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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
For more information, click here.
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.
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.
The flooding at Bonny River has cost an 18 year old woman from Pocologan big time. When the flooding first began, her car was washed away and she scrambled to the roof to be rescued. He stepdad, Wayne Babineau tells CHSJ News she now finds herself without a vehicle but having to find someway to get to school in St. Andrews.
He says it's heartbreaking to see her at this time of year.
Babineau adds she's lucky not to have been washed away herself.
He calls the men who rescued his stepdaughter from the roof of her car heroes in his book adding they spent about 45 minutes in the water.
Just in time for Christmas....an automotive shop located outside Saint John is going to help out the Babineau family and fix their damaged car free of charge. They want to remain anonymous.
More people will seeking help from the province for damage to the homes and businesses from flooding and storm surge.
Over 700 people have applied for the Province's disaster assistance plan.
EMO's Andy Morton tells us with this program they want to cover the essentials to try and get people back to a normal life as quickly as possible.
He says the program will look after structural damage such as taking out flooding drywall, replacing insulaton and electrical panels.
Service New Brunswick's toll free line and website will be operating tomorrow and on the 27th from 8:30am to 2pm to process claims.
To apply for the disaster financial assistance plan, call 1-888-298-8555 or click here
Saint John is one city where you do not find roundabouts but that could change depending on a study that will be carried out. Roundabouts are designed to quicken the flow of traffic and ease congestion. There has been talk of having one at Simms Corner if it is ever reconfigured. Common Councillor Peter McGuire lives on the west side and has been pressing to get the project off the ground.
McGuire says he doesn't care if it's traffic lights or a roundabout as long as it gets fixed.
The Saint John West Business Association wants a roundabout but city staff have been less than enthused.
600 individuals and business owners reporting flood damage to their properties to the Provincial government.
Public Safety Minister Robert Trevors is encouraging anyone whose home or business was impacted by recent flooding to let them know.
Trevors says health and safety inspection teams are in place in St. George, St. Stephen, McAdam, Fredericton and in the Nashwaak&Keswick Valleys helping people who have registered for help. He adds more personnel will be added over the coming days.
EMO issuing 25 cheques so far to victims applying for the disaster financial assistance program. Service New Brunswick will continue to process advanced payments through the holidays and deliver to satellite offices for pick-up.
For more information call 1-888-298-8555 or click here.
A slight increase in gas prices after the weekly setting.........Self serve regular around town rising by under a cent to 107.8 and diesel is now a bit higher as well at 115.2. Heating oil rose by almost a cent and is listed at just under $1.01 a litre.
