Time Ticks Away To Vote For The Bay

Just over three weeks left to vote for the Bay of Fundy in the New 7 Wonders of Nature contest.
Tourism Minister Trevor Holder says this would a gamechanger for this province.
Holder tells CHSJ News in tourism you have to have something unique that people want to come and see and it's can't be a gimmick.

He says the highest tides of the world our unique to our region.   He adds everyone in the province should vote and they can do so by text as many time as they want.

To vote for the Bay, click here

Princess of Acadia Cancels Sailing

The 9am sailing from Saint John and the 4pm sailing from Digby of the Princess of Acadia ferry are cancelled due to high winds.

No Injuries In East Side Blaze

Firefighters responding to a late night blaze in East Saint John.
The call came in just before midnight at 199 Goldsworthy Road with heavy fire in the back of the building.

The fire spread to the middle of the building and to the upper floors.
On arrival, fire crews quickly brought the blaze under control.

No one was injured and fire investigators are looking into the cause.

Food Drive Begins Day 3

Two ladies are into Day 3 of a fast to help raise food donations for the North End Food Bank.
Andrea Richards and Tammy Calvin have been set up in a trailer in Lansdowne Plaza since Thursday and plan to go without food until it's full.

It's about half full now and you can make a non-perishable food donation by dropping by today.

They are looking for:
·        Soups and can goods
·        Bread and rolls
·        Canned vegetables
.        Canned fruits
·        Rice, pasta, Kraft Dinner etc.
·        Cereal and oatmeal
·        Snack foods for children’s lunches
·        Baby foods, diapers and formula
·        Laundry soap, shampoo, body soaps, deodorant etc.
·        Crackers
·        Condiments – soya sauce, ketchup, mayo. etc.
·        Pancake mixes and syrups
·        Peanut butter, cheese whiz, jams etc.

Province Says Funding Is There For Group Homes In City Slated For Closure

The Provincial Government is responding to claims that it's responsible for the impending closure of 3 group homes in the city. 

That charge being made by the Canadian Union of Public Employees which represents the workers. Not so, according to Judy Cole of Social Development. 

Cole says there are too many empty beds and the province won't subsidise beds that are empty but there has been no cut in funding.

CUPE says the province isn't making placements at the 3 group homes which are run by non-profit New Direction.

Cole says the government is optimistic it will be able to place the 13 people who live in the group homes elsewhere. 

Grand Manan Adventure Out Of Service

Engine trouble is why the Grand Manan Adventure is currently out of service.
Greg Ryder of Coastal Transport tells CHSJ News a specialist was flown in from Winnipeg to have a look at the engine.

He says they have ordered replacement parts which are due to arrive in Black's Harbour early next week and he expects the ferry to be back in service by mid to late next week.

In the meantime, the Grand Manan Five is handling all service runs between Black's Harbour and Grand Manan.

North End Food Drive Continues

They are doing well physically and about half way to the goal of filling a trailer full of food.
Passionate North enders Tammy Calvin and Andrea Richards are fasting until the trailer set in Lansdowne Plaza is packed with food.
Calvin tells CHSJ News students from Centennial School dropped off some food day.

She says the kids marched down together and every child brought a food donation with them.
As for going without food, Calvin says they are busy so aren't noticing being hungry as much.
You can drop off non-perishable food donations at the trailer in Lansdowne Plaza.

They are looking for:
·        Soups and can goods
·        Bread and rolls
·        Canned vegetables
.        Canned fruits
·        Rice, pasta, Kraft Dinner etc.
·        Cereal and oatmeal
·        Snack foods for children’s lunches
·        Baby foods, diapers and formula
·        Laundry soap, shampoo, body soaps, deodorant etc.
·        Crackers
·        Condiments – soya sauce, ketchup, mayo. etc.
·        Pancake mixes and syrups
·        Peanut butter, cheese whiz, jams etc.

New E-R At Regional Hospital Being Praised

The New Emergency Department at the Regional Hospital is now fully staffed and officials are pleased at how things are going.

The new Chief of Staff at the Regional, Dr. John Dornan calls it a real success story with 54 patient rooms and staffing up from 8 to 22.

The problem, according to Dr. Dornan, is finding them beds in the hospital after they've been treated in the E-R because so many are being used by patients waiting to go elsewhere, such as nursing homes, when the spaces open up.

Prince Edward Street Robbery Update

Two teens are being sought by City Police for the robbery of a woman just after 7 last night on Prince Edward Street by the mall. The woman was knocked to the ground and had her bag taken. The two suspects are described as white with slender builds with one being 5'6"to 5'8" in height and was wearing a hooded sweatshirt. 
The other is from 5"1" to 5'3" and was also wearing a hoodie. Police say they ran down Prince Edward Street before turning onto Richmond Street.
 
If you know who these guys are, police are urging you to call them at 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS).

Surgical Wait Times Get Shorter

The Regional Hospital is hoping to have 7 operating rooms utilised next year with the aim being to reduce the surgical wait times. Right now, they have six operating rooms being used. 

The Regional Hospital's Executive Director Margaret Melanson says the surgical wait times have improved but they still can be made shorter.
 

Another struggle is with acute care beds being used by patients who should be elsewhere but are stuck in hospitals because nursing home beds aren't available

The Horizon Health Network has been told, as of the end of September, 23 per cent of the beds in the Regional Hospitals are occupied by people who are essentially waiting to be moved to another setting for their care.

Robbery Near Prince Edward Square

The Major Crime Unit is investigating a robbery which was reported last night shortly after 7:00 on Prince Edward Street near the liquor store. 

We're told a woman was knocked to the ground and had her bag stolen by two men who then ran off. 

She sustained just minor injuries.

Horizon Health Network Has Balanced Budget

No talk of any layoffs as the Horizon Health Network meets in the city. 

In fact, Harry Doyle, who chairs the finance committee, says they have a 33 thousand dollar surplus as of the end of July. 

The Canadian Union of Public Employees had been expressing concern back in August of pending layoffs.  

As for layoffs in the future because of the provincial government's rising deficit, Doyle says that would be the last thing they want to do at Horizon and then there's always attrition when departing workers are not replaced.

School District 8 May Use Red Cross Anti-Bullying Program

In an effort to stop and protect students from bullying, School District 8 is mulling over implementing an anti-bullying program created by The Red Cross.

Stacy Coy is with the Red Cross and she tells CHSJ News the program is effective because not only do students teach the program to their peers, it promotes a lot of dialogue.
 
She says research shows that youth involvement is the most effective strategy as they know they the ins and outs of the bullying problem.

School Districts 6 and 18 have already used the program.

Two Local Restaurants Get Filmed For The Food Network

Two local restaurants will be before the lens of the Food Network's cameras -- the Saint John Ale House and the Urban Deli will be filmed for the new program "You Gotta Eat Here" over the next few days.

Ale House owner Peter Stoddart tells CHSJ News they were chosen because they're always doing fun and funky things with their menu, such as their lobster roll that uses the meat of an entire lobster and their 42 ounce prime rib challenge.

He says the show will also be looking at their ingredients, the process of making their food, and interviews with fans of the Ale House.

Group Home Workers To Be Out Of Work And Are Worried About Clients

The union representing group home workers is calling out the Social Development Minister for reinstatement of funding.

CUPE spokesperson Vallie Stearns tells CHSJ News 27 workers received notice last week that they will be out of work by December because 3 group homes in the city for the mentally ill are out of funding.

She says while it's tough to see jobs go, the employees are also concerned about the clients and where they will end up.

She says since funding is based on placements and the province has not been making them, they are responsible for the closures.

CUPE is sending a letter to Social Development Minister Sue Stultz to rectify the situation.

Americans In New Brunswick Worried About Being Targeted By The I-R-S

Americans who are living in this province are alarmed at word the Internal Revenue Service in the U.S. is after them for taxes.

 Betty Fay Simmons-Ott of H and R Block tells CHSJ News U.S. citizens are taxed under residency and citizenship so Americans living here still have to file a tax return in the States.

She says a letter is sent to the American tax authorities telling them you didn't realise this was a filing requirement and that has been satisfactory so far with no fines or penalities imposed.

Her advice is to get the paperwork filed as soon as you can because beginning in 2013 and 2014 banking information will be passed back and forth.

Anemic Outlook On Provincial Economy

Don't expect robust economic growth in the province for the rest of this year and next according to the latest outlook from B-M-O Capital Markets.

Economist Robert Kavcic tells CHSJ News growth will be limited to 1.5 per cent this year and 1.4 per cent in 2012 and that will put a lid on any job growth.

He warns some major projects like the 1.7 billion dollar potash mine development in Sussex and the Point Lepreau nuclear plant refurbishment are set to wind down next year.

Kavcic adds another big reason for the sluggish performance is the continuing slowdown in the American economy where 85 per cent of exports from New Brunswick head.

Bear Struck Along Highway

Police getting an unusual call a short while ago just before 6:00......One of our road warriors telling us a bear cub was struck along Highway One eastbound near the Rothesay Avenue exit. 

The Department of Natural Resources has been called.

School District 8 Projected To Be In The Red Ink

School District 8 is predicting a 200-thousand dollar budget deficit for the current fiscal year.

Director of Finance Chris Toole tells CHSJ News while the final figure is not set in stone, the red ink is definitely a concern.

He says there are many factors that could make the final number higher or lower as the cost of heating, fuel for buses, and sick days are wildcards that affects the final number.

However, he adds that the 2 million budget cut as ordered by the province definitely cost the district some much needed flexibility.

Saint John Man Sentenced For North End Shooting

A three year prison term handed a 22 year old man for a shooting in the north end.

Trent Byers had been charged with attempted murder but changed his plea to the lesser charge of aggravated assault. 

He was charged after Bruce Higgins was shot at the corner of Main and Albert Streets in the early morning hours of April 15th. 

Higgins told Police he was to meet Byers to buy drugs but says, instead of that, a car pulled up to the street corner and that's when he was shot in the stomach.

Big Rise In Price Of Gas

You're going to have to pay more for self serve regular after a significant increase of almost 5 cents a litre following the weekly setting. 

It's being sold around town for $1.26.3 while diesel also went up by a couple of cents to $1.31.9.

Heating oil will also cost you more at $1.14.9 and propane is up by under a cent with a listed price of $1.16.5 a litre.

Lepreau Exercise Set For Tomorrow

There is no need to panic, it's just an exercise.

The Point Lepreau Generating Station will be participating in a one-day security exercise tomorrow to test security procedures.
The exercise will involve the Nuclear Response Force team along with local and provincial police and emergency services.

You may see emergency response vehicles and hear radio communications simulating a security event.

Station Director Wade Parker tells CHSJ News the purpose of the exercise is to measure the effectiveness of the security emergency response strategy and verify that all components are in place.

Liberals Urge Action On Methadone Waitlist

Liberal MLA Bill Fraser thinks the Alward Tories need to sit down and find a solution to the growing waitlist for methadone treatment here in the City.
Julie Dingwell of Aids Saint John releasing alarming stats this week showing 317 people in Saint John are waiting for the treatment.
Fraser tells CHSJ News these patients are being denied life-saving medication and the government should look at it.

He say when you are dealing with people's lives you have to make it a priority adding in 2009 in the Saint John area 18 people died while waiting for methadone treatment.

Fraser says methadone addiction is more than a health issue adding health care dollars spent now can save money in the future.

Mayor of Quispamsis Says No Seismic Testing Is Being Planned

Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll says residents don't need to worry about seismic testing or shale gas drilling in the town -- he says no requests have been made by any energy companies.

He says companies usually pat the municipality the courtesy of asking for permission and he say there have been no requests.

Hampton Council deciding unanimously last night to not allow seismic testing within town limits -- this after a group of about 50 protesters stood along the McKay Highway in opposition to preliminary testing in the area.

Crown Prosecutor To Hold Onto Oland Murder Evidence

A judge has given a Crown prosecutor another 3 months to hold onto evidence in the Richard Oland murder case.

The evidence was seized from the home of Richard's son Dennis Oland.

The Crown wanted more time to examine the items.

No charges have been laid in the case.

Richard Oland was found dead in his office back in July.

Chase Says New Trash System Won't Bring Major Savings

With most of common council happy with the annual savings of 500-thousand dollars by switching to in-house garbage collection next year, Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase is the only one sounding the warning bell.

Chase voted against the move because according to the current contractor, the numbers don't add up.

He says the city is underestimating the amount of time it takes to pick up the trash and the amount of overtime required.

Chase also voted against the change-over because the switch would leave the city vulnerable to work stoppages.

Hospital Home Lottery Is 50 Per Cent Sold Out

Half of the tickets for the hospital home lottery are sold out.
The Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation announcing if all the tickets are gone by the early bird deadline by November 10th, then all 1242 prizes will be given out along with the grand prize showhome.

This year's lottery is expected for raise over $75,000 for the Mindcare and the New Brunswick Heart Centre.

The showhome this year is located at 11 Crosswind Crescent in Rothesay.

For more info on the lottery, click here

Anti-Poverty Group Warns Poor Could Be Targeted

The Common Front for Social Justice is worried the provincial government will try to reduce its burgeoning deficit on the backs of the poor.

Jean Claude Basque tells CHSJ News he gets concerned when he hears Provincial Finance Minister Blaine Higgs talking about managing the caseloads which translates into cutting the number of people who get help.

Basque points out the number of people receiving social assistance has gone up but that's more a reflection of the poor state of the economy and quite a high number are unable to work anyway.

He argues if the Alward Government returned to the taxation rates that were in place before 2008, there would be plenty of money.

According to the province's fiscal update, overspending by Social Development in the first quarter exceeded 9 million dollars.

Money From Garbage Budget Could Go Towards Roads and Sidewalks

Money normally used for trash collection could be going into city sidewalks and curb repairs.

As of next September, garbage pick-up in the city will be done entirely by city staff, which will save our coffers about 500-thousand dollars a year.

Commissioner of Municipal Operations Paul Groody says that money should be used to fix curbs and sidewalks so that more road repairs can be made.

He says numerous neighbourhoods will benefit from the investment, including Champlain Heights, Quinton Heights, and Forest Hills and adds you can't resurface streets in neighbourhoods if you do not fix the curb.

Deputy Mayor Insulted Over Not Being Invited To Water Meetings

Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase taking umbrage over the fact that he hasn't been invited to meetings regarding funding for clean drinking water.

Chase says he wasn't invited to a meeting between members of council and Saint John MP Rodney Weston back in June and wonders if he has missed any others.

He says he doesn't know why he hasn't been invited because he sits on the Water Committee and wonders if someone on council, a MLA, or Saint John MP Rodney Weston does not want him there.

He says if someone did have an issue with him being at the meetings, he would step aside so that talks could move forward.

Hampton Council Votes Against Shale Gas Testing

Hampton Council last night decided unanimously not to allow seismic testing within the town limits. 

It's only the second town in the province to do this after Sackville and also voted to write a letter to Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup urging him not to renew the two Windsor Energy licenses which expire shortly.

In addition, it's asking the Minister to give no new permits to drill gas wells in the Kennebecasis River watershed.

The Y Is Not Going North

The Saint John Y is not moving north.

In a release, the Saint John YM-YWCA says after conducting due diligence on the old Zellers location, it was decided it would be too costly to demolish and rebuild on this site. 

Staff and volunteers are working to find an ideal location that can be easily accessed by foot, bike, bus or car.

Hampton Mayor Says Shale Gas Company Is Co-Operative

The Mayor of Hampton isn't sure a contractor conducting seismic testing for Windsor Energy is even working within the town limits.
Ken Chorley tells CHSJ News the company sent a letter last month asking council for permission for the testing.

He says they tabled the matter which will come up at tonight's meeting adding they will be deciding whether or not to permit them to work in Hampton.

Shale Gas Protest Underway on Highway 1

A shale gas protest near Hampton may impact your drive home today.
Up to 60 people staging a demonstration against Windsor Energy and it's seismic testing along Highway 1.

Carl Wolpin of Hampton Water First tells CHSJ News they are upset with the provincial department of transportation for allowing permits and with the company who they believe went behind the back of Hampton Town Council by not getting permission for the testing.   Signs are up reading "No shale gas" and "Impeach Alward".

Construction Work Continues At City Hotel

Construction continues at the Delta Brunswick on King Street in Saint John.

New Housing Starts This Year In Saint John Remain Down

There was an increase in residential construction in the urban centres of this province in September with a total of 348 starts. This compares to 153 starts for the same period in 2010.

The increase is being attributed to significant gains in apartment starts in both Fredericton and Moncton but new housing activity in Saint John remains in the doldrums.

According to Canada Mortgage and Housing, local housing starts so far this year are off by 50 per cent as compared to the same time frame in 2010.

New Millrats Guard Calls Himself A Leader

The Saint John Millrats signing a former Detroit Pistons guard.
Will Blalock is from Boston, attended Iowa State University and was signed in the 2nd round by Detroit in the 2006 NBA draft.
The 28-year-old Blalock tells CHSJ News says he's a natural point guard and a leader on and off the court.

He says he brings overall knowledge and experience from playing all over the world adding he has always played hard and had a will to win.

The Millrats will be taking on new teams in the National Basketball League and they expect an automatic rivalry with the Moncton Miracles.   For more on the new league, click here

Taxpayers Watchdog Group Reacts To Increase In Provincial Deficit

Disappointing...........That's the reaction of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation to word the provincial government's deficit has risen by more than 65 million dollars to over 514 million.

The Federation's Atlantic Director Kevin Lacey tells CHSJ News it's time for a complete U-turn pointing out since 2006, provincial government spending has gone up by 1.7 billion dollars. He questions whether people in the province believe they're getting any better service for that extra outlay.

He says one area that could be cut is the administrative cost of government which rose substantially according to the fiscal update.

Small Business Organisation Calls Government Pension Plans "Unsustainable"

The Alward Government is being applauded by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business for taking the bull by the horns by carrying out a review of public sector pensions which are running large deficits for the most part.

The Atlantic Director of the C-F-I-B Leanne Hachey tells CHSJ News defined benefit pension plans have to be restructured because they are unsustainable and a recipe for financial disaster.

Hachey says incentives for early retirement could be removed along with indexing and the benefits themselves could be made more affordable.

The retirees for the city vow they will not accept any clawbacks of their pension benefits.

Millrats sign former Piston

The Saint John Millrats announcing the signing of Wade Blalock of Boston.

Blalock played for Iowa State in college and was then drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 2006 NBA draft.

Irving Oil Takes Wellness Seriously

Irving Oil is serious about having fit and healthy employees and are taking steps to make it happen.
Heather Purcell is the company's wellness co-ordinator who is now in the process of expanding a pilot project into a program for 2500 employees in Canada and the U.S.
She says the fall program in Saint John is called "Find Something You Love" which is a series of 10 sessions of wellness activities with a broad and holistic theme.

She says it includes everything from tai-chi, crossfit, zumba, hip-hop and photography.

The program is voluntary but does come with incentives to get the workers interested including gift certificates toward the purchase of workout gear and $150
a year towards a membership at a fitness centre.

Saint Johnner Finds Food Bank Experiment Unforgettable

A Saint Johner who spent three days eating meals solely from a food bank hamper says he can't stop thinking about it.

Randy Hatfield of the Human Development Council took part in the Experience Hunger event put on by the anti-poverty group, Common Front For Social Justice.

Hatfield tells CHSJ News from the moment you walk into a food bank as a recipient everything changes.
He says at a food bank you are on one side of the counter and you have no choice on what you are given.

Hatfield says a Salvation Army study conducted earlier this year found a majority of Canadians think people who use food banks or live on social assistance are morally less worthy than others, lazy and self-indulgent.

To see the Salvation Army study, click here

To see the Experience Hunger blog, click here

More People Should Be Getting Methadone Treatment

The cost of providing methadone in the city needs to re-evaluated so that more people can receive treatment -- so says the Julie Dingwell with AIDS Saint John. 

She tells CHSJ News the medicine itself is very cheap -- less than a dollar a day per person -- so something isn't adding up.

She says new approaches also need to be considered like a bare bones program -- where the patient receives a sustained low dose of methadone in order to manage their withdrawals.

Over 300 people are currently on the waiting list for methadone treatment.

Westbound Highway Traffic Will Be Slowed Down

The Westbound lanes on Route 1 near the Crown Street ramps will be narrowing to one lane beginning today for about four weeks, weather permitting.  

This traffic disruption is necessary to facilitate work on the One Mile House Interchange project.

Water Treatment Plant Won't Be As Expensive As First Believed

Despite the dire warnings about the growing deficit with the city's pension and the apparent inability of the employee groups to come together on a revised plan to deal with that which will meet the approval of the province, there is some good financial news.

The head of Municipal Operations Paul Groody says the estimated cost of the new water treatment plan on the east side will be 10 to 12 million dollars less than the original estimate of 172 million dollars.

Common Council will also be getting an update tonight on the Environmental Impact Assessment of the project.

Premier Gets Support For Electing Senators

Despite criticism from former Federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion, Premier David Alward is moving forward with his plan to have Senators from this province elected and he's getting support now from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

The Taxpayers Federation maintains an elected Senate will give New Brunswick the power to have real influence in Ottawa and Alward argues having a stronger voice in the Senate is vitally important for this province's future. 

The Premier says there are three Senate positions that will be vacant in the next couple of years with the first in 2012 and the other 2 in 2014.

Two other provinces, Alberta and Saskatchewan, are also in favour of an elected Senate over the objections of Ontario and Quebec.

Meantime, The provincial deficit continues to rise by $65.5 million to a total of $514 million in 2011-12, according to the latest fiscal update which also reports overspending in health care by over 19 million dollars and 9.1 million in Social Development.

Long Weekend Breaks Temperature Records

The warm Thanksgiving long weekend breaking some temperature records here in Saint John and in Fredericton.

Monday's high got up to 22.3 degrees breaking the previous record of 21.1 set back in 1961,

Sunday's high of 28 degrees broke the temperature record set back in 1970.  The previous high was 21 degrees. 

Fredericton also broke the record set back in 2006 when the mercury in the capitol city reached almost 29 degrees.

Saint John broke another record on Saturday when the temperature soared up to 21 degrees.

Mayor Says Students Need More Gym Time

The latest community report card shows an increase in the obesity rate in the greater Saint John region -- and -- that has Mayor Ivan Court suggesting our schools have to do a better job at keeping our kids active.
    
Court tells CHSJ News they're spendng a lot of time on buses and not getting enough gym time in school.
 
The Vital Signs community report card released last week shows our obesity rate sitting just over 24-percent in 2010 -- up from 23.7 in the previous year.

Mental Health Program Gets Funding Boost

A program designed to train people to recognize signs of distress in others and encourage them to get professional help is getting a shot in the financial arm.

MindCare New Brunswick recently receiving 19-thousand dollars from Bell and 5-thousand dollars from RBC for their Mental Health First Aid Program.

Dr. Pam Forsythe with Mindcare tells CHSJ News they have one trainer in the program so far and the program has been taught to staff at schools in both Districts 6 and 8.

Today is World Mental Health Day as well as Mental Health Awareness Week.

Company With Local Ties Makes Top 100 List

An engineering and design company with an office right here in the city getting some major kudos.

Edmonton-based Stantec has been named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers by Mediacorp.

Stantec was singled out because of its continued growth across the country and because it advocates designing sustainable projects and buildings.

This is the second year in a row that Stantec has won the honour.