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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Highlights Of No To Sale Of NB Power News Conference

Second Rally at the Legislature

Hampton Teen's Murder Trial to start today

The trial of a 15-year-old Hampton girl charged with first degree murder in the death of an elderly man is scheduled to start today.
She had previously elected trial by judge alone, but will be facing the jury as well.
78-year-old Frank Tonge of Damascus died in his home from a single stab wound to his upper body.
Nine days have been set aside for the trial in Saint John.



Another NB Power Rally at the Legislature
















(Over Two Hundred Rally in Front of the Legislature)
                (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Over 200 people braved the cold in front of the Legislature to voice their displeasure with the propoed sale of NB Power to Hydro Quebec. The faces were different but the cry was the same....Premier Graham has got to go. Former Energy Minister Jeannot Volpe was one of several speakers who encouraged them to continue their fight.


Volpe adds there is a bill in place right now that states the public utility cannot be sold so if the proposal is to go through, Premier Graham will have to change the act. The next rally is planned on Jan.28th when Premier Graam delivers is state of the Province adress.

Provincial NDP Do It Their Way
















(From the Left is Green Leader Jack McDougall, center is
Conservative Leader David Alward and NDP Boss Roger
                                 Dugay)
                     (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

The leader of the Provincial NDP Party certainly knows how to crash a party. Roger Dugay took part in a news conference with Conservative Leader David Alward and Green Party boss Jack McDougall to voice their opposistion to the proposed sale of NB Power but didn't stick to the script. Dugay says the Liberals and Conservatives can't be trusted and rallied for voters to stand behind his party this fall.

Dugay added the Conservatives began this process to sell NB POwer and after it broke, the LIberals are now trying to sell the broken pieces. All three leaders ay they will have a document outlining their parties alternatives to the proposed sale.

Protest Rally at Legislature

MLA's returning to the Legislature today can expect a big crowd in front of the building. A second rally to protest the proposed sale of NB Power's major assets to Hydro-Quebec is scheduled for noon. Greg Cook is the spokes-person for the Coalition of New Brunswickers opposed to the sale and tells CHSJ News, his group has 28,000 members and continues to grow. Cook is convinced with the resignation of Mike Murphy last week, there is a fracture in the ranks. The first rally held back in the fall had 1500 people show up. Today's gets started at Noon.

K-V Fire Budget

Trying to eliminate 100 thousand dollars from the Kennebacasis Fire Department's budget is still the topic of debate in the valley. Quispamsis is trying to convince Rothesay to allow the hiring of an additional fire fighter.
Mayor Bill Bishop says Quispamsis has agreed to hold off on hiring someone until the fourth quarter of the year. The fire board is suggesting a meeting between the two municipalities, and members of the fire department. Deputy Mayor Blair MacDonald wants to wait for a new fire chief, and deputy chief to get a fresh perspective on the issue. K-V Fire Chief Larry Grier is expected to officially retire at the end of February.

Damage from Jail Disturbance

Damage from Saturday's riot at the Regional Correctional facility was extensive but limited to one living area which contains 24 cells. Furniture, plumbing fixtures and electrical wiring were damaged.
A small fire was set in the area which was immediately exstinguished and as a result the area sustained water damage. The disturbance involved 16 prisoners at the facility on the Old Black River Road.

Cash Donations for Burned Out Family

If you would like to help out a family who has been left without anywhere to live this past weekend after a fire on Garden Street, Saint John High teacher Barry Ogden tells CHSJ News you can drop off any money you can spare to the school secretary at the Canterbury Street entrance. The School is not collecting clothing or furniture.
Ogden, who also chairs the city's Leisure Services Committee, says this latest fire points out the need for safe affordable housing in the city core.

City Budget Nears Approval

The city wants to cap future budget increases for police, fire and transit services to one per cent in 2011 and 2012. That word from acting City manager Pat Woods who will be presenting a balanced budget for Common Council's approval next week. It's expected to contain a stable tax rate of $1.79 but Woods is warning Councillors they have to do something about the financially beleaguered city pension plan this year. Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase is concerned about rising water rates and wants to see major construction projects limited to water.