Crews Put Out Baby Barn Fire in Willow Grove

Simonds Fire with help from fire departments in Nauwigewauk and Upham responding to a fire on Oxford Street in Willow Grove at a baby barn which wasn't as serious as first thought.

A tanker truck from KV fire also helped out through the mutual aid agreement.

A Variety of Work On Uptown Buildings

The city issuing building permits for a variety of work all over uptown Saint John may hold hope that better times are ahead.

Our city has the highest unemployment rate among the cities surveyed by Stats Canada at 9.7 per cent last month.

Permits have been issued for the future home of coin shop at 70 King Street and a hair salon at 74 King Street.

Directly across the street, above 73 and 75 King Street..the windows have been replaced on the second, third and fourth floors of the building that was once home to Zeller's.

John Flood & Sons receiving a permit to do investigative work at 222 Water street to determine the building structural integrity.

Huge Divide Between Rich And Poor In NB

A small but passionate group of activists gathered in King Square this afternoon for a rally to eradicate worldwide poverty. 

Sister Angie Martz of the Sisters of Charity has been advocating for social change in Saint John for many decades in her 89 years. She tells CHSJ News over the years things have changed for the poor but many have remained the same, particularly the fact that it's difficult to get people involved in social justice apart from a small group.

Others in attendance included the Human Development Council, AIDS Saint John, and members of the community  concerned with eliminating the divide between the rich and poor in Saint John. According to statistics released at the march, the poorest 10% of New Brunswickers having just 2.7% of the income pie, while the wealthiest have 24.8%.

Town Reallocating Funds To Handle Fire Deficit

Not everyone at the council table supportive of a decision to move money in the valley's fire department around in order to balance this year's budget. 

That includes Rothesay's Deputy Mayor Dr. Nancy Grant, who says she can't support the reallocation because it sets a bad example, and while 2013 may have been an exceptional year for the fire department, who knows what next year will bring. 

Mayor Bill Bishop voting in favour, but he tells CHSJ News they will be telling the Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department that they don't want to see this kind of thing happen again. He says when they pass a budget, they expect people to work within the budget.

Bishop says the current deficit was caused by a number of things, including many people out on long-term disability. At an earlier meeting of council, he called the usage of sick leave out of hand and said it needed explaining.

The KV Fire Department made a request to council for the reallocation in September.

More Housing In The Works For Seniors In The K-V

Housing for seniors in Quispamsis moving a step closer. 

Approval in principle has been given to construction of two buildings with 34 apartments that will be three stories high at 383 Hampton Road. They'll be a stone's throw from Kennebecasis Valley High. 

Mayor Murray Driscoll tells CHSJ News there's a need for such housing in the town for those 55 and older. Driscoll adds he doesn't want to see them being forced to move out of the town because of a lack of such housing.

The town has been told there should be no blasting, outside lighting will be kept to a minimum and changes can still be made to the proposal before final approval is given.

As for the worry over drainage and water runoff, the town has heard K-V Baptist Seniors Housing would not object to a storm water collection system in the developer's agreement if that's thought necessary.

Helmets Required Wearing For Skateboarders in Quispamsis

Some changes being made in Quispamsis to the bylaw covering how one behaves in public parks and on beaches in the town.

Quispamsis Council has decided to make it mandatory for skateboaders to wear helmets and skateboarding will only be allowed at the Skateboard/BMX Park. 

Air soft guns, including those used for paintball, along with pellet guns will be banned from public parks and beaches. 

Smokers will also be affected with a ban in those public parks and beaches where no smoking signs are posted.

Funeral Service Later This Week For Man Who Went Missing

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 this Friday morning in Reid's Funeral Home in Hampton for 21 year old Adam Andrews, whose body was found in a marshy area off Route 100 near the Stock Farm Road. 

He was reported missing after not showing up for work and a two day search ensued. 

An autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death but the results won't be known for a few weeks. 

Foul play reportedly is not suspected but Rothesay Regional Police tell CHSJ News there's nothing official yet on that.

Back To The Drawing Board For Rothesay

It looks like a bylaw amendment in Rothesay still needs a little fine-tuning. 

The town deciding to hold off on making a decision about changing a signage bylaw to let community groups and non-profits advertise their events after some deemed the amendment too restrictive at a public hearing.

When the current signage bylaw was enacted, it took away an exemption for community events, so they have been confined to the electronic sign boards in the town. Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News council will take what they have heard at the public hearing into consideration, and they will likely make more adjustments to the bylaw amendment.

Councillor Miriam Wells suggesting groups could come to the Planning Advisory Committee and make a special request for exemption. Councillor Pat Gallagher Jette says council needs to move slowly and carefully with this issue.

Quispamsis Threatened With Court Action

The town of Quispamsis is being threatened with court action if it doesn't reopen Autumn Avenue which has been closed off to traffic for 29 years. 

Susan Buckley, speaking on behalf of the Ken Valley Co-op and other nearby businesses, told councillors the original bylaw is invalid because it doesn't stipulate whether the street closure is temporary or permanent.

Residents along Autumn Avenue say they have no sidewalks and they're worried about the influx of traffic, arguing a sub division should not be used as an access road to an industrial park. 

On the other hand, People from Granite Drive and Alabaster Drive spoke in favour of opening up Autumn Avenue because they say their streets are being used as drag strips with too much speeding.