Mayor Makes Appeal In Aftermath of Cemetery Vandalism

(Mayor Ivan Court)

Mayor Ivan Court is pleading for anyone who lives along Micheal Crescent beside St. Joseph's Cemetery to come forward with information about the destruction of gravestones over the weekend. Court is calling the vandalism a stupid and cowardly act saying he feels the pain of those affected families he saw while visiting the cemetery. The Mayor's own parents and late son are all buried in the cemetery. He likens the headstones that were toppled over to fallen soldiers.
Court believes, when caught, the people responsible should be sentenced to work in the graveyard because it will take months for what they did to be fixed. He speculates it will take weeks, if not months, to clean up all the damage and make things right. Court says he saw one headstone dating back to the 1880's that was split in two.

Common Council To Ask Saint John Energy For Rate Freeze

(Common Councillor Bill Farren)

Now that there won't be a five year freeze on electricity rates, Common Council will be asking Saint John Energy whether it can absorb all or some of the 3 per cent rate hike being proposed by NB Power in light of the failed deal with Hydro Quebec. Councillor Bill Farren doesn't mind asking but on the other hand wants to shy away from political meddling saying that kind of interference was what got NB Power into the financial pickle it finds itself in today.
Councillor Bruce Court is not hesitent in saying Saint John Energy should come on board and swallow the whole increase. He points out Saint Johnners are under financial strain these days with a poverty rate of over 20 per cent and rising property assessments.

Common Council Approves Design Work On Trade And Convention Centre Facelift

(Common Councillor Carl Killen)

Common council has given the thumbs up to start design work for renevating the 25-year-old Trade and Convention Centre. The cost is over 600,000 but Councillor Carl Killen says the renovations are necessary if Saint John is to compete for convention business with Moncton and Fredericton. Finance Commissioner Greg Yeomans says the City has no choice but to renew the Trade and Convention Centre because of a contract with the Hilton which states an obligation to maintain it as a first class facility. Both City Manager Pat Woods And Mayor Ivan Court describe the Trade and Convention Centre as looking tired these days.

Common Council Debates A Downsized Spring Cleanup

(Common Councillor Peter McGuire)

Saying dangerous situations are being created, Common Councillor Patty Higgins is proposing a downsized version of spring cleanup be brought back. She would like spring cleanup to take place in a different section of the city each year. But fellow Councillor Peter McGuire says show me the money. The last citywide cleanup cost something like 330 thousand dollars. Council was told Saint John homeowners can call the city and get bulky items hauled away free of charge and there was agreement that service should be promoted better. Councillor Chris Titus maintains having a spring cleanup does very little, if anything, to reduce the incidence of illegal dumping.

Seadogs Close Out Semi-Final Series

Seadogs Punch Their Ticket to the Final

     (Seadogs and Tigres Shake Hands at Center Ice)
                   (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

The Saint John Seadogs will take on Moncton in this years Presidents Cup Final after a 7-1 win over Victoriaville to take the semi-final in six.


Marco Couseinau made 31 saves and Mike Hoffman notched a hat-trick in leading the attack.
Head Coach Gerard Gallant says it was the flat game in the series for him but his team took advantage when it had to.
This is the first all Maritime Final since the league was born in 1969.


Tickets for the final go on sale tomorrow at ten at the Harbour Station box office but no word yet on when Game One will be but the series will open in Saint John.

Boil Water Order Has Been Lifted

The news close to 36,000 people east of the Reversing Falls Bridge have been waiting for has arrived........the boil water order has been lifted.

Saint John Water staff have reviewed test results taken since Friday with the Department of Health and all have come back clean.


The boil order was put in place on Friday when a valve was left open at the Latimore Lake Treatment facility and chlorine gas failed to treat water for about 15 minutes with 2.1 million untreated litres entering the system.

Saint John Continues to Map Out It's Future

(Deputy Commissioner of Planning Jacqueline Hamilton)
                  (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

14 recommendations have been laid out as Saint John continues to move ahead with it's new Municipal Plan.

Deputy Commissioner of Planning Jaqueline Hamilton says so far she is very impressed with the feed-back including one to grow the city smarter.


Other recommendations include a priority on urban design, celebrate arts, heritage and culture and improve quality of life.
 
So far, there have been 400 hits to the Plan SJ website, ten presentations to community groups and over 170 letters have been received.
 
The next public workshop is scheduled for June.

Red Triangle Awards Gala exceeds expectations

Last week's Red Triangle Gala brought in over $50,000 for the Saint John YM-YWCA.


The gala is the major fundraiser for the Y’s Strong Kids Campaign.

This year’s event last Thursday night at the Trade and Convention Centre and honoured Roly McIntyre and UNB Saint John student leader Leah Richardson.

Premier and Ministers Off to Ottawa

(Premier Shawn Graham)
       (File Photo)

After hearing about it for weeks, Premier Graham and five of his ministers will leave for Ottawa tomorrow to meet with Prime Minister Harper.


Graham says there needs to be better co-operation between this Province and the Nations Capital on several fronts.
A few of the items being brought to the table include cost over-runs during the refurbishment at Point Lepreau and funding for the Harbour Bridge.


Graham has stated Atomic Energy of Canada made a commitment to have the work done at Point Lepreau during a certain time-frame and if necessary, would not hesitate to bring this matter before a judge.


On the trip with Graham is Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault, Finance Minister Greg Byrne, Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet, Energy Minister Jack Keir and Transportation Minister Denis Landry.

How Many People Work for the Province

The latest numbers have been released by Fredericton on how many people are working for the Provincial Government.
It provides statistical information about key characteristics of the government's workforce, as of the final day of the year.


There were 39,802 full-time permanent employees working on Dec. 31, 2009.
The public service how-ever will experience a significant reduction in the size of its workforce this spring, when about 1,800 Community College employees will be removed from their umbrella to form its own organization as a separate employer.

Sheet Metal Workers Continue Strike

(Sheet Metal Workers Walk the Picket Line)
         (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

The union representing sheet metal workers in Greater Saint John continue their drive for a raise.
A picket line with a dozen people is set up at the Potash Mine in Pennobsquis today.

A member of the Electrical Workers Union 502 tells CHSJ News, he and many of his co-workers are refusing to cross the line.
The sheet metal workers union is 347 and one member told us last week he couldn't get into specifics of what kind of money it is looking for.


Pat Darrah with the Saint John Construction Association says sheet metal workers are making $32.24 an hour and in Moncton, they make $29.25.


Darrah says they want to level the playing field so that contractors can work in both areas and stay competitive.

Cross Country Run To Stomp Out Violence Ends In Saint John

The Stomp Out Violence Cross Country Run comes to Saint John with Dr. Roz Roach completing a 20 kilometer run beginning at Rockwood Park to raise awareness about a problem many people feel is getting worse. Dr. Roach tells CHSJ News violence among young people can be traced, in part, to the breakdown of communities which has done a disservice to the well being of our your people. Dr. Roach says there are all kinds of violence including gun play, child molestation, abuse of women, racism and homophobia. Dr. Roach, who runs Dr. Roz's Healing Place in the Tornto suburb of Scarborough, says too many young people are trying to cope with adolescent conflicts in isolation or within their peer groups which makes joining a gang so alluring.

Police Chief Expresses Outrage Over Cemetery Vandalism

(Saint John Police Chief Bill Reid)

Police Chief Bill Reid says he's disgusted by the damage caused by vandals to headstones at St. Joseph's cemetery. The Chief is promising this will be investigated thoroughly and hopefully brought to a successful conclusion with those responsible charged in court even there can never really be a successful conclusion because the damage has already been done.
Chief Reid condemns the behaviour of those responsible as callous to those people who have loved ones in the cemetery and an embarrassment to the city.

Headstones Vandalized at East Saint John Cemetery

       (Some of the Headstones Damaged)

             (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

It's expected a steady stream of vehicles will make it's way through the St. Joseph's Cemetery on Westmoreland Road.

Sometime over the weekend, vandals knocked over and damaged between three and five hundred headstones.

Irene Mazzerole was there to check on her mother's headstone and was happy to see it was alright but can't believe how many have been damaged.


Darryl Olsen is Manager of the Saint John Diocese Cemeteries and tells us he is to upset to do an interview right now but assures us, all the headstones will be repaired.

Vandals Damage St. Josephs Cemetery

K-V-H-S Shines At Provincial Reach For The Top Competition

Kennebecasis Valley High won both the Intermediate and Senior titles at the Provincial Reach for the Top Championships held over the weekend. This was the school's fifth straight intermediate title and sixth consecutive senior crown. K-V-H-S will be taking part in late May in the national seniors championship in Toronto.

Boil Water Order Could End This Afternoon

If everything goes according to plan, Saint John Water should be able to lift a boil water order by this afternoon. It has been in affect for homes and businesses east of the Rversing Falls Bridge since Friday morning. Dr. Scott Giffen is the District Medical Officer of Health and says the City has done everything by the book. The boil water order is not in place for Millidgeville and had to be implemented after a valve was left open and chlorine gas failed to treat the water for about 15 minutes with 2.1 million litres entering the system.

Call Being Made To Get More Women To Run For Political Office

(Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney)

Equal Voice is issuing a challenge directly to Provincial Party Leaders.....find more female candidates for the election September.27th. Lisa Merrithew is spokes-person and tells CHSJ News, there is no easy answer as to why more women aren't involved.
Merrithew does say there are external barriers within the parties. During the last Provincial Election, 15 of the 48 NDP candidates were women, 10 of the 55 Liberal candidates were women and only 8 off the 55 candidates for the Conservatives were women.
One of the longest serving MLA's in the province is Rothesay Conservative Margaret Ann Blaney. She tells CHSJ News, there has been a sharp decline in the number of women participating in the democratic process period.
She adds there are currently eight women nominated and ready to run in the fall election for the Conservatives which matches the number of women the party had in 2006.

City Looking To Make Building And Land Permits Easier To Get

People looking to get building and land permits approved in Saint John may soon find it a lot easier. The City is holding a public hearing during tonight's meeting of Common Council to discuss possible amendments to the Community Planning Act. The Act currently makes it so any permit requests must go through the provincial Planning Advisory Committee before being approved. Changes would allow minor permits to be passed by the local Development Officer, cutting some time out of the process. Moncton, Frederiction, Miramichi and Rothesay will use the same system.

Boil Water Order Remains in Place

Homes and businesses east of the Reversing Falls bridge are now into day three of a boil water order.


Officials say a valve was left open and chlorine gas failed to treat the water for about 15 minutes on Friday morning.


Tests on the system have been and will continue to be conducted as officials look for the green light to allow home-owners and businesses to turn their taps back on.


The Millidgeville area is the one exception where water doesn't have to be boiled. The earliest the order can be lifted is tomorrow afternoon.

Department of Transportation Sets a New Record

A record will be reached tonight at midnight but it will come and go with very little fan-fare.


Spring weight restrictions for heavy trucks will be lifted from all provincial highways, nearly four weeks ahead of schedule.


This is the earliest removal of the spring weight restriction in the Province's history.


The weight restrictions are put in place to protect highways from damage during the spring thaw by reducing allowable weights.

New Look Coming for Millenium Drive

Quispamsis may soon be the home of a new Pre-Fabricated Homes Sales Lot.


A company is looking to use land located on Millennium Drive that is now an empty Used Car Sales Lot.


Citizens in the area that may be effected can go to a public hearing set by Town Council for May 18 to voice any concerns.

Traffic Flow Near the Gondola Point Ferry

The Gondola Point Ferry Landing will soon have better traffic flow.


Quispamsis Council voted in favor of building a right turning lane at Route 119 and Riverfront Crescent.


Council has agreed to pay for half of the $400,000 project with the Department of Transportation paying the other 50%.


After an email poll Council says it will pay $125,000 of their half this year leaving $75,000 next year.

More Money For New Dog Park in Quispamsis

New funding will give dog walkers in Quispamsis a place to stretch their legs.


The Regional Development Corporation has agreed to give the town $25,000 to help pay for the proposed Dog Park Project.


The park will be located at the Arts and Culture Park with the money covering the cost of dog paths.

CHSJ Gives Away Brand New Truck Today

  (Cheryl Shillington's Brand New Ford Ranger)
                  


Cheryl Shillington of Grand Bay-Westfield is going to be cruising the streets of Saint John in style.
Shillington is the grand prize winner of a brand new Ford Ranger from Downy Ford.
One-hundred and twenty people were registered for the elimination draw that took place at noon today.

Samuel De Champlain is Celebrating it's Birthday

There is a party in Millidgeville tonight and everyone is invited.


Samuel de Champlain is celebrating is 25th anniversary and Executive Director Michelle Cote tells CHSJ News, it promises to be a big show.


As for the Center turning 25, Cote says he knew there was potential for growth but never iamgined it would happen this fast.


Tonight's celebration gets started at 7:30pm at Samuel de Champlain.

Global Youth Service Day

Events are underway and will continue through-out the weekend in Saint John to celebrate Global Youth Service Days.
100 countries are taking part in events designed to celebrate youth accomplishments over the last year.


Scott Crawford of the Teen Resource Centre tells CHSJ News, sometimes young people don't get the credit they deserve.


Posters are on display at Brunswick Square showcasing the many charity events that local students support.


A Battle of the Bands and concert is scheduled for tomorrow in the parking lot of Harbour Station.

DNR boats capsizes in Grand Lake

A Department of Natural Resources boat overturned this morning in Grand Lake and an officer ended up in the water.
RCMP officers from Minto and Oromocto responded to the scene along with other emergency personnel who launched a small boat and brought the officer to shore where paramedics were waiting for him.


He was taken to hospital for treatment for hypothermia because he was in the water for about 45 minutes.
The officer was wearing his safety gear and a life jacket and at this time, it's not known why his boat overturned.

Cruise Ship Volunteers Needed

A call going out today for volunteers for the "Meet and Greet" committee for this year's cruise ship season.
The Port Authority's Bill Eaton tells CHSJ News they've had a waiting list in the past -- but -- they've now exhausted that list.
Eaton says there is a real need with 78-ships scheduled this year -- a lot of them larger than in the past.
If you're interested contact Brittany Halpen at the Saint John Port Authority.

Byrne Disputes Blaney's Claim Beds Will Close

Acting Health Minister Greg Byrne is calling Rothesay Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney out on her claim that 40 beds will be closing at the Saint John Regional Hospital.
Byrne tells us he finds it unfortunate that someone is choosing to play politics with an issue of health care.


Earlier this week, Blaney told us that despite the new Shannex nursing home being open for business, it would not free up 60 hospital beds at the Regional.
Byrne says there is no truth to that and the beds will be available.

River Levels Are Dropping

Good news if you live or play along the St. John River.


With little or no rain expected over the next three days, River Watch believes water levels along the basin will continue to drop over the weekend.


All areas are presently well below flood stage and should remain so for the foreseeable future.


River Watch will not issue any further bulletins unless there is a major change to the weather pattern that might bring a threat of flooding.

Saint John Water Discusses Boil Order

North End Group Gets Financial Shot

(Saint John MP Rodney Weston)
            (File Photo)

Saint John MP Rodney Weston has presented the ONE Change organization with a cheque for over $900,000 dollars.

The cash will be used for the groups Youth Inclusion Program over the next four years.


It targets people between the ages of 11 and 15 with specific risk factors, including substance abuse, poor school attachment and lack of recreational activities.

Boil Water Order Issued for Portion of Saint John

A boil water order is in place for close to 35,000 homes and businesses east of Reversing Falls this weekend.


It was just before eight o'clock at the Latimore Lake facility, a valve was left open and chlorine gas did not make it into the system which meant chlorine wasn't flowing for close to 15 fifteen minutes.
Deputy Commissioner of Water Brent McGovern says 2.1 million litres of untreated water made it's way into the system.
McGovern adds the earliest the boil water order can be lifted is Monday afternoon.


The order is not in affect for those living at the intersections of Spar Cove Road and Belleview Avenue, Millidge Avenue and Ropewalk Road and Somerset Street north of the Superstore.

Dangers If You Don't Boil Your Water

(District Medical Health Officer Dr. Scott Giffen)
              (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Dr. Scott Giffen is the District Medical Officer of Health and says if you feel there is no need to boil your water, you might as well go to the edge of the resevoir and dunk a glass in.


Dr. Giffen adds you have to remember, animals are defacating in that water as well which means you could be exposed to a variety of bacteria's and contaminants.

Construction Continues at UNB Saint John

     (Shot of Construction Activity at UNB Saint John)
                          (File Photo)

Much of the construction taking place in the city these days is happening at U-N-B Saint John.


University Vice-President Dr. Robert McKinnon is hoping the facelift will also boost the number of students attending.


Dr. McKinnon says you have to have the facilities up and running before you can get the students.

Money for Sussex Railway Crossing

(Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore)
        (File Photo)

Fundy Royal M-P Rob Moore has announced an upgrade to a railway crossing in Sussex at a cost of more than 140 thousand dollars.


Moore, who's also the Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, says the federal contribution is for more than 112 thousand dollars.


The money will be used to install flashing lights and signal bells.
It's part of the plan to bring 155 railway crossings across the country up to par at a cost of close to 11 million dollars.

Blaney Claims Opening Of Nursing Home Won't Free Up As Many Hospital Beds As First Thought

(Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney)
                 (File Photo)

The opening of the Shannex Nursing Home in Quispamsis earlier this week may not necessarily free up sixty hospital beds in the Saint John region after all. That word coming from Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney. The Conservative Party's healthcare critic tells CHSJ News she has heard 40 of those beds will be closed elective surgeries had to be postponed because there were no beds available. Blaney says despite all the talk and controversy over the failed NB Power deal with Hydro Quebec, Blaney maintains health care is still the number one priority for voters.

West Side Standoff

 (Manawagonish Road Standoff)

(Photo Courtesy of Doug Epton)

It was a tense night on the West side after a stand-off created some anxious moments for residents.

City police were called to a home on the Manawagonish Road just after 6 to find a man had barricaded himself inside it and was threatening to harm himself.


After 5 1/2 hours of police trying to get him to surrender, just before midnight police convinced the man to leave his home.

He was taken into custody but, there is no word yet on charges or a court date and his name is not being released.

The standoff also snarled traffic, with Manowogonish Road being closed off for several hours.

Leah Richardson is the 2010 Leader to Watch

(2010 Leader to Watch Leah Richardson)
(photo by Tamara Steele)

The 2010 Leader to Watch award winner might be fielding some interesting offers today after being gushed over by the Premier and Roly McIntyre as the future of this city.
UNB Saint John student Leah Richardson tells CHSJ News she did not expect the Premier to talk about her.


Richardson says it's nice to be recognized by someone in government just to know that they are watching what are youth and students are doing.

McIntyre receives 2010 Red Triangle Award

(Roly McIntyre and the 2010 Red Triangle award)
 (photo by Tamara Steele)

Retired Saint John East MLA Roly McIntyre won the Red Triangle Award from the Saint John YM-YWCA, he gave a light-hearted speech thanking his family, friends, political colleagues and fellow volunteers.

Premier Defends Achievements In Charter For Change

(Premier Shawn Graham)
(photo by Tamara Steele)

The Premier is unfazed by the comments of Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney who laughed at the idea that his government has achieved 95 per cent of the goals set out in the Charter for Change.


Shawn Graham tells CHSJ News the facts speak for themselves saying most of the 232 commitments are underway or completed.


While he will not admit that his government has an uphill climb to get re-elected, Graham adds that they do not take any election for granted.


Graham was in town for the Saint John Y's Red Triangle Awards, where he said the government will be at the table when they Y's announces their future plans after supporting efforts by the Y's in Fredericton and Moncton.

Police Dealing With Standoff

City police have a home surrounded off Manawagonish Road at this hour -- they're not offering any official comment as to what's going on.
But we do know they have police dogs and the emergency response team on scene -- some residents in the area say they've never seen such a heavy police presence.
Traffic along Manawagonish Road is slow moving and is being rerouted around the area which is near the Pumpkin Patch.

Woman Killed in Crash is Identified

RCMP has identified the woman killed earlier this week near St. Stephen.

78-year old Elizabeth Isenor of Wallace, Nova Scotia died when the vehicle she was travelling in hit a tractor trailer on Monday afternoon.


The crash happened at the intersections of Highways 170 and 127.

The vehicle the victim was in failed to stop at the stop sign.

RCMP tell us driver inattention was the major factor in the crash and the man driving suffered only minor injuries.

Irving Oil Applies For New Set-Up

Irving Oil has applied to the Department of the Environment to hook up a bio-refinery at it's refinery site in East Saint John.


The proposed plant is intended to produce 120 million liters of biodiesel which will be made from refurbished cooking grease, animal fats, vegetable oils and agricultural seed oils.


Officials tell us an Environmental Impact Assessment review typically takes between three and four months to finish up.


The public is also invited to send in it's comments on the proposal.

New Restaurant Coming to East Saint John

  (Wox Box Restaurant Coming to East Point Shopping)
                   (Supplied Photo)

There is a new face coming to the restaurants that call East Saint John home.


The Wox Box Fresh Asian Kitchen will set up shop in the East Point Shopping Center.
It's the first restaurant in the franchise to open in the Province.


The owners say everything is made fresh to order, nothing pre-packaged and MSG is not added to the food.


The new restaurant will be set-up next to Starbucks and if everything stays on schedule, should be open by the first week of July.

New Piece of Equipment For The Landfill

It's been in the works for two years and today, the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission is celebrating Earth Day in a big way. It's electricity-producing generator has arrived from Austria.

The generator will produce green energy from landfill gas, the first for an operating landfill in Atlantic Canada.

General Manager Mark MacLeod tells CHSJ News, this goes a long way in reducing their carbon foot-print.


The project is set to produce 1 MegaWatt of electricity beginning in July which is equivalent to the energy used in 800 to 1,000 homes.

Conservative MLA Is Re-Offering

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

Saying she loves the job, Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney tells CHSJ News she will be seeking re-election September 27th.
Blaney says the intense feelings arising from the failed NB Power deal with Hydro Quebec have not diminished.
Blaney also chuckles at the Premier Shawn Graham's claim that 95 per cent of his charter for change has been achieved saying he must be leaving out all the promises that were reneged on.

Studded Tires Are Due to Come Off

If you do have them on your vehicle, a reminder that it's almost time to get your studded tires off.
RCMP tell us that as of May.1st, you can no longer have the studded tires on your vehicle anywhere around the Province.
Officers add along with it being illegal, it can also be very dangerous because if there is no ice, they can cause skidding.

Schools Pick Up Earth Day Awards

15 schools around the Province have picked up Earth Day Awards.


It's part of the third annual NB Power Earth Day Conservation Education Challenge.


There are a list of challenges for students to achieve including what all of us can do to help achieve a sustainable future for the Earth.


The winner include Quispamsis Middle, Cambridge Narrows and Sussex Middle Schools.


Schools sent in videos, stories and presentations in a variety of creative styles.

Very Little Change in Gas Prices After Weekly Setting

A mixed bag this morning when it comes to the price of gas after the weekly setting. Self serve regular is down a bit being sold for 101.7 in the city. On the other hand, diesel has risen to 104.1 a litre. Furnace oil is at 91.5 cents and propane is going for 103.1.

New Fire Chief Takes Over In K-V

(Honour Guard at Change of Command Ceremony in Rothesay Fire Hall)
                    (Photo by Brian McLain)

There was alot of pageantry and emotion last night at the Rothesay Fire Hall as Bill Ireland took over as the new K-V Fire Chief from Larry Greer, who's retiring. Ireland tells CHSJ News its time for the department to be bigger, not smaller and take its rightful place in the province.
Greer is leaving after a quarter of a century as Chief and became quite emotional as he finished off his farewell address.
Greer first joined the fire department in the valley as a volunteer when he was just 15 years of age and served as Chief for 25 years. Early in his career, Ireland worked for the Toronto Fire Department.

Resolution Could Be Near In Dispute Over K-V Fire Department Budget

(Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop)
       (File Photo)

The dispute over the K-V Fire Department budget might be resolved soon without going to arbitration. Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News he has received a letter from the new K-V Fire Chief Bill Ireland on what he would like to see done and an announcement could be made in a few days time after town council has a looksee.
The dispute is about Rothesay wanting the fire department's budget reduced by 100 thousand dollars. Quispamsis, on the other hand, has been calling for another firefighter top be hired for the fire station within its town limits to put it on an equal footing with the fire hall in Rothesay.

Red Triangle Awards To Be Handed Out Tonight In Gala Ceremony

(Retired Saint John East M-L-A Roly McIntyre)
                      (File Photo)

The Saint John Y's Red Triangle Awards will be handed out tonight to retired Saint John East MLA Roly McIntyre and this year's Leader to Watch is UNB Saint John student Leah Richardson.
McIntyre tells CHSJ News that receiving the award is a real honour and he can't believe they are giving the award to him. Premier Shawn Graham will be in attendance at the YM-YWCA's Red Triangle Awards dinner at the Trade and Convention Centre which gets underway at 6:00. Graham has said McIntyre is one of the reasons he got into politics.

Earth Day To Be Marked In Saint John

Today is Earth Day and many schoolchildren and adults will be taking part in clean up efforts.
A-CAP Executive Director Tim Vickers tells CHSJ News agrees with a survey that found the majority of Canadians want to see pollution reduced and place a high priority on recycling.
For the second year in a row, employees with the City of Saint John will be honouring Earth Day with a lunch-hour litter pickup on Harbour Passage and around City facilities. Up to 20 different cleanups are happening over the next week involving over 1000 people from schools, community groups and businesses. According to Vickers, illegal dumping is an issue that is coming back to the forefront.

Big Read book revealed

This year's selection for the Big Rothesay Read is The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill.


This community-wide reading initiative invites both Rothesay High students and the community at large to read the book over a 6 week period and then join the author on June 2 & 3 at Rothesay High School.

Hill is really pleased that the school and town have chosen his book.
Last year, over 2000 people took part in the first Rothesay read.

An NDP candidate comes forward in Quispamsis

A Quispamsis small businessman is seeking the NDP nomination in the town.

Matt Doherty has lived in Quispamsis for more than 30 years and launched an IT business in 2006 and is also partner in a property management company.

In a release, Doherty says it's time for Quispamsis to have real local representation.
He adds the NDP is running on a sensible and restrained platform that will help our community develop.
Doherty lives in Quispamsis with his wife and two sons.

McCarville running for the Liberals in East Saint John

Another candidate is in the race to over take Roly McIntyre's old job.
Kevin McCarville is running for the Liberal nomination in Saint John East.


Councillor Bruce Court has already announced his intentions to seek the Liberal nominaton while former Fire Chief and Common Counciller Glen Tait has secured the Conservative nomination.

Saint John Family Doctor Passes Away

    (Doctor Leonard Morgan)
           (File Photo)

A man who brought alot of Saint Johner's into this world has passed away.


Dr. Leonard Morgan died yesterday after a period of failing health.


Morgan was a practising family physician in Greater Saint John for 50 years.


He was also the founding member of the Rotary Boys Choir.


The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at one at Portland United Church in Millidgeville.

Quispamsis Turns Down Advertising For It's Q-Plex

It's thumbs down from Town officials in Quispamsis to proposed advertising for it's still under construction Q-Plex.
A call for opportunities was put out six weeks ago but the two local and one provincial company bids they received did not meet certain criteria.
Town Administrator Mike Brennan tells CHSJ News, they will now try and sell the advertising locally on their own.
Brennan adds he can't get into specifics as to why the advertising was rejected.

Rothesay Also Wants to Help with Deer Problem

         (Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop)
                    (File Photo)

A regional public education program to discuss the growing deer population will include Rothesay.


Like Quispamsis and Hampton, it has seen the number of animals explode in recent years.


Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News, there has to be a solution but a good place to start is to remind people not to feed the deer.
Bishop adds the deer population up north is dwindling while it is exploding in this area so there has to be a reason.
As for culling the herd, the municipality has no authority to approve that.

Hampton on Board With Looking for Solution

Hampton is in when it comes to forming a regional public education program to discuss the growing deer population in Greater Saint John.
The proposal was put forward by Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll who believes one voice from municipalities can produce more results.
Mayor Ken Chorley tells CHSJ News, there is a bigger problem than people losing flowers and gardens.....ticks carrying Lyme Disease.


Chorley adds a recent presentation from the Department of Natural Resources told them if people would stop feeding the deer, maybe they would go somewhere else.

Former Polish Prime Minister and Wife Are Immortalized

(Picture of the Former Polish Prime Minister and Wife)
          (Compliments of James Richards)

If you find yourself with some extra time on your lunch break, a local artist is asking you to drop by the multi-cultural center in the City Market.


James Richards has painted a portrait of the Polish Prime Minister and his wife, just weeks after they perished in a plane crash.


Richards tells CHSJ News, he hopes people will stop by and sign the picture.


Richards says on the painting, he painted a rose of every person who was killed and used the countries colors red and white.

High Schools In The Province Are Graded

Despite claiming there is a scarcity of information, the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies has still ranked 46 high schools in the province. Samuel de Champlain is cited as the top Francophone high school with a "B" moving up from fifth place. Among the Anglophone high schools, Sir James Dunn in St. Andrews is second with a "B plus. Saint John High is third also with a "B" plus, Rothesay High and Kennebecasis Valley High are 4th and 5th on the list with grades of "B". St. Malachys also has a "B" but is ranked 9th and Harbourview comes in 19th with a "B" minus.

Man Assaulted In The Uptown

City police are investigating an early morning assault at the Subway on King Street. One man was taken to hospital with head injuries. How serious his injuries are isn't yet known. Police are on the lookout for one suspect.

Nationwide Call To Commission Major Artwork For Saint John's 225th Anniversary

A big part of the Saint John 225 celebration is to commission a major work of art that will represent the city's history. Committee member and art gallery owner Peter Buckland, who calls Saint John "the original city" tells CHSJ News the them of the sculpture will be the city as a meeting place starting with the first nations people.
200 thousand dollars have been set aside and the competition is open to any artist in the country. Buckland says the winning piece of art will be installed in a prominent location along the waterfront in 2011. He wouldn't divulge where that might be but did say it could not be put in place this year anyway because of the work being done on the Harbour Bridge.