Woods Not Ruling Out Pension Related Tax Increase

Despite denials from some civic politicians - a tax increase to cover off the civic pension 129-million dollar deficit remains a very distinct possibility according to City Manager Pat Woods.


Woods has released a statement indicating a limited number of new scenarios were presented to various employee groups during a meeting last week.

He says they were asked to give their feedback by the end of this month with the idea of presenting a recommendation to council in early October.

Woods says the objective is to make the pension plan affordable without imposing an excessive tax burden on property owners.
 
An earlier proposal by the city to resolve the pension deficit issue was rejected by the provincial government.

Fight Brewng Over Home Care In The Province

"It's like David taking on Goliath"--that's how the President of the Province's Home Care Association describes their fight with the Alward government.

Bob Price says a meeting in Saint John this morning with Finance Minister Blaine Higgs and Social Development Minister Sue Stultz did not go well.
The meeting to discuss the challenges facing home care and how government can help home care agencies keep seniors in their homes.

He says the government has figured out by themselves without talking to them that wages are the most important.

Prices says wages are important but, their workers have told them education and training are just as important to feel comfortable in their jobs.

Price says his group is heading to the Centennial building in Fredericton to inform the government to keep their 4.4 million dollars because they can afford it.

Weston Vows Clean Drinking Water Will Be A Reality

As the Harper government struggles to find four billion dollars in savings, that has some wondering if infrastructure projects like clean drinking water for Saint John may be put on the back burner?
The MP for Saint John Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News that is not the case.

Weston says restrain measures can be used that do not necessarily impact program funding.

Weston adds the province, the city and his office are meeting often and he feels good about the progress being made towards making safe drinking water a reality for the Port city.

Frustration Over Delays In Fixing Flood Problem At Oakville Acres

Disappointment.........That's the reaction of the people who live in Oakville Acres to delays in getting their flooding problem resolved.

Gary Howard, who spoke on behalf of the residents when they made their case to Rothesay Town council, tells CHSJ News there are holdups with two property owners, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans along wth the town of Quispamsis.

Howard says the solution is simple as well.......a detention pond and overflow pipes.
 
He adds the homeowners get nervous everytime heavy rain is on the way and some people can't use their basements or half of their homes never mind getting insurance on their house.

Saint John Man In Court Over March Drunk Driving Death

A 30 year old King Street East man charged with impaired driving causing death making a court appearance. 
Jordan Sullivan was charged after a two car collision last March which killed 50 year old Sheila Bayers on the Airport Arterial.

Sullivan will be back in court for a preliminary hearing January 4th which will determine if there's enough evidence to proceed to trial.

How A Chinese Teen Died Remains A Mystery

How the 17 year old student from China died at the Aquatic Centre remains a mystery. That word coming from Leo Maloney, who chairs the Aquatic Centre's board of commissioners.

Maloney tells CHSJ News they might have a better idea after an autopsy is carried out.

The teenager, who had just started at Simonds High, was found in the middle of the swimming pool near the bulkhead. 

As to whether, he was injured in while diving, Maloney tells us he can't confirm or deny but doesn't believe that to be true.

The parents of the boy are expected to be arriving in the city today.

Fire Destroys House Outside City

No injuries reported but a house at Garnett Settlement has been destroyed by fire.

The Simonds Fire Department telling us the call came in shortly after noonhour yesterday and it took fire crews with help from St. Martins, Hampton, the Kennebecasis Valley, Upham and Nauwwigewauk until 10:00 last night to knock it down.

There's no word yet on how it got started.

Gas Prices Tumble

If you didn't fill up yesterday, you're in luck......There has been a big drop in the price of gas after the weekly setting.

Self serve regular around town dropping by more than 4 cents a litre to an even $1.23.

Diesel has also fallen but not by as much and is going for $1.29.2 a litre. 

Heating oil has dropped below $1.14 a litre and is listed at $1.13.4 but propane is more expensive at more than 115 a litre.

Man Arrested For Holdup Of Convenience Store

City Police making an arrest in the robbery last week of the convenience store on Ellerdale Street by a man armed with a knife.

27 year old Kent Joseph Leblanc, who lived across the street, appeared in court and pleaded guilty. He'll be sentenced on October 4th.

City fire crews were kept busy with three collisions last night. The first one involving a motorcyle and resulting in injuries happened at Rothesay Road and Ashburn Lake Road.

There was a two vehicle crash on Westfield Road with no injuries and then three vehicles collided on City Road at Garden Street, again with no injuries.

Increase In Tuition Is Hurting Students and Workforce

Liberal MLA Chris Collins says the province is failing students with the removal of the tuition freeze.

Statistics Canada is reporting New Brunswick has the second highest tuition in the country after a 3.6 percent increase.

Collins is the Opposition Critic for Post-Secondary Affairs and he tells CHSJ News we need to slow down the rate hikes so education becomes more accessible and a skilled workforce is formed.

He says the province has also failed to protect students from increases to ancillary fees and student loans are now harder to access.

The provincial Liberals are also attacking the Alward government on the business front -- in the wake of the official launch of Invest NB, they want Alward to identify specific sectors of economic growth for the province.

Bullying Hotline Is Busy With School Now Underway

Rob Frenette with BullyingCanada says with the school year in full swing for the past few weeks, calls to his organization's help line has shot up dramtatically.

He tells CHSJ News while he normally gets about 500 calls a month -- so far he has received about 2000 calls.

He says he has already dealt directly with a few cases of bullying in Saint John schools.

He believes the increase in the call volume is because BullyingCanada has been doing aggressive marketing across the province.

He says the number of calls should go down as September, March Break, and the summer are typcially the peak times for bullying issues.

For more information about BullyingCanada, click here.

Atlantic Region Businesses Told To Expand Their Reach

Excluding the Irvings and McCains, businesspeople in the Atlantic Region have been criticised for not doing enough to make inroads in the emerging markets.

The General Manager of Enterprise Saint John Steve Carson tells CHSJ News it's not a matter of cost but it can be a challenge to break down barriers and open lines of communication. Carson does say because of the internet, we truly do operate in a global economy.

The sluggish U.S economy prompted Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney to advise businesses in the region to look further afield to emerging markets like China when he spoke in Saint John.

Garnett Settlement Fire

Crews are at the scene of a fire on the Garnett Settlement Road.

Simonds Fire Department responding to the call and is receiving some help from the KV Fire department.

Bayview Elementary Unveils New Library

Bayview Elementary unveils a new library after a renovation courtesy of Irving Oil.

The project was announced back in March.

Student Injured At Aquatic Centre Passes Away

The 17 year old student from China, who nearly drowned last Sunday at the Aquatic Centre, has died. 

He had just started in Grade 11 at Simonds. The teen had been on a ventilator at the Regional Hospital since being pulled from the swimming pool at the Aquatic Centre and given C-P-R after it appeared he had stopped breathing. 

The circumstances of exactly what happened have not been released yet.

His mother and father are expected to be arriving in the city tomorrow from China.

Meantime, City Police are investigating after a 54 year old man was struck by a car yesterday afternoon around 3 at the intersection of Visart Street and Churchill Boulevard in the north end just across from Lansdowne Plaza.

The man was taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Skateboard Park In Quispamsis Gets Go Ahead

Quispamsis Town Councillors are unanimous in their support for phase one of a skateboard and bike park to be located adjacent to the town hall. The price tag for phase one is 150 thousand dollars.

Jim Scott of Collabplan tells CHSJ News the location is unique because it will be built into the side of a hill unlike other skateboard parks in the region. 

There will various ramps included as well as pump rollers, a fun box along with other elements suggested by the young skateboarders.

Scott describes their contributions as invaluable to the project.

Finance Minister Sees Parallels Between Province And European Financial Woes

Finance Minister Blaine Higgs says there are definite parallels with the province's debt problems and Europe's financial mess.

Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney says Europe could solve their money problems if they exerted enough political will and Higgs says the same could be said of the province.

He says everyone needs to work together to balance the books.

He adds after a year as Finance Minister, he believes it's very possible to make it happen.

District 8 Saves Carpentry Program For This Year

District 8 doing what they can to help improve the skilled trades numbers in the Province.
With looming budget cuts, there are fears the popular carpenter training program may face the axe.
Rob Fowler says it gives high school kids a chance to get some training.

He says it's 6 weeks in the classroom and a co-op where the student in actually on a construction site getting hands on experience.

Fowler gives credit to Director of Finance Chris Toole and Acting Superintendent Robert Johnson
for finding the funding to keep the program around for this school year.

Financial Woes Of Europe and U.S.A. Should Not Worry Canadians

The Governor of the Bank of Canada is telling Canadians that the financial problems currently facing Europe and the U.S. have little bearing our country's bottom line.

Speaking at a business luncheon today in the city, Mark Carney says one shouldn't be paralyzed by the fiscal woes going on in Europe and the U.S.

He says the Bank of Canada is there to protect and boost and economy, such as keeping prices stable.
 
He says given the downturn in exports to the U.S., Canada needs to begin making headway into emerging markets like China.

The Give Gets Closer To Goal

The Region is stepping up for The Give 2011 as they get closer to their goal of $680,000 for a new stem cell therapy in Saint John.

St. Stephen Town Council donating $5,000 last night, the Sussex Health Centre Auxiliary giving $10,000 yesterday and last month PotashCorp gave $50,000 to the campaign.   The fundraiser also bring in $1500 dollars back in July at the Salty Jam Music Festival.

Dr. Terrence Comeau says doing stem cell treatment in Saint John will lead to natural spin-offs like gene therapy.

For more info, click here

Bank Governor Predicts Growth Will Resume

The Bank of Canada Governor says he expects economic growth will resume in the second half of this year.
And Mark Carney is telling a business luncheon here in the city he doesn't expect the U-S to slip back into recession although he admits the risk is now much higher.

Saint Johner Gets Post On Invest NB Board

 Saint John, the first stop today for the Premier as he launches Invest NB with a goal to attract foreign investment to the Province and improve our gross domestic product.
Premier David Alward unveiling Invest NB's new board of directors today and announcing the business plan framework.
Board Member Helena Cain of Bell Aliant in Saint John says Invest NB will bring focus.

She says having a private sector board that understands how to work in this province sends a strong message.

Premier Alward says in terms of foreign markets because of our location we will always look to the U.S. but also the Asian and South American markets.

Longshoremen In City Set Up Strike Headquarters

There's no indication a walkout will be happening anytime soon but, nevertheless, strike headquarters has been set up by longshoremen in the city not far from the port on the West Side.

Local 273 of the International Longshoremen's Association is negotiating with Logistec Stevedoring which has just signed a new long term deal to operate out of the port.

The two sides are in conciliation right now and no deadline has been announced for actual strike action.

CHSJ News has been told the strike headquarters was set up just in case a new agreement isn't worked out.

Premier Unveils Details About Invest N-B

Premier Alward, Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud and Invest NB's Robert MacLeod are launching the business plan framework and announcing members of the board of directors at news conference underway at the Delta.

The new crown corporation aims to increase the provincial gross domestic product by $293 million over the next three years.

The board members include Denis Losier of Assumption Life, Helena Cain of Bell Aliant and Eddy Campell of UNB.

Some People In Red Head Advised To Boil Their Water

There's a precautionary boil water advisory in effect for those people who live in the Harbourview Subdivision.

This comes about because Saint John Water is introducing chlorinated water from the Ocean Drive well into the system. The chlorinated water will be phased in over a period of several days.

The boil water advisory is to ensure the water you drink meets Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines. We're told you will be notified door to door when the boil water advisory is lifted.

Teenager Remains In Critical Condition After Near-Drowning

A 17 year old international student from China remains in critical condition at the Regional Hospital after a near drowning Sunday afternoon at the Aquatic Centre.

He had just registered to attend Simonds High and his mom and dad are expected in the city later this week from China to be with him.

Sgt. Glen Hayward with the Saint John Police Force says foul play is not suspected and police are still looking into what caused the incident.

He says the lifeguards acted accordingly but he would not confirm whether a health issue caused the near-drowning.

Premier Visits The Port City Tomorrow

Premier David Alward will be in the City tomorrow morning for a economic development announcement.   The same announcement is also happening in Moncton and Campbellton later in the day.

The Premier will be joined by Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud and Robert MacLeod CEO of the Invest NB.

The announcement gets underway here in Saint John at 9 tomorrow morning at the Delta.

Rothesay Woman Receives Honour In Ottawa Tonight

A Rothesay woman receiving national recognition from Canadian Blood Services tonight for her many donations over the years.

Judy Morgan tells CHSJ News she first learned of blood donation as a little girl when her dad with rare blood was called to donate in emergency situations.

She says it was really in her to give and she also became a medical lab technologist so the importance of giving blood began to hit home.

Morgan will be recognized this evening in the national Canadian Blood Services "Honouring Our Lifeblood" ceremony in Ottawa tonight.

Together with her husband, Martin, the Morgans have donated blood and plasma 500 times.

Housing Starts Will Continue To Slump For The Next Few Years

Housing starts in Saint John, Fredericton, and Moncton are down about 28 percent this year and Claude Gautreau with the Canada Mortage and Housing Corporation says that slump won't be changing soon.

Gautreau tells CHSJ News housing starts are cyclical and because the province peaked around 2008, the numbers will continue to dip into the foreseeable future.

He says the market should pick back up in about 2 to 3 years.

800 Homes Affected By Outage In Welsford

About 800 people without power earlier today in the Welsford area.  The power went out around 10:30 this morning.

NB Power spokesperson Jennifer Gallagher tells CHSJ News crews are working on the issue and most people are back on the grid.

She says there are still about 70 homes that need to reconnected and they should have power back around 2:30pm.

There are also about 70 homes without power in the Rothesay area.

Golden Ball Gas Bar Coming Down

One of the last full service gas bars in the city has closed down in the parking lot behind the Golden Ball Building on Union Street.

It had been a fixture there for years. Fencing has been put up to allow for it to be dismantled.

As for the building itself, we're told by Irving Oil it's being fully utilised. There have been renovations to all of the floors as well as a new state of the art gym for the employees being installed.

City Wants Sydney Street Courthouse

The city doesn't want the Sydney Street courthouse to fall into disrepair once the province moves to the new Justice Complex next year.

Councillor Chris Titus believes the city will get first crack at the building once it's vacated and he wants to take advantage of that opportunity.

He says a city department could move there or a public-private partnership could be entertained.

The city will be talking to the province about obtaining ownership.

Saint John To Get Visit From Bank Of Canada Governor

The Governor of the Bank of Canada Mark Carney will be in town tomorrow talking about the economy.

There are predictions we will continue to see a slowdown, especially in construction activity. Pat Darrah of the Saint John Construction Association claims the slowdown is already happening and Saint John M-P Rodney Weston describes the state of the economy as being fragile.

Steve Carson of Enterprise Saint John tells CHSJ News growth will be more modest over the next few years but the city is not likely to see any big decline. Carson points out the Saint John economy has diversified significantly in the last decade or two with tremendous growth taking place in health sciences and information technology.

Teenager Rushed To Hospital After Nearly Drowning

A 17 year old youth is listed in critical condition at the Regional after nearly drowning yesterday afternoon at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre.

An eyewitness says he didn't appear to be breathing when ambulance, police and fire crews arrived. 

Acting District Chief Marc Carey says fire crews were also called to a blaze at 70 Jean Street which began in the kitchen. The remainder of the building  sustained smoke and water damage.
 

There were no injuries but a woman and her 6 year old daughter have had to move in with family members. There's also a pet grooming business in that building.

City Police telling us about a home invasion on Queen Street but the victim, who suffered just minor injuries, isn't co-operating with investigators.

Weston Heading Back To The Hill

MP's from coast to coast are heading back to the Hill as Parliament resumes.
Saint John's MP Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News Question Period will be a whole new ball game this time round without Jack Layton standing across the floor.

He says it will be different with the two parties opposite having interim leaders and he's anxious to see what it looks like.
Weston adds politics aside, the government has work to do including tackling the fragile economy.

Work On Flooding Problem In Oakville Acres Hits Brick Wall

More complications in solving the flooding problem for the people who live at Oakville Acres in Rothesay.

The project is now at a standstill according to Mayor Bill Bishop because of restrictions from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans along with two property owners who are putting up a fight over the town taking over their land.

No work will be done this year and, according to Bishop, the earliest it can be started is next summer.



The town had to apply to the province for a watercourse and wetland alteration.

New Trail Now Open At Lou Murphy Park

You're being invited out to try out the new trail system Lou Murphy Park.

Kevin Watson is Recreational Manager of Leisure Services and he tells CHSJ News despite some odds and ends that need to be tied up, the 3 kilometre trail is now open.

Emera New Brunswick donated 27 acres of land to the park.

Watson says more work is being planned for the park -- over the next year or two he would like to see new playground equipment and a new basketball court.

The Diets Of Students In School District 6 Aren't Good Enough

Students in School District 6 are not eating enough fruits and vegetables......That, according to a wellness survey that was presented to the District Education Council. 

Only 40 per cent or so of students in District 6 are eating the daily recommended amounts. That bothers acting Superintendent Gary Hall because he tells CHSJ News the better you eat, the better you'll learn and then there's a correlation between students who smoke having higher rates of dropping out and lower levels of mental fitness.

Hall says the school district will use the information in formulating future strategies.

Water Rescue For Stranded Boat

A water rescue taking place last night by 115 River Shore Drive.

A few people getting stranded in their boat after it wouldn't start.

The Coast Guard making the save -- the Saint John Fire Department's rescue boat was initially dispatched but was ultimately not needed.

HDC To Take Part In Food Challenge

Randy Hatfield of the Human Development Council is one of 18 New Brunswickers taking part in a food challenge by the Common Front for Social Justice.

They have agreed to live for three days on groceries delivered by local food banks.

He tells CHSJ News it will provide a snapshot of the struggle people go through when they rely on food banks.

The challenge begins on September 26th.  The participants will post comments on the Common Front's website and will speak to members of the legislature about their experiences.

Two Project On Deck For The Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission

The Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission is getting ready to launch two initiatives in the coming weeks.

Spokesperson Brenda MacCallum tells CHSJ News after September 23rd,  it will stop taking leaf and yard waste if it is not properly disposed of in clear or compostable bags.

Also, the household hazardous waste and computer round up event will take place from October 14 to the 22nd.  The program includes Hampton St. Martins, Quispamsis and Saint John.

For more information, click here.

New Trail At Lou Murphy Park Set To Open Today

You're being invited out to celebrate the expansion of Lou Murphy Park.

Today is the opening of its new trail.

The Mayor, members of Common Council, and representatives of Emera New Brunswick will be there.

The festivities begin at 1 at the park, which is located across the Milford Memorial Community Centre.

For more information, click here.

St. Andrews Celebrates Water Upgrades

The town of St. Andrews marking an important municipal milestone --  the opening of its improved wastewater treatment facility.

MP for New Brunswick Southwest John Williamson and St. Andrews Mayor Roger McNabb were on hand for the opening.

In addition to being able to service the town's current and future needs, the improvements also mean less power consumption and impact on the environment.

Total cost of the project was about 3 million dollars.

Overturned SUV Found With No Driver

Police are trying to track down the driver of an SUV that left their vehicle overturned on the Golden Grove Road.

Emergency crews arriving at 745 Golden Grove Road around 3 this morning to find an SUV on its roof. 

A search was conducted and no one was found in or around the vehicle.

Irving Oil Celebrates Neighbours

Irving Oil is inviting everyone out for its Annual Open House and Neighbour Appreciation Day.

It all takes place today at Champion Heights Elementary -- acclivities will include information displays, lunch, entertainment for kids, and refinery bus tours.

Irving Oil spokesperson Sam Robinson tells CHSJ News it's a great way to stay in touch with the community.
 
The event goes from 11 to 2.

Schools In Quispamsis Pushing Maximum Capacity

It's a little cramped at some District 6 schools these days but wide open in others.

Acting Superintendent Gary Hall tells CHSJ News elementary schools in Quispamsis are bursting at the seams.  He says a high percentage of schools are using the portable classrooms and they're even running out of room for those units.

But in other parts of the district, such as Belleisle, Hampton and Sussex, Hall says they have a slight decline in the student population and lots of space.

City Police Bust A Grow Op

City police busting a grow op at a Millidge Street home seizing marihuana plants with a street value of $88,000.

The Street Crime Unit executing a search warrant yesterday afternoon and police learned that the house was empty and it was only being used for the purpose of cultivating marihuana.

Nearly 200,000 Fewer Smokes Going To N.S.

RCMP nabbing a driver with nearly 200,000 illegal smokes in his car after a traffic stop near Coles Island.

A 43-year-old man from Nova Scotia was arrested and will appear in court in Moncton this December to face charges.

Police believe the contraband smokes were heading for Nova Scotia.

Peel Plaza Construction Carries On

Drain Flushing At King And Germain Streets

Drivers and pedestrians had a lot of water to contend with this morning for a little while.
A City of Saint John spokesperson tells us the work is part of regulary scheduled drain flushing.

City Police Release Photo From East Side Robbery

City police releasing a photo of the man who took some cash from an East Side convenience store in a daylight robbery.

The man came in just before 1:30 with a large knife demanding cash, put some in a pillow case and took off.


Police are still looking for him.

Federal Program Helps End Cycle of Poverty

Over $168, 000 from Ottawa will help Saint Johners struggling to overcome barriers to work like a criminal record or a lack of education.Saint John MP Rodney Weston announcing the funding at the John Howard society for the Skills Link program.
Program Manager Susan O'Neil says this program cuts the cycle of poverty and reduces the number of people on welfare.


She says a lot of the young men have girlfriends with babies and when they get placed with a carpenter or an electrian they make enough money to get their own apartment and take care of their girlfriend and their baby.

O'Neil adds about 90 people have gone through with a 68 per cent success rate.
She says they measure success based on the client remaining in the job a year after placement.   For more information on the program click here

Curbside Recycling In Rothesay Delayed

The Town of Rothesay has run into a problem as it tries to implement curbside recycling.

 Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News the town's old garbage disposal company went out of business and sold its assets to a new firm and the quote for curbside recycling has more than doubled which means nothing will happen this year.

Bishop is hoping now to get it started sometime in 2012.

The town has received a grant from the province to get what is needed for the programme.

Former Premier Remembers The Late Neil McKelvey As Unpretentious

A former Premier calls the late Neil McKelvey a "genial giant" who put Saint John and New Brunswick law and lawyers on the map.

That's how Frank McKenna describes the man who died last weekend after a battle with cancer at the age of 86.

McKenna tells CHSJ News he first met McKelvey in his early days as a lawyer more than 30 years ago.

McKenna says McKelvey was extraordinary community citizen in Saint John and in the Province as head of one of the largest and most prestigious regional law firms. McKelvey co-authored a report on health care which was the foundation of the reforms that were implemented during his time as Premier.

A public celebration of Neil McKelvey's life will be held this afternoon at the Imperial Theatre getting underway at 2:30.