Quispamsis Mayor and Council Not Happy with the Premier

(Quispamsis Councilor Daryl Bishop)
       (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

There is alot of anger around the council chamber in Quispamsis and all of it is pointed at Premier Shawn Graham.


This is over a recent comment in which the Premier singled out the town as tax gougers and the reason home-owner's experienced a huge increase in it's property assessments.


Councilor Daryl Bishop tells CHSJ News, Premier Graham owes the town and it's staff an apology.


A letter will be sent to the Province from the Town to voice concern with the way it was singled out as not doing it's part to keep property assessments down.

Road in Quispamsis Will Remain Closed

Home-owners in the Hillindale sub-divison of Quispamsis are celebrating a victory.


Town council has voted down a request by the Ken-Val Co-op to re-open Autumn Avenue to through traffic.
Resident spokes-person Tammy Nadeau says she is pleased with how council received the group.


Nadeau adds if the road had been re-opened, this would have infringed greatly on both their safety and quality of life.


This is third time Co-op has tried to re-open the road and no representative from the store was at the meeting.

Valley Fire Fight Continues

(Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll)
             (File Photo)

The dispute over the number of firefighters in the Kennebecasis Valley has taken it's latest turn.


Quispamsis town council has voted in favor of an arbitrator being brought in as they argue with Rothesay about hiring another fire-fighter.


Rothesay points out there needs to be a $100,000 dollar cut in the budget but Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News, this doesn't mean further negotiations won't take place.


Currently, there are four fire-fighters working at Station One and Quispamsis is looking for the same number of bodies at the station with-in it's town limits.

Liberals On the Hunt for Candidates

With six months to go before the vote, the active search by the Provincial Liberal Party for candidates in Greater Saint John is ramping up.


Bruce Court is the front-runner in Saint John East, Gary Keating Saint John Fundy and Danny Joyce in Saint John Portland.


MLA Roly MacIntyre tells CHSJ News, they also are keeping a close watch on the riding of Rothesay with one person backing out but another still weighing the decision.


MacIntyre expects over the next month, the dates for the nomination parties will be announced.

McKenna and Graham to speak at fundraiser for Haiti

(Former Premier Frank McKenna)

(file photo)

Some Saint Johners will spend part of St. Patrick's Day listening to the current Premier and a former Premier talk about Haiti.
Shawn Graham and Frank McKenna will both speak at a fundraising luncheon tomorrow for Haiti at noon at the Delta hotel.

Judith Irving, who recently visited the country, will also speak along with some Haitian university students from Moncton.
The fundraiser will benefit the OneXOne foundation of which Frank McKenna is the chair.

Coast Guard Activity in the Bay

Several calls to 648-3000 news line are reporting activity in the Bay near the Irving Nature Park.

We can tell you the Coast Guard is conducting exercises in the area and anything that you might see hitting the water or low flying planes is the reason why.


Again, the Coast Guard is conducting exercises in the Bay of Fundy and that is the reason for low flying planes and anything someone might have seen hitting the water in the area of the Irving Nature Park.

Councilor Pushes for Repairs to Roads

There are four or five roads in the Quinton Heights neighbourhood that you can barely drive on.


That word from West Side Common Councillor Peter McGuire who would like some major work carried out, if not this year, then next.


McGuire says he just wants to keep the need for upgrades to the roads on the radar screen.

Seadogs Gearing Up For First Round Series

With three days left until their opening round series with the Rocket gets started, the Saint John Seadogs remain focused on the task at hand.


President Wayne Long tells CHSJ News, head coach Gerard Gallant and his staff have the team where they want to be.....looking no further ahead than Prince Edward Island.


At this point.....Long says close to three thousand tickets have been sold for game one.

Ward Three Councilor Makes His Pitch for Provincial Politics

(Ward Three Councilor Carl Killen)
           (File Photo)

He hasn't been approached by the Party to do so but that isn't stopping one city councilor from seeking the Conservative nomination in Saint John Harbor.

Carl Killen, who represents Ward Three is looking to carry the flag for the party in the September.27th vote. Killen tells CHSJ News, his personal life is lining up to make this a reality.

When asked if he feels those who supported him in the municipal election would be let down should he be elected, Killen says he will continue to serve but just in a different function.

New NBCC courses offered

If you want in a career as a practical nurse or a carpenter-you can get the required training right here at home starting in September.
The province has announced seven new programs will be offered at four different campuses of the New Brunswick Community College.
Four of the programs will be offered at NBCC St. Andrew's and they are courses in plumbing, carpentry and nursing and electrical installation.

Murder Charge Laid In Uptown Stabbing

A 27 year old woman appeared in provincial court to be charged with second degree murder in the stabbing death Monday morning of 29 year old Patrick Andrew Thomas. Chrystal Dawn May McKenzie was remanded in custody until Monday morning when she returns to court. In the meantime, an in jail assessment will be carried out to determine her fitness to stand trial and mental state at the time of the stabbing. No plea has been entered. The accused was placed under arrest after police were called to Alma Street off Waterloo.
Meantime, another woman, Sandra Lee Ross appeared in court to be charged with defrauding Independence Plus of more than 5 thousand dollars. The court was told she's an outpatient at the Mental Health Clinic and wants to be dealt with in Mental Health Court. Ross will be back in court March 31st.

Woman To Be Charged In Uptown Stabbing Death

A court appearance is expected this morning for a 27 year old woman who was arrested in the stabbing death of her 29 year old common law husband. The name of the victim has not been released. He was taken to hospital after police were called to Alma Street off Waterloo early yesterday morning.

Fires Quelled In The K-V And North End

A car on Newman Street was fully engulfed in flames early this morning when firefighters arrived and is described as a total loss. The possibility of an explosion caused some anxious moments. Fire Crews in the Valley were called to Greco Pizza in Rothesay which had to be evacuated evacuated last night after the kitchen was filled with smoke from a bag of smouldering rags. There was no damage and no injuries.

Common Council Gets Pitch For Green Space On East Side

A patch of green space in east Saint John will cost an estimated 600 to 800 thousand dollars to establish. Common Council heard the pitch from the Little River Resevoir Association and appeared to be in full support although there is no commitment of any funding yet. The Association's Glen Creamer tells CHSJ News there is all sorts of potential here.
Right now the area has been used as an illegal dumping ground with vehicles being burned and four wheelers creating havoc. Council has not made any funding commitment but referred the issue to the city manager and Leisure Services for further analysis with a report to be brought back.

Traffic Study In East Saint John Approved

The opening of Costco in late May at Eastpoint is expected to increase traffic in an already congested area of east Saint John. What can be done to alleviate the congestion is anyone's guess but the city will carry out a traffic study nonetheless. Common Councillor Bruce Court sees a safety problem developing on Ashburn Lake Road at the train tracks as you exit off the highway to get onto Rothesay Avenue.
Court points out there is already alot of congestion on Ashburn Lake Road during the afternoon rush hour even without any new stores opening. He also sees gridlock developing on Westmorland Road as you make the left turn onto Retail Drive.