NDP Proposal On Property Taxes

(Quispamsis NDP Candidate Matt Doherty(right)
           (Photo By Jim Hennessy)

A promise from the NDP Party today concerning property taxes.

If elected to power on Monday, the party's plan is to turn control of property taxes over to municipalities.

Quispamsis NDP Candidate Matt Doherty tells CHSJ News, the party would reduce the number of municipalities from over 400 to near 100 and transfer specific responsibilities to new municipalities and increase their power.

Doherty says municipal governments are out of step with the rest of the country and what home-owners expect and the current one-size fits all format doesn't work.

Cleaning Up After Hurricane Igor

A Saint John Company is cleaning up and helping out in the after-math of Hurricane Igor hitting parts of Newfoundland.
Irving Oil's Saint Johns terminal is fully operation after the storm hit earlier this week.
The companies fleet of trucks how-ever are still not able to get to some area's because of washed out roads especially in the Burin Peninsula where Irving branded sites are waiting for fuel.
The company realizes fuel is not the only priority but basic necessities like food and water are at a minimum as well so, it has donated $15,000 dollars to the Red Cross who is assisting families most affected by the storm.

Hospital Home Lottery Is Underway

(Picture of the Lottery House From The Front Yard)
            (Photo By Jim Hennessy)

The Hospital Home Lottery is back for another year and the grand prize is a $750,000 dollar dream home in Cedar Point Anchorage in Millidgeville.

Tim Cameron is Executive Director of the Regional Hospital Foundation and tells CHSJ News, this years home is spectacular.


Other things up for grabs among the 1200 prizes are a new Corvette or cash, a truck and Harley Davidson.

Cameron says they have 24,000 tickets up for sale in the hope of raising half a million dollars maybe more.

The first two lotteries have raised close to one million dollars.

Murder Trial Scheduled For City In November

A 27 year old Saint John woman will stand trial on November 16th for second degree murder. Chrystal Dawn McKenzie is charged with the stabbing death last March of 29 year old Patrick Andrew Thomas on Alma Street off Waterloo. 5 days have been set aside for the trial at the Sydney Street Courthouse.

Tax Relief For Library Gets Support In Rothesay

(Mayor Bill Bishop)

(File Photo)

As the Kennebecasis Public Library Board continues it's push for property tax relief, it has the full support of Rothesay Council.

The library serves both Quispamsis and Rothesay which means it is forced to pay a higher non-residential tax rate. In a letter to the Department of Post Secondary Education,

Mayor Bill Bishop points out the K-V Library is one of the busiest in the Province and with expansion plans on the table, the money saved of course would be well utilized.

Rothesay Council concedes it isn't expecting an answer until after the provincial election is finished.

Jamieson Publicly Supports Liberals Despite Earlier Turmoil

(Former Saint John Fundy M-L-A Stuart Jamieson)

(File Photo)

A former Liberal M-L-A and cabinet minister is sounding support for Liberal leader Shawn Graham and the party.

 Stuart Jamieson resigned as Tourism Minister and was expelled from the caucus earlier this year over his opposition to the proposed NB Power sale but he tells CHSJ News the Conservatives have turned their backs on the region in the past.

Jamieson showed up Monday for Graham's announcement on committing funds to complete the Fundy Trail if re-elected on Monday. Graham spoke highly of Jamieson's efforts on promoting the trail and thanked him for coming.

Jamieson decided not to re-offer for his seat in Saint John Fundy.



NDP Choosing Saint John To Talk About Property Taxes

The NDP will hold a news conference this morning to unveil the party's policy on property tax and property tax assessment.

Quispamsis candidate Matt Doherty will break down the numbers at the Fort Howe Hotel at 11:30am.

Many homeowners were outraged in the spring by skyrocketing increases in their property taxes for no apparent reason. The Conservatives are promising an overhaul.

No Let Up In Construction On Harbour Bridge

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With just over a month to go, it's full steam ahead for construction crews working on the Harbour Bridge.

General Manager Ken Anthony tells CHSJ News, the schedule is tight but he is hopeful everything will be finished by the end of next month.

Crews right now are putting back side walls and light standards with expansion joints and asphalt to follow.

Anthony says next summer, work will being on the two East-bound lanes and the construction schedule is the same with a completion date of October.31st.

Saint John Company Bought Out

A business move late yesterday saw a Saint John company change hands. Millenium Welding, has been bought by Source Atlantic which also bought Schooner Industrial Limited in Halifax.

Source Atlantic is comprised of eight industrial distribution and service companies that serve Atlantic Canada.

The company in a release says with the purchase, Source Atlantic is the largest industrial distribution group in Atlantic Canada. No word on whether any jobs are going to be lost or re-located because of this move.