Tim Vickers with the Atlantic Coastal Action Program says aside from wells being physically damaged, there does not appear to be a contamination risk for residents who use the Renforth Bog water supply.

He says water moving off that site would go into the marsh and then go downstream towards Saint John.


Rothesay residents have expressed concerns about their wells going dry or being contamination due to blasting near the Renforth Bog.

However, he says it's perfectly reasonable for the citizens to be concerned about their water and their need for clarification.

Mounties Nab Driver With 5 Kilos Of Coke And Hash

Four kilos of coke and one kilo of hash are off the street after an RCMP seizure on the Trans Canada Highway in Woodstock.

RCMP stopping a car Monday afternoon and arresting a man from Dartmouth at the scene.

The 45-year-old was released and is due in Woodstock court in December to face drug trafficking charges.

You Can Tour Salmon Farms On Passamaquoddy Bay

The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association is hosting free guided tours of salmon farms this Sunday on Passamaquoddy Bay.

It's part of the Province's Open Farm Day 2011 and boat tours will leave at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. from the Back Bay Wharf.


Pamela Parker of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association says the response has been very positive over the last few years.
Free barbecued salmon will be served and industry representatives can answer questions about the salmon aquaculture industry.

Parker says few people realize that more than 50 per cent of the seafood we eat comes from farms. You must reserve their space by Thursday at noon, call 755-3526 or email info@atlanticfishfarmers.com

City Wants Regional Co-operation

The city is exploring the establishment of a joint citizens advisory group for the purpose of working on common regional goals.

The group would include citizens from Grand Bay- Westfield, Rothesay, and Quispamsis.

Councillor Mel Norton putting forward the idea and he says it would be a collaborative effort.

He says one thing the group could discuss is how to fund the construction of a regional recreation facility.

City Manager Pat Woods says he will bring the idea up with the other city managers.

City Foundation Names New Executive Director

Clare Northcott is the new Executive Director for the Greater Saint John Community Foundation.

Northcott takes over on October 1st and hails from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and ran the YMCA in Amherst for 8 years.


She comes to Saint John from a national position with the United Way where she was the National Director of Organizational Development.
A farewell celebration for the retiring Jane Barry is coming up on November 18th at the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal.
 
For more info on the event, click here

Rothesay Vows To Help Residents Worried About Blasting

The town of Rothesay is not completely helpless when it comes to helping out its residents who are worried about blasting on city owned land next to the Renforth Bog. 

Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News they will investigate whether anything can be done legally if an activity being performed in a neighbouring jurisdiction is adversely affecting people who live in the town.
 
Bishop says the town will also be contacting the city which issued the permit to excavate large amounts of rock and the Environment Department about whether there are any violations. 

The Rothesay residents are worried about their wells going dry or being contamination and the foundations of their homes. The wells are supplied with water from the Renforth Bog.  

Prominent City Lawyer Passes Away

Well known city lawyer Neil McKelvey has died of cancer at the age of 86.

He was a founding partner of the law firm Stewart McKelvey which is considered to be the premier law firm in Atlantic Canada with over 200 lawyers.

A public celebration of his life will take place this Friday afternoon at the Imperial Theatre.

He, at one time, chaired the Saint John Port Development Corporation, the Regional Hospital Foundation and was Director of the Saint John Seafarer's Mission. 

McKelvey was also a past President of the Saint Patrick's Society of Saint John and served as President of the Canadian Bar Association in 1973 and 74.

Rothesay Residents Voice Concerns Over Blasting

The small Rothesay Town Council chamber was jammed to overflowing with people who are opposed to the blasting and excavation of rock on Fox Farm Road next to the Renforth bog which is a wetland supplying water to their wells.

John Wilcox of the Renforth Community Savers is looking for help from the town even though the excavation is taking place in the city and Rothesay has no jurisdiction but the affected residents live in the town.

Wilcox tells CHSJ News they're concerned about their wells running dry or being contaminated.
 
The residents have spoken with Provincial Environment Minister Margaret Ann Blaney who says her department will check to see if there are any violations.
 
They also will be contacting the Transportation Department to check what they claim are fresh cracks in the overpass at Fox Farm Road near where the blasting is taking place.
 
Rothesay Council will investigate whether the town can take legal action if an activity is taking place in a neighbouring jurisdiction that's adversely affecting town residents.

Common Councillors Vote Down Pay Cut

The number of councillors the city has and how much they get paid will not be changing.

Councillor Chris Titus proposed the two councillor-at-large positions should be eliminated and salaries be reduced by 20 percent in order to save the city money.

Mayor Ivan Court says Saint John councillors get paid very little compared to their counterparts in other cities and earn every penny.

Councillor Bruce Court argues councillors already get paid very little and a salary cut will keep people from considering a life in public service.

The motion was voted down 6 to 4.

Quispamsis Dancer Has Bigger Fish To Fry

A plane ticket and a US visa...that's what Matt Marr wants to buy with his 5-grand.

The Quispamsis native didn't get the top prize in Sunday's final of "So You Think You Can Dance Canada" but it's not bothering him at all.

The 20-year-old Marr is setting new goals and will be working to get his American visa says it's every dancers dream to work in the U.S. because he made invaluable connections with the American chereographer while on the show.

 His ultimate dream is to work with a big time artist like Janet Jackson.