Lowe Wins By-Election

The results are in from the by-election in Ward 3.

Former Vet's Taxi owner Gerry Lowe won with 1028 votes. Michelle Hooton came in second at 816.

Lowe tells CHSJ News he plans to get to work on filling vacant lots and increasing the tax base, but he's ultimately there to learn and plans to ask a lot of questions.

The voter turnout rate for the by-election was a weak 23.8%.

BREAKING: Lowe Leading Polls So Far

Results are starting to come back from Elections NB in the Ward 3 by-election.


At this point, Gerry Lowe as 556 votes, Michelle Hooton 290. Graeme Stewart-Robertson is third at 63.

Ward 3 Voter Turnout Weak So Far

If you live in Ward 3, today's the day you can exercise your democratic right to vote; however Mike Quinn of Elections NB tells CHSJ News the turnout hasn't exactly been amazing so far.
 
As of 2pm, only about 13,00 people had voted out of the over 17,000 eligible voters.
 
Those numbers are expected to rise by the time the polls close at 8 tonight. 

Be sure to tune in to CHSJ or visit our website tonight for the election results.

University Seen As Playing A Key Role In Finding Energy Solutions

U-N-B Saint John wants to get involved in energy development in a big way because universities can come up with creative solutions to our energy needs while, at the same time, protect the environment. 

That message delivered to the Cities of New Brunswick by University Vice-President Dr. Robert MacKinnon. He tells CHSJ News energy success depends on collaboration.
            
Dr. MacKinnon universities can play a big role in developing innovative ways to better protect the environment because when people think of energy development these days, the first thought that comes to mind is more pollution.

He also says there's a need to improve energy literacy so people know what they're talking about.

Fire Truck In Collision With Retaining Wall

"It looked alot worse than it turned out to be".......That's Fire Chief Kevin Clifford who tells CHSJ News minor damage was caused after a fire truck backed onto a retaining wall at Ragged Point early last night after answering a medical call. 

The fire department arrived first and the fire truck was backing up at the time to allow an ambulance in because there wasn't alot of room to maneuver. 

A tow truck was called in to remove the fire truck in order to prevent any damage to the undercarraige.

Hockey NB To Talk About Bodychecking Ban

Hockey New Brunswick will be deciding on whether to ban bodychecking among the younger pre-teen pee wee players between the ages of 11 and 12 when it holds its annual meeting in Saint John is early June. 

Executive-Director Brian Whitehead tells CHSJ News Hockey NB wants to see what Hockey Canada does when it meets later this month on P-E-I.

Whitehead doesn't expect much pushback if the decision is made to go ahead with the same ban approved in both Nova Scotia and Alberta. He concedes parents are concerned about concussions that are suffered by younger players.

Flemming On Hand To Announce The Healthy Toddler Assessment

The Province announcing a healthy toddler assessment for 18-month-olds by a public health nurse.
 
The aim being that they will allow for earlier detection of health concerns and provide better cooperation between the Department of Education and the early Childhood Development preschool assessments.
 
Health Minister Ted Flemming says the move from home or daycare to school or pre-school is pretty dramatic so early detection is key.

He says the sooner you know anything medically the sooner you can have the appropriate medical intervention.

Flemming says the great thing about this program is that it's available at all Department of Health clinics throughout the province.

North End Traffic Disruption

Construction beginning today at the intersection of Wellesley Avenue and Somerset Street. 

Traffic will be detoured as the street is being reconstructed along with storm sewer installation. 

The work will last a month.

Ward 3 Voters Decide Today

The next member of the council horseshoe will be chosen today. Voters will decide which of the eight candidates in the running should be the next councillor for Ward 3, and we've got the details on how you can cast your bid.

The polls open at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. There are four polling stations......The Boys and Girls Club, the Carleton Community Centre , the Simonds Lions Auditorium at Loch Lomand Villa and St. John the Baptist-King Edward School in the south end. 

You should have received a Voter Information Card in the mail, but if you didn't, don't worry. Voters don't need the card to vote, it just makes the process faster. Workers will still be able to search for you on their computers. You should bring along a couple of pieces of I-D with you, preferably one with a picture.

We'll have up-to-date results live on country94, twitter and our website.

To contact the Returning Office, visit 70 Crown Street, Suite 235, call them at (877) 830-5601 or e-mail them at R.O.M09@gnb.ca. You can get in touch with Elections NB by calling (888) 858-8683.

CHSJ News Honoured For Excellence

The Atlantic Journalism awards were handed out over the weekend and CHSJ News picked up a Silver Certificate of excellence in the Best Newscast category.

Board Of Trade Wants No Change With Sunday Shopping

The Saint John Board of Trade is not going along with a recommendation from the Retail Council to change Sunday shopping hours. 

The Board talked about the change but it was decided 12 to 5 on Sundays places everyone on a level playing field. The Retail Council wanted store owners to decide when it was best for them to open and close on Sundays. 

In a letter to Council, The Board of Trade says there was a fear consumers would want extended shopping hours on Sundays which would be beyond what's feasible for many small businesses.

Airport Seeks Better Relationship With Air Canada

The Saint John Airport Authority is going out of its way to make Air Canada feel welcome even though the airline has been servicing the city for decades. 

Airport Authority chair Norm MacFarlane tells CHSJ News Air Canada was being taken for granted because it was felt the airline would always be here but, in this day and age, that doesn't necessarily have to be the case. He points out Air Canada flies in and out of 3 airports in a province which has a population of under 800 thousand.

Consultants concluded Air Canada is the airport's best bet for future sustainability.

The Airport Authority would like to see Air Canada add flights to Toronto, Halifax and St. John's.

MADD Pressing For Crackdown On Drunk Driving

Don't be surprised to see tougher laws against drunk driving. That's what Mothers Against Drunk Driving or MADD would like to see. 

MADD President Denise Dubyk, who was in Saint John for the launch of the 9-1-1 campaign, tells CHSJ News a meeting was held with M-P's on the government side in late April and they appear to be receptive.

MADD is pushing for random breath testing which it claims would reduce deaths and injuries from drunk driving by at least 20 per cent and tougher sentences for those impaired drivers convicted of causing death or injuries.