Weather Blamed For Highway Death Outside St. George

Poor road conditions caused by Monday's winter storm being blamed for the death of a 71 year old woman from Manchester, New Hampshire along Highway 1 west of St. George.

The RCMP say she died in a collision after going out of control  because of the slippery road conditions at the time.

Her name is not being released until her family has been properly notified.

Early Morning Fire Under Police Investigation

Firefighters were called out early this morning to a blaze in a vacant house at 1050 Sandy Point Road.

District Chief Joe Armstrong says the job of putting it out was made more difficult because there are no hydrants in that area and conditions were slippery with the cold temperature and wind chill.

Armstrong says the cause appears to be suspicious and is being investigated by both the fire department and city police.

Deputy Mayor Confident Province Will Play Ball On City Pension Plan

The Chair of the city's Finance Committee says Common Council needs the province's permission to include a one year pension deferral in this year's budget. 

Stephen Chase tells CHSJ News the timeline is a concern but council is confident the provincial government will agree to the deferral which would allow the pension plan payments to be made over 25 years instead of 15 years.

Mayor Ivan Court points out Saint John is not the only city in the province asking for pension help. The Province had to inject an estimated 325 million dollars into its own plan.

Premier Maintains Energy Has Not Been Put On Shelf

Premier Alward denies the Energy Minister and his staff are sitting idly by awaiting a report early next year from a recently appointed energy commission.

In a year end interview with CHSJ News, Alward says department staffers are providing support to the commission.

Alward also says he believes in the concept of the energy hub here in Saint John but thinks there is a great opportunity for the province, as a whole, to become an energy hub with our strategic location between the New England market and Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

 

N-B Power is still gathering additonal information requested by the Prime Minister on delays with the Point Lepreau upgrade. Alward says the main priority is getting the upgrade back on schedule.

School District 8 Happy About 2010 But Apprehensive Going Into 2011

The chair of the District 8 Education council thinks 2010 was a good year.

Rob Fowler tells CHSJ News one of the reasons is the improvements in assessments scores. Fowler credits the Great Math Attack initiative for that.

Fowler adds 2011 will be challenging for education given the cuts required by the province to try to find savings. Education Minister Jody Carr wants to keep those cuts from the classroom but Fowler admits that will be difficult and it's likely programs will be cut.

Police Chief Reports Good Year

An exciting year for city police - that from Police Chief Bill Reid on 2010.

Reid says 2010 marked the successful continuation of the Intelligence Lead Community Policing Model, which began back in 2009, as well as the good news of police getting a new headquarters in 2012.

He tells CHSJ News they're up for the challenges of the new year.

The police force will only see a 1 percent annual increase to their budget for the next two years.

Rothesay Looks At Recreation In 2011

A new field house or arena could be coming to Rothesay in 2011.

Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News the recreation council will be making a presentation to council in the new year.

Other projects he's looking forward to in the new year include the completion of several watermains and several new housing developments.

Residents Concerned For Future Of Park

 It will be the end of next year before the city gets a new municipal plan to guide future development over the next 25 years.

The thrust of the new plan will be to build upward and not outward.

David Thompson of the Friends of Rockwood Park tells CHSJ News allowing development to take place along Sandy Point Road adjacent to the park goes against the grain.

Mayor Ivan Court takes issue with that allegation saying, if anything, the city is pumping millions of dollars into the park to enhance and bring it up to a higher standard.

Plaza Not Responsible For Rate Increase

Spending on roads, police, fire and major projects like Peel Plaza, has nothing to do with what you're charged for water in the city.

So says City Manager Pat Woods who wants to clear up what he calls a misconception following a lot of discussion and grumbling over the 19 per cent rise in water rates over the next two years.

Woods says spending on major projects and spending on water are two separate areas with two separate budgets, so even if there was no Peel Plaza, water rates would still go up.

Traffic Changes On Lower West Side To Improve Driver Safety

Changes are being made to traffic patterns on the lower west side. The Head of Municipal Operations Paul Groody says there is a problem with insufficient sight lines for drivers.

As for drivers speeding along Duke Street West.......Groody says that's not a problem.

City staff did recommend to Common Council on street parking be banned on the south side of Duke Street West between Champlain Street and City Line as the traffic approaches City Line.

Another recommendation was to turn Lancaster Street between Duke West and Guildford into a one way street south.

Another December Storm Batters Region

A major snowstorm which moved up the U.S. eastern seaboard is now hammering our region.

Jeremy March is with Environment Canada and he expects the worst of the snowfall will occur this morning with a total of 20 centimeters expected. He says there will be a bit of a break later on but the stormy conditions will resume after that with precipitation lingering until late tonight.

He also warns there will be high winds gisting at times to 70 or 75 kilometers an hour.

Power outages have been reported from St. Stephen through Sussex and up through Fredericton.

Common Council"s 2011 Budget Will Assume Provincial Approval Of Pension Plan Changes

Common Council will table its budget next month with the assumption the province will allow the city to defer pension payments for a year.

Mayor Ivan Court tells CHSJ News he believes the deferral will be allowed because it won't cost the province any extra money.

Premier David Alward was non-commital when asked whether the new government will go along with what the city is requesting. Court says Council is seeking a meeting with the Premier to present the case for the deferral.

 Both Court and Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase, who don't agree on much of anything, concur the city will be facing a fiscal crisis if the province doesn't play ball.

 The Saint John Police Association is urging the M-L-A's to say no. If the provincial government does not grant the city's request, Common Council would be looking at as 13 cent increase on the tax rate unless there are cuts in city services.

Freezing Drizzle Warning For Saint John

If you're out and about today to catch some Boxing Day sales, best drive slow. 

There is a freezing drizzle warning in effect for greater Saint John. 

Police patrolling last night in Rothesay and Quispamsis are reporting slippery road conditions and caution drivers to drive carefully.

HAM Radio Operators Want Exemption

With the possibility of new provincial legislation banning the use of communication devices while driving, HAM radio operators are looking for an exemption.

Director of EMO for Quispamsis Brian Shanks tells CHSJ News a lot of operators are well-trained when using the system in the vehicle.

He says HAM radio operators play an integral role during emergency situations and he fears the legislation will reduce the number of enthusiasts.

Harbour Passage Open Again

Harbour Passage is open again if you feel the need to get outside and burn off some holiday sweets.

The passage has been closed since the spring due to construction on the Harbour Bridge.

Mayor Ivan Court tells CHSJ News even though people have complained about the closure, it's necessary because of falling debris. 

Harbour Passage will close again this spring when construction on the bridge resumes.

Killen Welcomes New Councillor

Carl Killen, newly elected MLA for Saint John Harbour, was on hand to wish Norton well in his new position.

Killen tells CHSJ News Ward 3 is one of the most politically aware and politically active wards in the city.

Killen says he will continue to collaborate with his friends at council whenever he gets the chance.

City Swears In New Councillor

People living in Ward 3 officially have a new city councillor.

Mel Norton was sworn in Christmas Eve and takes over the seat left vacant by Carl Killen's election as the MLA for Saint John Harbour.

Norton says, despite the challenges, he's excited to get started.

Norton says some of the major issues facing the ward are poverty and making people feel connected to the rest of the city.

Local Rink In Running For Major Prize

Saint John might become Hockeyville.

Mike Armstrong of Kraft tells CHSJ News a single nomination has the Lord Beaverbrook Arena in the running for the $100,000 prize.

Armstrong says in the past communities that didn't win end up getting local support for their hockey facilities.

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Premier's Christmas Wish

With the big day just one sleep away - we decided to find out what our new Premier wants for Christmas.

Alward tells us his Christmas wish is to spend some quality family time. 

The Premier also says New Brunswickers should take some to reflect upon how blessed we are as a province.

Water Dispute Could Go To Court

The Mayor of Rothesay says if a dispute with the City of Saint John over providing water to K Park residents isn't cleared up...it could go to court.

The city is accusing the town of backing out of the deal meaning it will now cost them more.

Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News his town has a concern over quality given the frequency of boil water orders.

Bishop adds he understand Mayor Court's frustration to a degree but,he points out the pipeline from the Saint John to K Park did not cost the city a cent because the former Village of Renforth paid for it.