McKenna Back In Town To Be Honoured

(Former Premier Frank McKenna)
           (File Photo)

Part of the reason former Premier Frank McKenna is being inducted into the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame tonight before a packed house at the Trade and Convention Centre is because of his continuing efforts at promoting New Brunswick as a place to do business.

McKenna tells CHSJ News he literaly spends part of every waking day doing that and retains a strong attachment to the province which he claims is successful when it is vigorously promoted.

Another reason for that attachment is his involvement with a large business in Shediac, Glenwood Kitchens which has over 100 employees.

McKenna is deputy chair of the T-D Bank Financial Group based in Toronto but adds he tries to spend as much time as he can living in this province.

Mayor Worries About Freeze On Property Tax Assessments

(Saint John Mayor Ivan Court)
        (File Photo)

Mayor Ivan Court is worried about what effect a promise made during the recent provincial election campaign will have on the city's bottom line.

Premier David Alward promised to freeze the property tax assessments of homeowners who are 65 years of age and older.

Court says that could include 40 or even 50 per cent of householders in the city and warns Common Council can't really prepare a budget for next year if it doesn't know what the final numbers will be.

The Mayor also suggests giving a property tax freeze to seniors ignores the fact many young families, who have homes, are struggling and need help but could find themselves paying more.

Former Premiers Honoured

Four former premiers being are honoured with the unveiling of biographical panels outside city hall.

The panels of George King, Walter Foster, John Baxter, and Leonard Tilley recount their contributions to the city and the province.

Lee Ellen Pottie with the Provincial Capital Commission tells CHSJ News it's important to honour our former leaders.

There will also be an interactive digital display at the New Brunswick Museum detailing the contributions of New Brunswick's 31 former premiers.

Testimony Begins At Saint John Murder Trial

A second degree murder trial is underway in the city with 27 year old Crystal Dawn McKenzie charged in the stabbing death of her common law husband 29 year old Patrick Thomas on Alma Street off Waterloo last March.

A jury of 9 women and 3 men has been chosen to hear testimony that will last into next week.

The prosecution told the jurors the two, who had three children together, fought alot, sometimes violently.

They had been to a bar before the stabbing in the early morning hours of March 15th. According to the prosecution, the two began arguing after they got home with McKenzie attacking Thomas with a broom handle before grabbing a butcher knife. He was stabbed in the neck and shoulder.

The jury was told there will be eyeswitnesses testifying they heard McKenzie say " I'm going to kill him". Mr. Justice Hugh McLellen told the jurors the main issue at the trial could very well come down to self defense.

Local Man A Finalist In International Contest

(Champions of Change Finalist Bobby Hayes of the Joshua Group)

A Saint Johnner who works hard to improve the lives of city children is up for a special award.
Bobby Hayes of the Joshua Group is a finalist for the Champions of Change contest.
His sister, Bonnie Phillips, tells CHSJ News he made the top ten last night.

She says everyone in the top ten gets $10,000 for their charity and the overall winner gets $25,000.
To vote for Bobby Hayes and the Joshua Group as the Champions of Change click here.

West Side Company Hiring Hundreds

A West-Side company has been given the green light to begin the process of hiring close to three hundred people.


The Atelka Contact Center at the end of the Manawagonish Road has recently made a major purchase of another out-sourcing company in Atlantic Canada.


Operations Manager Trina Forrest tells CHSJ News, this is wonderful boost for the local economy.
Atelka is a technical support company and Forrest says in a perfect world, they hope to have all of the new staff in place by the end of January.

Student Shuffle In District Six

(District Six Superintendent Zoe Watson)
              (File Photo)

A plan is being ironed out by officials in District Six to find a temporary home for 200 students.


The current K-Park Elementary will be demolished in the fall to make way for a new building which means the students and staff will set up shop at Rothesay Elementary.

Superintendent Zoe Watson tells CHSJ News, the school provides many of the things they are looking for.

Watson says some of the portables currently set-up at K-Park will be moved to Rothesay Elementary but it's too early to say how many.

Suspicious Fire In Penobsquis

Nobody hurt after a fire in Penobsquis last night.


Crews arrived on Route 114 to find flames running through the vacant building.


Fire officials are still trying to figure out how it started.

Red Cross Hands Out Some Hardware

Two ladies will take the spotlight tomorrow night when the Canadian Red Cross hands out it's annual Humanitarian Awards.
Judith Irving is picking up the hardware for her tremendous contributions to charitable organizations, at the local and international level.
The Young Humanitarian Award will be presented to Sussex native Amanda Titus.
She is being honoured for her extensive volunteer work with numerous organizations, including the Canadian Red Cross and the St. Thomas University Holocaust Centre.
Titus is completing her Masters degree at a University in Australia so will accept her award via video. Things get started at seven at the Delta.

Learn and Go Program Takes Next Step Forward

The Learn and Go Group will present it's community projects to potential partners on Thursday.


Co-Ordinator Bobbi Craft tells CHSJ News, some of these proposals for the five priority neighbourhoods, have been in the works for several months.

A few of the other projects include safer streets in the Village of Waterloo, a rent freeze for housing and raise funds and awareness for youth homelessness.

Local School District Considers Anti-Bullying Program

"If it hurt's, it's wrong" is the title of a new anti-bullying program being used in School District 2.
District 8 Superintendent Susan Tipper tells CHSJ News it uses a scientific approach to the problem.
Tipper says bullying will never go away unless it is treated as society's problem and not just something that happens at school.
The District is considering adopting the program.

Mounties Seek Help In Shooting Incident

Evidence is still being gathered after shots were fired at home on the Kingston Peninsula over the weekend.
Without being specific about a time, Hampton RCMP will only say the shots were fired in the early morning hours of Sunday.
No one was hurt but anyone with information is being urged to give them a call at 832-5566.

Big Turnout Expected To See Four New Members Inducted Into New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame

(Former Premier Frank McKenna)
             (File Photo)

Former Premier Frank McKenna will be in town tomorrow night be honoured with induction into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame.

The President and C-E-O of Junior Achievement in the province Connie Woodside tells CHSJ News even though McKenna, who's Deputy Chair of T-D Bank Financial Group and lives in Toronto, he still promotes New Brunswick as a place for businesses to set up shop saying he will never forget his roots.

The other inductees are Bill and Ed Barrett of Barrett Corporation in Woodstock with more than 400 employees. Woodside says they contribute alot to education in the town and Jean Claude Savoie of Group Savoie who, with more than 500 workers, employs one-quarter of the town of St. Quentin.

Westbound Lane on Harbour Bridge Re-opening Tonight

Traffic will be less congested on the Harbour Bridge beginning tonight.

General Manager Ken Anthony tells CHSJ News they are re-opening a westbound lane, which means an extra lane on the eastbound side.

The lane will be opening sometime tonight between 8pm and midnight.

The remaining westbound lane will re-open at the end of the month.

NBCC Expansion In Saint John Is On Track

The expansion at NBCC is on schedule.


Sherri Strickland of the Department of Supply and Services the new building will house the school's engineering programs.
She says it's being designed to achieve a Leeds silver ratings and the $25 million dollar project will result in a new teaching facility in energy efficient construction.

The new expansion is 80,000 square feet.
The project began last year and is on track to finish on time next fall.

Temperature Record Broken

The unseasonably warm weather this past Saturday has broken a temperature record.

The mercury climbed to 17.5 degrees, breaking the previous record of 16.4 degrees set back in 1982.

The warm weather won't last though.  Environment Canada is forecasting temperatures at the freezing mark for this coming weekend.

Mayor's Christmas Card Design Winners Announced

The Mayor's Christmas cards chosen from designs by students all over Saint John. They will be sent to addresses all over the world. The design winners were submitted from top to bottom by 5 year old Alex Burgess, 10 year old Sarah Gorman and 13 year old Jenna Moore.


(Photo by Brian McLain)

Pension Payment Not Made By City On Deadline

(Mayor Ivan Court)
   (File Photo)

It's now official.........The city did not meet the deadline for making a five million dollar payment into its pension plan as scheduled. Mayor Ivan Court says the city was not in a financial position to make the contribution.

The Mayor says without changes, the pension plan is not sustainable.

The city has been in touch with the Superintendent of Pensions to keep her in the loop and get some guidance on how to proceed. He believes she will be supportive if the changes to be brought forward by City Manager Pat Woods make the plan financially sustainable over the long term. Those changes are expected at next Monday's meeting of Common Council.

Court says city employees have been given additional time to review the options that are on the table and he's hoping they will choose what's best for the long term future of the plan.

Saint John YM-YWCA Working To Secure North End Building

Negotiations continue between the Saint John Y's board of directors and the owners of the old Zellers in the North end.

CEO and Executive Director Pat Davis tells CHSJ News once they secure ownership, the renovate/rebuild process will begin.

She says they are looking at between 65-70,000 square feet and some of the rooms will be built as multi-purpose spaces providing access for everyone.
Davis adds they have upcoming meetings with the federal and provincial government on funding and a captil campaign will be rolled out on the project.

Commerce Chamber wants more cooperation

The Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce want more regional co-operation between the Atlantic provinces in order to progress the economy.

President and CEO Bill Denyar tells CHSJ News the original concept of the Atlantica Project extended far beyond trade and energy opportunities with the Northeastern United States.

He says governments must reduce barriers to trade and invest in infrastructure in order to promote economic cooperation.

MS Treatment With Positive Results

Some people call it M-S Liberation Treatment but Tim Donovan, a native Saint Johnner, steers clear of that as he presses the provincial government to make angioplasty available to treat M-S patients.
Donovan, himself, underwent the treatment last August and the improvement in the quality of his life has been incredible with no need for hospitalisation or drugs and he's much more mobile.
Donovan tells CHSJ News Premier David Alward appears to be on board but the big question is how fast can this be made to happen.
Donovan, who used to spend as much as 3 and a half months in hospital every year, claims health care costs would go down if this treatment were to be made available in the province.

Peel Plaza Moving Ahead

(Artists Shot Of Finished Product of Peel Plaza)

Construction of Peel Plaza won't take as long as the debate about whether or not to build it did if things continue to progress the way they are.


Project Manager Bill Edwards tells CHSJ News, crews are not surpised to find some contaminated soil in the area of the former gas station.
Edwards adds police officers are scheduled to move into their new headquarters in April of 2012 and the law courts are scheduled to be open in the summer of the same year.

Double Down Is Off The Menu

It came, it caused a lot of excitement and now, Double Down is gone.

As of today Canada is officially a Double Down free zone.


The facts are staggering as KFC Canada's bun-less sandwich was available between from October 18 to November 14,the company reports that it sold more than 1 million.


This makes the Double Down the most successful menu item in KFC Canada history.

It has 540 calories, 30 grams of total fat and 1740 milligrams of sodium.

Mayor Court On Pension Plan

The big question is whether the city will make a five million dollar payment to its pension plan by today's deadline.

As of last Friday, it appeared the deadline would pass without the payment being made. Mayor Ivan Court is quite candid about what the future holds saying the plan, in it's current form, is not sustainable.


Court says the city would have to pay 129 million dollars if the plan were shut down which is not an option.
 
Disagreement on what should be done prevented the issue from being talked about at last Monday's meeting of Common Council.
 
CHSJ News has been told the provincial government will not discuss specific cases.

Very Small Shake Over The Weekend

Another ground shaking experience over the weekend -- the Weston Observatory at Boston College confirms a magnitude 1.8 earthquake rumbled through the area yesterday afternoon just after one.



The quake was centered 62-kilometres northwest of the city -- and -- reports to our newsroom indicate some people especially on the Kingston Peninsula heard a bang and then felt the ground shaking at the time of the quake.


It's the third earthquake reported in our area since February.

District Six DEC Welcomes Building Inspections

Inspectors will check on the safety of about 18 School District 6 schools in the coming weeks as part of a provincial mandate.

Chair of the District 6 Education Council Roger Nesbeitt tells CHSJ News, it's a welcome process with schools like Norton Elementary which is 85 years old.
The provincial government has ordered a safety review of all 229 schools in the provinces built before 1980. Nesbitt says the inspections should be done within the next few weeks.

DEC CHairs Meet With Education Minister

    (District Eight DEC Chair Rob Fowler)
                  (File Photo)

A positive sit-down between the Coucil of DEC chairs and the new Education Minister.

The District Education Council chairs met with Jody Carr late last month and District 8 chair Rob Fowler tells CHSJ News, the Minister expects to have the results of the school review surveys back late this year or early next.
The structural review of all schools in the province was ordered after two schools in the Moncton area were forced to close due to safety concerns.

Latest Housing Stats Are In

New housing starts in the greater Saint John area remain slightly ahead of last year's numbers according to the latest from Canada Mortgage and Housing.



The federal agency says the number of new homes started up until the end of October is running five percent above last year's figures for the same period.


By comparison -- Moncton remains the hot spot in the province posting an almost 55-percent gain over last year's numbers while Fredericton is down almost five percent.

Holiday Feeling At City Hall

Ivan Court's Christmas card will be unveiled today. It's the wrap up of a contest for involving students from preschool to high school.


Things get started at noon in the Ludlow Room at City Hall.

Traffic Delays at Haymarket Square

Delays are in the cards for drivers going down Rothesay Avenue.

Beginning today, drivers going westbound on Rothesay Avenue will not be able to turn left onto Haymarket Square toward Crown Street.

Irving Oil will doing pipeline maintenance in the area and the work is expected to last for the rest of the month.

Police Force Willing To Do Business

The Saint John Police Force is open for business so to speak.

The Police Commission Board passing a motion that allows them to take up business proposals from other regions if there is a financial incentive or other benefits.

The force recently took over the Ken Valley's 911 distpatch service and Christopher Waldschutz of the Saint John Board of Police Commissioners tells CHSJ News it makes sense to pass such a motion.

He says there are no currently no deals in the works.

Salmons Released To Boost Numbers

200 adult inner Bay of Fundy Salmon have been released at Fundy National Park into the Point Wolfe River with the goal being to prevent them from becoming extinct.

Despite their best efforts, it's a distinct possibility according to park ecologist Rene Wissink because of the oceans being used and abused.

Historically, 40 thousand of them were returning to Bay of Fundy rivers and streams but by 1999, that number had declined to 250.

P.R.O. Kids Continue Fundraising Efforts

200 local kids are on the PRO Kids waiting list, looking to be placed in a recreation activity.

PRO Kids manager Tammy DeSaulniers tells CHSJ News fundraising efforts continue through Baxter's dairys and their annual pointsettia sale to get those numbers down.

She says they have Zumba fundraisers every Sunday at Glen Falls School which is great because people like to be active and its helps kids be active too.

For more info on PRO Kids, click here: http://www.prokidssj.ca/prokids/2808/Programs

Eye Test Program Successful

A free eye-testing program for kids starting kindergarten in District 8 a big success.


Superintendent Susan Tipper tells CHSJ News the Optometrists Association Dr. Joanne Henderson came to her offering to do the tests for free and she says they took them up on it.


323 children got eye tests and over 20 per cent had a deficit that required glasses.


Tipper tells us the program will be back.

Cops Nab Runaway Driver

One man arrested in a high speed chase on the MacKay Highway.

Early reports indicate the vehicle failed to stop at a routine traffic stop.

The driver was eventually stopped at Appleby Road going westbound in Rothesay.

The chase took police out by Nauwigwauk and Hampton.

Serious Injury At Long Wharf

Photo courtesy of Mark McGraw

One man in hospital with serious injuries after a fall at long wharf around 11 o'clock last night

District Fire Chief Joe Armstrong says two men were climbing down a ladder at the lobster boat dock when one slipped and fell onto the other, sending them into the low tide. 

A third man called 911 and police, fire crews, and the Coast Guard were on the scene for about an hour and a half.

Armstrong could not confirm whether the men were lobster fishermen.

Rothesay Offers Chat About Amalgamation To Quispamsis

Rothesay town council is inviting Quispamsis to have a discussion on amalgamation.

Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News it does not mean amalgamation is happening but rather to see if Quispamsis is interested in talking about it.

He says if things do progress further down the road, a third party would most likely be brought in to report on the matter.

But if Quispamsis is not interested, then the idea will be dropped.

Holiday Spending Draws Near

A trip to the mall is in the future for many with the holiday season slowing creeping up.

John Eisner is President of Credit Councilling Services and tells CHSJ News, avoiding excessive debt and over-spending is the best holiday gift you can give to yourself.

Eisner adds always try to use cash if possible as plastic can allow you to spend more than you can afford.

U-N-B Saint John Looks Overseas To Boost Enrollment

(U-N-B Saint John Vice-President Dr. Robert MacKinnon)

                              (File Photo)

David Ganong, who chairs the New Brunswick Business Council, is concerned about the effects an aging population will have on the provincial economy in the future.

Universities are already dealing with fewer students to choose from. Student enrollment at schools in District 8, which is made up mostly of Saint John, has been getting lower and lower for years now.

University Vice-President Dr. Robert MacKinnon says U-N-B Saint John is trying to get around that problem by going out of its way to attract international students and is apparently working with the numbers increasing this year.

Ganong says another problem is that jobs are available in the province but the people who have the proper skill sets are not.

H&R Block Buys Help 4 Taxes

One of the best known voices around tax time has been Roger Haineault of Help for Taxes but he has now sold the business he founded to H and R Block.
Haineault had expanded Help 4 taxes and was operating 5 different offices in the Saint John area. H and R Block is the new owner.

The new name is Help for Taxes by Block. The sale was completed about a month ago. CHSJ News spoke to Haineault in Utah of all places and we asked him why he decided to sell. He told us it was for personal reasons and was not specific about his future business plans. Haineault does say he wants to remain involved with the Saint John community.

Province Seeks To Include The Unelected Parties

The Premier inviting the three unelected political parties the chance to take part in the legislature.
David Alward enlisting UNB Saint John political scientist Don Desserud to assist in the process.
Desserud tells CHSJ News the process is a reminder of Frank McKenna's 1987 sweep of the legislature.

He says at the time, people were concerned about having a one-party state and Desserud says the attempt to include other parties didn't really work but, it was an attempt.
Desserud says he hopes the Green party, People's Alliance and NDP will take advantage of the Premier's invitation.

City Pension Payment Won't Be Made On Time

A deadline of Monday to make a five million dollar payment by City Hall toward it's beleagured Penion Plan won't happen.
Finance Commissioner Greg Yeomans tells CHSJ News, he has been given no indication the payment will be made.

So what happens now is the Pension Board will send a letter to the Superintendent of Pensions indicating the payment hasn't been made which will roll out at the next council meeting on the 22nd.
Mayor Ivan Court is concerned about a nine million dollar payment over and above the five million that needs to be made because of the deficit which he says translates into a tax increase of 17 cents.
City Manager Pat Woods was expected to make recommendations toward the plan by this month but CHSJ News has been told there was disagreement on what the changes should be.

Robberies on the Kingston Peninsula

RCMP are on the look-out after two businesses on the Kingston Peninsula have been broken into.
The first was at the Kingston Irving where someone got through a window and stole quite a few cigarettes.
The second took place at Camp Glenburn where the main door was forced open but officers still don't know if anything was stolen.
RCMP are still looking into both robberies and haven't ruled out they may be connected.

Class Four Power Re-Stored At Point Lepreau

Life is getting back to some-what normal at Point Lepreau with the restoration of it's Class Four Power.


It came back on-line late last night after being knocked off the grid on Monday due to a fault on the isolated phase bus.
With the power back on, work in the reactor building has resumed including work on the calandria tubes.
An official with NB Power tells CHSJ News, the power was lost due to the heavy rain and wind and excess water got into the equipment at the substation.

Mixed Housing Project Update

On schedule and budget are two terms being used to describe work on the Abbey St. Andrew mixed housing project.
It is being constructed at the corner of Charlotte and Duke Street and crews have been busy since May.


Spokes-person Peter Jollymore plenty of people say they are interested in moving in and they haven't begun to advertise yet.
Jollymore says they hope to have the structure up and framed in by the end of next month and are still on schedule to be finished by the end of August.

By-Election Filing Dates Closing In

If your giving any thought to running in one of the six by-elections next month, time is ticking away.
You have until next Friday to put in your paper work with Elections NB. For the vacant ward three seat here in Saint John, four candidates are locked up including Anne-Marie-Mullin, Mark Leger, Danny Robichaud and John Campbell.
The search is also on for a councillor in Grand Bay Westfield with Stephen Evan and Allen Titus the only two names at this point.
By-elections are also scheduled in Alma, Beaubassin, Blackville and Riverview where a councillor is needed in each riding.
Nomination papers must be filed to Fredericton a week from today at two o'clock and everyone has until the 22nd to withdraw their name.
The by-elections are scheduled for December.13th.

City Hall Reaping the Benefits From Higher Education

A one time investment of 2 million dollars to aid the expansion of U-N-B Saint John and the city is reaping the rewards in the form of 1.5 million dollars in property tax each year.
That's a good deal according to Common Councillor Peter McGuire.


Fellow Councillor Donnie Snook says he's blown away at learning the university is providing the students who attend Hazen White St. Francis with 150 mentors.


Mayor Ivan Court points out it's no coincidece literacy levels in Crescent Valley have risen 66 per cent.

Hazen White St. Francis Goes Beyond Reading and Writing

One city school is providing breakfast for up to 150 students every day thanks to the P.A.L.S. program.

Hazen White-St. Francis gets volunteers and supplies from the program as well as funding for field trips.


Principal Jennifer Carhart tells CHSJ News, the breakfast program has some dedicated volunteers from the Regional hosptial.
Carhart they have a teacher who is an expert in dealing with students facing challenges at home who uses her expertise throughout the school not just in one classroom.

Rothesay In No Rush For Expansion of the MacKay

(Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop)
         (File Photo)

The provincial government is reviewing the need for extra lanes on the MacKay Highway and Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop says he fine with it.


He tells CHSJ News, he's glad he's on the same page as Finance Minister Blaine Higgs when it comes to improving safety at the on/off ramps by the fire station and Fox Farm Road.
Bishop adds Rothesay is in no rush for the addtional lanes to the highway.

Creative Way To View Art In District Six

(District Six Superintendent (left) Zoe Watson)
                   (File Photo)

A virtual online art gallery will soon be unveiled by School District 6.


The pictures on display are the creations of elementary school students in the district.


Superintendent Zoe Watson describes the initiative as one of a kind and doesn't know if it's being done anywhere else.
Watson says the pictures can be e-mailed anywhere in the world.

West Side Honours War Dead

(Video courtesy of Sean O'Shaughnessy)

Remembrance Day At Harbour Station

(Remembrance Day At Harbour Station)

(Photo By Jim Hennessy)

Remembrance Day 2010 In West Saint John

   (Remembrance Day At The Cedar Hill West Side Memorial)

 (Photo Courtesy Of Sean O'Shaughnessy)

Gas Prices Rise After Weekly Setting

For drivers, there was almost a 2 cent increase in the price of self serve regular after the weekly setting. Its being sold around town for $1.02.3 a litre.

Diesel has risen by more than 3 cents to $1.11.6.

Heating oil is up almost three cents a litre at 97.2.

The maximum price for propane is $1.08.7, an increase of over a cent.

Veterans Honoured At Remembrance Day Ceremonies

(Cenotaph In King Square Saint John)
       (Photo by Brian McLain)

Today is tough for many veterans and families and they remember those loved ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Laurie Greenslade is one after losing her son Private David Greenslade in Afghanistan back in 2007. She tells CHSJ News, looking back and trying to move forward is never easy but it is great to see younger people showing their respects.

Several memorial services are planned in and around Greater Saint John today including the one at Harbour Station. Whichever one your are planning to attend, officials ask that you try and be in your seat by 10:30am.
 
In Hampton, a parade will proceed from the middle school on Main Street to the nearby cenotaph where a traditional service and laying of wreaths will take place shortly before 11:00.
 
In Norton, the Remembrance Day Service will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 76.
 
In Grand Bay-Westfield, Bayview Branch 22 will hold its ceremony at River Valley Middle School starting at 10:30.
 
At Moss Glen, Legion Branch 62 will hold a parade and service beginning at 10:30 this morning.
 
In Sussex, the parade will begin at 10:30 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 20 on Magnolia Avenue and proceed to the cenotaph on Broad Street.

Saint John Students Score Big Improvement In Math

(School District 8 Superintendent Susan Tipper)

               (File Photo)

Students in District 8 have seen improvements in math after the Provincial assessment.

Superintendent Susan Tipper is pleased telling CHSJ New the district is enjoying some great gains over last year in large part because of a new programme called "Our Great Math Attack".

Students improved from last in the province to third.
 

Tipper adds improvement is needed in Grade 4 French immersion and in science but she says that is the norm and should be addressed provincially.

Overcrowding in K-V Schools To Be Discussed With M-L-A's

The District 6 Education Council is looking forward to meeting with 4 local area MLA's to discuss current issues facing the district.

Council Chair Roger Nesbitt tells CHSJ News one of the major topics for discussion will be overcrowding and the need for another school in the valley.

He characterises that issue as being huge and hopes it will be advantageous that 3 of the Kenn Valley area MLA's are also cabinet ministers. The meeting is scheduled for December 6th.

Garbage Collected Around Loch Lomond Watershed

A big cleanup taking place around the Loch Lomond watershed which provides most of the city with its drinking water. Leah Fitzgerald of the city tells CHSJ News 200 bags of garbage were collected plus five or six tandem loads of large items which included an old pool table, construction waste, roof tiles and old kitchen cabinets.

 

Fitzgerald is not surprised by the amount of trash collected but she concedes it's difficult to get a handle on this illegal dumping because there are so many back roads.

She's hoping people will keep in mind this is where most Saint Johnners get their drinking water from and illegal dumping along with setting fires puts it at risk of contamination.

Animal Control Officer Wants Dogs Out Of Province

Something new has cropped up concerning the two dogs that were seized in Quispamsis after a complaint from an elderly woman that one of the animals was aggressive.

The owner of the dogs, Deborah Quennville-Clairmont tells CHSJ News the town's animal control officer phoned her breeder in Ontario and offered not to euthanise the animals if she would take them back and out of the province.

She doesn't plan to agree to any such thing unless it turns out to be the only way the dogs can be saved.

Court action on the seizure won't be heard for another 4 months or so.

New Restaurant Opening In West Saint John

Leo's Supper Club was a fixture on Ocean Westway for years before it was sold.

The Leo's sign has now been taken down and a new one will be going up.

The Old Shanty House restaurant will be setting up shop at the same location on first thing on December 1st. It won't be another Leo's.

It will operate from 6 in the morning until 8:30 at night and we have been told will offer traditional breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

Lobster Season Delayed Again

High winds are being blamed for yet another delay in the opening for the fall lobster season in the south-western half of the Province.

A conference call today had total agreement from all fisherman between St. Martins and Campobello Island that the conditions are not right.

Thi is the third delay for the fishery this season and boats will try to venture out Friday morning.

NB Liberals Name New Leader

A day after Shawn Graham stepped aside, the Provincial Liberal Party has named Victor Boudreau it's Interim leader.


Boudreau is the MLA for Shediac-Cap-Pele and was first elected to office on 2004 and has held several cabinet portfolio's including Finance and Business.


Boudreau says he accepts the challenge and the first order of business is preparing for the upcoming session of the legislature.

Card Available For Signing Today

You will have an opportunity this afternoon to see and sign this year's Christmas card for our troops in Afghanistan.
Local artist Norm Jackson is unveiling the card with its special insert for vets at the News Kiosk in Market Square.
Mayor Ivan Court and others are scheduled to attend the unveiling which gets underway at two.

House Fire In East Saint John

Nobody hurt after fire ripped through a home in East Saint John last night.


Crews arrived at 145 Champlain Drive just just before eight o'clock last night to find flames and heavy smoke coming from the home.
It took three hours to knock down the flames which did heavy damage to the kitchen and basement.


No one was home when the fire broke out and officials says the cause is not suspicious.