Deadly Crash on Highway Seven

The weekend is off to a deadly start after a two vehicle accident on highway seven last night. City Police and Fire were called to the Grand Bay exit at 9:30pm to find two vehicles had crashed killing a 44-year old man who was driving alone in his vehicle. Four people in the other vehicle were taken to the Regional and sent home. City Police say it is too early to say what happend but driving conditions weren't the best when the accident happend with heavy fog.

Rothesay Regional Police also had their hands full with a short vehicle chase. They had a check-stop set up looking for driving violations at 1:30am when a vehicle decided they didn't want to speak with the officers. A short chase followed after the vehicle took off and three men were taken into custody. All now face several charges including drug related and will be in court at a later date.

City Ranking Numbers Are In

The current administration at City Hall might want to hold off on a celebration just yet. MacLeans Magazine has come out with their latest best run city's list and Saint John gets an over-all ranking of a B. How-ever, these numbers reflect data taken from the 2006-2007 census numbers so it is the previous adminstration under Norm McFarlane that is under the spot-light in this best of list.

There also appear to be some conflicting numbers as City Hall receives a C for Economic Development but a B in finances. We have left a message for Mayor Court for his reaction but have yet to hear back.

Cupe Still Looking for Answers

The party appears to be on hold for Cupe Local 2745. Just weeks after receiving word from the Province that funds from the Innovative Learning Program will be used to make up for a short-fall of cash for administrative staff, the local is still waiting on word from Fredericton that all lay-offs will be reversed. 588 laid off educational support staff were given notice before the end of the current school year their services will no longer be required.

Premier Graham did a cabinet shuffle shortly after that how-ever and newly crowned Education Minister Roland Hache worked out a deal to return all staff for the fall. Union President Sandy Harding says teachers, administrators and staff need to know what the staff complement will be in order to be prepared for September."

Rothesay Master Recreation Plan Almost Done

On the topic of recreation.......Rothesay's Master Plan should be ready to be unveiled and voted on by next month. The report from ADI Architecture says town officials should concentrate on three area's in this order.......a field house, improvement and the building of more walking trails and renovations or the construction of a new arena. Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News, some councilors feel there should have been more discussion with individuals than groups.

Bishop says he is looking forward to finalizing the proposal and getting a project started.

Proposed Arena Rates in Rothesay Are In

Proposed rates for use of the Rothesay arena are on the table. It will be $165 per hour for commerical which includes tournaments and minor sports. Schools will pay $110 per hour for prime time use. Non-Prime hours is $85 dollars and higher for commerical. Minor sports and schools is the same for morning and day time hours.

For morning hours it would be $50 dollars for new users and $45 dollars for any new school or minor sports program. No word on when a final vote will be held to finalize the proposed rates.