over shale gas exploration remains simmering on the front burner.

And in an interview with CHSJ News -- Premier Alward says his government is moving to tighten up regulations for the industry so that people will feel protected and companies will the clarity to look for opportunities as well.

Alward says those regulations will be backed by better monitoring and adequate enforcement -- the Premier also says he believes we need to have good quality companies carrying out the exploration work.

Premier Alward says greater access to natural gas can help bolster our future economic prospects.

Man Gets Arm Stuck in VLT

A sticky situation at an uptown pool hall--fire officials had to rescue a man who got his arm trapped in a VLT.

Fire department getting a call from Dooly's on Prince Edward Square shortly after noon saying that a man was stuck to the elbow in a video lottery terminal.

According to District Chief Joe Armstrong, it took over an hour of hard work to cut the machine apart and free the man. He wasn't injured--but he probably won't be doing that again any time soon.

Premier Not Ruling Out Some Cuts And Tax Hikes

As his Conservative government tries to get the provincial debt under control -- Premier Alward remains committed to no increase in the H-S-T.
In a year end interview with CHSJ News -- the Premier says any move to increase the H-S-T requires a referendum and his main focus at the moment is to get spending under control and focusing on core services -- something that may mean cuts to programs and services.
Alward also isn't ruling out further increases on fuel - tobacco - and - alcohol taxes if needed when his government tables its budget in March.
Meantime -- pre-budget public consultations are slated to begin here in the city January 16th.
To watch a video of our year end interview with Premier Alward - click the "Videos" button to the right.

Taxpayers Federation Wants Tax Pledge From Premier

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Alward Government to make a pledge not to raise taxes this year. 

The Federation's Atlantic Director Kevin Lacey tells CHSJ News the time has come to stop what he denounces as corporate welfare. 

Lacey says the provincial government should stop handing out tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to companies that are failing and, in some cases, the investments have been politically motivated.
 
The Taxpayer Federation's big fear this year is that taxes will be raised in the province which Lacey believes is the wrong thing to do when the economy is still shaky.

Mayor Says Saint John Is A City On The Move

Mayor Ivan Court says 2011 was a great year for the city with 500 million dollars worth of projects on the go in the Greater Saint John area. 

Most of those projects will be completed sometime this year but the Mayor doesn't expect us to enter a dry spell. 

Without spelling out specifics, Court says there will be a couple of announcements made that will create jobs in the city and he expects the Coast Guard site to be sold by the middle of this year. 

Court has said he will be seeking another term as Mayor telling CHSJ News Harbour Cleanup will soon be a reality and he would like to see at least a financial committment on clean drinking water from the other two levels of government.

School District 8 To Look At Closures

School District 8 may have among the oldest schools in the province but none of them is in such bad shape to be closed down which happened to the Moncton High building.

Rob Fowler, who chairs the District 8 Education Council, says older schools are more expensive to maintain but there won't be any provincial money coming......at least not yet. He is optimistic the school district might get some funding from the province in the next round.

Fowler concedes with declining enrollments, the school district will have to look at closing some schools which, in most cases, is controversial.

Two Vehicles Flip Over

City Police report a steady night but only one breathalyser charge also there are several drunks sleeping it off in the cells.

There was a two vehicle collision at Paradise Row and Somerset Street. 3 people were taken to hospital and one of them had to be extracted with the jaws of life.

A vehicle flipped over this morning while travelling along Sandy Point Road. There were no injuries and then a couple of hours later another one rolled over on Seeley Street near the Public Gardens and crashed through a fence.Two men reportedly just walked away from that one. 

City Police warn the roads are deceptively slick.

Cab Driver Assaulted In Valley

Rothesay Regional Police report they did not arrest one impaired driver from the New Year's Eve celebration. 

They do tell us a cab driver was assaulted around 3:15 this morning on Hampton Road in Quispamsis.The cabbie confronted the fare who was walking away without paying. 

The cab driver was taken to hospital to be treated for abrasions and no one has been arrested yet.

Local Pols Host New Year's Day Levees

This is the day when you can have a chin wag with your local elected representatives.

Mayor Ivan Court and members of Common Council will ring in 2012 with the city's annual New Year’s Levee. It will take place today from 11 this morning until 2 in the afternoon at H-M-C-S Brunswicker.

New Year's Levees are also taking place from noon until 2 today in Quispamsis and Rothesay at the town halls.

Break-In at Scotiabank on Westmoreland Road

A break in occurring at Scotiabank on Westmoreland Road around 7:30 this morning.

Two men were spotted on security footage doing something to the key pad of the ATM.

The suspects fled when the alarm went off. Police responding to the scene saw that the door to the bank had been pried open.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious around the bank this morning are asked to contact police.

911 Hoax Lands Mispec Teen in Hot Water

Don't fool around and make false emergency calls.

That message from the RCMP after an extensive search in Mispec was prompted by a hoax. A teenager who claimed to be wounded at a camp is now facing a charge of making a false 9-1-1 call. 

Corporal George Parisella tells us this is no joke, and that 911 is only to be used for emergencies.

The RCMP say the youth called 9-1-1 and sounded very agitated when he claimed to have injured himself while cutting wood and was not able to give clear directions to where he was.
The teenager was eventually located none the worse for wear in a camp off West Beach Road.

Air Miles Will Now Have Expiry Date

Air Miles is imposing an expiry date on reward miles starting today. It says participants in the Air Miles reward program will be required to use their existing miles before December 31st, 2016. 


Reward miles earned after New Year's Eve will only be valid for five years after they're first posted. 

Until now, the miles never carried an expiration date.

Zoning By-Law Will Be Reviewed, says PlanSJ

Passage of the city's new municipal plan next month is only the first step to charting a new direction in future development around town. 

A comprehensive review of the zoning bylaw will be undertaken along with other initiatives, including the recreation master plan and Fairvale Boulevard corridor study, says Jaqueline Hamilton of PlanSJ.

Hamilton says the current zoning regulations are outdated and she's promising extensive public consultation before a new bylaw is ready for approval by Common Council in the summer of 2013.

Compensation for Agent Orange Victims at CFB Gagetown

The federal government has decided to approve more payouts under the compensation program for those people affected by the spraying of Agent Orange at C-F-B Gagetown.

The Canadian Press has learned approximately 30 people will now receive payments for exposure to the defoliant in the 1960s.

They were eligible for funds but filed an application too late.

Government sources say the rules were reviewed after it received several complaints when a number of families went public with their bureaucratic battles.

City Zoning Bylaws Are "Outdated"

Once the new municipal plan is adopted by Common Council, city staff will ten embark on a comprehensive review of the zoning bylaw. 

Jacqueline Hamilton of Plan SJ calls the current zoning regulations "outdated" and in need of revamping to coincide with the new municipal plan that will be the roadmap for future development over the next generation.

Hamilton says the plan calls for the new zoning bylaw to be ready for approval by the summer of 2013. She also promises there will be extensive public consultation. 

While the new zoning bylaw is being drawn up, work will be done on a master plan for recreation and future commercial development along the Golden Mile on the west side.

Fire on Raymond Road

A blaze that started in a shed early this morning in French Village has proved costly.

Rothesay fire officials getting the call around 2:45am. Once they got to the address on Raymond Road they found a shed ablaze. The shed, containing a number of ATVs, snowmobiles and motorcycles, was a write-off.

Although no one was hurt, the damage is estimated to be around $20,000 dollars. Fire officials are looking into what caused the blaze.

Province Told To Turn Off The Tap

The provincial government has been on an unprecendented spending binge over the last four years........That charge being levelled by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation which says the time has come to cut spending. 

The Federation's Atlantic Director Kevin Lacey tells CHSJ News the government can also do something else to reduce the ocean of red ink and that is sell some assets such as NB Liquor. 

Lacey says in just the past four years, the number of provincial government employees earning 100 thousand dollars a year or more has doubled and spending has increased by 1.7 billion dollars.

Police Warn Against Making False Emergency Calls

An extensive search in Mispec was prompted by a hoax and a teenager who claimed to be wounded at a camp is facing a charge of making a false 9-1-1 call.  

The RCMP say the youth called 9-1-1 and sounded very agitated when he claimed to have injured himself while cutting wood and was not able to give clear directions to where he was. 
 
Various emergency personnel began a search including Emergency Medical Technicians, City Police, Saint John Fire and the Department of Public Safety's Off Road Vehicle Enforcement Unit .
 
The teenager was eventually located safe and sound in a camp off West Beach Road, in Mispec through the use of G-P-S coordinates and satellite imaging. 

Police quickly determined the boy was not actually injured at all.
 

Chimney Fire Extinguished

There was an early morning chimney fire on Route 820, Baxter’s Corner.  

When crews from the Simonds Fire Department responded around 6:00, they found there were hot embers coming from the chimney.  

Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire.  The home had to be ventilated. No one was injured.

Homeowners are being advised not to burn their Christmas wrapping paper in the fireplace because it can can chimney fires.

Hitch Hiker Charged With Attempted Robbery

A 20 year old man from St. Stephen, Bradley James Johnson has been charged after being arrested by the RCMP in St. George after an attempted robbery on Highway 1 near Seeley's Cove Road in Pennfield Wednesday afternoon.

Police say a man picked up a hitch hiker and then had a weapon pulled on him and was ordered to hand over his money. A struggle reportedly ensued but the driver was eventually able to pull off the road and managed to push the hitch hiker out of his vehicle.

No one was seriously injured.

Saint John MP Says We Can Keep Control in P3 Deals

Saint John MP Rodney Weston says the city does not need to fear losing control of it's water in a public-private partnership.

The city is currently exploring P3 deals in order to pay for costly upgrades to our drinking water infrastructure.

Weston tells CHSJ News the city is in the driver's seat as far as how much control it can give to the private sector.

He says we can build our own model and there are private partners out there willing to play by our rules.

He adds there is a stigma attached to P3 deals but discussions with various city councillors seem to indicate they are coming around on the issue.

Joshua Group Founder Will Press On To Find Home

The search continues for the Joshua Group as it looks for a place to call home.

Founder Bobby Hayes was hoping to get his hands on an old provincial building on Paradise Row but the province has sold the building.

Hayes tells CHSJ News he wasn't surprised that the building was sold but he is still disappointed.

He says the group does not need a large or extravagant building and he will press on to find a place for the children.

The Joshua Group provides activities and support for underprivileged children.

MLA Margaret Ann-Blaney has worked with Hayes on the project  but she says the building on Paradise Row would have required costly upgrades in order to be a suitable place.

Former Liberal Cabinet Minister Launching Leadership Campaign

Former Liberal Health Minister Mike Murphy will be officially launching his campaign for leadership of the provincial Liberal party.

The launch will take place Thursday, January 5th, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., at the Christ-Roi Golden Age Club in Moncton.

Murphy served under the Graham Government in 2006 but resigned from cabinet in 2010.

Belledune mayor and dairy farmer Nick Duivenvoorden is the only other declared candidate in the Liberal leadership race.

Year End Interview With Premier David Alward

Premier Dismisses Criticism Over Industrial Energy Policies

Premier Alward is deflecting criticism of his government's new energy pricing and policies for heavy industrial users.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling the new energy pricing and surplus power purchase plans nothing short of corporate welfare at the expense of average New Brunswickers.
But -- in a year end interview with CHSJ News -- the Premier says it will help keep large companies competitive avoiding the loss of heavy industrial customers for N-B Power -- and -- that will help to keep power rates stable for New Brunswickers.
Alward also says his government is changing policies for business investment to make the process more open and accountable.

Taxes To Go Up January 1st.

If you're working, more money will be taken out of your pay cheque for employment insurance and Canada Pension in the new year. The increase will amount to 323 dollars a year for employees and employers.

The Atlantic Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Kevin Lacey calls that one of the single largest increases since 2002 and tells CHSJ News, the Harper Government claims the programme is now underfunded but there were actually huge surpluses in years gone by but the federal governments of the day managed to spend that money.

Lacey likens any increase in payroll taxes to a job killer at a time when the provincial economy is in such a fragile state.

Mixed Income Housing Is Key To Ending Poverty

Improvements on housing and slight declines in the rate for seniors and kids sound good when it comes to eradicating poverty in Saint John. But, Human Development Council Executive Director Randy Hatfield tells CHSJ News says there is still a lot of work ahead in 2012 and beyond.

He favours mixed income housing like the St. Andrew the Abbey project and the new announcement for Churchill Boulevard.

He says the biggest hurdle in housing is the price adding the current provincial and federal governments housing agreements in place are not as generous as they need to be in order to prompt private sector involvement.

As for a tiny dip in the numbers for child and senior poverty, Hatfield says you have to be very careful with stats on poverty when the numbers relate to money because of other factors at play including education and literacy.

Most New Year Resolutions Focus On Health

A new survey finds past failures are not stopping Canadians from making New Year’s resolutions. The survey for Sun Life Financial finds almost eight-in-ten Canadians are making resolutions for 2012.

Sun Life Financial Senior Vice-President Kevin Strain says the vast majority are focusing on their health, such as losing weight or eating better.  

But Strain adds only 25 percent of people have kept their resolutions in the past.
 

The Ipsos survey also found almost one-third of Canadians have resolved to pay down debt in 2012.

Regular Self-Serve Goes Up

Gas prices taking a small jump at the pumps today -- regular self serve has gone up to $1.25 at litre, although most stations are selling it for $1.22 a litre.

Diesel also going up to $1.35 a litre but most places sell it for a few cents lower.

Meanwhile, furnace oil taking a slight bump to $1.14 a litre while propane going down a few cents to $1.10 a litre.

Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty

Guilty pleas from a Charlotte Street man charged with two counts of dealing in cocaine.

Trevor Garland is scheduled to be back in court for sentencing on January 30th. In the meantime, a presentence report will be prepared for the judge.

The prosecution says Garland is looking at more than 2 years in prison. 

The court was told he was a target in the street level crackdown on cocaine trafficking and was nabbed in November after selling small amounts of the drug to undercover police.

Court Appearance In Death Of Elderly Man

A 50 year old man arrested by City Police in the slaying of an elderly man has made a brief appearance in court before being sent back to jail. 

Stephen Wallace Martin was remanded to January 5th when he'll be back before a judge. 

Martin was arrested after a warrant was issued for his arrest following the discovery by firefighters of the body of Robert Ryan at 374 Mount Pleasant Avenue North on December 20th. 

Police have not disclosed how he died.

Pay Equity Fundraising Rolls On

 The Provincial coalition for pay equity bringing in over $50,000 for 65 per cent of their fundraising goal.
The group is trying to raise $80,000 in order to eliminate what they call one of the root causes for poverty among women: pay inequity.
Louise Imbeault tells CHSJ News the fundraising is necessary as they no longer get any government funding.

She says for the last two years the government decided any organization that is looking for changes in laws would no longer get any funding.

The fundraising campaign began in late November and Imbeault tells us they hope to reach their goal sometime in January.

Grand Bay-Westfield Becoming Community Of Choice

 2011 was a moumental year in Grand Bay-Westfield........That from Mayor Grace Losier.

She says they had good growth with housing starts up 20 per cent from the year before.
Losier tells CHSJ News after speaking to some real estate agents it would appear that for some Grand Bay-Westfield is the community of choice.

Losier says the new housing, when it's built in the town, should be cheaper than in the Kennebecasis Valley and that will enhance its attractiveness.

Boxing Day Sales Off to Good Start

With some retailers cutting prices now that Christmas is over, shoppers throughout the area have been packing stores hunting for bargains.

Shoppers lined up at 80 Consumers Drive, East Saint John at 6am to take advantage of Future Shop's Boxing Day sales on electronics.

Some retailers report the lines outside stores appeared a bit thinner than previous years -- but the Retail Council of Canada estimates there will be a three per cent increase in retail sales this Christmas compared to last year.

Photo Credit: Mark McGraw

Funding Clean Drinking Water a Priority, Says Weston

Saint John MP Rodney Weston says 2011 was full of highlights for him.

He tells CHSJ News two stand out in his mind -- the honour of being re-elected and the tolls coming off the Harbour Bridge.

He says there were also several affordable housing starts that he is very happy about because it was one of his key campaign platforms.

Looking ahead to 2012, Weston says his key commitments are moving ahead on funding for clean drinking water and more affordable housing.

Q-Plex an Accomplishment for 2011, Says Driscoll

Quispamsis Mayor Driscoll is singling out the completion and opening of the Q-Plex as one of his favorite accomplishments of 2011.

Driscoll tells CHSJ News the 24 million dollar project even came in $50,000  under budget. He says that over 100,000 people have used the facilities, and over 40,000 used the pool for swimming this past summer.

He's also proud of the KV Fields opening up.

As for 2012, he says roads will be a major focus as 16 of them are slated for work in the summer.

Saint John Transit Finalizes Cuts

Saint John Transit has officially reduced its services by 14,000 hours and eliminated 8 driver positions.

Local 1182 president Tom Mcgraw says the cuts this week are part of the larger culture of belt-tightening here in the city, which includes the pension deficit, as well as problems with our roads and water.

McGraw says he's heard from a lot of disappointed bus users. He and other unionized transit workers started a Facebook group to protest the cuts which has well over 1,000 members. He says it's a shame that low income people will be the ones most effected.

The link to the Facebook group, Save Our Bus Saint John, is 

http://www.facebook.com/search/results.php?q=save%20our%20bus&init=quick&tas=0.3638683384215632#!/groups/SaveOurBusSJ/

2012 Will Be A Big Year for Rothesay, Says Mayor

Mayor Bill Bishop says 2012 will be a big year for the town of Rothesay.

He says major projects are in store which includes solving the flooding issues at Oakville Acres by cooperating with Quispamsis. He says that both towns have the money in their budgets to resolve that issue.

Quispamsis is moving a lift station so Rothesay can build a retention pond.

As for 2011, he says a lot was accomplished, such as the $9 million water line from Grove Avenue to Dunedin Road and completion of the Renforth Wharf.

2011 a Tight Year for Business, says BOT

President of the Saint John Board of Trade Imelda Gilman says 2011 was a tight year for business in the city.

She says most companies were looking efficiencies in order to ride out the tough economic times and it's unfortunate that some big projects, like the development of the Coast Guard site, fell through.

For 2012, the BOT will focus on the energy and advance manufacturing sector, developing our health and sciences cluster

Car Hits House on West Side

No one was injured after a two-vehicle accident on the west side that sent a parked car careening into a house.

Police responding to the call shortly after 7pm. Slippery  driving conditions caused one car to lose control and strike a parked vehicle. It hit the side of the house at 38 Catherwood Street.

Police did not say whether speed was a factor.

Jack Layton Named Newsmaker of the Year

Jack Layton has been named Canada's Newsmaker of the Year--by a long shot. The late NDP leader receiving the accolade by one of the largest margins in the 65-year history of the Canadian Press poll at 90 per cent.  

Canadian Press Ottawa correspondent Stephanie Levitz tells CHSJ that Layton's landslide in the poll didn't come as a surprise to people in the media, since he was unequivocally the person who consistently made the most headlines nationwide.

Layton, who died of cancer in August, has been credited with leading the NDP to the most successful result in the party's history, winning 103 seats, enough to form Canada's Official Opposition.