Liberals Candidates Want To Hear From Alward

(Rothesay Liberal Candidate Victoria Clarke)

Three Liberal candidates in the Kennebecasis Valley want to know how the Conservative leaders feels about expanding the Mackay Highway.
Rothesay Liberal candidate Victoria Clarke tells CHSJ News they want to hear from David Alward.
Clarke says the exits and entrances to the highway from the outlying communites to Saint John are not safe.


She says their focus is the safety issue but, they also realize the route is an important corridor for trade.

Joining Clarke is Quispamsis MLA Mary Schryer and Hampton-Kings Liberal candidate Kit Hickey.  The upgrade to the Mackay highway is a 50/50 partnership between the Province and Ottawa.

Reunion 2010 Kicks Off Tonight

Reunion 2010--the four day music festival which is part of Saint John's 225th birthday celebrations begins tonight.
Organizer Lisa Hrabluk tells CHSJ News it's kicks off with shows at two intimate City venues.'
She says Jazz on Princess at the Saint John Theatre Company rehearsal hall is nearly soldout.   The event for songwriters in also tonight at the Saint John Arts Centre.
Jazz on Princess and the Songwriters on Hazen Ave both start at 7 tonight.


Tomorrow is Harbour Rocks with an outdoor stage at Fort Latour featuring the Stereos and Wintersleep and Saturday's show features country stars Tara Oram and Aaron Prichett.


For more info: go to http://icalendar.esolutionsgroup.ca/Module.aspx?PMID=5907c8fe-34bf-44a0-81ba-2c442c18cb9d

Kiwanis Conference Undereway In Saint John

400 Kiwanians from 18 different countries are in the City for the 93rd Kiwanis Convention.


President of the Saint John chapter,  Linda Jarvis,  tells CHSJ News the delegates are being kept busy.  Jarvis says they are taking tours in the city and the region and taking part in training sessions.


Mayor Ivan Court and the Province's Lieutenant Governor Graydon Nicholas will be on hand for the opening ceremonies this afternoon at the Delta.
For more information, click here http://www.kiwanisecc.org/index.asp

West Side Robbery Suspect In Court

Sentencing will take place September 13th for a Grand Bay-Westfield man who pled guilty to four robberies on the west side. 37 year old Trent Douglas Mersereau was charged with armed robbery at the Bowl R Rama last Monday, theft with violence the day before at the Buccaneer's Pub and then two counts of theft with threats of violence at the Tim Hortons by Simm's Corner and the other Horton's further on down Main Street last year. Mersereau has been sent back to jail. In the meantime, a pre-sentence report will be prepared and victim impact statements submitted.

Realtors Call For Changes To Property Taxation

(Jason Stephen of the NBREA speaks about rising property taxes in the province)
(Photo by Sherry Aske)

The New Brunswick Real Estate Association is calling on political candidates and leaders to make property taxation a primary election campaign issue.

Jason Stephen is Chair of the Government Relations Committee and says it's difficult to attract people to the province when there's an uncompetitive tax advantage.  

Stephen says the current property tax system is unpredictable and leaves people in the unknown because they can't plan out their budget for the year.

He says they are suggesting the province eliminates double taxation and puts in place a cap or maximum annual increase for property value assessments.

No Real Change In Gas Pricing

The maximum prices that can be charged for both self serve and diesel have increased ever so slightly after the weekly setting. As of early this morning, the prices at the pumps have not been changed......Self serve regular was still going for 99.3 a litre in the city and diesel was selling for 100.6. Propane has increased to a maximum of 101.4 a litre.

No Guarantees HEMA Quebec Would Keep Saint John Blood Centre Open

(Premier Shawn Graham)
        (File Photo)

The back and forth on Canadian Blood Services continues.

Provincial Health Minister Mary Schryer announced on Tuesday that K-P-M-G will do an independent analysis of the blood service options for the province.

Premier Shawn Graham was asked why Hema Quebec is continually mentioned as a possible parter for this province when the task force report says there is no guarantee that Hema Quebec would keep the Saint John facility open. The Premier argues partnering with Hema Quebec is one of many options to province is looking at.

Plans call for the Millidgeville Blood Distribution Center to be closed and transferred to Dartmouth in the Spring of 2012.

The K-P-M-G report is due in March of next year.

Military Driver Training Begins Today In Saint John

Soldiers from CFB Gagetown will be conducting driver training beginning today possibly in your backyard.

The training is taking place in Saint John, Sussex, Moncton, Stanley, Marysville and Gagetown.

Military officials tell us the movement and activity of Canadian Forces vehicles and personnel shouldn't be big disruption.

Routes may be adjusted throughout the day in order to minimize interaction with civilian traffic.

The training continues until the 27th.