Boxing Day Sales Off to Good Start

With some retailers cutting prices now that Christmas is over, shoppers throughout the area have been packing stores hunting for bargains.

Shoppers lined up at 80 Consumers Drive, East Saint John at 6am to take advantage of Future Shop's Boxing Day sales on electronics.

Some retailers report the lines outside stores appeared a bit thinner than previous years -- but the Retail Council of Canada estimates there will be a three per cent increase in retail sales this Christmas compared to last year.

Photo Credit: Mark McGraw

Funding Clean Drinking Water a Priority, Says Weston

Saint John MP Rodney Weston says 2011 was full of highlights for him.

He tells CHSJ News two stand out in his mind -- the honour of being re-elected and the tolls coming off the Harbour Bridge.

He says there were also several affordable housing starts that he is very happy about because it was one of his key campaign platforms.

Looking ahead to 2012, Weston says his key commitments are moving ahead on funding for clean drinking water and more affordable housing.

Q-Plex an Accomplishment for 2011, Says Driscoll

Quispamsis Mayor Driscoll is singling out the completion and opening of the Q-Plex as one of his favorite accomplishments of 2011.

Driscoll tells CHSJ News the 24 million dollar project even came in $50,000  under budget. He says that over 100,000 people have used the facilities, and over 40,000 used the pool for swimming this past summer.

He's also proud of the KV Fields opening up.

As for 2012, he says roads will be a major focus as 16 of them are slated for work in the summer.

Saint John Transit Finalizes Cuts

Saint John Transit has officially reduced its services by 14,000 hours and eliminated 8 driver positions.

Local 1182 president Tom Mcgraw says the cuts this week are part of the larger culture of belt-tightening here in the city, which includes the pension deficit, as well as problems with our roads and water.

McGraw says he's heard from a lot of disappointed bus users. He and other unionized transit workers started a Facebook group to protest the cuts which has well over 1,000 members. He says it's a shame that low income people will be the ones most effected.

The link to the Facebook group, Save Our Bus Saint John, is 

http://www.facebook.com/search/results.php?q=save%20our%20bus&init=quick&tas=0.3638683384215632#!/groups/SaveOurBusSJ/