Mayor Says Loss Of Lab Will Hurt Safety and Economy

Mayor Ivan Court crashing the media conference with Dr. Sher -- he has been very outspoken about the loss of the blood production lab and remains unconvinced that patients will not be at risk.

He tells CHSJ News the closure of the lab will also mean the loss of skilled workers and will be a blow to the local economy.

Court was not invited to the media event with Dr. Sher and says he would have been willing to meet with CBS if a meeting was arranged.

CEO of Canadian Blood Service Visits Saint John

The CEO of Canadian Blood Services Dr. Graham Sher says he wants to make sure that misconceptions about CBS's decison to move a blood production lab from here to Dartmouth are put to rest.

Dr. Sher says he made the trip out to the Millidgeville clinic because he wanted to drive home the fact that he's committed to safety.

He says statements by certain community leaders and doctors about patients being in danger are wrong because a blood supply will be kept in the city.  In fact, he says we will now have access to two sources of blood: one in the city and one in Dartmouth.

He adds the province should also remain part of a national blood system and not go it alone.

Arts Group To Fold After Funding Cuts

After a series of deep cuts from the Province, Performing Arts New Brunswick is closing it's doors by the end of the year.

In an email, Executive Director Nancy Schell says she wishes to thank everyone for their support over the years.

Operational funding for Performing Arts NB came from the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport.

Preliminary Work Begins On New Cruise Terminal

Work has begun on the second cruise terminal building down on Water Street.

The 15.6 million dollar project includes berth enhancements at the new terminal and the Long Wharf location.

The new terminal is 25-thousand square feet over two levels.

The preliminary work will be completed by Christmas.

Province Gives Proposed Youth Shelter $50K

It will cost somewhere between $500,000 and a million dollars to establish a facility for homeless or at-risk youth.
The Provincial government announcing a $50,000 contribution to the project.
Saint John Youth House project coordinator Colin McDonald says they want to do it right by creating a safe and comfortable place for youth to be.

He says it could be 2am or 2pm and youth can walk in the door and as long as a bed is available they can stay.   He adds they can stay for 90 days and if they are working towards success they can stay up to six months but ideally they want to move them on to the next phase of program.

The board is still in the site selection process and they are looking at two possible locations which they hope to announce in January.

Point Lepreau Station Manager Says Earthquake Risks are Negligible

The station manager of Point Lepreau says there is virtually no risk of an earthquake hitting the station.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is currently holding hearings at the Delta over whether to renew Point Lepreau's license to generate power.

Station Manager Wade Parker says a lot of critics are afraid of seismic activity causing an incident similar to the Fukushima disaster but he says their data indicates the station is not located in a high-seismic hazard region.

He adds the plant is designed to withstand an earthquake is one does occur.




Natural Resources Canada also presenting data indicating most earthquakes in Eastern Canada cannot be felt and they occur in seismically active zone.

Studies done by the staff of the safety commission are recommending that the license be renewed.

Gas Prices Are Up But Not By Much

There has been a slight increase in gas prices following the weekly setting. 

The maximum price for self serve regular rising by just over a cent a litre while diesel has increased again by less than half a cent. 

Home heating oil is listed at $1.19.2 a litre which is a decline of half a cent and propane is a bit costlier at $1.17 a litre.

City Looking For Ideas On Future Recreation Needs

Common Council is expected to receive a plan in the new year about what the future face of recreation will look like in the city. An open house and workshop were held at the Lily Lake Pavilion to get ideas. 

The Recreation Manager for Leisure Services Kevin Watson tells CHSJ News the city has a surplus in some areas with ball fields and tennis courts as examples.
 
Watson also telling us when it comes to ice rinks, the standard for a city the size of Saint John would be 3 whereas, right now, 5 are being operated in addition to Harbour Station.

One trend he is seeing is more women playing hockey and the demand for ice time in prime time is 100 per cent booked. Another trend is people taking part in individual activities rather than structured programmes.

Board Of Trade Hands Out Business Achievement Awards

The Saint John Board of Trade handing out the 2011 Annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards.

Go-Go Gymnastics picked up the award for Emerging Enterprise, Punch Productions nabbed the Entrepreneurial Achievement Award, and Bayview Trucks and Equipment Ltd. took home some hardware for Business Excellence.

Keith Brideau is the VP of Historica which renovates old heritage buildings for development.  He received the Young Entrepreneur Award and he tells CHSJ News he's proud to offer a unique service to the city.
 

Rounding out the winners was Hestia House for the Big Heart Award and Enterprise Saint John scored the Chair's Award.