Q-League President Pleased with the Final

It was a night of reflection for the President of the Q-League who presented Moncton with the Cup.


Gilles Courteau tells CHSJ News, it has been a tremendous season and the final is one for the record books with great exposure for Moncton, Saint John and the entire Quebec Major Junior League.


Courteau congratulates Moncton on it's commitment to excellence by winning two titles in four years and gives full marks to Saint John for making it to the final in only it's fifth season.

Major Crime Investigating Death

A 28-year old woman is dead after a stabbing yesterday morning in East Saint John.


The woman was coming out of a business on Rothesay Avenue when she was stabbed by a 30-year old man.


He was picked up by police a few hours after the incident and is due in court this morning.


Police tell us the man and woman did know each other.

Repair Work Nearly Finished At East Saint John Cemetery

The manager of St. Joseph's Cemetery says repair to the headstones damaged two weeks ago is nearly finished.

Darryl Olsen tells CHSJ News that 98 per cent of the headstones have been fixed.
Olsen says he is happy to report that all of the monuments that can be put upright are restored and they wanted to have the cemetery looking presentable for the Mother's Day weekend.
As far as suspects and arrests of those responsible for the vandalism, Olsen says all he knows is that the investigation is still in progress.

Local Housing Starts Slow

New home construction continues to slow in the greater Saint John area -- new numbers from Canada Mortgage and Housing show the number of new units started between January and last month down 29-percent compared to the same period a year ago.
Moncton is the hotspot of house construction with the number of new units started in the first four months of this year up 118-percent compared to the same time frame last year.
Fredericton is also reporting a small gain in new home construction.

Woman Stabbed in East Saint John

A 28-year old woman is at the Regional in serious condition after being stabbed this morning.


It happened at the end of Rothesay Avenue just before 9:30am.


City Police are still speaking with witnesses and one man is on the run.

City Market is Hit by Thieves

The City Market was broken into over the weekend and City Police are looking for clues.


Sargeant Pat Bonner tells CHSJ News, it happened sometime between closing on Saturday and when the gates were opened this morning at eight o'clock.


No word on how much or if anything was stolen at this point.

Uptown Getting a New Look

The corner of Charlotte and Duke Streets is going to take on a whole new look over the next year.
With financing and building permits now in place, the green light has been given to move ahead with the Abbey St. Andrew Housing complex.
It's four stories with 55 subsidized apartments and 41 market based.
Chair of the Project Peter Jollymore tells CHSJ News, Site work gets started this week and if everything stays on schedule, the job should be finished in August of next year.
Jollymore adds after close to six years in the planning stage, he is staisfied everyone's need and concerns are being looked after.

Premier Graham Makes Cabinet Shuffle

(Premier Shawn Graham)
        (File Photo)

With four and a half months to go before an election, Premier Graham has unveiled a new minister responsible for public engagement and made some minor changes to his cabinet.


Bernard Leblanc takes on the new responsibilities and also becomes the Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs.


MLA Cheryl Lavoie is now the Minister of State for Seniors and also Minister Responsible for the Community Non-profit Organizations Secretariat.


Brian Kenny assumes the portfolio of the former MLA for Saint John Fundy Stuart Jaimeson and becomes minister of tourism and parks.


Donald Arseneault who is the minister of post-secondary education, training and labour and minister responsible for the Northern New Brunswick Initiative, also becomes deputy premier.


The last major change to cabinet came almost a year ago in June of 09.


The new Ministers will be sworn in tomorrow morning.

University Contract Being Negotiated

Steady progress is being reported in contract talks with the University of New Brunswick and the Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers.


UNB’s 600 full-time academic employees, have been working with-out a deal since June of last year.


Back in February, the Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour put in place a conciliation board to look into the differences between the parties.


Meetings are scheduled to start this month and a final report is expected after.

Woman Stabbed on Rothesay Avenue

Steady progress is being reported in contract talks with the University of New Brunswick and the Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers.


UNB’s 600 full-time academic employees, have been working with-out a deal since June of last year.


Back in February, the Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour put in place a conciliation board to look into the differences between the parties.


Meetings are scheduled to start this month and a final report is expected after.

Seadogs Under The Gun Tonight

It's win or go home for the Seadogs tonight with Game Six set to go in Moncton. The Wildcats lead the best of seven 3-2 and Head Coach and GM Danny Flynn says strong two way hockey is a must against Saint John with a line-up full of talent and goaltender Nicola Riopel is a big piece of the puzzle. Seadogs Head Coach Gerard Gallant says his team looked tired in Game Five but also points out they've already been written off once in this series and it's far from over.
Game time tonight at the Coliseum is seven o'clock. CHSJ News will be at the game and will have live period by period updates at country94.ca click news.

Premier Rejects Criticism Over His Stand On Harbour Bridge

(Premier Shawn Graham)
         (File Photo)

Premier Shawn Graham is standing by his decision to not accept an offer from Ottawa that would partially pay for refurbishing the Harbour Bridge despite opposition leader David Alward's criticism. Under the offer the province would have to assume the costs of maintaining the bridge.
Graham says his goverment has chosen to align itself with provincial taxpayers instead. The Premier maintains it is a federal bridge and should be a federal responsibility. Alward calls the offer from the Harper Government a good one and accuses the Graham Government of punishing Saint Johnners.

First Ever Visit Of Federal Agriculture Committee To Southern New Brunswick

(Fundy Royal M-P and Federal Cabinet Minister Rob Moore)\
                                (File Photo)

The Federal Agriculture Committee is coming to the province tomorrow and it's making it's only stop in M-P Rob Moore's Fundy Royal riding. The committee is conducting a study on young farmers and the future of farming. Moore says they picked Sussex because of it's strong farming community and agriculture plays a key role in the local economy.
The visit follows an announcement from Ottawa and the province pledging 7.7 million dollars to local farmers so they can plant new crops and improve processing technologies. Farmers in southern New Brunswick will be getting their first ever visit from the Federal Agriculture Committee.

Development of Land at Airport Hampered

(Saint John Airport President and C-E-O Bernard Leblanc)
                     (Photo by Brian McLain)

The Saint John Airport owns alot of land which could be developed earning it much needed revenue. The problem, according to President and C-E-O Bernard Leblanc, is that the Airport is not connected to city water and sewage which hampers growth.
The airport, which has been privatised for ten years, is not eligible for federal infrastructure funding because its located on federal land. Leblanc points out the airport pays the city 150 thousand dollars in taxes yet provides for its own snow plowing and firefighting capabilities. Ironically, the airport is also surrounded by the municipal water supply and city water even flows underneath the runway.

Invest in Kids launches parenting model for Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day and the Invest In Kids-a national charity that aims to transform the way parents are educated and supported- are introducing a parenting framework called Comfort, Teach and Play.

Karon Foster of Invest in Kids tells CHSJ News that it is based on research that includes child development, bonding and attachment. 
 
To see video examples of the Comfort, Teach and Play framework for Moms and Dads, go to http://www.investinkids.ca/parents/comfort-play-teach/videos.aspx.

Flowers still make good Mother's Day present

Flowers are still a popular Mother's Day gift according to Paul's Flower Shop owner Mark Farwell.

Farwell says flowers are like a breath of fresh air in spring, and they just make mom feel good.

The most popular flowers are tulips, lilies, daisies, and roses.

Farwell says there is still a large variety of selection available, so it's not too late to buy flowers if you're late in your shopping or you've accidentally forgotten to pick something up.

Non-Profit Housing Association plans to work with municipalities

Members of the province's Non Profit Housing Association got a bus tour of affordable housing sites in Saint John while they were in town for a three day conference.

Executive member Tim Ross says too many people have the false belief that building affordable housing draws crime and drugs to a neighbourhood.

He says the association plans to fix this by working with municipalities.

The association currently has over 62,000 units in the province housing 32,000 people.

City Arts Board wants Peel Plaza to be a public place

Saint John Arts Board Chair Mike Wennberg says art is the key factor in making Peel Plaza more than just a set of buildings.


After a presentation from Wennberg suggesting a public art committee should be formed, Police Commission Chairman Christopher Waldschutz says installing art at Peel Plaza is inevitable.


The City has already adopted a policy saying they must put 1% of capital towards public art.


Wennberg hopes the piece for Peel Plaza will be outside where people have access to it.

Energy Minister speaks on rate hike

(Energy Minister Jack Kier)
       (File Photo)

Home and business owners are growing concerned with what's going on at Point Lepreau with a three per cent rate hike by NB Power set to be reviewed by the Energy and Utilities Board next month.

Refurbishment costs continue to balloon as does the schedule as problems arise with no solutions.

Energy Minister Jack Keir says the $475 million dollar over-run to the deferral account and million dollars a day for replacement power hasn't been included in any increase to this point.

Minister Keir adds taking Atomic Energy of Canada to court to re-coup some of the costs is still a possibility.

Commercial airs inviting you to Saint John's birthday party

       (File Photo)

A birthday party isn't the same with-out plenty of your friends and starting tonight, a nation wide invitation is going coast to coast from Saint John.

A commercial will air during tonight's episode of ""The Amazing Race"" inviting all to come join in the summer long celebration of the city's 225th birthday.

The commercial was done by Hemmings House Pictures here in Saint John and features the city's dramatical images, art and entertainment scene.

It also features a song written by Saint John singer Clinton Charlton and his band the Formers.

The birthday party gets started next week on the 18th and includes the concert, ""Making History"" at Harbour Station that night.

Venue Saint John buzzing with business

(File Photo)

Saint John hosted 318 meeting and events in 2009 which brought in over 11.7 million to the local economy.

Sally Cummings of Venue Saint John tells CHSJ News that it's a busy time for Venue Saint John with a slew of big events in the Port City this year ranging from the Acadian Games in June and a Women's Barber Shop singers convention in November.

Venue Saint John gave away a $2500 dollar ring in their Glitz and Glam promotion for a Mother's Day to a woman from Ottawa who took part in a convention for 400 meeting planners.

Moncton One Win Away From the Crown

(Wildcats Score Third Goal of the Night in Game Five)
                (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

The tickets said Game One but the result of Game Five of the Presidents Cup Final last night is the same.


Moncton dominated from the opening face-off, scoring two in the first and out-shooting the Seadogs 17-3 on their way to a 5-1 win.


The Wildcats now lead the set 3-2 and GM and Head Coach Danny Flynn says a quick start was key to the victory.


Seadogs Head Coach Gerard Gallant is hoping his team was tired coming off that emotional Game Four win because he wouldn't expect they would come out and play like that.


Game Six goes tomorrow night in Moncton....game time at the Coliseum is seven o'clock.

President of the Quebec Major JunIor Hockey League Speaks

On hand for both Games Four and Five of the series is Q-League President Gilles Courteau.


He tells CHSJ News, the action so far in the best of seven has been excellent and bodes well for both teams and their cities.


Courteau says the league has no plan for expansion and despite what you may have heard, is not upset the Presidents Cup Final is an all New Brunswick affair.

Fire crews tackle oil spill on Chipman Hill

Fire trucks are accumulating on Chipman Hill near the Canada Games Aquatic Centre.

An oil tank outside of Chipman hill Suites has sprung a leak which crews are attempting to plug.

A hazardous materials truck is also on site, but District Cheif Brian Wilson says their is no danger.

Wilson says city workers will clean up anything on the ground and the department of environment has been notified.

Crews are currently waiting for a response from Irving to pump the oil out of the tank.

Fire fighters practice using new technology

(Fire Fighters doing a field exercise in Milledgeville)
               (Photo by Sherry Aske)

Saint John fire fighters are practicing their response to emergency situations with the help of new technology.

They completed a field exercise today in which simulated a bomb lab being discovered in a container at the port.

The technology allows first responders to communicate with each other even if all cell towers and radio signals have been taken out, something District Chief Eric Garland says is of the utmost importance.

The pilot project involved city fire and police crews, as well as EMS, the Halifax RCMP bomb squad and HASMAT.

It was the largest emergency simulation Saint John has had to date.

Conservatives want Premier to accept Harbour Bridge offer

The Provincial Conservative leader says the Premier should accept an offer from Ottawa to partially pay for refurbishing the Harbour Bridge.

David Alward says Ottawa's offer is a good one because it picks up part of the cost of fixing the Bridge and forgives an outstanding loan.

Saint John Lancaster Conservative candidate Dorothy Shephard tells CHSJ News she hopes Saint Johners get a fair deal on the bridge.

With Ottawa's proposal, the province would be expected to assume the costs of maintaining the bridge. Instead, the province has offered a loan guarantee to the Harbour Bridge Authority for the 35 million dollars in repairs.

Red Hatters coming to the Port City

Expect a sea of Red and Purple this summer when the Red Hatters come to the Port City.

Over 650 women from Red Hat societies all over the Maritimes and Maine will be here in June for the Red Hat Hoot.

There are 32 Red Hat clubs in the Saint John area ranging from 6 to 32 members each.

The Red Hat Hoot features a conference and parade and runs June 11-13.

Liberals resting in St. Andrews

(Premier Shawn Graham)

     (File Photo)

The Provincial Liberal Party says it is rested and listening to voters.

After a two day retreat in St. Andrews, Premier Shawn Graham says the active search for potential candidates, including in Greater Saint John, continues.

He says there are a number of high quality candidates who are stepping forward.

Graham adds the party has begun to develop it's platform.

Seadogs Win in Over-time

Many said heading into the Presidents Cup Final that it would be a series to remember and last night's game proves that theory.


The Seadogs jumped out to an early 2-0 and watched Moncton claw back to even things up and then at 12:43 of over-time, Nick Peterson notched the winner to even the best of seven at two.


Peterson tells CHSJ News, after losing the first two games, this is a nice way to turn things around.


Marco Cousineau was amazing for the Dogs, making 18 saves in the third including two game savers that had the entire arena asking how did he do that.


Head Coach Gerard Gallant says the turning point of getting back in this series is playing at a higher level.


Wildcats Head Coach and GM Danny Flynn says this is now a best of three series.


Game Five goes tonight, seven o'clock at the Station.

St. Joseph's Community Centre gets new funding

(St. Joseph's Community Centre)

  (Photograph by Sherry Aske)

The St. Joseph's community centre is getting an additional $200,000 from the provincial government.

Premier Shawn Graham was at the centre today saying centres like this are important because they keep kids at home and involved in the community. 

Father Bill Elliot is looking forward to the centre's opening because people will be able to get a lot of services that they used to have to go to town for.

The centre will have an afterschool program and preschool downstairs, with a wellness centre and community police office upstairs.

The grand opening is set for June 27th.











(Father Bill Elliot thanks Premier Shawn Graham for funding)
     (Photo by Sherry Aske)

Student Employment Centres open

Students in Greater Saint John can start looking for a summer job.

The Federal government's Service Canada Centres for Youth are now open and will be until early August.
Regional Lead Youth Services Officer Randy Dinan tells CHSJ News that all the job postings are available online.


He says students should come in and they can talk to them about what kind of job they are looking for.
The job bank can be found at www.jobbank.gc.ca.
The Youth Employment Centre in Saint John is located at 1 Agar Place.

Common Councillor Worries About What's Being Sold To Cruise Ship Passengers

(Common Councillor Bill Farren)
                (File Photo)

With a new cruise ship season fast approaching, a member of Common Council wants something done to improve the quality of what's being sold by some of the vendors. Bill Farren says some of it is junk and gives a bad impression of the city and he has heard complaints from some of the tourists and volunteers.
Farren believes the city should take the lead to ensure quality doesn't go downhill. The first cruise ship of the season will be arriving in port May 28th.

Stubborn Fire At East Side Recycling Business

(District Fire Chief Gerry Morris)
           (File Photo)

A recycling business on the east side went up in smoke late last night. City firefighters were called to 280 Range Road and found a storage building, trailer and old schoolbus ablaze. District Chief Gerry Morris says there was heavy smoke and it took 4 hours before being brought under control. Help was requested from Rothesay and Simonds firefighters. There were no injuries. As for a cause, Morris says that's under investigation.

Game Four Of President's Cup Final Tonight In Moncton

If Game Three of the Presidents Cup Final was a must win for the Saint John Seadogs, tonight's Game Four certainly falls into that category as well. Moncton leads the best of seven 2-1 and Dogs Head Coach Gerard Gallant tells CHSJ News, his team has to play sixty minutes and not a two and a half periods like they did Tuesday.
Moncton goaltender Nicola Riopel was pulled from the net after giving up four goals but Head Coach and GM Danny Flynn isn't putting the blame on him. He says the Wildcats have to stay out of the penalty box. Premier Shawn Graham has been enjoying the Presidents Cup Final. Graham says Saint John and Moncton are really putting on a show for the fans but when asked to pick a winner, Graham said he wasn't taking that question.  Game time tonight is 7:30pm at the Coliseum in Moncton.

Conservative Candidates In K-V Acclaimed For Provincial Election

(Quispamsis Conservative candidate Blaine Higgs)
                 (Photo by Sherry Aske)

The double Conservative nominations of Blaine Higgs for Quispamsis and Margaret-Ann Blaney for Rothesay began with the blaring of "Start me up" by the Rolling Stones. Higgs says the song was to get people excited about change, and locally, he's hoping he can change rising property taxes.
Blaney says serving as health critic has given her a unique insight into key issues. She says fiscally, the province can't afford to go another term with the Graham government and a key campaign issue will be the province's increasing debtload. Both Higgs and Blaney were uncontested in their nominations. Higgs is Director of Business Development for Irving Oil. The riding of Quispamsis is currently in the hands of Provincial Health Minister Mary Schryer.

Affordable Housing Conference Gets Started In City

(Provincial Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock)
                      (File Photo)

Poverty and how it relates to housing issues will be one of the focuses of a conference at the Delta this weekend. The Non-Profit Housing Association is holding it's annual meeting starting today. Executive Director Alex Arseneau tells CHSJ News, one seminar will ask the question, how can the community get more involved in the aspects of housing. Arseneau says the lack of affordable housing and poverty go hand and hand. Along with 200 delegates representing non-profit and co-op housing groups, officials from the Province and City Hall will be on hand as well. Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock will speak tonight at the dinner. Things get started at nine this morning.

Saint John Airport Projects Modest Growth this year

(The President and C-E-O of Saint John Airport Bernard Leblanc)
                      (Photo by Brian McLain)

2009 was still a very good year for Saint John Airport in spite of a 9 per cent drop in the number of passengers. The airport still earned a profit of 900 thousand dollars with Airport President and C-E-O Bernie Leblanc predicting modest growth in passenger numbers this year. There were also discussions with major airlines in Canada and the U.S. about expanding or creating new flights but nothing has come to fruition. Leblanc concedes 2009 was not a good year to be negotiating new routes with the major airlines which want guarantees that any new service will be profitable. The number one American destination for Saint Johnners is Las Vegas but the numbers are nowhere high enough to warrant a direct flight. The Airport is projecting passenger numbers will rise from over 222 thousand last year to more than 242 thousand in 2014.

ProvinciaL Energy Minister Jack Keir Reaffirmed For Re-election Bid

(Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir)

Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir has been reaffirmed to run again in Fundy-River Valley. Keir tells CHSJ News he will campaign like he did the first time around as the underdog taking nothing for granted.
Keir says he will be reminding voters the last time the Conservatives were in power, the Saint John area was virtually ignored. Retired heart surgeon Dr. Jim Parrot is running for the Conservatives. As for criticism from the Conservatives about the impending appointment of a public engagement minister, Keir says that's what the opposition's job is but he knows every nook and cranny of his own riding.

Cooke Aquaculture Expands

As the stock markets take a hit, there is some good news in the business world.


Cooke Aquaculture has purchased the processing facility of Ocean Choice International in Newfoundland.


Ocean Choice says the decision to sell the facility was made because of the declining raw material base to support the operation.


Officials with Cooke Aquaculture says it will be business as usual at the processing plant on the rock and no word on what this means for the people already working there.


The deal is expected to be finalized near the end of next month.

An About Face From Premier Graham

(Premier Shawn Graham)
        (File Photo)

Something has been lost in the translation concerning yesterdays announcement by Premier Graham.


The Liberal leader said he was creating a new cabinet post, the Minister for Public Engagement but english reporters lost an important piece of the puzzle.

While speaking to a French reporter, Graham said it wouldn't create a new cabinet position but a re-alignment of the cabinet will take place.


There are currently three vacant cabinet posts to fill and a Liberal spokes-person tells CHSJ News, when the re-alignment is rolled out, a minister will be designated the new duties.

Play-Off Fever is Running Wild in Saint John

(Adam Binns, right, is First in Line for Game Five Tickets)
                  (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Play-off fever is alive well in Saint John.


Over 100 people lined up at Harbour Station hours before the box office opened this morning to lock up their tickets for Game Five of the Presidents Cup Final on Saturday.


In 31 minutes, all tickets were gone, a new record for hockey at the Station.


Adam Binns was first in line because he showed up at five this morning and tells CHSJ News, winning Game Three was vital.


Binns says he was able to get in line so early because there is no school today and is confident they can win game four tomorrow night in Moncton.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
(Fans Make a Run for the Glass When Tickets Go on Sale)
                  (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Saint John High Tech Company Expanding

(Business New Brunswick Minister Victor Boudreau)
               (File Photo)


The provincial government is giving a Saint John company 1.2 million dollars in payroll rebates to almost double its workforce.

That announcement from Business New Brunswick Minister Victor Boudreau. Computer Generated Solutions on Broadview Avenue in the South End is expanding to develop new state of the art technology and create virtual trade shows over the internet so you don't have to be saddled with the travel and expense of going to them.

Company President and C-E-O Phil Friedman says 79 employees will be added to the 83 already in place and this will likely take place over the next year and a half even though the agreement with the province stipulates it be done over five years.

Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir says Friedman first became aware of Saint John a dozen years ago when he visited on a cruise ship and was quite taken with the city.

Boudreau says between September of 2006 and October of 2009, the province recorded employment growth of over 5 per cent which was the best in the country.

Completion Of Point Lepreau Refurbishment Uncertain

(Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir)
                (File Photo)

With word the target date of completing the Point Lepreau refurbishment by the fall of next year is being called ""unrealistic"", Energy Minister Jack Keir is speaking out on the subject. He says technical issues continue to pop up on site with no solutions.
The cost of replacement power during the refurbishment is one million dollar per day and AECL admits they didn't do enough prep work at the start to over-come these problems. Keir is quick to point out the three per cent rate hike from NB Power set to be reviewed by the Energy and Utilities Board next month has nothing to do with the cost overruns of the refurbishment. Another rate hike of 3 per cent is expected when the nuclear plant is back on line.

Stabbing In Old North End

Some sort of altercation in the old North End yesterday afternoon resulted in one person being stabbed in the leg. City Police say several young people were involved in the fracas at Victoria and Bridge Streets around 4:00. No arrests have been made as the investigation continues.

Gas Prices Rise

Gas is going to cost you more today when you go to the pumps after the weekly setting. Self serve regular is being sold around town for just over $1.04 a litre while diesel is just above $1.07. Heating oil is also more expensive, rising by 2 cents a litre to 94.1 and the max for propane is at an even $1.03.

Casino New Brunswick Feeling Some Heat

The Acadian Society is lashing out at Casino New Brunswick.


A lack of french in the facility on both the slot machines and poker tables has the Society asking why it isn't complying with bilingual legislation.


Business Minister Victor Boudreau says the Province has spoken with officials at the facility and they are looking for a solution.


Casino manager Stephen Hancock says efforts are underway to meet all provincial languages and one of the concerns with french is if poker players speak different languages, it could give some an unfair advantage.

New Minister for Liberal Cabinet

     (Premier Shawn Graham Speaks With the Media)
                (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

No word on who it will be, but a new member of the Liberal Caucus is set to be unveiled in the next two weeks.

 The Minister for Public Engagement is being put in place to get voters engaged and find solutions to the many challenges facing the Province.



Premier Graham says this follows in the success of the parties many public engagement strategies.


Graham also has other portfolio's to fill including Tourism and Parks and says there will be more questions answered when the new minister is unveiled.

Holder reacts to news of Public Engagement Minister

(Saint John Portland MLA Trevor Holder)

The MLA for Saint John Portland finds it ironic the Liberals adding a Public Engagement Minister to their caucas since he thinks they have failed to to engage the public on most issues.


Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News public engagement is what MLA's should already be doing.
He calls it an excuse by the Liberals to give out an expense account and a government car.


Holder says the Liberals point to the Poverty Reduction Strategy as a success in engaging the public but, Holder says it's their only one.

Board of Trade gets new chair

(Mike Murphy, new Chair for the Saint John Board of Trade)

             (Staff File)

Municipal planning and the refurbishment of Harbour Bridge are two priorities that Mike Murphy, the new chair of the Saint John Board of Trade, hopes to tackle this year.

Murphy, who has been with the Board of Trade for 12 years, says he has more questions than answers going in, and is nervous about getting everything done.

Outgoing chair Kathy Craig says Murphy's biggest challenge will be getting the proper amount of input from Saint Johners for the municipal plan.
 
Her parting advice for Murphy is to take his time and keep moving the issues forward.

Contract for Harbour Bridge repairs is awarded

A 32.6 million dollar contract has been awarded to an Ontario company for repairs on the Harbour Bridge.
Bridge Authority General Manager Ken Anthony tells CHSJ News that the traffic will be impacted.
He says work will start this weekend and will not affect traffic until May 15th.
The work will continue until the end of October.
Concrete USL of Bolton, Ontario has been awarded the contract.

Candidates Lined Up To Run Provincially For Conservatives In The K-V

(Provincial Conservative Leader David Alward)
          (Photo by Brian McLain)

The Conservatives have their candidates in place in the K-V for the September 27th provincial election. Blaine Higgs, the Director of Business Development for Irving Oil will be nominated for the riding of Quispamsis tomorrow night. This will be a joint event with the riding of Rothesay where long serving M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney, who was first elected in 1999, will be reaffirmed. Party leader David Alward tells CHSJ News the credibility of the Graham Government will be the big issue when the campaign officially starts. Alward accuses the Liberals of fiscal mismanagement. Health Minister Mary Schryer has held the Quispamsis riding for the Liberals since 2006 when she defeated Brenda Fowlie.

Manufacturers And Exporters In Province Will Have To Change The Way They Do Business

Manufacturers and exporters in the province are said to be cautiously optimistic as they prepare to meet in Fredericton later this month. Some may find that surprising in light of the rise in the value of the loonie in relation to the U.S. dollar and the failed NB Power deal with Hydro Quebec that would have seen a dramatic reduction in electricity rates. The Regional Vice-President for Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, David Plante tells CHSJ News change will be the name of the game because electricity rates will continue rising. Plante says coming up with an energy policy for the province should be a priority. Another worry, according to Plante, is growing protectionism in the U.S.

Close To A Record But No Cigar

Yesterday was warm and unusually muggy for Saint John but, contrary to what you might believe, we did not reach a record high. The temperature did get up to 24.4 celcius just after 3:00 in the afternoon but fell short with the record high for the date being 25.6 degrees.

Car Fire Under Investigation

A taxi driver called City Police around 2:30 this morning to give them a heads up about a car on fire at 176 Metcalf Street in the north end. No one was injured but the cause of the fire is considered suspicious. The Major Crime Unit has been called in to investigate.

Harbour Station To Get New Scoreboard

By the 24th or 25th of this month, Harbour Station will have a new look. A new four screen high definition scoreboard and screen for the marquee will be installed. General Manager Mike Cadell tells CHSJ News, this is amazing technology.
Cadell compares the new scoreboard to watching four high definition televisions for some of those plays you might not be able to see from your seat.

Changes Coming to Highway One

If your morning commute brings you in from outside Saint John, there is a change coming to Highway One you need to know about. First of all, work on the One Mile Interchange is ramping up at Exit 125 at Crown Street and also the Allison Road and Wright Street Intersection beginning tomorrow. Then later this week and the first of next, the Crown Street Off-Ramp, Exit 125, will be permanently closed depending on weather. Traffic will be directed to a new ramp to access Allison Road.

City Police Using New Technology To Determine Problem Areas For Crime

E-S-R-I, a leading Geographic Information Systems company, is using the Saint John Police Department as an example of how to use crime mapping technology effectively. Brian Malone, Director of Knowledge Management for City Police, says crime mapping is a tool that allows them to see crimes in relation with their locations so problem areas can be identified.
After conducting a case study based entirely on Saint John's use of the product, E-S-R-I determined car thefts in the city are down by 18% and break and enters are down by 27%.

McHappy Day Across The City To Raise Money

If you can find some time, try to drop by one of the eight McDonalds locations in Greater Saint John. It's the 17th annual McHappy Day with a loonie from each Big Mac, McMuffin or Happy Meal sold going to the Boys and Girls Club. Spokes-person Amanda Masters tells CHSJ News, last year, $15,000 dollars was raised.
Mayor Ivan Court and Debbie Cooper with the Boys and Girls Club will get the day started with breakfast at the McDonalds on Fairville Boulevard. Masters adds 28 million dollars has been raised across the country on McHappy Day in the past 16 years

Seadogs Win Game Three of Presidents Cup Final

(Seadogs Open Scoring in Game Three of Presidents Cup)
                     (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

The Saint John Seadogs offence finally came alive last night as they beat Moncton 6-4 in Game Three of the Presidents Cup Final.


Mike Hoffman had four points including the game winner into an empty net.

Dogs Head Coach Gerard Gallant says his team locked up the lanes to keep Moncton from setting up.


Gallant is referring to Moncton scoring three goals in just over five minutes to make it a 5-4 game with just under three minutes left to play.
Wildcats Head Coach and GM Danny Flynn says Saint John has plenty of fire power but is happy with how his team battled back to close the lead to one.


Moncton still leads the set 2-1 with Game Four on Friday in Moncton and Game Five Saturday at Harbour Station.


Tickets for Saturday's game go on sale tomorrow at ten at the Harbour Station Box Office.

New Parking Set-Up at Parlee Beach

Seeing that today feels like the first day of summer, a reminder to anyone heading to Parlee Beach in the coming months.


It will use a new automated parking system for this tourism season.


Visitors will take a ticket upon entry and pay for their parking at one of two pay stations before leaving.


Debit, credit card and cash will all be accepted.


Daily passes will cost $10 and season passes are $82.