2012 Will Be A Big Year for Rothesay, Says Mayor

Mayor Bill Bishop says 2012 will be a big year for the town of Rothesay.

He says major projects are in store which includes solving the flooding issues at Oakville Acres by cooperating with Quispamsis. He says that both towns have the money in their budgets to resolve that issue.

Quispamsis is moving a lift station so Rothesay can build a retention pond.

As for 2011, he says a lot was accomplished, such as the $9 million water line from Grove Avenue to Dunedin Road and completion of the Renforth Wharf.

2011 a Tight Year for Business, says BOT

President of the Saint John Board of Trade Imelda Gilman says 2011 was a tight year for business in the city.

She says most companies were looking efficiencies in order to ride out the tough economic times and it's unfortunate that some big projects, like the development of the Coast Guard site, fell through.

For 2012, the BOT will focus on the energy and advance manufacturing sector, developing our health and sciences cluster

Car Hits House on West Side

No one was injured after a two-vehicle accident on the west side that sent a parked car careening into a house.

Police responding to the call shortly after 7pm. Slippery  driving conditions caused one car to lose control and strike a parked vehicle. It hit the side of the house at 38 Catherwood Street.

Police did not say whether speed was a factor.

Jack Layton Named Newsmaker of the Year

Jack Layton has been named Canada's Newsmaker of the Year--by a long shot. The late NDP leader receiving the accolade by one of the largest margins in the 65-year history of the Canadian Press poll at 90 per cent.  

Canadian Press Ottawa correspondent Stephanie Levitz tells CHSJ that Layton's landslide in the poll didn't come as a surprise to people in the media, since he was unequivocally the person who consistently made the most headlines nationwide.

Layton, who died of cancer in August, has been credited with leading the NDP to the most successful result in the party's history, winning 103 seats, enough to form Canada's Official Opposition.

Spread Out Holiday Cheer, Advises Counsellor

Now that Christmas is over, it's normal to feel a little let down. The post holiday blues are a common phenomena, says Judy Urqhart of Gentle Path Counseling. She tells CHSJ news that people should try to spread out their holiday cheer and this of Christmas as a season--not just one day.

Planning activities throughout the long cold months can help you beat the post-holiday let-down. Seeking the support of faith communities, family and friends is also important to feeling good all winter long.

Gentle Path offers counseling at locations in Saint John and Hampton Road.