Rothesay Police Looking For Suspicious People

Police in Rothesay are asking for the public's help in finding out who was hanging out on a few streets in the town early this morning.

Rothesay Regional Police want to hear from you if you saw some suspicious people or a person on Gondola Point Road, River Road or Pickett Lane between 12:30 and 5:30am this morning.

If you know something, call them at 847-6300.

The Province Invites All To The Victoria Day Celebrations

What the heck is ploye?  You can find out and try it this weekend at the Victoria Day celebrations in Saint John.

The Chief of Protocol Anne Reynolds tells CHSJ News the Royal Visit is less than 24 hours so the province so they had to make it count.

She says they decided they would invite the province to Saint John and they are really showcasing the province in the port and at the terminal adding the 7 major cities have been invited.

Ploye is Acadian dish that is similar to a crepe.  Other tastings include smoked salmon, oysters and fiddleheads. Jessica Rhaye, the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra and Before the Mast will all perform on one of three different stages inside and outside of the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal.   It all begins at 1pm on Monday and runs til 5pm.

To learn more, click here or here

Taxpayers Federation Says Gas Prices In Province Are Rigged

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says it's time the Alward Government stopped rigging the system by taxing the tax on gasoline when it applies the H-S-T on both the provincial and federal taxes.

The Federation's Atlantic Director Kevin Lacey tells CHSJ News this is costing you an extra three cents a litre everytime you fill up and that's on top of the almost 3 cent a litre increase that was imposed last year which means you're paying 6 cents a litre more just in tax now than you were in 2010.
 
Lacey estimates since raising the gas tax in 2011, the provincial government has collected more than 45 million dollars in new gas tax revenue with 29 per cent of the pump price consisting of tax. 

The Taxpayers Federation also estimates the average two car family in the province will pay about $1,260 in gas tax each year.

21 Gun Salute On Loyalist Day

If you've never seen a 21 gun salute in person, you'll get your chance tomorrow to mark Loyalist Day. 

Lieutenent-Colonel Steve Strachan tells CHSJ News it will be taking place at 12 noon at Pugsley Wharf with local reserve soldiers from the 3rd Field Regiment, R-C-A, the Loyal Company. Saint John is the only city in the country allowed to do so on Loyalist Day.

There will be three 21 gun salutes on Monday when the Royal Couple, Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla are in the province. 

The first happens at C-F-B Gagetown with the next one at Government House in Fredericton and finally to mark their departure from Saint John.

Former Mayor Will Now Chair Airport Board

Former mayor Norm McFarlane being named the Chair of the Saint John Airport Board of Directors.

McFarlane tells CHSJ News it is an honour to helm the board as growing the airport was one of his major projects when he was mayor.

One of the first things he wants to improve is the first impression people get at the airport as well as renaming the facility to "The Saint John International Airport."

He believes the international moniker would attract more customers.

He adds the board is also seeing if the land around the airport is viable for future development.

Provincial NDP Leader Says Blaney's New Gig Sends Wrong Message

Provincial NDP Leader Dominic Cardy says the appointment of Conservative Margaret-Ann Blaney to the head of Efficiency NB sends a very wrong message to young people in the province.

Cardy tells CHSJ News this kind of patronage can deal a real blow to the future of the province.

He believes when New Brunswickers see jobs being handed out to well-connected politicians, it will drive qualified employees away.

He says Blaney does not appear to have the qualifications to run the agency and believes the job opening should have been posted.

As for possibly running for Blaney's seast in the legislature, Cardy says he is considering it.

Self Serve Is Up But Diesel Is Down

A mixed bag with gas prices after the weekly setting......Self Serve regular has gone up by a cent to $1.28.2 a litre around town, an increase of a cent.

Diesel is cheaper by just over one and a half cents at $1.30.3 a litre. 

Heating oil continuing it's drop to $1.13.8 a litre with the listed price of propane at 99.8 cents a litre which is a decline of four cents.

Province To Create Unified Childhood Services Act

The province is planning to establish a single piece of legislation called the Early Childhood Services Act which would combine all early childhood programs and services.

It would include preschool autism intervention, prenatal support, childcare and early learning.

Changes are also being planned so that licensed childcare facilities use only one of two curriculums provided by the the province.

The province is also looking for a more regional approach for emergency and disaster management.

Under new amendments, regional staff can be placed in communities to work with local authorities and emergency service providers to improve emergency preparedness, which would include training and planning.

Saint John Basketball Player In Danger

A member of the Saint John Mill Rats basketball team finds himself in peril being trapped in Mali, Africa with his wife Mariam and his three year old daughter Cindy.

Modibo Diarra returned home at the beginning of April to rescue his family when a coup was staged by Islamic rebels.

Diarra had wanted to move his family to Saint John in any event but because of the increasing violence and turmoil in Mali, the situation is getting more dangerous.  

Members of the local community are getting together to organise fundraisers with the goal being to raise 15 thousand dollars for visas as well as cover legal fees and transportation costs for the family to move here.

The Timepiece is Back

It's been dried out, sanded, painted and reinforced and now the Market Square Timepiece is standing proud once again. The statue, built by local artist John Hooper in 1983, needed some major repairs.

Cultural affairs officer Bernard Cormier tells CHSJ News it was regularly scheduled maintenance that needs to happen every 14 years as the statue is constantly exposed to the elements. The word was undertaken by woodworker Darren Byers, original concept designer Jack Massey, and Kathy Hooper-- the wife of the Late John Hooper, who helped paint the statue along with her daughter Sue.

The restoration is almost complete and timepiece is looking visibly brighter and refreshed just in time for cruise ship season. The only remaining step is replacing the famous figures at their places on the bench.

Irving Oil Refinery Reaches Safety Milestone

Since it began operations in 1960, the Irving Oil Refinery achieving 365 days without a lost time injury.
 
That means Refinery employees have exceeded 3.5 million workforce hours without a LTI making the Refinery an industry leader in safety performance. 
 
General Manager Mark Sherman tells CHSJ News they are following these practices so people can return to their loved ones everyday in the same condition as they went to work.

He says it's unacceptable to hurt people just because they are going work.   He says its cultural shift not only for Irving Oil but for society in general when years ago it was common for people to be injured or even to see fatalities at work.

Sherman says the results are because of a shift in thinking where safety becomes a core value and factors into everything.
 

Blaney Cites Personal Reasons For Resignation

Citing personal reasons, a longtime Rothesay MLA is leaving the political fray to lead Effiency NB.

Margaret-Ann Blaney will resign as Energy Minister on the 25th and begin her new job early next month.
She tells CHSJ News she is now a single mom and needs to give more time to her family.

She says she didn't feel she was doing justice to being a good mom or in her work.

Blaney tells us politics was the career of choice for her adding she loved it and will miss it a lot.

Radio Employees Vote for Strike Mandate

A feudal system--that's what chief negotiator Dan Oldfield calls Maritime Broadcasting, with its employees voting unanimously for a strike mandate. They cite salaries capped at $28,500 dollars and mandatory unpaid work time as stumbling blocks. 

Oldfield says the offers they've received have been insulting and the broadcasting company has shown no respect for its staff.

MBS is in a legal strike position at of June 1. If a collective agreement is not reached Oldfield says all 3 MBS-owned stations in Saint John will have to outsource their broadcasts from elsewhere.

President and CEO Of YMCA Visits Saint John

The President and CEO of YMCA Canada making a visit to the Port City.



Scott Haldane speaking at the annual general meeting for the Saint John YM-YWCA and he tells CHSJ News his goal is to grow people's understanding of what the Y actually does.


He says that lack of identity can be problematic when raising money as people are unsure what their money is going to.



He says they're trying to position the Y as more of a cause -- which is strengthing the foundation of the community -- than an institution.

Liberals Says Blaney's Appointment Is A Broken Promise

The interim Liberal Leader says he knew something was up because Margaret-Ann Blaney has only been in the legislature a few times this session.

Victor Boudreau says Blaney's appointment to Efficiency NB is another broken election promise as David Alward said he would hold competitions to find the best person for the job.


Boudreau tells CHSJ News says Provincial NDP Leader Dominic Cardy should be put his money where his mouth is and run in the upcoming by-election in Rothesay instead of making comments on Facebook and Twitter.


Boudreau says Craig Leonard and Bruce Fitch will share the responsibilities for the Department of Energy.

Crime Reduction Must Address Drug Problems, Says Weir

High praise for the Saint John Police force from Elizabeth Weir. She's currently a researcher in residence at UNB looking into crime prevention strategies. Weir says when you deal effectively with drug use, a drop in crime will follow--and that means increasing access to methadone and offering services to the families of drug abusers.

Weir declined to comment on whether budget cuts to the police force have had a effect effect on their performance.

Drop-In Centre At Stone Church Has Closed

A lack of funding, at least for the time being, is forcing the Saint John Chaplaincy Office, which operates a drop-in centre and noonhour meals at the Stone Church, to close.

Fern Bennett is a board member and tells CHSJ News an average of about a hundred people were getting meals, Monday through Friday but according to Bennett, what's really sad is the loss of community because the drop-in centre was a place people who are already having a tough time could find a safe haven.

She's hoping the closure is only temporary and those people in the city, who can afford to, will step up to the plate and help with funding.

NB Trying New Strategies to Stamp Out Bullying

New Brunswick getting a nod from a national anti-bullying organization for its new comprehensive strategy to deal with bullying. Rob Frenette of Bullying Canada says new anti-bullying coordinators will help schools develop better policies to deal with bullying.

Under the new policy all incidents of bullying will need to be reported to the superintendent, which was not previously the case.

Frenette says while it's a positive step stamping out bullying remains a complex issue.

Blaney Will Resign As Energy Minister

Margaret Ann Blaney is leaving politics to lead Efficiency NB.     The premier announcing that Blaney will resign as Energy Minister on the 25th.   She will take over as President and CEO of Efficiency NB on June 4th.

Blaney has been largely absent from the political scene since becoming Energy Minister earlier this year in a minor shuffle.

Prior to that, she was the Environment Minister.    She has been in political life since 1999.

Blaney's exit will necessitate a byelection in Rothesay to fill the seat.

Roofing Work Gets A Bit Too Hot

Roofing work was being done when a fire broke out on the second floor of a three storey building at 49 Adelaide Street. 

District Chief Joe Armstrong says the fire didn't spread from an outside wall on the second floor and the lone person inside left the building safely. 

A short time later they were called to the intersection of Somerset Street and Paradise Row where a man was hit by a car and taken to hospital with what turned out to be minor injuries.
 
Earlier in the day, a car left Loch Lomand Road by the Irving Oil Refinery but the driver wasn't injured.

Fundy Linen Employees Hold Protest Over Possible Job Losses

Fundy Linen employees making some noise over possible job losses -- about 25 of them protesting outside of St. Joseph's hospital because Horizon Health Network wants to use disposable linen instead of reusable ones.

Union president Gisele St. Pierre tells CHSJ News the employees plan to protest once a week at various locations, including city hall.

The provincial health department has the final say but no word yet on date.  Such a change would put 19 people out of work in Saint John.

She says the union is also trying to arrange meetings with the both the Environment and Health minister.

McAlary Wants Finances To Be The Early Focus

Councillor-At-Large Shirley McAlary is thrilled to be back in council chambers.

McAlary previously served as mayor of Saint John.

McAlary tells CHSJ News her focus right away will be the city budget, which includes dealing with the beleaguered pension plan.

She believes the first 9 months of the new council's term should be focused on city coffers. 
She adds the city should have adequate services given our operating budget is 144 million dollars.

SJ Chief Talks About Decriminalizing Drugs

Police, academics, and volunteers gathering to discuss drug abuse in Saint John at a panel called Drugs in the City. Police Chief Bill Reid talked about the benefits of intelligence-led policing, which analyses future risks to fight crime. Reid tells CHSJ News there's a lot of evidence to support crime will be reduced if we moved toward decriminalizing certain types of drug use--especially marijuana.

But, Reid said, he's not sure of the time frame and he's also not sure whether more serious steps like safe injection sites are right for Saint John. Other speakers included Bioethics professor Dr Tim Christie and Don McPherson, Director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition.

Monster Truck Spectacular Coming to Town

 If you're a fan of revving motors, crunching metal, a mysterious monster truck drivers, there's a show for you coming to Harbour Station.  Some of the trucks featured in Monster Spectacular will including freestyle world champion Bounty Hunter and Canadian champion Red Baron, which is driven by a masked mystery driver selected by organizer Chris Arel. 

It's billed as the toughest bad boys on the circuit.

Fans won’t want to miss the Pro Speed Bike Stunt Show, with road racing motorcycles dazzling the crowd with impossible feats on two wheels. 

Tickets to Monster Spectacular 2012 are available now at www.harbourstation.ca, by calling 657-1234 or 1-800-267-2800 and from the Harbour Station Box Office.
Contact: (506)657-1234

Norton Will Have To Quit Day Job Says Former Mayor

Outgoing mayor Ivan Court stands by his advice for newly-minted mayor Mel Norton --  you can't keep your day job if you want to run the city.

Incoming mayor Mel Norton says he will continuing practicing law despite winning mayor's seat but outgoing mayor Ivan Court stands by his assertion that running the city is a full-time job.

When asked if he would consider a career in provincial politics, he says he enjoys serving the ordinary citizen and has no interest in it.

Farren Looking Forward To Greater Co-Operation

Re-elected common councillor Bill Farren says he's looking forward to greater co-operation under Mel Norton's leadership, as well as another chance to sort out what he sees as Saint John's major issues.

Councillor Bill Farren tells CHSJ News his main objective remains the pension plan and hopes to have changes within six months.

Farren says it was obvious from the complaints he received that Ivan Court's leadership lacked team spirit.

New Councillor Preaches Fiscal Responsibility

Good old fashioned fiscal responsibility--that's what newcomer to common council Susan Fullerton is advocating as she takes a seat around the council horseshoe.

Fullerton says she's a business person and she tells CHSJ News she's seen a short-sighted approach to spending among the last common council.

She says it's about time the city started investing in initiatives that benefit a larger segment of the population, like roads and drinking water.

Health Officials Say E Coli No Longer A Risk To The Public

Public health thinks the source of an E. coli outbreak in the Miramichi area has passed through the food supply chain and no longer poses a risk to the public.
More than 30 cases of bloody diarrhea have been investigated with 13 confirmed since April 30th.

Chief Medical Officer Of Health Dr. Eilish Cleary says the case count remains steady with no new cases reported.

The majority of confirmed cases ate at the Jungle Jim's restaurant in Miramichi in the days prior to becoming ill but food samples tested negative for E. coli.

Clearly says it's likely that the source was present in the restaurant for a short period but that contaminated products had been used up when testing took place.

She points out the restaurant in Miramich co-operated fully with Public Health including a thorough sanitation of its kitchen and the completion of a food safety course.

Missing Teen Found Safe

Rothesay Regional Police telling CHSJ News a 14 year old boy reported missing has been found safe.

They want to thank the public for their assistance in helping to locate him.

Woman "Disgusted" Over Increases In Nursing Home Fees

A Guilford Street woman is fit to be tied over the increasing cost of nursing home care.

Kelly Lester's husband is in a nursing home and confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke. She has been told her monthly fee to help pay for his care will be rising from 343 to 505 dollars as of June 1st.

Lester is worried about the monthly charge rising even more, perhaps up to 700 dollars or so.


Lester tells CHSJ News her husband's care is being subsidised by the government to the tune of 28 hundred dollars a month.

Police Searching For Missing Youth

A 14 year old has been reported missing in the K-V.

Rothesay Regional Police are trying to find Carter Chaisson who's 5'2", 110lbs.

He was wearing a vertically striped shirt and jeans when last seen.

You can call 847-6300 with any information if you know where he can be located.

Driscoll Wins Re-election in Quispamsis

Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll saying he's proud and humbled to be serving second term as Mayor of Quispamsis, citing the town's excellent track record as a forward-moving town. 

Driscoll tells CHSJ News there's a general positive feeling about what Quispamsis is doing, although there are still come challenges to be faced under the regional commissions proposed by the government.

Some of the challenges Driscoll identified were regional commissions proposed by the government, as well as creating even stronger partnerships with Saint John because as he said outlying communities are only as strong as their neighboring city.

Re-Elected Farren Talks About City's Future

Re-elected common councillor Bill Farren says he's looking forward to greater co-operation under Mel Norton's leadership, as well as another chance to sort out what he sees as Saint John's major issues.

Councillor Bill Farren tells CHSJ News his main objective remains the pension plan--and he tentatively predicts the province will grant the proposed reforms at the next sitting oft he legislature, because otherwise the city will be stuck with a bill for an additional $10 million.

Farren says it was obvious from the complaints that were received Ivan Court's leadership lacked team spirit.

Rinehart Wins Deputy Mayor Seat

Shelley Rinehart winning not only a councillor-at-large seat but she is also the new Deputy Mayor.

Rinehart tells CHSJ News she is humbled by the faith of Saint Johners.

She says the city has a sense of optimism and is on the cusp of major change.

Rinehart adds she is looking forward to working with Mayor-Elect Mel Norton.

Former Mayor Says Pension and Lawsuit Affected His Campaign

Meanwhile, former mayor Ivan Court reflects on some of the factors that lead to his defeat.

He says the pension issue and the John Ferguson lawsuit were definite issues.

Court says the worst thing that has happened to him was the loss of his son so losing the election was just another day.

He adds while the campaign did get a bit negative for his tastes, he does wish the new mayor and council the best of luck

Mayor Bill Bishop Wins Another Term In Rothesay

Mayor Bill Bishop has been re-elected in Rothesay but not without a fight from challenger Kathryn Hanson. The new town council in Rothesay will be made up of Nancy Grant, Matt Alexander, Miriam Wells, Bill McGuire, Blair MacDonald, Peter Lewis and Pat Gallagher-Jette. Scott Cochrane failed in his re-election bid.

In Hampton, Mayor Ken Chorley was re-elected with councillors Gary Crossman, Robert Doucet, Dwight Bond and Peter Behr.

In Grand Bay-Westfield, Grace Losier was acclaimed for another term as Mayor. The town council will be made up of Micheal Likely, Steve Evans, David Calvin, Beverley Day and Ryan Snodgrass.

Juliana Booth was re-elected Mayor in Norton with Councillors Nicole Marie Clement, Lawrence Dykeman, Harold Keith and Ann Marie Snyder.

Marc Thorne was elected the new Mayor in Sussex with Councillors Ralph Carr, Mark Wright, Bridget Ryan, Jamie Stout-Hutchings, Tim Wilson, Jane Boyle and Deborah Armitage.

Steven Gillies will serve as Mayor of Sussex Corner with Councillors Faith McMillan, Harley Hunt, Sharon Loder and Patricia Shay

John Quartermain is the new Mayor in St. Stephen with Terry James re-elected as Mayor in Blacks Harbour. Daniel Henry takes over as the new Mayor in St. George. Dennis Green was re-elected as Mayor of Grand Manan and the new Mayor in St. Andrews is Stanley Choptiany.

Mel & Shel To Lead The Port City After Decisive Wins

"The Change We Need" is the change we got. Voters in Saint John told Mel Norton they want him in the Mayor's chair.

The 38-year-old lawyer and rookie Ward 3 councillor gets the top job after a sound thrashing of incumbent Ivan Court.

Norton tells CHSJ News he thinks Shelley Rinehart's win is tremendous.

He says he couldn't be more thrilled adding she is easily one of his favourite people who is bright and accomplished.

Norton adds the latest he heard from Fredericton was that pensions reforms hadn't yet been accepted by the Superintendent of Pensions.

Footage from Municipal Vote 2012

Mel & Shel Celebrate Victory

1: The new Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Mel Norton and Shelley Rinehart, celebrate their victory at Rinehart's campaign headquarters. 

2: Mayor Norton shares his news with supporters flanked by his mother and father.

3: CHSJ News Reporter Nelson Hum was on the scene as the election was called for newly-minted Deputy Mayor Shelley Rinehart

Anticipation Running High as Polls Close

With the polls closing just moments ago, it's now time for taxpayers, politicians, and supporters to sit back as await the results of the 2012 municipal election. Paul Harpelle of Elections NB tells CHSJ News he's been speaking with returning officers all over the province.

He reports a steady turnout at most polling stations from the time they opened at 10am until they closed this evening at 8pm.

Harpelle says the turnout of the advance polls is an indicator of strong interest in this election, with more that 40,000 people voting in advance. Harpelle says now that the voting has closed, they're simply making sure that technology doesn't fail and working to get the results out as soon as possible.

Municipal Elections 2012

Moose Draw Applications Now Available

If you're hoping to bag a swamp donkey this year - you can now apply for the annual moose hunting licence draw.
And the Natural Resources Department is making an additional 260-licenses available bringing the total number to 4624-licenses.
You can apply for the draw in person at any Natural Resources Department office or Service New Brunswick or apply by phone or online.
Results of the computerized draw will be available July 9th with the actual moose hunting season running between September 27th and 29th - for more information click here.

Fires In Martinon And The Old North End

A garage and a house on fire at 44 Nature's Way near Martinon this afternoon. Fire crews getting a call around 2:40pm that a garage was in flames and spreading to the nearby house.


According to early reports, a neighbor reportedflames issuing from the garage and a sound of explosions that might have been propane tanks.


No one appears to have been home at the time. The Westfield Fire department has been notified to get a tanker ready. No word yet on the extent of the damage. 

Late yesterday afternoon, a fire broke out in an abandoned building at 137 Victoria Street. Fire crews had to extinguish the flames which consumed two floors of the three storey building. The cause is suspicious. There were no injuries.

Prostitution Laws Could Change

Even in small cities like Saint John, prostitution remains an issue--and according to UNB professor Leslie Jefferies,major changes could be afoot in laws governing sex work. Jefferies tells CHSJ News the Ontario Supreme Court is currently deciding whether the laws regarding sex work are unconstitional. She says forcing women who work on the streets instead of indoors exposes them to the risk of physically assault, robbery, or murder.



Jefferies tells CHSJ News AIDs Saint John and other agencies are working together to help sex workersby forming a new coalition to deal with the issue of sex work. They aim to create partnerships between all the community agencies who work with prostitutes, as well as those affected by the trade.


Jefferies says those involved in last year's bawdy house bust on Waterloo Street weren't criminally charged because the law is under review. She says if the laws do change outreach organizations need to be ready with a sensible policy.

More Break-Ins on the Peninsula

A rash of break-ins on the Kingston Peninsula continuing with another incident in Erb's Cove. Recently camps were broken into in nearby Gorham's Bluff and Shamper's Bluff with property being set on fire and jerry cans of gas stolen.



Corporal Pat Cole of the RCMP tells CHSJ News his theory on the thefts--that people don't tend to steal gas without intending to either fill up their getaway vehicle, or starting fires.

Cole urges anyone who sees anything out of the ordinary to call RCMP at 832-5566 during the day, or the toll free number is 1-888 506 7267.

Fraudsters Target Saint John Area Computer Owners

The City police Fraud unit is looking into reports that personal computers are being taken over by fraudsters targeting the Saint John area.

This is how it works: You get a call from someone saying they work at Microsoft who informs you that a virus has been detected in your computer.
They then ask you to press a series of keys to remove it and that action will give them acccess to your computer.

In another case, the fraudster calls you about a virus, attempts to sell you anti-virus software asking for your credit card number over the phone.

City police warn you against providing credit card numbers or banking information over the phone unless you made the initial call yourself and anyone having an issue with their computer should take it to a reputable service center.

P.U.L.S.E. Can Get You To The Polls

If you live in the south end and can't get out to vote today, P.U.L.S.E. wants to help.

The People United for the Lower South End are providing transportation to the polling station on Leinster Street from their office on Wentworth street or if need be from your door.

Carl Trickey of P.U.L.S.E. tells CHSJ News they want to make sure anyone with mobility issues can get to the polls today.  To get a lift to the polls, call 632-6807 or drop by 251 Wentworth Street.

P.U.L.S.E is also taking part in the SJ Votes initiative to increase voter turnout and will be taking part in a free BBQ at the Carmarthen Street Fire Station from 4-6pm.


The polls are open until 8 tonight.


Live coverage of the election results begin on Country 94 after the polls close at 8 with your host CHSJ News Director Brian McLain and former Saint John Mayor Norm McFarlane.

You can listen live by clicking here

Joshua Group Losing Its Temporary Home

The Joshua Group will soon be without a home again by the end of the month, according to its Director Kathy Curwin. 

She says they're just found out they will no longer be able to use the Somerset Community Centre in the north end after the next two weekends because of cuts to the city's recreation budget.

Joshua Group founder Bobby Hayes doesn't blame the city saying it did all it could to help out but he has no idea what will happen next. 

The Joshua Group has been there temporarily since November of 2010. It recently launched a fundraising campaign to raise enough money to buy the Old Peacock's property on Sandy Point Road.

Hayes concedes they wopuld have to raise another 100 thousand dollars in order to move into the Peacock's building and that's a tall order with alot of community help needed.

Introducing Your New Common Council

Here's what your next common common council is going to look like, Saint John. Mel Norton cleaned up in the mayor with incumbent mayor Ivan Court conceding early in the race. The Deputy Mayor will be former UNB Dean of Business Shelley Rinehart, who Norton calls "one of his favourite people."


It's going to be another brother act around the council horseshoe with Greg Norton representing Ward 1. Common councillor Bill Farren has been re-elected for another term. Business owner Susan Fullerton and education council member John MacKenzie will be the faces representing Ward 2. Incumbent Donnie Snook is back to finish what he started joined by uptown advocate Donna Reardon.


David Merrithew is carrying on the family legacy of his uncle federal politician Gerry Merrithew as councilor for Ward 4. Volunteer & paramedic Ray Strowbridge is also representing that Ward.

One Change Hopes Neighbourhood Revitalisation Won't Stop

What will happen to the city with the election of a new Common Council remains to be seen. 

32 candidates are running for the 11 spots on Council.  Budgets are tight and the expectation is, they will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Despite that, Tammy Calvin of One Change in the old North End doesn't want to see the revitalisation in that part of town grind to a halt.

She would like to start seeing construction take place on the empty lots where derelict buildings have been torn down. 

Calvin says with all the effort that has been made over the last four years, she's hoping the image of the old North End is better than it was.

In the Valley Mayoral races, Bill Bishop is being challenged in Rothesay by Kathryn Hansen and in Quispamsis, Murray Driscoll is facing Beth Fitzpatrick. In Hampton, incumbant Mayor Ken Chorley faces off against Hugh Baird.

Live election coverage with CHSJ's Brian McLain and former Mayor Norm McFarlane  will begin on Country 94 when the polls close at 8.