Fatal Crash in Hammond River

A Saint John woman is dead after a collision on Highway 1 in Hammond River last night.
RCMP responded to the accident after 7 o'clock, when the vehicle entered the median, and subsequently rolled over.
The 46 year old driver was ejected from the vehicle and died on the scene.
The victims name is not being released until the family is notified, and the crash is still under investigation.

Local Donations Continue to Pour in for Haiti

Almost two months after a devastating earthquake hit the country, money continues to roll in for the relief effort in Haiti. 32 Kent Stores through-out Atlantic Canada have wrapped up an in-store campaign with customers and staff donating close to $34,000 dollars.

The company also wrote a cheque for $25,000 dollars to help with the effort.

Slow Housing Permit Start in Rothesay

A slow start to the year in Rothesay on the housing permit end of the scale. For last month, the total is just over $99,000 dollars compared to last year when the same month finished up at over $300,000 dollars.

So far this year, home-owners have completed over $250,000 dollars worth of renovations to homes. The total for last year came in at over $1.8 million dollars.

Mayor of Grand Bay Westfield Suggests Prior Property Assessments Were Low

[Grand Bay Westfield Mayor Grace Losier---File Photo]

The Mayor of Grand Bay Westfield thinks homeowners need to ask themselves a question about property assessments? Does it match the value of your house? Grace Losier tells CHSJ News, if it does, you need to pay your taxes and if it's gone up dramatically then you have likely been getting a break:
Many homeowners have been calling their MLA's in the last week, irate over increases in their property assessments.

Dragon's Den Coming to Saint John

Do you think your sitting on a million dollar idea but need investors to back up your plan? If so, you will be happy hear the show Dragons Den is holding an open audition on the 24th at Enterprise Saint John. Lindsey Neely is an Associate Producer with the program and tells CHSJ News, idea's that catch their eye are those that already have generated sales.
The show was in Saint John a year ago and anyone chosen to make their pitch in Toronto, the shows will air starting in September. For more information about the audtion, get in touch with Enterprise Saint John.

Seadogs Playoff Tickets Go on Sale Today

Play-off tickets for the Saint John Seadogs opening round series against the Rocket go on sale today. The series will get started Friday night at the Station and President Wayne Long tells CHSJNews, they are cautiously optimistic about their chances.


Long adds season ticket holders get first right to renew play-off tickets and right now that sits at 90% which works out to roughly 2000 seats. The Harbour Station Box Office opens at Noon.

Time Change Happens Today

Even with little snow to prove it is winter, a sure sign spring is around the corner happens this weekend. We make the leap into daylight savings time with a reminder to set your clock ahead one hour before going to bed. Dr. Rachel Morehouse is a Sleep Specialist with the Horizon Health Network and tells CHSJ News, sleep is something many people take for granted.


Dr. Morehouse adds the loss of an hours sleep does provide some problems in many area's including behind the wheel where this Monday, on average, there are more accidents on the roads because of sleep deprived drivers due to the time change.

Clean and Change Batteries in Your Smoke Detectors

Smoke alarms in your home should also be given a fresh battery as the first time change of the year unfolds. Andrew Sanojca is with the Musquash Fire Department and tells CHSJ News, many homes now have fire extinguishers and it never hurts to check the levels.


Sanojca adds a smoke detector is your families first line of defence so along with the fresh battery, make sure you clean away any dust from the unit as well.

Mayor Bill Bishop on Property Assessments

(Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop)
          (File Photo)

Rising property assessments continue to be a hot issue of discussion around the Province. Many home and property owners have seen an increase upwards of 100% since last year. Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News, there is no easy solution to the growing problem.


Bishop adds he has heard from residents including one who just owns a property with no home on it and his assessment has increased 400% from last year.

Head-on Collision on Route 790

(A Car involved in a collision on Route 790)

(photo courtesy of Andrew Sanojca)

Route 790 is back open to traffic after a head-on collision between a car and a pick-up truck.
The jaws of life were required to remove one person from the car.
The nature of the injuries are unknown but, the occupants of the vehicles were taken to hospital.
The roadway was closed between Highway 1 and Lepreau Village road for more than an hour.

Saint John MP on hold up for funding for Harbour Bridge repairs

(Saint John MP Rodney Weston)

Over 30 million dollars in repairs to the Harbour Bridge are stalled, while the Authority waits on the Federal government.  They have secured a lender for the money but, require Ottawa's approval to move forward.

Saint John MP Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News that Transport Canada has asked for more information.

He says they want to know who the lender is, what the interest rate will be and what the cost will be to Saint Johners. Harbour Bridge Authority general manager Ken Anthony has said a speed reduction and lane closures are possible in the future if the repairs are not made.

More Construction Slated For Park Entrance

Tenders close Wednesday afternoon for work on the second phase of the upgrade to Rockwood Park's main entrance.
The work will include a realignment of Mount Pleasant Avenue in the area of the entrance to the park as well as two new parking areas.
The project is expected to cost just over 3-million dollars with the Saint John Horticultural Association kicking in 1.2-million to help with the costs -- the city has included its share in this year's capital budget approved Monday night.

Home Show Invades Harbour Station

(Floor Shot of the Home Show - CHSJ News Photo)
     

Another edition of the Saint John Home Show is alive and well with-in the confines of Harbour Station. With over 250 exhibitors, the publicist for Master Promotions Denise Miller tells CHSJ News, there is plenty for home-owners to go over.
Miller adds the spring like weather is a huge bonus for the show as it gets home-owners in the mood to think about renovations and new additions. The doors are open until nine tonight, between ten and nine tomorrow and Sunday eleven til four.

Explosion at New Brunswick Community College

A student and instructor had to be rushed to hospital after an explosion Wednesday night at the NBCC Campus in Saint Andrews. It happened during a scheduled training activity for the Hospitaility and Toursim program.


Principal Terry Dempsey tells CHSJ News, the instructor continues to be looked over and the student could be released from hospital today. Dempsey adds this is a very unfortunate incident in spite of all the experience and safety precautions. No word on what caused the explosion and Worksafe NB has been called in.

Provincial Pharmacists Upset with Blue Cross Comments

A recent request by Medavie Blue Cross to it's clients has the Provincial Pharmacists Association seeing red. Before a deal was struck, Blue Cross cards were not going to be accepted at certain pharmacies. Blue Cross recommended clients find a new pharmacy that did accept their cards. Executive Director Paul Blanchard says pharmacists are most effective in their role when they have known clients for a period of time.


There is also new evidence which shows many people are already confused about their medication and long term health suffers as a result. With negotiations between several pharmacies like Sobeys and Superstore to get started with Blue Cross soon, the Pharmacists Association is concerned those needing medication will be caught in the middle.

Gagetown Soldiers In Saint John

Saint John is providing the back-drop for military training this weekend. Don't be suprised if you see soldiers and their equipment from Gagetown around the metro up until Sunday. They are using the NB Power parking lot at Coleson Cove, the Saint John Airport, the Aberdeen RV Lot on Rothesay Road and the former Downey Ford parking lot on Crown Street.


No ammunition, either blank or live will be used during the training.

Arrest Made In Uptown Holdup

No one was hurt and no details have been released yet on how much money was taken after a robbery in the uptown yesterday afternoon.
CHSJ News has been told someone walked into the King Street East Variety store at 3:30 brandishing a knife and demanded cash from the clerk. City Police say they have arrested a suspect who is expected to be formally charged this morning in court.

Home Building In Saint John Off To Sluggish Start

The year isn't off to a good start for house builders in the Saint John area -- the latest survey from Canada Mortgage and Housing shows the number of new units started in the first two months of this year down by almost 24-percent compared to a year ago.
By comparison -- the number of new housing units started in both Moncton and Fredericton are up over the previous year.
And more bad news for house builders -- Stats Canada is reporting the price of new houses here in Saint John as well as Fredericton and Moncton dropped 0.2-percent in January.

The two uptown high schools have waiting lists for fall registration

(District 8 Superintendent Susan Tipper)

(file photo)

The first round of registration for District 8 high schools is complete.
Each of the four city high schools has a cap of 250 students from grade 8.


Superintendent Susan Tipper tells CHSJ News that a student that lives near Saint John High school get the first chance at going there.
Tipper adds research shows that students who could choose their high school have a better performance because they had a choice.

Daytime Robbery in Uptown Saint John

A daring day-time robbery has City Police on the look-out. Officers tell us someone walked into the King Street East Variety store at 3:30pm and demanded cash from the clerk.


No word at this point what kind of weapon was used or how much money was stolen and officers can't confirm if it is one or several people they are looking.

No Court Appearance in Pin Pad Investigation

A court appearance for three men from Montreal in Hampton today never happened. A bail hearing has been held over until next Thursday in Sussex but no reason has been given. The three men were arrested by Rothesay Regional Police early Monday morning after they received a call from a business that someone had tried to steal it's pin pad for debit and credit card use.


Four other men from Montreal were arrested the same day by RCMP after a string of debit and credit card frauds which happened recently in Salisbury.

Harbour Bridge Running Out of Time

      (File Shot of the Harbour Bridge)

Use what-ever cliche you want, the Harbour Bridge Authority is watching time tick away on the construction season. It continues to wait for approval from Ottawa to get started on over $30 million dollars worth of repairs. General manager Ken Anthony tells CHSJ News, the Harper Government is looking for more info on who the loan is coming from and adress the $22 million dollar out-standing loan.
If there is no contract awarded for the work, Anthony says engineers will re-assess the bridge and put in place what-ever recommendatiosn they bring forward. That could include lane closures or dropping the speed limit.

Grand Lake Station Closing Down for Good

NB Power is closing it's Grand Lake Generating Station sooner than expected. It wasn't supposed to happen until June when the operating license expired but a coal fire in one of the burners did some damage so the decision has been made to shut it down. Spokes-person John McLaughlin tells CHSJ News, there is no date set in stone when the doors will remain locked.


McLaughlin adds there is no word on how the fire started and clean-up will take place over the next few weeks to prepare for decommissioning. There are just over 30 workers at the station and all will be re-located to new jobs with-in the utility.

Saint John Transit Reacts to Cut

      (City Transit Bus on King Street)
                    (File Photo)

The Saint John Transit Commission has no hard feelings toward City Hall. This after Common Council took $600,000 dollars set aside to purchase new buses was re-directed toward road repairs. General Manager Frank McCarey tells CHSJ News, they try to maintain an average age of ten years given the life span of a forty foot limo is 20.


Mccarey says the buses they were looking to replace with this cash have been on the road since 1985.

Mayor Court Says No Business Will Be Lost to Fredericton

          (Saint John Mayor Ivan Court)
                    (File Photo)

The suggestion about the new 24 million dollar convention centre in Fredericton taking business away from Saint John is being dismissed by Mayor Ivan Court. He tells CHSJ News the city is continually making improvements to its assets in order to keep pace.


The Trade and Convention Centre at Market Square will be expanded and upgraded beginning in 2011 at an estimated cost of 6 to 8 million dollars. 550 thousand dollars was allocated the other night by Common Council.

District Six Schools Come Through in the Clutch

(Child's Wound Being Attended to Following Earthquake)
                        (File Photo)

Schools in District Six have certainly done their part for Haitian relief. Since the disastrous earthquake struck the country, over $63,000 dollars has been raised. Superintende Zoe Watson tells CHSJ News, she was suprised with the amount one school pledged to raise with Hampton High brining in over $15,000 dollars.


Watson adds the money is still rolling in with Lakefield Elementary set to hold a major fund-raiser at the end of the month.

Businesses in Sussex Were Robbed

Sussex RCMP are looking for three people they believe are responsible for breaking into a pair of businesses. The Blue Bird Motel was robbed on Wednesday of last week and Uncle "G"s on Park Street was also hit. Two men and one woman from the Sussex area are still on the run.


RCMP ask you to give them a call if you see a grey 2002 Chevrolet Silverado with licence COO 697. The vehicle does not have a tailgate and the front licence plate is missing. The number is 433-7700.

Rothesay Avenue Traffic Woes Will Continue For Some Time

There will be some work carried out this year in a bid to ease traffic congestion in the area of Rothesay Avenue - Ashburn Lake Road - and - Marlborough Avenue.
But -- Municipal Operations Commissioner Paul Groody says a realignment of the bottle necks won't be happening any time soon.
He says talks are ongoing to resolve some land acquisition issues which would clear the way for a realignment of the intersections.
Meantime -- Groody says work this year will include some traffic light synchronization - signage - and - line painting in the area to help the flow of traffic.

A Slight Change In Gas Prices

If you're filling up today, you'll be paying a bit more for self serve regular following the weekly setting. The maximum price that can be charged is $105.7 but it's going for an even $1.03 a litre in the city. No change this week in the maximum price that can be charged for diesel. It's selling at the pumps for $104.2 around town. Furnace Oil has risen by under a penny to 90.7 cents and another decline recorded in the price of propane which now stands at $110.3 a litre.

Public Meeting On Development At Edge Of Rockwood Park

A sometimes contentious public meeting held at the Lily Lake Pavilion on what sort of future development should be allowed on Sandy Point Road at the edge of Rockwood Park. City planner Nayan Gandhi says the purpose was to get a feel on what Saint Johnners want to see happen.
Gandhi also says illegal dumping is also taking place in the more remote sections. Common Councillor Patty Higgins acknowledges some residential development just outside the park might discourage illegal activities from occurring. Opinion was divided on whether to allow single family homes to be built but there was no support for the construction of condos, apartments or townhouses at the edge of the park. The meeting, which drew a respectable turnout, was also told it's difficult to clearly define the park's actual boundary. Higgins says that complicates the planning process. A report will be presented to Common Council in April.

Town Hall Meeting On Education At St. Malachy's Tonight

(School District 8 Education Chair Rob Fowler - photo by Tamara Steele)

 

If you have a child in a District 8 school, you can air your concerns in a town hall meeting tonight at St. Mac's. Only two parents attended the last meeting at Bayview Middle School but the first meeting in January at River Valley middle school had over 25 people show up.
District 8 Education Council chair Rob Fowler tells CHSJ News they would like to see a good turnout for tonight's meeting. Any topic can be brought up and, so far, people have been open and not afraid to speak up. Tonight's meeting starts at 7 at St. Malachy's on Leinster Street.

Changes to Math in District Six

(District Six Superintendent Zoe Watson)
             (File Photo)

District Six is taking a new approach when it comes to teaching math. Armed with a new curriculum, new resources and intervention assistance, it's hoped that sagging scores can improve. Superintendent Zoe Watson tells CHSJ News, there are some areas of concern including Grade Five scores.


Watson adds the teaching of match certainly has changed dramatically over the years and it's important that parents make an effort to learn as well.

Former DEC Member Continues to Speak

(To the Right is Acting DEC Chair Mark Henderson)
                    (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

A former member of the District Six Education Council continues to try and make his voice heard. Tom Oland showed up at last night's meeting and brought up the subject of charter schools, which he feels is the reason why he was dismissed from the DEC to begin with. After touching on that subject, Oland then asked each member to speak up if any of their family was enrolled in French Immersion.



Acting Chair Mark Henderson pointed out specific questions can not be adressed to DEC members but Oland continued to press the issue. After asking the question a third time and getting no answer, Oland reached his boiling point, grabbed a stack of papers and told the Council he would be back for next months meeting.

Early Start to Grass Fire Season in Saint John

There are many benefits to this early thaw but an early start to grass fire season isn't one of them. Since the first of the month, the Saint John Department has been called to snuff out 15 of them. Inspector Mark Wilson tells CHSJ News, there are many dangers associated with a grass fire and taking equipment away from certain medicals calls can be deadly.




Inspector Wilson adds the Saint John Fire Department used to conduct a controlled burn every spring but stopped because of legal concerns and the trouble controlling the flames.

Shaping the Future of Rockwood Park

                 (Lily Lake Pavilion)
                      (File Photo)

The future look of Rockwood Park is up for discussion at a pair of public meetings today. City Hall wants to know what could or should be developed along sections of the Sandy Point Road or should it be left alone because it is encroaching upon park land. A moratorium is in place for any development on city owned land along the Sandy Point Road until staff determines the best use.


Many home-owners in the area are upset that proposed housing developments are taking away greenspace from Rockwood Park. The meetings are scheduled for 3:15pm and 7:15pm at the Pavilion.

Maintenance Work at Canaport LNG

      (Canaport LNG Terminal)
                (File Photo)

Despite recent labour problems, completion of the third storage tank at the LNG Terminal is getting close. Construction crews hope to finish up the work by the end of May and Canaport Spokes-person Kate Marie Shannon tells CHSJ News, over-all, the terminal is operating the way it should.


Marie Shannon adds as part of the work, flaring will take place over the next two weeks. Since the terminal came on line, there have been 20 shipments with the next super tanker set to dock in the next two weeks.

Auxilary Police Play a Huge Role

       (Saint John Police Chief Bill Reid)
                    (File Photo)

The Saint John Police Force has 22 auxiliary members, up from 8 last year. They each contribute about 140 hours of service a year after completing 100 hours of training. Chief Bill Reid says they had 80 applicants for the auxiliary policing positions.
Reid adds the auxiliary officers often come with a deep knowledge of their own community because some already have careers.

Mayor of Saint John Travels to Ottawa

The Mayor of Saint John is in Ottawa over the next two days discussing policing issues. Ivan Court will be in the capital in his role as Vice-President of the Canadian Association of Police Boards. It's the national association which oversee more than 75 per cent of the municipal police services in the country.


On the agenda will be support for a new national strategy on firearms and strengthening laws to criminalize cyber-bullying behaviours.

Community Consultation Underway On Plan To Revitalise Crescent Valley

(Saint John Mayor Ivan Court)

(File Photo)

Finding out what the residents want about what should be included in the Cresent Valley Master Plan has started. The Graham Government earlier unveiled an ambitious revitalisation plan spanning 20-years that would add 1373 new homes in the area along with new and upgrades to green spaces already there. Now comes the community consultation. Mayor Ivan Court tells CHSJ News its a golden opportunity to turn things around in one north end neighbourhood. The key, according to Court, is to have mixed housing with people from all income levels living in the same area.
Court says it's already happening in Saint John where you have people living along the waterfront in 400 thousand dollar condos along with others in the same neighbourhood who are paying as low as 200 dollars a month and enjoying the same view and quality of life.

A Setback For Repairs To The Harbour Bridge

(Harbour Bridge)

(File Photo)

A new development in the ongoing saga of getting the 35 million dollars needed for repairs to the Harbour Bridge. The federal government is not signing off on giving the okay for the Harbour Bridge Authority to borrow the money from a pension plan without alot more detailed information. Bob McDevitt, who chairs the Harbour Bridge Authority, calls it a stalling tactic.
McDevitt warns getting together the information the federal government is looking for will take too much time and there's a good chance the Harbour Bridge Authority may lose out on this upcoming construction season. He tells CHSJ News the Harbour Bridge Authority finds itself stuck in the middle of a dispute between the province and Ottawa with the common thread being the tolls and what's being lost is the need to keep the bridge in top notch condition. Premier Shawn Graham says the province has made the federal governemnt an offer to take over the bridge but has never received a response.

Intelligence based policing is working in Saint John

(Saint John Police Chief Bill Reid)

(photo by Tamara Steele)

Positive news from the Saint John Police Force on crime reduction. The Police Commission has been informed that intelligence led policing has resulted in a reduction of the numbers for break and enters and auto theft.
Chief Bill Reid tells CHSJ News that what these numbers really represent is quality of life.
In 2009, they had a 28 per cent reduction in the number of break and enters and a 18 per cent reduction in stolen autos.
To learn more on crime reduction economics go to:
www.saintjohn.ca/crimereductioneconomics

New library for The Valley

A question mark remains hanging over the future of the Ken Valley library. The library board meets this week and is struggling with whether to expand or build new. Rothesay Councilor, Don Shea tells CHSJ News many factors need to be considered.Whether or not it should be located in the centre of the Valley, combined with district 8 or be part of a larger complex. Shea says he prefers the option of building new. The current library in Quispamsis wasn't designed to expand vertically, which would require more land.

Rothesay Meets With Premier Graham

      (Town of Rothesay Coat of Arms)

With a $3 to $4 million dollar solution on the table for recent flooding issues in Oakville Acres, The Town of Rothesay is looking for some funding help from Fredericton and Ottawa. Officials recently had a one on one meeting with Premier Graham and Deputy mayor Blair MacDonald tells CHSJ News, there are no commitments at this time.




The Town is also looking to secure funding for renovations to the Rothesay Arena which incoude re-locating and expanding the lobby and an upgrade for changing rooms. In order to do that, the Town is looking to secure property between the building and Scott Avenue.

Four Open Houses To Discuss Cresent Valley

(Social Development and Housing Minister Kelly Lamrock)
                             (File Photo)

There are four community information sessions regarding the Cresent Valley Master Plan over the next week and the first goes tonight. The Graham Government has unveiled a 20-year, five phase proposal that would add 1373 new homes in the area along with new and updates to current green spaces.


Along with tonight's meeting, there is one scheduled for Thursday of this week and then Tuesday and Thursday of next week as well. They all get started at seven o'clock at the Resource Center in Cresent Valley.

More Conversation Concerning Valley Fire Budget

       (Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop)
                 (File Photo)

After weeks of bickering, it appears an impasse may have been reached between the Towns of Rothesay and Quispamsis. Both have been at odds about the Kennebecasis Fire Department budget with Quispam looking to hire a new fire-fighter even though there needs to be a $100 thousand dollar cut in the budget. Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop says the issue was discussed in closed session at last night's meeting and expects an announcement on what conclusion they have come up in the coming days.


Bishop adds it is a delicate issue and wants to make sure the wording of a letter indicates what the Town really means.

Proposed Changes to Scribner Cresent

(Director of Development Services for Rothesay Gay Drescher)
                        (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Proposed changes to Scribner Court in Rothesay only has one hurdle left to clear. First and Second reading was approved at last night's council meeting with the third and final vote to be heard next month. The application is to re-zone a single property on the northern boundary of the property to residential two family. The area is vacant except for a private tennis court which won't stay if the re-zoning is approved.


The plan for the area is to build a semi-detached building to live in one half and sell the other. There was no one on hand to speak against the proposed re-zoning.

Grand Bay Council Calls for Pay Equity

(Grand Bay Westfield Mayor Grace Losier)
               (File Photo)

Grand Bay council is waiting into the debate over pay equity in the private sector. The council is sending a letter to the premier, asking for legislation. Mayor Grace Losier tells CHSJ news it's a issue whos time has come.


Council picked National Womens day to approve the decision to send the letter.

One City Councilor Wants Streetcars to Return

They roamed city streets years ago -- and -- if Councilor Patty Higgins has her way -- streetcars will once again have a place in our streetscapes. Higgins says with cheaper hyrdo power becoming available -- replacing buses with streetcars makes economical and environmental sense.


Higgins says the streetcars would be quieter and also be a tourist attraction.

Premier Calls Increases In Property Tax Bills "Unacceptable"

(Premier Shawn Graham)

(File Photo)

If homeowners feel they're being gouged after receiving their property tax bills, Premier Shawn Graham says they should be talking to their municipal Mayors and Councillors because he maintains the province tried to keep any increases in the assessments from being over the top. Graham charges the vast majority of municipalities chose not to follow the legislation.
The Premier is promising what he calls a more proactive approach without being specific about what he has in mind. Mayor Ivan Court says a cap on assessments would be the worst thing that could happen in Saint John because the city wouln't be able to operate financially. He claims there are many properties in the city that are undervalued. Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll points out the tax rate in his town has been dropping but housing prices have been escalating well above the rate of inflation and this is a factor in rising property assessments.

Rothesay Mayor Supports Expansion of McKay Highway

(Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop)

(File Photo)

Making a section of Highway One six lanes between Rothesay and Saint John gets the thumbs up from the Mayor of Rothesay. Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News he is thrilled the area is getting some much needed attention.
Bishop adds traffic in the area near the fire station has been a nightmare to say the least for the longest time. A final draft of the project is expected soon with construction set to get started this summer and finish up in 2013.

Construction Set To Start On The Two Busiest Streets In Grand Bay-Westfield

(Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Grace Losier)

(File Photo)

Two of Grand Bay-Westfield's busiest streets will get a facelift.
The project includes storm sewers on the Woolastook and Inglewood drive this year and resurfacing next year. Along with River Valley Drive, Woolastook and Inglewood provide access to all of the town's subvisions and streets.
Mayor Grace Losier tells CHSJ news the work begins this spring and will be complete before the summer 2011.

Trade And Convention Centre Receives City Funding As It Faces Competition

(Market Square)

(File Photo)

The city is earmarking 550-thousand dollars for the proposed upgrade and expansion of the Trade and Convention Center at Market Square. City manager Pat Woods says the money will move the project forward.
Meantime -- Woods says negotiations will begin with the Hardman Group for additional space for the expansion while other funding sources will be sought.
The plan calls for construction on the 6 to 8-million dollar project to begin early in the New Year. Saint John now faces some competition for the convention business.
The City of Fredericton says it should start seeing the economic return on its new convention centre as early as December.
Sales director Cathy Pugh says interest is already being expressed in the centre and the adjoining, 700-seat Playhouse theatre.
The 24 (m) million dollar convention centre, which is part of a larger complex, is slated to open in December.
Pugh says she already has 12 tentative bookings lined up that will see events held through 2015.

Court And Chase Lock Horns Over Peel Plaza - Again

More sparks flying between Mayor Ivan Court and Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase over the controversial Peel Plaza project.
The latest verbal duel came as council dealt with the new capital budget -- a budget without any specific dollars set aside for the police station and parking garage development -- a development Chase says the city can't afford.
That prompted Court to suggest Chase is nothing more than a "bad news bear" - he later apologized.
Chase accepted the apology and reminded the Mayor he believed the Bad News Bears won the championship with Court quipping "with a good coach."

Peel Plaza Report Going To Council Soon

Common council should be receiving a final report on the cost of a public - private partnership for Peel Plaza soon.
City Manager Pat Woods says the numbers from the request for proposals are due in the next day or so.
Woods says the city's finance department will then review the costing on the public-private partnership followed by a meeting of the steering committee on Thursday -- and -- finally a recommendation to council hopefully by next week.
Council will then make a decision whether to proceed in partnership with the developer or proceed with financing the project on its own.
The development will see a new police station and parking garage constructed in addition to a new provincial justice complex.

Council Approves 45-Million Dollar Capital Budget

Common council has nixed 600-thousand dollars earmarked for Saint John Transit to buy a new bus.
Instead -- councilors have redirected the money to help bolster the money allocated for road repairs and upgrades which is a top priority for Councilor Bruce Court -- he's been pushing for more money for roads especially those out east.
Just over 11-million dollars has been allocated for road repairs and upgrades.
Council approved this year's 45-million dollar capital budget after making the change -- the final vote was 8-2 with Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase and Councilor Patty Higgins voting against while Councilor Chris Titus was absent.

Council Giving Proposed Capital Budget A Look

Common council is being asked to set aside money in this year's capital budget to begin preliminary design work for an expansion of the Trade and Convention Center -- the request is part of this year's proposed 45-million dollar capital budget.
City manager Pat Woods says 550-thousand dollars will help move the proposed makeover and expansion to the design stage which should be completed by the end of September.
Woods says by the time tenders are called and awarded -- it will be close to year end so any money spent on the actual work will be included in next year's capital budget.

Visitors allowed again at Loch Lomond Villa

Visitor restrictions have been lifted at the Loch Lomond Villa that were put in place because of the Norwalk virus.
CEO Cindy Donovan tells CHSJ news visiting is now permitted but, if visitors are not feeling then they are discouraged from visiting.
All visitors are encouraged to use hand sanitizers when entering the complex.

Attempted Pin Pad Theft in Quispamsis

Rothesay Regional Police have arrested three Montreal men after they attempted to steal a pin pad from a business.

The business called police as the result of a province-wide alert.


Officers responded at 4 this morning and the men were in a late model rental car on Highway 119 in Quispamsis.
All three were before a judge in Hampton today charged with attempting to commit the idictable offense of theft.


The men will remain in custody until bail hearing on Thursday morning in Sussex.
Police tell us similar complaints are being investigated in other areas and more charges are expected.

A New Face at Saint John Destination Marketing

The former General Manager of Waterfront Development has found a new home at City Hall. Ross Jefferson is the new executive director of Saint John Destination Marketing. How-ever, there is some confusion over the new position. It was just last year in January, that Gail Bremner accepted the job as Executive Director of Saint John Destination Marketing Orginization.


We have a call into the City Hall Communications department looking for clarification.

Lottery Winner Claims His Prize

For the second time in three weeks, a lotto winner is from Saint John. Steve Hannerhan made the trek to Moncton today to pick up his cheque for one million dollars after winning the Atlantic 49 draw on Saturday. Currently working as a health-care professional, Hannerhan says he bought the winning ticket at the Superstore on Rothesay Avenue.


Hannerhan says he and his wife Karen still don't have any major plans for their new found cash and doesn't plan to retire. Atlantic Lotto still hasn't revealed the identity of a man on the West-Side that had a multi-million dollar winning ticket last month.

Big Plans for Highway One

                      (Premier Shawn Graham)
                              (File Photo)

Dexter Construction has been chosen by the province to be in charge of twinning the rest of Highway One from Saint John to St. Stephen, all 55 kilometers which will also include more than 100 kilometers of wildlife fencing. The final agreements on the privatised deal still have to be negotiated. Premier Shawn Graham also announcing upgrades will be done in the Saint John area itself.
Construction begins this summer with completion set for the end of July in 2013. Dexter will also be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the highway from St. Stephen to River Glade until 2040.

Rothesay MLA Taking Heat over Assessments

(Rothesay Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney)
                      (File Photo)

Home-owners in Rothesay continue to vent their frustration over this years property assessments. MLA Margaret Ann Blaney tells CHSJ News, she has been swamped with calls since letters starting arriving at homes last week and the problem should have been dealt with by the Graham Government last year.
Blaney adds one of the home-owners in her riding, who live in a very modest home, had their assessment increase by 118% from last year.

Quispamsis Mayor Talks About Property Assessments

(Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll)
               (File Photo)

The provincial government is blaming municipalities in large part for the big increases in property bills that homeowners are angry about. Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll points out the tax rate in his town has been going down.


Driscoll also says the real estate market in Quispamsis has been hot with rising prices and that is a factor in higher property assessments.

Robbery and Fire

It was a busy weekend for Sussex RCMP. It was just before two this morning when officers were called to a business on Park Street for a break and enter. A thief or thieves got into the building through the roof and managed to get a safe full of cash out of the business. Officers are going over the surveillance tapes for clues.




Also, the search is on for someone who likes to play with matches. Officers were called to Hatfields Point Saturday night to find a fishing shack on Bellisle Bay on fire. An ATV was spotted driving away from the shack with it's lights off but fire crews were able to save the ice fishing home. Close to $150 dollars in damage was done.

Cigarettes Stolen in St. Martins

A store in St. Martins is shy plenty of smokes today.


Hampton RCMP tell us someone broke into the Huttges General Store after midnight and got away with close to $2000 dollars worth of cigarettes.

Attempted Holdup Under Investigation

Two youths are behind bars after what City Police describe as an attempted robbery last night on Paddock Street. Police believe a weapon was used but the intended victim wasn't injured.

Costco Job Fair Ends

(Job Fair At Costco)

(File Photo)

One thousand people were interviewed at Costco's three day job fair which ended yesterday afternoon. Costco's Director of Human Resources for Atlantic Canada, Tracy Knocker estimates close to 2 thousand people showed up but not everyone was able to be interviewed one on one. Now the hard part starts........Who to choose? Costco is hoping to have its hiring complete in the next 2 to 3 weeks. The lucky ones will be starting work in early May. The store's official opening is scheduled for May 27th.
There are about 100 jobs to be filled.

On The Vine Setting Up Shop In The K-V

The former Brookside Market is getting a second lease on life. In what might be the worst kept secret in the Kennebecasis Valley, On the Vine is setting up shop along the Old Hampton Road in Rothesay. Owner Sean Fillmore tells CHSJ News  they have been eyeing this location since the property became available.

This is the second attempt for On the Vine in Rothesay after a short stint near the entrance to K-Park with a store a few years ago. Fillmore says he will hire over 30 employees for now and hope to have the store open by the end of this month with renovations on-going. This new location is owned by Fillmore and his wife Mandy.  

International Women's Day Being Marked

Over 100 years since the first International Women's Day and thye Canadian Union of Public Employees thinks women in this province are still fighting for equality. Maureen Michaud of CUPE tells CHSJ News the federal government is stifling the progress of women. She cites the failure of Ottawa to establish national childcare. CUPE also takes issue with the Provincial Pay Equity Act which comes into force on April 1st but covers public sector workers only. Michaud adds CUPE believes a number of challenges face women this year including the continuing promotion of privatization which the union charges is an attack on women and other equality-seeking groups.

Tuition Rebate Program Reminder

Recent university or college graduates looking for some extra cash this tax season are being reminded to apply for the provincial tuition rebate program.

Eligible applicants could receive up to $20 thousand dollars in rebates over 20 years, with the maximum rebate being $4 thousand dollars a year.
The amount received equals the amount of provincial tax payable on your tax return.
To qualify for the program you must have paid tuition at a post secondary education institution after January 1st, 2005, live in New Brunswick, file an income tax return, and be a graduate.

Last Chance to Attend Costco Job Fair

[Costco at Eastpoint Shopping----Photo by Jim Hennessy]

Just a heads up for anyone thinking they may have missed the job fair at Costco.
Today is your last chance to hand in your resume, or fill out an application at the store in East Saint John.
Regional Operations Vice President Gary Swindells says the store plans to hire nearly 100 people.
The fair runs today until 3 o'clock, and is pegged to open it's doors on May 27th.

More Government Money Needed to Continue Improving Water System

Since the year 2000, the city has spent more than 60 million dollars on improving the water system in Saint John. The head of Municipal Operations, Paul Groody says there's still alot more to be done.
Groody concedes for the job of bringing Saint John's water system up to be brought up to where everyone wants it to be, the federal and provincial governments will have to help out with fuunding.

Saint John Animal Rescue League Future

The Saint John Animal Rescue League will be building a new home for their animals at the old Peacock's garden centre.

The local shelter owns 17 acres at the site and has already torn down the greenhouses.
Outgoing Executive Director Janet Foster tells CHSJ News that it's perfect location.
No word yet on when shovels will go in the group since, the Rescue League needs to mount a capital campaign to raise the expected $3 million dollars required for the new location.

Childhood Obesity Rates Rising

There's a connection between the demise of the family sitting down together to eat and a tripling over the last 25 years of childhood obesity. So claims registered Dietitian Nadine Day, who's with Loblaw. She tells CHSJ News there's a way parents can get their children more enthused about the traditional family dinner.

Day says another aspect of that is to get children to help selecting food items in the supermarket.