Meteorologists Predict Milder Winter--For Now

You won't have to dig out your car--or your snow-blower--for a while yet this winter. That's the outlook coming from AccuWeather, which just released its 2011-2012 winter forecast. 

According to the weather agency, New Brunswickers should expect a tamer-than-usual winter with less snowfall than average--for now.

In southern Atlantic Canada, says meteorologist Brett Anderson, the winter will start out pretty tame. But things will turn more stormy in the coming months as the coast gets hit by wintry blasts of snow and rain.

For now, however, enjoy the not-so-wintry wonderland while it lasts.

Alleged Workplace Bullying at NB Power

NB Power defending itself against allegations that it's a hotbed of workplace bullying. BullyingCanada drawing attention to the complaints it's received from employees.

The anti-bullying group has heard from 15 workers  who say they've been bullied at work by their supervisors.

Higher-ups at the power company have been accused with refusing to let workers speak their minds, as well as of giving their friends preferential treatment.

NB Power responding that they will meet with representatives of Bullying Canada to address the issue. They say that they are committed to providing a harassment-free work environment.

2012 Election A Distant Thought For The Mayor

Mayor Ivan Court isn't looking too far ahead into the 2012 municipal elections, despite the recent announcement of a new candidate for Ward 4.

Ray Strowbridge joins John Campbell as a candidate for council next year.

Court tells CHSJ News there's still too much work to think about the election, such as finishing the budget.


He says he will re-offer next year because there are still many projects on the drawing board that he would like to see through.

He believes many of the current councillors will put their names on the ballot again as well.

Opposition Bill Could Help New Brunswickers Quit Smoking

Need help kicking your cigarette habit? If the New Brunswick Liberals have their way, quitting could soon be a little easier.

The Liberal Opposition presenting a new bill to the Legislative assembly that aims to provide smokers with services and medications to treat their addictions.

The province collected $102.6 million in tobacco tax revenues in 2009-2010. The new law, if adopted, would dedicated a percentage of those tax revenues to quit-smoking and nicotine replacement therapies.

It's estimated that smoking costs the province more that $200 million annually in health care and workplace-related expenses.

ONE Change Ltd. Hosts Party at Community Centre

Old Saint Nick is visiting residents of the Old North End a little early today. 

ONE Change Inc. is hosting its "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" party today at the North End Community Centre. 

The registered charity aims to improve the quality of life for everyone in the area. 

A free holiday dinner, presents for kids, door prizes, and entertainment will be provided.

Donations of kid's pajamas, storybooks, and turkeys will be accepted. All residents of the Old North End are invited to come celebrate.

Havelock Man Sentenced To 45 Days In Jail For Child Porn

A 45-year-old Havelock man has been sentenced to 45 days in jail for possessing and making available child pornography. 

Darin Hayward will serve the sentence intermittently followed by a one year probation.  He will also be added to the National Sex Offender Registry for 10 years.

Hayward was busted as part of a province-wide investigation into child porn.

JDI Pleased With Province's Move To Cut Natural Gas Prices

Mary Keith with JDI is pleased that the province is looking to lower natural gas distribution rates.

She tells CHSJ News it has been very difficult for businesses and residents alike under the Enbridge monopoly because the cost of operations for Enbridge in the province has been 4 times higher than other places.

Keith hopes the Energy and Utilities and Board will take a close look at Enbridge's cost of operations.

Earlier this year, JDI's Atlantic Wallboard plant had to shut down every 3 months because of escalating energy costs.

Liberals Charge The Tories Have Broken Another Campaign Promise

The Opposition finance critic says there is a no doubt that the Premier has broken another campaign promise by not freezing property assessment for seniors.
Instead, seniors can defer future property tax increases so they could stay in their homes longer under amendments to the tax act.
Donald Arsenault tells CHSJ News seniors contribute so much to our province and should be treated with respect.

He says David Alward lied to them during the election and told them to expect a certain thing and they are now getting something else.
He calls that a lack of leadership and very irresponsible for the premier to do what he did.

Arsenault adds the province is also playing around with the budget calling it creative accounting and he won't be surprised if the Tories raise the HST thereby breaking another campaign promise.

Saint John Community Loan Fund Gets Huge Federal Investment

The federal government writing out a cheque for almost 220-thousand dollars for the Saint John Community Loan Fund.

Loan Fund President Louise Béland says the money will be used for their Excel Program, a support system for graduates of the Enterprising Women program.

She says the funding will last for three years and will provide a staff member that can offer ongoing advice and networking opportunities with other female entrepreneurs

She says it's important for entrepreneurs to get help even after their business has been launched.

Meanwhile, Sharon Raeburn is a graduate of the Loan Fund's Enterprising Women program and opened a hostel on Newman Street back in April.

She says it's important to be able to network with fellow  female entrepreneurs because business can tend to be a boy's club.

Mayor Says Missed Deadline Will Not Affect Budget

Mayor Ivan Court says missing the deadline won't result in any issues with the budget.

He tells CHSJ News the city missed the deadline because it's doing its due diligence -- the documents need to be translated to French and the city wants to be sure that the wording is correct so there cannot be any challenges in the future.

He says the city anticipated that the pension issue may not be dealt with until the spring sitting of the legislature.

Seniors Can Defer Future Property Tax Increase Under New Ammendment

Seniors will be able to defer future property tax increases so they could stay in their homes longer under amendments to the Real Property Tax Act introduced by the provincial government.

Premier David Alward had promised to freeze property tax rates for seniors when he was campaigning.


Seniors 65 or older, who own a principal residence and receive the Residential Property Tax Credit, could be eligible for this new program that would allow those who are experiencing financial difficulty to apply to defer their annual increase in property taxes.

The deferred taxes with interest would be payable to the provincial government upon change of ownership of the property.

Questions Raised Over City Missing Pension Dealine

The city has missed the deadline to get its pension plan reforms passed before the provincial legislature wraps up before Christmas.Without those changes being enacted, the pension plan's deficit will grow ever larger. 

John Campbell, who has already announced he will be seeking a seat on Common Council in the next municipal election, is flabbergasted.

He questions why the deadline was missed and what effect will it have on next year's city budget. Mayor Ivan Court maintains it will have no effect.

Campbell predicts Common Council will be hardpressed to maintain the tax rate where it is now.
 
Common Council has scheduled a special closed door meeting tomorrow morning to talk about what is termed a financial matter.

Health Department Proposing Changes To Allow Election of Board Members

The Alward government proposing changes to the Regional Health Authorities Act to allow the election of board members to the regional health authorities. The proposal is intended to increase the accountability and transparency of the management of health authorities.

In a release, Health Minister Madeline Dube says communities have clearly indicated that they want a voice in their health authorities and this change would give them that voice.

Under the proposed changes, each board would have 15 members, 8 would be elected and 7 would be appointed.
Elections would be in conjunction with municipal elections.

Power is Returning To Some

Over 5400 NB Power customers may be eating out otherwise dinner will be cold because their lights are out.

A nasty wind and rainstorm today knocking out power to many including over 1000 homes in Fredericton and over 400 in Sussex.

The lights are back in time for dinner in Rothesay, earlier 600 homes did not have electricity.

Another Name Comes Forward For 2012 Municipal Election

The municipal election is not until next year but we have another name being thrown into the political ring.

36-year old paramedic Ray Strowbridge has announced he is running in Ward 4, which is in East Saint John.

Strowbridge tells CHSJ News he always felt a strong calling for social responsibility and wants to restore accountability and transparency to local government.

He says one of the first things he would do if elected would be to push for a full audit of the city's finances.

Strowbridge joins John Campbell as another candidate on the ballot.  Campbell is running for the at-large position.

NDP Leader Knows Why Charges Are Not Being Laid

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy says he knows why no charges were laid against Windsor Energy for its seismic testing in Sussex without the town's permission. He blames the previous Liberal Government for negotiating leases with no provisions for enforcement.

He says otherwise it's just an extended love letter to a company and his call to Minister Northrup and the Premier is to give the province a Christmas present by not letting Windsor Energy back in here.

Cardy also tells CHSJ News he got a phone call from the President and C-E-O of Windsor Energy, Khalid Amin threatening him with legal action if Cardy continues his criticisms.

Fleury's Visit Next Month Is Timely

The January visit of the former NHLer who was a victim of notorious coach Graham James couldn't be more timely.
In court yesterday, James plead guilty to charges involving Theo Fleury and will be sentenced in February.
Fleury is the guest speaker at the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Foundation Gala dinner next month.
Dinner chair Nathalie Godbout tells CHSJ News they first approached him back in the summer.

At that time she says he was sought after then but no more than he is now in the light of sex scandals at Penn State and Syracuse universities and the guilty plea from Theo Fleury's abuser.

Everyone attending January's event will leave with an autographed copy of Theo Fleury's book "Playing With Fire".
For more info on the event, click here

Police and Canadian Tire Want You To Use Winter Tires

If the blast of winter weather taught us anything two weeks ago, it's that winter driving can be a dangerous thing.

City police and Canadian Tire holding a winter driving safety session today with a focus on using winter tires.

Mike Feener is the owner of the Canadian Tire on the west side and he tells CHSJ News there is no no added expense to buying winter tires because your summer or all-season tires will last longer.

He saysregular winter tires work better on pavement that studded ones.

He adds another aspect often overlooked is the fact winter wipers should be installed because they are less likely to break down in freezing conditions.

St. Martin's School Closing At 12:30pm

Due to a power outage, St. Martins School will be closing at 12:30pm.
Buses will arrive at 12:30 to deliver students home.

Vacant Home Fire In Codys

A fire in a vacant home in Codys keeping crews busy when the call came after 5am this morning.

The owner of the home on the Salmon Creek Road is working out of province.

Hampton RCMP tell CHSJ News the cause of the blaze appears to be accidental.

No word on the extent of damage to the house.