Disney Magic Kids To Paint Mosaic Tiles

Kids on the Disney Magic cruise ship will be having a whale of a time this summer as they participate in creating a mosaic at the NB Museum.
 
Aquila Tours President Beth Kelly tells CHSJ News the pieces the kids paint will be assembled into a mosaic of a whale, which will have its permanent home at the new cruise ship terminal.

She says the children and their parents go to the museum and paint tiles which will be included in an art peice by Sheryl Crowley.

As part of Aquila Tour's 30th anniversary celebrations this year, Kelly tells us the company will also be adopting a Right Whale each day the Disney Magic calls on the Port City.    The Disney Magic cruise ship makes its second call to Saint John tomorrow morning, arriving in port about 8:30am.

Police Issue Warning To Partiers

Graduation is certainly a milestone worth celebrating--but the Rothesay Regional Police are warning parents and guardians to keep a close eye on the kids this time of year. 

Constable Eugene Belliveau says it's a time when parties can get out of hand.

He says things can get out of control with damage and thefts to the house and with social media and people texting their friends all of a sudden 20 to 30 people show up who were not invited.

Belliveau tells CHSJ News last year an officer had a bottle smashed over her head--and there are steep fines in Rothesay and Quispamsis for both noise violations and underage drinking.

Hampton RCMP Remind You To Lock Your Vehicles

Hampton RCMP reminding you to remove items from your car that may be tempting to thieves.

Sometime between 1:30 and 4:30 yesterday, the Mounties were called to the Florida Beach in Upper Loch Lomond where a car window was smashed and a purse was taken.   

The owner had taken her wallet to the beach with her.

The black Saturn was parked along Route 820 at the time.
 
If you can help police or Crimestoppers, call RCMP at 832-5566 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Commission Issues Cease Trade Orders

The Provincial Securities Commission issuing permanent cease-trade order against MI Capital Corp of Hong Kong and One Capital Corp Limited of Singapore.

The commission received complaints from several people in the province who received many calls in an effort to get them to invest in gold options.
  
The commission says the number of salespersons is unknown, and at least one of the callers may be using different names.

Executive Director Rick Hancox says you should be particularly suspicious of people offering deals over the telephone.

None of the people reporting the suspicious activity invested any money but, the commission wants to hear from any residents who got calls from the companies or who may have given money to them.

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Seal Pup Born In Shippagan

A seal pup has been born at the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre in Shippagan.

Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp says the birth of a seal in captivity is rare in this province.

The baby seal is being named "D'Amour".

No Injuries After Train/Tractor Crack Up

No one got hurt but the vehicles after a train/tractor crack-up in Passekeag.

RCMP responding to the collision at the railway crossing on the Bettle Point Road about 1:30 yesterday afternoon.

The 22-year-old driver of the tractor was hauling a load near the railway crossing when he noticed the train approaching.
In trying to move the tractor off the tracks, the trailer jack-knifed.

The train clipped the forklift equipment on the front of the tractor causing extensive damage to both the train and tractor. 

Chow Campaigns With Cardy In Rothesay

Provincial NDP Leader Dominic Cardy getting more federal support as Monday's by-election in Rothesay draws closer.

Toronto NDP MP Olivia Chow tells CHSJ News that accountable government is important weather it's Ottawa or Fredericton.

She says it's important to have a New Democrat voice to keep the government honest which is why she is here to support Cardy.

Cardy says its an honour to have Chow with him on the campaign trail in Rothesay and it shows the New Democrats are united.

Blaney Appointment Dominating Rothesay Byelection

The Conservatives can't have it both ways on the appointment of former Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney as President and C-E-O of Efficiency NB. 

So charges the Liberal candidate in the Rothesay byelection John Wilcox who points out they were bragging about saving the taxpayers 200 thousand dollars by eliminating the job and having the Deputy Minister take over the duties. 

Wilcox tells CHSJ News people have been venting as he campaigns door to door and alot of people who have voted Conservative in the past have told him they're not going to be doing that next Monday.
 
Elections NB, meantime, is reporting 846 people in the riding cast ballots in the advance polls.

  

New Revenue-Generating Bus Routes Suggested

City Council looking for ways to generate revenue with new bus routes. The routes would run from the outlying communities to the Sussex Potash Mines and Point Lepreau.

Councillor John Mackenzie tells CHSJ news it would help the commute for Saint John residents who work in those areas and it's a good money making opportunity for Saint John Transit.  
 
Mackenzie adds fares wouldn't be raised, but it would generate revenue for long term sustainability. He also believes such a move could restore funding cuts to bus routes in priority neighbourhoods.

City Authorises New Approach to Pension Deficit

Now that Premier David Alward has signed off a repeal of the city's Pension Act, Mayor Mel Norton taking a cue from the province's collaborative approach to hammering out the best reforms. 

Common council carrying Norton's motion the city enlist the provincial pension task force to consult with labour groups, personnel, and plan members to restructure the city's nearly $200 million dollar pension deficit.

Norton says a cooperative approach will provide long term security for plan members, ensuring funds will be there "forever and a day," in the mayor's words.

The move that was recently approved by the Legislature is believed to give to City more control over the pension plan. Norton making it clear whatever the task force comes back with, the decision remains with the City of Saint John.