A Lot Of Suggestions Made On Changing Liquor Regulations

"It's time for government to unshackle us"........That message delivered at a hearing in the city on changing liquor regulations by Luc Erjavec of the Restaurant and Foodservices Association in Atlantic Canada. He say people in the industry should be concentrating on not over serving and underage drinkers instead of complying with silly regulations that serve no useful purpose. 

The hearing has been told underage drinking is out of control and was presented with a stack of fake I-D's.

Bar and restaurant owners say they want to pay a wholesale price for beer, liquour and wine instead of what the rest of us are charged.

The hearing was also told customers should be able to cork their unfinished wine and bring it home with them instead of having to guzzle it on the spot.

There was also the suggestion the time has come to start selling liquor, beer and wine in supermarkets and corner stores.

Missing KV Girl Found

A KV girl who was reported missing after falling out of contact with her family has been found. Courtni Alisha Crawford had called her mother stating she would be home shortly, but never arrived.

Sergeant Breen of the Rothesay Regional Police tells CHSJ News Crawford called in yesterday (Monday), saying she was safe with her boyfriend although she wouldn't say where.

Drunk Driver Sentenced In Highway Death

In a courtroom filled with emotional friends and family, 30-year- old Jordan Sullivan of King Street East was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison and a 3 year ban from driving. 

The sentence comes after the March 2011 death of Sheila Bayers, who was killed when Sullivan's car struck hers' going the wrong way on the Airport Arterial

The court heard several Victim Impact Statements from Bayers' family and friends, who reminded the court her death could have been prevented if Sullivan hadn't got behind the wheel while impaired. The judge noted his breathalyzer reading, while above the limit, was not considered egregious under the law.

Sullivan's mother, Marlene Titus, tells CHSJ News her son is a good man who never planned to hurt anyone. She says if there's anything positive that can come of his tragic error in judgment, it's to discourage people from getting behind the wheel after they've had any amount of alcohol to drink, no matter how seemingly insignificant.

Saint John's Sex Trade Picks Up In The Summer

The Port City might be free of many of big city problems; however, prostitution isn't one of them. That from Dr Leslie Jeffrey. She's a UNBSJ professor and a regional expert on sex work in the Maritimes. She tells CHSJ News while the population of sex workers here isn't large, it's definitely there.

Jeffrey tells CHSJ News women and young men aren't out on the streets because they want to be.
 
She says the only reason they are there is because of the money and until there are better economic opportunities for that population it will remain an option for some people.

Jeffrey says it's difficult to assess the number of sex workers in Saint John because the demographic is always changing and so much of the trade happens behind closed doors.

Port Days 2012 Officially Open In Saint John

Port Days are underway in Saint John.  The event officially kicking off with a panel discussion and opening breakfast at the Trade and Convention Centre.
President and CEO Jim Quinn was asked about a small protest outside the event aimed at MP Keith Ashfield.

He says votes late into the evening and scheduled for today prevented both Ashfield and Saint John MP Rodney Weston from attending the event.

Quinn tells us between the Community Day celebration on Sunday and fundraising at their Port Days mixer last night, they will be giving the Boys and Girls Club a cheque for $10,000.

The Port of Saint John also screening a short film at the event that was produced by Hemmings House Pictures.

To see the video, click here

Union Members Protest The Federal Government

A few members of the Canadian Auto Workers forming a small protest against the closure of the Coast Guard radio and traffic services in Saint John.

The protest aimed at MP Keith Ashfield who was due to speak at Port Days but couldn't make it due to votes in the House of Commons.

The CAW's Paul Hodder CHSJ News the government plans to close the office in two years and that move will impact 29 jobs.

He says the idea that you can move this service to Nova Scotia and get the same level of service is laughable. 

Hodder says these workers are there to ensure there are no oil spills, accidents or loss of life.

Nearly $50K In Coke Off The Street

Police in the Saint John area taking nearly a pound of cocaine worth nearly fifty grand off the street after a raid in Lakeside.

The raid took place at a home on the Hall road where a 24 year old man and two women in their twenties were arrested.

24 year old Aaron Daigle was in court and remanded until a Friday morning court appearance in Hampton.
 
Two women in the 20's will be in court at a later date.

Second Ship In Today, Disney Magic Calls Tomorrow

The second Cruise ship of the season is in Port today--it's docked at the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal with 3500 passengers.
 
Tomorrow marks the first call of the Disney Magic to Saint John, a brand new cruise line in the City.

Disney Magic has 9 calls between tomorrow and September on a sailing which originates in New York and visits Saint John and Halifax.
The vessel is expected to arrive shortly after 9 am tomorrow.

The 24th cruise season include 73 ships, more than 187,000 passengers and 74,000 crew. 
The season includes 11 double cruise ship days and 2 triple cruise ship days.  

One of this season's highlight will be the September 5 opening of the new Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal.

To see the complete cruise ship schedule, click here

Fire Services Look At New Revenue Streams

In light of recent cuts to the city's fire services, the fire department is thinking outside the box when it comes to funding operations.  Fire Chief Kevin Clifford tells CHSJ News they are generating revenue by providing training as well as other services at Point Lepreau.

He says the Haz Mat response unit and fire units are in the process of finalizing a stand-alone agreement with the nuclear power plant, which could be an important revenue stream.

Council Talks New Solutions For Road Woes

It's not a shock to anyone that Saint John's roads are in poor condition....but our newly minted common councillors are looking at new solutions to the perennial problem. Councillor Donna Reardon suggesting the city needs to look at a more modern approach, like putting concrete under asphalt and using reflective paints on road markings.

Reardon tells CHSJ News the sidewalks in some areas of the city are also in deplorable condition, with lots of broken sections and dirt impeding the way for pedestrians.

Councillors Bill Farren and Shirley McAlary agreed, saying money needs to be found somewhere to deal with the issue. Councillor Reardon suggesting if the roads are built smarter, there would be less labour costs.