Victims Of Crimes Need Their Voices To Be Heard

If you've ever been the victim of a crime, you know how traumatic the experience can be.

It's the job of Victim Services to ensure people feel heard throughout the judicial process. Martin Ellen Martin of Victim Services tells CHSJ News they rely on highly trained volunteers to deal with the fallout from a wide range of crimes from assaults to murders, sudden deaths, and thefts.

Martin says the most common call they get is when someone has unexpectedly died, and they have to counsel family members and others. 

For more information on Victim Services including how you can volunteer, click here

Weston Responds To Parole Controversy

Since parole is a federal responsibility, it's no wonder M-P Rodney Weston is hearing alot of concern about the release of John O'Brien, the so-called motorcycle rapist to a halfway house in the city.

Weston says the concerns expressed to him about John O'Brien are mainly about the nature of his crimes and his risk of reoffending which is described by Police Chief Bill Reid as moderate. He concedes it doesn't make him feel good as an M-P to hear the concerns and worry from his constituents.

The concerns voiced to Weston are being passed along to the federal minister of Public Safety. 

Weston tells CHSJ News he even considered introducing a private member's bill to deal with the issue but points out statutory release is a fact of the Canadian judicial system unless you're deemed a dangerous offender.

Saint John Bucks Trend On Joblessness

The unemployment rate in Saint John actually went down last month from 9.6 to 9.1 per cent which is second highest behind London, Ontario of all the cities in the national survey. 

The jobless rate in New Brunswick rose from 10.1 to 10.5 per cent. 

Canada lost more than 54 thousand jobs last month which is the biggest decline in four years. The drop means Canada has about 26 thousand fewer jobs than at the beginning of the year.

Rothesay Regional Police Looking For Egg Throwers

A 39 year old man arrested in the city as part of a drug investigation by Rothesay Regional Police. They confiscated 47 hundred dollars in cash, 800 grams of marijuana and some hash oil. The man arrested is likely facing a charge of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

Rothesay Regional Police also reporting young people in a small silver car were driving around the Vincent Road and K-Park area throwing eggs at people and a 14 year old girl was struck by one of them which police are calling an assault. 

Fire Set Along Harbour Passage

Two men in their twenties will be facing charges after being nabbed for causing a fire along Harbour Passage. 

City Police tell CHSJ News the fire was set to some vegetation but damage was minimal.

Legal Arguments Made At Sentencing Hearing For Saint John Lawyer

Suspended Saint John lawyer Rod Gillis will be sentenced June 20th in Bathurst for attempting to obstruct justice. 

A sentencing hearing was held in Moncton where the legal arguments were made before Judge Irwin Lampert who found the 66 year old Gillis guilty back in January. 

Prosecutor Peter Craig is recommending a prison term from 30 to 36 months for what he calls breach of trust by a member of the bar and officer of the court. 

The defense is asking for a conditional sentence that would be served in the community. 

Gillis was charged in connection with how he represented former Liberal M-L-A and House Speaker Frank Branch in his legal battle with the North Shore Forest Products Marketing Board which included both a criminal prosecution and civil lawsuit. Branch was charged with fraud and extortion. He eventually pleaded guilty to fraud over 5 thousand dollars and was sentenced to house arrest as well as ordered to pay restitution.

CHSJ News Nominated For An AJA

The folks at the CHSJ Newsroom really are Your Source For Local News--but of course, you knew that already.

CHSJ News is proud to announce our newsroom has been nominated for an Atlantic Journalism Award in the Best Newscast Category.

The Atlantic Journalism Awards honour excellence in the content and presentation of a radio newscast on any Atlantic Canada radio station. 

The awards are handed out May 11.

The Big Apple Meets The Bay Of Fundy

Big Apple, meet the Bay of Fundy.....Tourism Minister Trevor Holder announcing our province will be renting some ad space in Times square. 

Holder tells CHSJ News the City of New York approached the province to run the ad....and we got a surprisingly good price.

He says it will cost $20,000 and it will come out of the tourism budget for this year. 

He adds his department needs to be more strategic in how they advertise and this an example of how they can do that with the money they have.

The ad runs until June. About 1.5 million people pass through Times Square every day.

One In Custody After Motorcyle Theft

Did you notice the big police presence in East Saint John earlier this afternoon?

City police got the call about two men trying to steal a motorcycle from a Rothesay avenue business.
 
Sergeant Jim Fleming tells CHSJ News the call came in just 
after 1.

He says police were on scene within a minute arresting one man as he fled in the woods and the K9 unit and other officers are looking for a second suspect.

Fleming tells us their officers set up a perimeter in Fernhill Cemetery and he says they did recover some evidence in the woods.

The second man police are looking for has been identified and the pair face charges of Theft Over $5000.

Surveillance Cameras In The Uptown Could Soon Be Reality

With repeated arson attempts, vandalism, and other issues at buildings throughout the city, city police are looking for better ways to remedy the ongoing issues.

Police Chief Bill Reid tells CHSJ News some areas including King Square could soon be outfitted with closed-circuit cameras to catch the culprits in the act.

Reid says it's not totally new--the police force has already installed cameras where there's an ongoing crime problem with the permission of the property owners.

Weston Hands Symphony Over $100K

If you never miss a performance by Symphony New Brunswick, you'll be happy to know the Feds have given their foundation over $120,000.
 
MP Rodney Weston announcing the money at the Imperial Theatre on behalf of Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore.
 
Symphony New Brunswick Foundation President Reid Parker tells CHSJ News they have benefited from the Sistema program of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra.

He says a substantial number of those teachers are now performing with the symphony and they are fantastic musicians.

For more information on Symphony New Brunswick, click here

Mayor's Suggestion Where The Marco Polo Should Be Is Welcomed

A thumbs up from the face and voice of the Marco Polo tall ship project to the suggestion by Mayor Mel Norton where the replica should be permanently located.

The Mayor would like to see it close to Market Square with the volleyball pit redesigned.

That's fine and dandy with Barry Ogden who's predicting the Marco Polo will become a big tourist draw and perhaps the most photographed attraction in the province when it's finally up.

The Marco Polo is still in storage on the west side but Ogden tells CHSJ news it's being protected and is in good shape.

Ontario To Investigate Watered Down Chemo Drugs

An investigation will be carried out in Ontario by an independent third party into how watered down chemotherapy drugs were given to more than 1,100 patients, including 186 at the Regional Hospital.

The issue of whether privatization of the preparation of the chemo drugs might have been a factor has been raised by Ontario's Health Minister after a pharmacy technician noticed a discrepency in the amount of fluid in some of the bags.

Chief of Staff Dr. John Dornan is promising the Regional Hospital is going to be alot more careful in the future. He's vowing there will be more specificity with suppliers. 

Most hospitals mix the medications themselves and, even though the Regional has a new supplier, Dr. Dornan says it's a possible option.

Gas Prices Rise But Not By Much

If you have to fill up today, you'll be paying a it more for gas after the weekly setting. 

Self serve regular has risen by just over a cent a litre to $1.30.4 and diesel is up just under a cent to $1.36.4. 

Heating oil has increased by almost a cent with a maximum price of $1.16.4.

Prominent City Lawyer Faces Possible Prison Time

A well known Saint John lawyer Rod Gillis is scheduled to be in court today in Moncton at a sentencing hearing for attempting to obstruct justice. 

The actual sentence itself won't be delivered by Judge Irwin Lampert until a later date because of all the documentation that has to be gone through.

The charge was laid in connection with Gillis's legal representation of former Liberal M-L-A Frank Branch. 

The former Speaker of the Provincial Legislature was charged with fraud and extortion. He was also also legally involved in a civil suit against the North Shore Forest Products Marketing Board.  Branch pleaded guilty to fraud over 5 thousand dollars, ordered to pay restitution and was sentenced to house arrest and probation. 

Meanwhile, according to the Law Society of New Brunswick website, Gillis has been suspended from practicing law but there's no explanation why.

Halfway House Can Handle Violet Rapist, Says Police Chief

As an online petition against the release of a violent sex offender in the Saint John area continues to gather steam on Facebook, Police Chief Bill Reid wants to address the public outcry over the so-called Motorcycle Rapist living in our community.

The Chief tells CHSJ News Parole Services has an excellent track record of monitoring offenders. Further, an officer embedded in the halfway house will act as eyes and ears for the force and alert them immediately if something untoward happens.

Reid says while there's always the possibility someone could get up and walk out of the house unescorted, the team there has the right procedures in place and he feels comfortable they can handle the placement.

The Motorcycle Rapist Moving Into Local Halfway House

A sex offender known as the "motorcycle rapist" being moved to a city halfway house today. 

John O'Brien was convicted of raping eight women in Nova Scotia and was sentenced to 37 years in prison, and now qualifies for statutory release. 

Saint John police deputy chief Bruce Connell tells us he's being housed at a federal halfway house, so while the Saint John police force do keep an eye on anybody on parole, it's not their responsibility to track O'Brien: that's the responsibility of those running the facility on Carleton street. 

A petition against sharing the city with O'Brien has gone up online. To see it, go to: http://chn.ge/XqkhR8

Federal Government Supports Project To Help Women Become Financially Independent

A three-year project to help marginalized women become financially self-sufficient and secure has received federal backing. 

The feds giving nearly $300, 000 to the Urban Core Support Network, and coordinator Brenda Murphy tells CHSJ News that hearing from local women is a key part of the initiative.

MP Rodney Weston made the announcement, and he tells us that if the information is shared throughout the country, it could benefit other communities who have the same problems we have here in Saint John.

Fire Causes Minimal Damage, Minimal Disruption At Port

Quite a smoke-show last night after some fluff ignited at the American Iron and Metal shredding operation at the port, but Jim Quinn tells CHSJ News that the damage the fire caused was minimal; the flame went up underneath the conveyer belt, melting it.

By the time Quinn got to the site, the fire department had put out the blaze. He tells us there may be a small hiccup in operations, but nothing major.

Another Public Meeting On E-I Changes And Protest

There's still alot of uncertainty and concern about what effect the changes to Employment Insurance will bring about. That's why a meeting on E-I will be held at the Sussex Legion tomorrow night starting at 7.

It's being organised by Dennis Belliveau who will chair the meeting. Belliveau is from Blacks Harbour and tells CHSJ News fishermen won't be the only people who could be affected because if you live in a small town and get laid off, there aren't that many jobs going around.


Belliveau doesn't know if Fundy Royal M-P Rob Moore, who has been invited, will be on hand.   Meantime, a protest against the reforms will be held Friday afternoon at the King Street office of Saint John M-P Rodney Weston. Schoolbus drivers in the Saint John area, many of whom are women, are especially upset.