(Shot of King Street During Recent Storm)
(Photo by Dave Briggs)
The second major winter storm of the season is giving most what they had hoped for.....a white Christmas. Environment Canada Meteorologist Mike Campbell tells CHSJ News, Greater Saint John is pushing back over 15cm's of fresh powder, Fredericton is cleaning up just over 23cm's while Woodstock and area's north are reporting 25 and even 30cm's of snow on the ground.
In Moncton.....it was nothing but rain with 25mm's falling. A good portion of Saint John was with-out power for most of the over-night hours with the power coming back on at five this morning. We have placed a call to Saint John Energy but still haven't heard back as to what the problem was.
(Energy and Utilities Board Logo)
(File Image)
After enjoying a drop over the past few weeks, the price for gasoline and other petroleum products is up this week. The Energy and Utilities Board has released it's weekly price schedule which shows gasoline at a maximum total price of 98 cents. Most stations are selling a litre of self-serve for 95.3. Diesel has a maximum total price of $105.6 with most stations selling a litre for $102.8.
Furnace oil has maxed out at 88.3 for a total price but the retail number comes in at 82.6 and the maximum total price for propane is $109.2 but selling for 97.9.
(Premier Shawn Graham)
(File Photo)
Premier Graham is dismissing a recent national poll showing him as one of the least popular premiers in the country. Responding to a CHSJ News question -- the Premier says he's not going to govern based on polling numbers
Graham admits 2009 has been the most difficult year of his mandate with the impact of the global recession - the swine flu pandemic - ongoing reforms in health - education - and - taxation -- and -- the controversial proposal to sell off N-B Power to Hydro Quebec.
City staff are looking at a possible spring date for another set of Ward Meetings. Councillor Bill Farren is asking staff to look into possible dates as a way to increase communication with taxpayers. Mayor Ivan Court says the meetings should all be held on the same night in the middle of a week.
Court says as long as both councillors from each ward can attend and a member of staff they should run smoothly.
(Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll)
(File Photo)
Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll is looking back on 2009 with a smile. Driscoll says over the year, a lot has been accomplished in the town including reducing some costs to an all time low.
Driscoll says at the beginning of this year, there was a 17 per cent increase in the tax base, but the town was able to cut the tax rate by close to 4 cents.
By the end of next month, the issue of lighting on the Westfield Road may be found. Councillor Peter McGuire is looking for advice from Saint John Energy on helping find a positive change to the dark road.
McGuire says even at the best of times the road is hard to manoeuvre and is terrible at night. The acting city manager is being asked to report back on his discussions with the utility by the end of next month.
