Building Being Demolished On Union Street

You may have noticed the demolition work going on near the corner of Union and Charlotte Streets.

An old building is being taken down carefully as it sits between two structures.

CHSJ News has learned the property owners were issued a demolition permit.

The City is telling us the work is not in a heritage area and not a City project.

Missing Artwork Found Undamaged On Church Steps

The artwork that was stolen from a home in St. Andrews over the weekend has been found.

Around 9 this morning RCMP received a call from volunteers at St. John the Baptist Anglican chapel in Chamcook, just outside of St. Andrews. The volunteers found 11 pieces of the stolen art, including the portrait "Angel" by Herzl Kashetsky, on the steps leading to one of the entrances to the chapel.

None of the artwork was damaged.

Mayor Stressing Co-Operation When It Comes To More Regionalisation

Mayor Mel Norton vows Saint John will not be the gorilla in the room as more regionalisation of local government is taking shape with meetings of the interim boards of the Regional Service Commissions.

One such meeting being held today at City Hall to talk about a draft budget for the commission covering the Saint John region. 

Norton tells CHSJ News he doesn't see any problem with all the communities in the Saint John area working together to make the region stronger because the other Mayors realize the city has to be doing well for the region, as a whole, to do well.

The Mayor acknowledges Saint John will have a lot of influence on what's decided because of its population which will affect the outcome of votes.

Conflict At Council Over Filling 5 City Positions

Some Common Councillors don't see eye to eye on hiring what are considered 5 key positions in the city.

The positions vacant are in human resources, communications, Commissioner of Water and Commissioner of Growth and Development.

Deputy Mayor Shelley Rinehart believes if we're going to grow our community we'll need the manpower. Common Councillor Donnie Snook strongly disagrees, saying we shouldn't add to staff unless it's for front line services.


Councillor John Mackenzie doesn't believe 5 positions is too much and says the jobs need to be filled. West Side Councillor Bill Farren disagrees, saying that every year before budget he's receives a list of positions that have to be filled and is fed up with it. He says if they're asking for Saint Johnners to do more with less, so should city staff.

Mayor Mel Norton supports the hirings and says it's filling positions that are already in place, not adding new ones.

Saint John Firefighter Remembered

Dale Clinton is being remembered by family, friends and Mayor Mel Norton as a dedicated firefighter who pursued his work with passion. 

The 39 year old Saint John firefighter passed away in Ottawa last week after an early morning incident at a construction site. The Mayor offered words of sympathy before Common Council for a man described as dedicated and passionate about his work.

Clinton joined the Saint John Fire Department in 1999. His brother, Chris, is also a firefighter.

Tap Water Leaves A Bad Taste In Taxpayers Mouths In More Ways Than One

Bad tasting tap water is as much of a cliche in Saint John as the potholes.

And now, Common Council is hearing the time has likely come to increase water rates for taxpayers in order to pay for the upgrades we need. 

The Commissioner of Environmental Services Bill Edwards is recommending Common Council raise the water rates by 7.4% to cover the cost of updating the infrastructure.

Councillor at Large Shirley McAlary and others agree, saying it makes sense to increase the rates gradually rather than giving rate payers a big price shock all at once down the line.

The proposed rate increase works out to about $74 per year, per household, and it could go up as soon as 2013. 

Council is also looking at using more meters which would let you pay only for what you use.

Quinn Calls 4 Plex Idea "Exciting"

The Port's C-E-O wants to sit down with the City to get more information on what it might want to see in a multi-ice surface 4 plex at Long Wharf.

Jim Quinn tells CHSJ News whatever they do over there the Port Authority wants to maintain its marine focus through the cruise ship industry.

He says it could be an exciting proposition to help really spur some economic activity and draw people into the city core as well as acting as an enhancement for the great job the tour operators already do.

Quinn adds there is enough land to accomodate the cruise business and a new multi ice surface 4-plex on Long Wharf.

Let NB Tourism Know What You 'Like'

You can pick the cover of next year's New Brunswick touring guides through Facebook.

Tourism Minister Trevor Holder says since there are too many pictures to pick, they're putting the decision in your hands.

On their Facebook page is a selection of iconic photos from across the province, and the one that gets the most 'Likes" becomes the cover photo.

Albums will be posted today and results will be tallied at noon next Monday. To give your vote, click here. If you don't have Facebook, you can call Tourism New Brunswick at 1-800-561-0123.

Weekend Theft In St. Andrews

The Mounties are looking into a case of stolen art in St. Andrews over the weekend.

About 7:30 on Saturday night, the RCMP got a report about a breakin at a home on Parr Street.

A work of art by Herzl Kashetsky entitled "Angel" was taken along with pottery and blown glass.

It's believed the items were pilfered sometime between Friday night and early Saturday morning.

If you know anything, you can contact police at 506-755-1130 or Crime Stoppers at www.crimenb.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

Former NHLer Critical Of League Commissioner

Will there be an NHL season at all? That question is being raised as the lockout continues with no end in sight.

Former NHL'er Marty McSorley came to Saint John last week to play in an oldtimers game and raise money for minor hockey. He's not shy about speaking out saying the players have drawn a line in the sand. 

McSorley tells CHSJ News hockey fans in the U.S. view the lockout differently because they have become accustomed to work stoppages in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball over the years.
 
McSorley adds if there was a true Commissioner in the league, we wouldn't be dealing with this because the NHL is much more than just Gary Bettman and the owners. 

He maintains the players lost alot in the last collective agreement that was largely written by the owners.

The Red Kettle Drive Is On

The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign is on again in Greater Saint John.

Captain Darren Wiseman tells CHSJ News the kettles can be seen in 16 locations between the City and Rothesay.

He tells us they need volunteers and if you would like to help out, call the Salvation Army at 634-1633.

As you shop in the region, you will see the Red Kettles right up until Christmas Eve. 

You can also text HOPE6019 to 45678 to make a $5 donation.

Longshoremen Oppose A 4-Plex At Long Wharf

Mayor Mel Norton may need all of his powers of persuasion to convince longshoremen it's a good idea to build a multi-ice surface 4-Plex at Long Wharf. 

The business agent for local 273 of the International Longshoremen's Association, Pat Riley tells CHSJ News they would have reservations because, in his view, the port has no surplus land to spare. 

He argues Chinese customers, in particular, were looking at the port. Riley believes that kind of demand for port property will increase when the global economy picks up and Long Wharf is the best built pier at the port. 

Longshoremen launched a vigorous campaign in opposition to Irving Oil building its headquarters at Long Wharf a few years ago.

One Person Injured After Crash On Route 820

The Simonds Fire Department responding last night to a single vehicle crash on Route 820. 

Air bags were deployed with firefighters and paramedics removing one person from the vehicle who was taken to hospital. 

The highway was closed for a short time while the vehicle was removed from the scene. 

A Hospital Bomb Scare

A middle aged man in Fredericton arrested after he caused an evacuation late yesterday afternoon around 5:00 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital.
    
Police say a patient was holding what appeared to be an explosive device which prompted the hospital's lobby and cafeteria to be evacuated and crisis negotiators called in.
    
The man was arrested without incident about 3 hours later.

Fredericton Police have not said what was in the suspicious package but it was not an explosive.

Charges Possible After Serious Crash In The K-V

Rothesay Regional Police believe alcohol may have played a part in a serious two vehicle collision late yesterday afternoon in the intersection of the Stock Farm and Palmer Brook Roads. 

That section of roadway was closed for an hour and a half. 

One of the drivers was taken to hospital.

Convict Who Was On The Lam Arrested

City Police arresting a man who was wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant.   
 
42 year old William Wayne Cummer was nabbed at a rooming house on Peter Street and will be appearing in court today for being unlawfully at large after being last seen on November 13th. 

Cummer has an extensive criminal background that involves numerous violent offenses and people were warned not to approach him. 

Police say he was taken into custory without incident.

Common Councillor Calls For Revitalisation Plan

Plan SJ wants to get more development going closer to the urban core but one member of Common Council believes you will need a specific revitalization strategy to make that happen. 

Donnie Snook, who represents Ward 3, believes there should be incentives on the table for new development and to restore buildings that are falling down. 

He would like to see a curbside recycling pilot program be given another look as well as a stoop and scoop program.

Snook is also calling for more trees and flowers be planted, yearly neighborhood cleanups and an Adopt a Block program.

Questions Raised After Inmate Walks Early

The Opposition Liberals want answers after one Saint John inmate received a Get Out of Jail Free card and we mean that quite literally.

The inmate was released early by mistake on October 15 and then was picked up for a violent crime on November 4th. 

Charlotte-the-Isles MLA Rick Doucette tells CHSJ News it concerns him that Public Safety Minister Robert Trevors waited weeks before releasing information on the oversight.

Doucette says it's obvious the early release of a violent offender is a major error which can't be ignored.

New Immigrants Are Looking At Saint John

The makeup of Saint John is changing if you judge by those people selling their homes to move elsewhere and other folks who want to move here.

Realtor Hodges Hamm tells CHSJ News there's a large number of people who are moving out of Saint John for the Alberta oil sands, a new refinery in B-C and industrial activity in Labrador.
 
On the other hand, Hamm says he's dealing with a number of Russians, Iranians and Turks who want to move here because it's affordable and close to the water.

Hamm concedes its now taking longer to sell houses from an average of 90 days to as many as 180 days with realtors having to show alot more homes to potential buyers who are well aware they are in control of the market.

We Know Now Where Mel Norton Wants 4-Plex Built

One of Mayor Mel Norton's priorities is for the city to build a multi-ice surface 4-Plex and now we know where he wants it to be located. 

The Mayor will be asking Common Council tonight to approve preliminary discussions with the Port Authority on constructing it at Long Wharf. 

Mayor Norton wants to find out how much land might be available and at what cost.

He tells Council the site is central to the L-B-R and Harbour Station with onsite parking and links to several areas of the city via Harbour Passage and bike trails. 

Long Wharf was where Irving Oil wanted to build its new headquarters but ran into opposition from the International Longshoremen's Association.