Uptown Saint John Continues Efforts To Save The Paramount Theatre

The Paramount Theatre earning a short reprieve from the wrecking ball -- Uptown Saint John deciding to continue its efforts to save the Paramount Theatre.

General Manager Peter Asimakos tells CHSJ News it's looking for an extension on its option on the building until the end of March so it can gauge how much in public and corporate donations it can secure.

He says Uptown Saint John will still be looking for government dollars but realizes that the well is currently dry.  However, he says there are programs suited for this development.

While he wouldn't give out a specific amount, he says Uptown Saint John will need to secure thousands of dollars in funding from the public in order to continue the project past March.

Vigil At UNB Saint John For Montreal Massacre

A vigil will be held tonight at UNB Saint John in honour of the 22nd anniversary of the Montreal Massacre and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

There are reports that a vigil being held at Harbour Station but officials at the station telling us that such an event is not scheduled.

The vigil gets underway at 7 at the Whitebone Lounge.

The Give 2011 Campaign Surpasses Goal

The Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation's 2011 Give Campaign surpassing it's fundraising goal.

The target this year was 680-thousand dollars and the campaign topped off at 700-thousand dollars.

The money is being used to build a state-of-the-art lab for stem cell therapy -- the first of its kind in the province.

Campaign Chair Steve Titus tells CHSJ News despite the current economic crunch being felt by everyone, people still found it in them to donate because of the importance of having a cutting-edge facility in our city.

He adds it will allow New Brunswickers to stay in the province for treatment.

  
The lab is set to open in the spring of 2012.

Worksafe NB Charges Two Companies In Two Seperate Deaths

Worksafe NB laying charges against Wal-Mart and Dominion Refuse for two separate incidents that each resulted in the death of a worker.

17-year old Patrick Desjardins died in January after being shocked while using a floor buffer at a Wal-Mart in Grand Falls.

Worksafe NB concluded that the polisher was not in proper working condition and was not being used appropriately.

Meanwhile, 25-year old Adam Harris was killed a year ago when he was struck by a bin being hoisted onto a garbage truck in Blacks Harbour.

Worksafe NB says Dominion Refuse did not provide adequate supervision and training.

The Three Unelected Parties Oppose Shale Gas Development

They don't really have a say but, they are talking anyway.   The three Provincial parties without seats in the Legislature calling on the Province to stop all shale gas development.
NDP Leader Dominic Cardy tells CHSJ News part of their call includes a conditional ban.

He says it's a ban that has to meet a rigourous set of conditions for environmental damage and property depreciation and if the ban were to reversed that the economic benefits would outweigh those costs.

The People's Alliance of New Brunswick and the Green Party along with the NDP share  concerns about the environmental damage caused by the shale gas industry.

Police Seek Help In Finding Missing Rothesay Man

Rothesay Regional Police want your help in finding a missing man from the town.

23 year old Scott Taylor was last seen Friday morning about 9:30 at his home in Rothesay.   Police are concerned for his safety.

Taylor is described as 6 foot 1, about 179 pounds with short brown hair and blue eyes. 

He was acquitted on a charge of second degree murder in 2008 after a Cole Harbour man was killed with a sword on Mecklenberg Street At Sydney following an attempted robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 506-847-6300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Power Surge Forces Brunswick House and Garage Closure

Parts of the Chipman Hill parking garage and Brunswick House are closed today after an electrical problem.

Last night, the Fire department discovered a power surge had damaged some of the infrastructure to both areas.

Work is underway to repair the damage.

The parking garage is open from the Union Street entrance to all the upper floors of the garage.

The Fire Department expressing concern that without power the garage could not properly ventilate the exhaust from vehicles.

Time Is Running Out For Transit Workers

The clock is ticking for the current level of transit service in the city.

Service will be reduced and 10-full time employees will be laid off on December 26th due to a one percent budget increase cap.

Tom McGraw is the president of the local chapter of the Amalgamated Transit Union. 

He tells CHSJ News he was hoping council would infuse some cash into the 900-thousand budget shortfall thanks to the higher provincial tax assessments.

But Mayor Ivan Court said any extra money would need to be spread out, which includes paying off the pension deficit.

He says the union will keep fighting and be a force in next year's municipal election.

However, council did pass a motion to take another look at the 1 percent budget cap.

Overhauls Coming To Taxi Regulation and Fares

Major changes are coming to taxi regulations and how fares are calculated in the city.

The city giving early approval to a new taxi by-law that will toughen up regulations as well as introduce metered fares.

Paul Ram owns 14 cabs in the city and he says a metered system will make rates more transparent as the farther you go, the more you will pay.

The new by-law will also require new drivers to have training, including customer service skills, and vehicles cannot be older than 7 years old.

Drivers will have one year to be qualified under the regulations once the by-law takes effect.