Main Grand Manan Ferry Could Be Running Later Tonight

An update on the Grand Manan ferry that was docked on Monday due to thruster problems -- it could be back on its run later tonight.

General Manager for Coastal Transport Murray Ryder tells CHSJ News the ship is currently undergoing repairs and they're hoping to have it back on the water tonight for sea trials.

If all goes well, they will use it for the 9pm run from Blacks Harbour. 

He says the problem was traced back to a piece of equipment that burned out.

Taxpayers Federation Believe Province Can Balance The Books

Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs is warning more spending cuts will have to be made as the provincial debt rises by a billion dollars to almost 9.5 billion. 

Despite the enormity of the task, Kevin Lacey of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation is optimistic Higgs can get a handle on it and balance the books.

He says the government has been creating a culture of savings by cutting back on spending in every department by 2 percent.

Lacey says the government should concentrate on the basics -- education, healthcare and infrastructure like roads with other spending open to reductions.

Fire On Old Rothesay Road

The KV Fire department responding to a house fire this afternoon around 11am at 3197 Rothesay Road.

Fire officials tells us a woman was taken to hospital but will be fine -- she was in the basement of the home which is where the fire started.

The homeowners will be able to return in a few days.

No word yet on a cause.

Councillor Donnie Snooks Says Rainbow Park Must Be Protected

Councillor Donnie Snook says the city and residents need to protect their investment -- he's referring to the recent vandalism at Rainbow Park which saw one of the bathrooms suffer fire damage.

He tells CHSJ News measures need to be immediately taken to protect the park, such installing lights in the area.

He says security cameras would also serve as a good deterrent for vandals.

He hopes those responsible for the fire are caught and made an example of.

Finance Minister Has Confidence Of Taxpayers Federation

Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs is warning more spending cuts will have to be made as the provincial debt rises by a billion dollars to almost 9.5 billion.

Despite the enormity of the task, Kevin Lacey of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation is optimistic Higgs can get a handle on it and balance the books.

Lacey says the government should concentrate on the basics......education, healthcare and infrastructure like roads with other spending open to reductions which means not giving tax credits to make movies or stage CFL games.

Higgs also cautions economic growth will not be robust enough to give the government enough revenues to make up the shortfall.

Some Concern Over New Ice Time Policy

Mayor Ivan Court expressing some concern about whether the new policy on ice time at city rinks will hurt competitive figure skaters if they're limited to 2 and a half hours a week.

 He wonders what effect that will have on their ability to compete in provincial competitions and is urging for some flexibility.

Common Councillor Gary Sullivan is more enthused about the changes and says there is flexibility with the residency requirement that will allows teams from outside the city to compete.

He points out the rinks don't make any money so it doesn't make sense to have city taxpayers subsidising people from outside.

He also supports the idea of allocating ice time equally between men and women based on the growing popularity of women's hockey and their difficulty in the past to secure ice time.

Saint John Area Man Escapes From Prison

There has been an escape from the Westmorland Institution at Dorchester. 

29 year old Micheal Garnett, who had been living in the Saint John area, fled from the minimum security prison between 10:30 last night and 12:30 this morning.

Garnett is described as white, 6 feet, three inches tall, weighing 200 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information on where he might be can call the RCMP at 533-5151 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Street Closure In South End

Lower Cove Loop (Broad Street) will be closed between Charlotte and Prince William Streets today for road construction beginning at 8:00 this morning.

The street will reopen later today.

Drivers are advised to follow the posted detour via Charlotte, Duke and Water Streets.

Liberals Ask Why Not Hold Referendum On Shale Gas

                                     The Natural Resources Critic for the Liberals Denis Landry wants to know if any request has been made to have a referendum on fracking in the province.

Landry says M-L-A Kirk MacDonald promised to ask the premier but no one's heard what the outcome was. Landry tells CHSJ News shale gas is the ideal subject to have a referendum on.

Landry says people are really concerned about their drinking water and the quality of the air they're breathing.
 
He argues if the public wants a referendum the government should go with it because when the province was talking about uranium activities a few years ago, Alward and other Conservative MLAs voted for a referendum and the issue of shale gas exploration is just as important to the province today as uranium activities were back then.

Proposed Spa In Quispamsis Rejected

Quispamsis Town Council giving a unanimous "No" to rezoning that would have allowed a home at 2 Autumn Avenue off the Old Hampton Road become a full service beauty salon.

The home currently operates with a hair salon permit but the owners wanted to make it into a spa offering various services. The Planning Advisory Committee determined the spa would be too large for the property.

Mayor Murray Driscoll says he understands if the owners are disappointed.

Town Engineer Gary Losier says the Planning Advisory Committee looked at all of the information provided but the proposal would have created too many exceptions under the municipal plan when it came to like parking and its proximity to an intersection.