New Condo Development Proposed For Rothesay

(Map of proposed new condo development in Rothesay)
                 (Photo by Sherry Aske)

Two Rothesay contractors are asking Town Council for permission to build 24 high end condo units near Rothesay Elementary School.

The construction would change the area to moderate density.

Mayor Bill Bishop says he hopes the project goes forward claiming Rothesay is lacking in condo style living.

Some questions were raised from council members about possible flooding because of a stream that runs under Highland Avenue.

The contractors say an engeeneering firm will be hired to minimize flooding.

The public has until June 9th to submit any concerns to council but no date for a public hearing has yet been set.

Uptown Garage Fire

City fire crews are on the scene of a fire at 52 Dorchester Street near Carleton Street and Sewell Street.
The fire started in a garage on Dorchester Street.
City police are assisting police on scene with evacuating neighbouring buildings.

A New Look For Campobello Island

Voters in the Campobello Island local service district voted yesterday to form a rural community.

The unofficial result is 275 (yes) to 167 (no), with a voter turnout of 72 per cent out of 614 eligible voters.

What happens now is once the provincial government has approved the proposal, the Department of Local Government will plan the incorporation date and co-ordinate byelections that will see a mayor, a councillor-at-large and three councillors elected on a ward basis.


It is expected that the rural community will adopt a rural plan and emergency measures plan within two years of incorporation.

NB Power Boss Remains Optimistic About Second Reactor

Nuclear power is alive and well in our province according to the acting C-E-O of N-B Power.
In response to a CHSJ News question -- Gaetan Thomas says the potential sale of Atomic Energy of Canada to the private sector opens up new opportunities for investment in a second reactor at Point Lepreau.
He says the new investors may be interested in developing a second reactor because we are fertile ground thanks to community acceptance and the New England market not too far away.
A consortium of private sector companies and Atomic Energy of Canada has been pursuing the idea of the second reactor -- but -- the momentum has slowed with delays on the upgrade of the existing reactor and Ottawa hanging out the "for sale" sign on A-E-C-L.
Thomas was the final speaker at an energy forum in the city today.

Boys&Girls Club Gets Cheque for McHappy Day

(Boys&Girls Club Receives Cheque for $15, 000-the proceeds of McHappy Day)

Common Council Member Disputes Claim That City Is Bleeding Population

(Common Councillor Bill Farren)
             (File Photo)

Common Councillor Bill Farren is taking exception to the suggestion that the city is continuing to bleed population everytime a difficult decision has to be made on proposed developments. He says the city is getting more and more applications from developers and the 2006 census figure could very well be out of date. He warns if Saint Johnners continue to be negative about their city, it won't move ahead.
Chief City Planner Ken Forrest would like to see higher density housing be built because as he puts it street and pipe are very expensive to build and maintain.

City Gets Plan For Bike Trails

Common Council says it will need funding help from the federal and provincial governments to establish a system of bike trails through the city. Consultant Kevin Brooks of Terrain warns it won't be cheap and some tough decisions will have to be made.
Brooks says the priority project would be a bike trail from Millidgeville to the Uptown. 19 recommendations have been passed along to the city. Brooks also told Common Council the Viaduct, which is unsafe for bike riders with six lanes of traffic, could be reduced to four lanes to allow for more green space but that would be a longer term project, up top 20 years down the road.

Murder Charge Laid Against East Side Man

A charge of first degree murder has been laid against a 30 year old Martha Avenue man in the stabbing death of 28 year old Melanie Getson of Douglas Avenue in a Rothesay Avenue parking lot. Provincial Court Judge Anne Jeffries has ordered an in-jail psychiatric assessment for Jason Getson who returns to court May 20th. This assessment will determine his fitness to stand trial. Police say the accused and victim were in the same car which just happened to pull into the parking lot of a tanning salon yesterday morning after 9:00. City Police are asking anyone who might have information about what happened to come forward. They're still looking for the murder weapon. Getson appeared dazed in court with a couple of scratches to the side of his forehead and was staring into space. Police say the arrest, which was made without a struggle, was made after they heard from a family member following Getson contacting him.

Business Owner Trying to Set the Record Straight

The owner of Miami Tanning on Rothesay Avenue is speaking out about what happened in front of his business yesterday morning.

28-year old Melanie Getson was killed and owner Frank Findlay tells CHSJ News, there are a lot of stories circulating about what happened but the woman who was killed has never been a client and nothing ever happened in his store and the parking lot just happened to be the scene of the crime.


Findlay says his staff have been interviewed by City Police.


According to him, a vehicle pulled into to his business parking lot when everything unfolded and the woman killed has never been a client.

Rothesay Woman Wants to Carry Liberal Banner

Victoria Clarke is looking to make the leap into Provincial Politics.

The married mother of two and employee with the Regional Hospital Foundation hopes to carry the Liberal banner in Rothesay on Sept.27th.

Clarke tells CHSJ News, she realizes this is a big step but is looking forward to the challenge. The incumbent for the riding is Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney.


Rothesay Deputy Mayor Blair McDonald told CHSJ News a few weeks ago, he has been approached about the nomination as well but hasn't made up his mind.

Also going after the nomination is school teacher Jacques Theriault.

Armed Robbery in St. Stephen

RCMP in St. Stephen are investigating an armed robbery last night.

Officers tell us that just after 10:30pm, they were called to the Riverside Grocery Store on Milltown Boulevard.

The clerk says a man with a weapon walked in and demanded cash. He then ran from the store with a handful of money and no one was hurt.


He is described as medium, slim build, was wearing dark clothes and was wearing a something over his face.

Study Suggesting A Doubling Of Our Power Grid

The provincial government is being told it should be doubling the capacity of some its key power transmission links.

The suggestion is coming from consultant Jeff Barnes of Stantec who recently completed a study on the issue.
He says it's important in terms of developing our energy business to be able to move power through to Quebec and Nova Scotia.
And Barnes says there's a real future opportunity for the province to tap into the central Canadian energy markets with a natural gas pipeline inter-connection through Quebec -- he was speaking to an energy conference here in the city.

Keir Promoting Smart Energy

Energy Minister Jack Keir says our province is in an excellent position to start taking advantage of so called smart energy.

Keir says there are a lot of high tech ideas being floated to increase energy efficiency and he says with broadband soon to be available to all homes in New Brunswick -- it's a solid opportunity to become a living lab for the new ideas.
Keir also told an energy conference here this morning the failure of the Hydro Quebec deal has spurred renewed interest in greater regional cooperation -- he's predicating there will eventually be a regional system operator for our power grids.

Fire Crews Kept Busy

An ATV accident on Seven Mile Lake Road yesterday afternoon sent one man to hospital by ambulance.
The Musquash Fire Department responded to a report of an ATV accident just before 4pm. Firefighters assisted paramedics with one injured man. No word on his injuries.
Meantime, one person suffered minor injuries after being hit by a car at Westmorland Road and McAllister Drive. Fire Crews also had to clean up a minor oil spill at 1360 Manawagonish Road and deal with a minor leak of ammonia on Grandview Avenue.

Armed Holdup On East Side

The Major Crime Unit is investigating after an armed robbery last night at the Irving Circle "K" on Loch Lomand Road before you get to Bon Accord Drive. City Police tell CHSJ News it happened after 10:00 last night. One suspect fled on foot. There were no injuries.

Energy Conference Opens In Saint John

(Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir)
             (File Photo)

Energy is front and center at a conference at the Delta this morning -- the conference is being hosted by the Energy Council of Canada and will focus on regional cooperation and energy as a competitive advantage for the Atlantic Region.
Provincial Energy Minister Jack Keir is opening the conference which will also feature a speech by acting N-B Power president Gaetan Thomas.
The session is part of a series of energy forums being hosted by the Energy Council of Canada to collect information for the upcoming World Energy Congress in Montreal.

Saint Johnners Get Chance To Find Out About What's Happening To The Harbour Bridge

(Harbour Bridge)
    (File Photo)

You have a chance this evening to have a look at what is taking place construction wise on the Harbour Bridge this year.
The Harbour Bridge Authority is hosting an information session at the Carleton Community Center.
Phase one of the 35-million dollar upgrade is expected to start next week and will mean a summer of traffic disruptions.
The meeting begins at 7:00 with a brief presentation followed by a question and answer session.

Partial Solution For Flooding In Oakville Acres

(Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop)
        (File Photo)

Homeowners in Oakville Acres in Rothesay say they're getting a bandaid for their flooding problem from town council, but not a long term solution. Council has passed a motion for planning to go forward on a pipe that homeowners can connect their drains to. Grace Murphy of Oakville Acres says the bigger problem is the water coming towards her home and she's frustrated planning is still going on for a problem that's 3 years old.
Mayor Bill Bishop says council is sympathetic for the people affected. He adds the council did not cause the heavy rain and is doing the best they can with the money they have. It would cost 3.5 million dollars to fully stop the flooding and the Mayor says the town just doesn't have it. Planning will take 60 days and the town hopes the pipe can then be installed in 3 weeks.

Controversial Housing Development Approved

(Common Council Meets)
        (File Photo)

A controversial housing development in Lakewood Heights has been approved by Common Council. The original proposal called for construction of 130 homes. That has been downsized to 10 duplexes but Peter Waller of Lakewood Avenue says the residents are already having problems with flooding and sewage backing up so why add to their miseries. Waller argues the pumping station, built back in 1980, can't handle any additional load.
Chief City Planner Ken Forrest came out strongly in support of the new housing saying the provision of water and sewage services is expensive and the city has to get the biggest bang for its buck. The residents fear there will be more development later on and Forrest does say these subdivisions were built with the intent to expand down the road.

Tuesday Morning Sports

The Moncton Wildcats will represent the "Q" at the Memorial Cup in Brandon, Manitoba after outscoring the Seadogs 7-4 to take the President's Cup 4 games to 2. It is Moncton's second title in the past four years. The Wildcats will face the host team, the Brandon Wheat Kings, Western Hockey League champion Calgary Hitmen and Ontario Hockey League champion Windsor Spitfires in the Memorial Cup tournament which starts Friday.


Another game seven is in the works for the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs came back to force a deciding game for the second straight series as they edged the Penguins 4-3. Michael Cammalleri scored his 10th and 11th goals of the playoffs and goalie Jaroslave Halak made 34 saves. Game Seven is Wednesday in Pittsburgh. Simon Gagne scored twice as the Philadelphia Flyers beat Boston 4-0. The Flyers avoided elimination for the second straight game and return home for Game Six on Wednesday with the Bruins leading three games to two.


Ice Edge Holdings' plans to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes appear to be in trouble.``Talks have broken off with the city of Glendale'' Ice Edge chief operating office Daryl Jones told the Winnipeg Free Press late last night. Ice Edge did not get an exclusivity agreement with Glendale, which the group required to continue negotiations. The city had been given a Monday deadline to grant Ice Edge exclusivity. If Ice Edge can't come to terms with Glendale, it is possible the NHL will instead move quickly to finalize a purchase agreement with Canadian billionaire David Thomson and move the team back to Winnipeg.


Canada dumped Latvia 6-1 at the world hockey championship.

The Red Sox took advantage of a wild second inning by Brandon Morrow to beat the Blue Jays 7-6. Morrow set a Jays record by walking five batters in one inning and the Yankees lost to Detroit 5-4 as former Yankee Johnny Damon homered for the Tigers. Just one other game in the American League with the Angels getting by Tampa Bay in 11 innings 5-4.


In the National League...... Cincinnati 2 Pittsburgh 1
                                         Washington 3 N.Y. Mets 2
                                         Florida 4 Chicago Cubs 2
                                         Atlanta 8 Milwaukee 2
                                         Philadelphia 9 Colorado 5
                                         L.A. Dodgers 7 Arizona 3


The Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers finished off sweeps to advance to their N-B-A conference finals. Orlando beat Atlanta 98-84 while the Lakers took Utah 111-96. Kobe Bryant had 32 points and Pau Gasol added 33. The Lakers will take on Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns while the Magic await the winner of the Boston-Cleveland series.

Pictures Taken at Game Six of the Presidents Cup

 

     (Some of the action at Game Six of the Presidents Cup)
                       (Photo's by Jim Hennessy)

Wildcats Finish Off the Seadogs

(Wildcats Celebrate Presidents Cup Game Six Win)
               (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Four goals in the second period helped pace the Moncton Wildcats to a 7-4 win over the Seadogs last night.

They take the Presidents Cup Final 4-2 to claim their second championship in four years.Cats Head Coach and GM Danny Flynn tells CHSJ News, he is very impressed with how his team played through-out the set and points out his players sacrifice a lot to enjoy a moment like this.

 Gabrielle Bourque was named series MVP and Dogs Head Coach Gerard Gallant even though they came up short in their over-all goal, he is proud of what his team accomplished both in the play-offs and during the regular season but admits, some of the younger players simply ran out of gas down the stretch.


Gallant says Moncton's experience as compared to the Seadogs is what won them the series. The Wildcats now travel to Brandon, Manitoba and begin play in the Memorial Cup this weekend.

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.