Heart and Stroke Foundation Bus Pull

How do you think you and 19 of your friends would do pulling a Saint John Transit bus 100 feet? We ask the question because the Heart and Stroke Foundations first annual bus pull is set to go in two weeks on the 29th. They hope to lock up twenty teams of ten to drag the forty foot limos and raise cash to buy Automated External Defibrillators to install in area high schools. Spokes-person Terry Wagner tells CHSJ News, they hope to raise ten thousand dollars.

If you want to get involved, you can call Terry at 634-1620.

Hampton Teen to Carry Olympic Torch

A 15 year old Hampton High Student will carry the Olympic Flame through his town. Antoine Clark will carry the flame about 300 metres starting along Main Street and ending at the Whistle Stop Diner.
Clark was asked by the school to be the torch bearer, and will do so on the 24th just after three in the afternoon.

57th Annual Santa Claus Parade a Hit

Big crowds and lots of smiles for last night's 57th edition of the Saint John Santa Claus Parade. The weather was picture perfect with clear skies and mild temperatures. The CHSJ/Wave hot chocolate and cider stand raised $400 dollars for Romero House, plenty of coats for coats for kids were collected and the city outside workers filled up trucks of food for Romero House as well.

There are two parades next weekend with the West Side edition in the afternoon followed by the Kennebecasis Valley Santa Parade that night. The winners for last night's Saint John Parade will be awarded their hardware at a future common council meeting.

Winning Entries:



Chairperson’s Choice Olivier Soapery


Best in Parade Boys and Girls Club


Best Commercial Entry Sobeys


Best School Simmonds High School


Best Cheerleaders Carleton Community Centre


Best Band #9 Rodney Band


Best Association/Church St. Mary’s St. Bartholomews




Honourable Mentions:


Kenebec Manor


Maritime Greyhounds


North End Community Cheerleaders


City of Saint John – Mayor’s float


Saint John ATV club


560 Moncton RCAC

Alward Says H1N1 Clinic Logistics Needs A Tune Up

[Tory Leader David Alward----File Photo]
The leader of the Provincial Tories says he is concerned over the logistics involved in the H1N1 vaccination clinics.

David Alward tells CHSJ News, there have been difficulties regarding communications.
Alward says every province has faced problems with how the clincis have rolled out and the Conservatives have been briefed on the issues. He adds he is concerned about the logistics of getting people through the line ups and getting care to those who need it the most.

Rothesay Mayor Reacts to Provincial Tax Assessment

[Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop---File Photo]
With budget deliberations already underway around the Province, there will be some hard number crunching in municipalities in the coming weeks. This after the Province announced municipalities lower their tax rates including Rothesay by ten cents. Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News, the biggest complaint he hears from home-owners is the increase year after year on property assessments:
Bishop adds in the past when tax-payers got an increase on their bill, municipalities would say it is because of the assessments. Now the Province is looking to turn the table by saying if taxes go up, it is the municipality that did so.

Quispamsis Mayor Says Tax Reduction Number Too High

[Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll---File Photo]
11 cents is the number the Province would like to see the Town of Quispamsis cut it's tax rate. Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News, his town cannot operate the way it is now with that big of a cut to the tax rate.

Driscoll adds he and staff will crunch the numbers but would be very suprised if they can get it near an 11 cent reduction.

Grand Bay Westfield Reacts to Provincial Tax Assessment

[Grand Bay Westfield Mayor Grace Losier----File Photo]
Grand Bay Westfield isn't running scared by the numbers proposed for it's tax rate by the Province. Mayor Grace Losier tells CHSJ news, the nine cent decrease on the tax rate for her town is where the Province believes the rate should be.
Losier adds assessed property values in Grand Bay Westfield are up 47% over the past five years which they understand is a hardship but your home is an investment as well. The current tax rate in the town is $1.37.