Drivers Finally Getting A Price Break

For the first time in a long while drivers are getting some good news when it comes to gas prices

The price of self serve regular is down by more than 2 cents a litre at $1.31.4 in the city. 

Diesel has fallen by almost 3 cents to $1.38 a litre. 

Heating oil declining even more by over than 3 cents to $1.22.3 while propane is a bit more expensive at $1.02.1 a litre.

Resumption Of Bargaining In Bus Lockout

It looks like there will be a resumption of negotiations to end the Acadian Coach Lines lockout which began back on December 2nd. 

The company and Local 1229 of the Amalgamated Transit Union are expected to be back bargaining on April 29th. 

Union President Glen Carr is pleased there could be light at the end of the tunnel but adds he would have preferred to see the negotiations start earlier.

The lockout has shut down inter-city bus service in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

Local Real Estate Market More Stable

With spring just around the corner - a lot of people are thinking about buying or selling houses -- and -- a top real estate official is predicting a relatively stable market this year.
Greater Saint John Real Estate Board president Jason Stephen says after last year's roller coaster market -- things have settled down with interest rates remaining low and prices stabilizing - but - the inventory of homes on the market remains high.
So Stephen says that leaves the market tipped slightly in favour of buyers.
And he says the large inventory of homes for sale means it's taking longer to sell homes -- now an average of 120-days compared to between 60 to 90-days in the past.

No Guns Drawn In East Saint John

No guns drawn in a heated dispute that did involve City police today.

Constable Veino tells CHSJ News they were assisting in a dispute between 4 people in a yard on the Loch Lomond Road.

No one was hurt and a youth was arrested on a unrelated matter.

Board's “Bad Reputation” Debated at Ferguson Trial

“I don't deal with people with bad reputations, ” testified Vaino Keelman. Keelman is an investment consultant and partner at Ontario-based API Financing. He was called to the stand at the defamation trial of former city councillor John Ferguson to discuss the investment performance analytics his firm performed for the city's pension board from 2002 to the present.

Keelman testified that since he was first retained, the investment policies and goals of the Saint John Pension board were entirely in line with national standards, and its investment decisions were not contrary to API's advice. When asked by pension board lawyer Barry Morrison how the performance of the SJ pension board from 2002-2007 compared to boards elsewhere, Keelman responded glowingly: “It was fantastic. The pension board is a group of astute people who spend a lot of time looking into their investment affairs. They're not an easy audience for me or anyone else.”

Asked whether API makes a habit of dealing with clients with poor reputations, he stated, “If we don't have a sterling reputation, we could be sued for errors and omissions. We turn down business from people with bad reputations.” Keelman said API continued to work with the pension board even after Mr Ferguson's comments allegedly defamed its reputation, adding he knew nothing of the remarks.

Later on, former pension board trustee Fred Slipp was called for further cross-examination. Lawyer Rod Gillis attempted to show that Slipp and his fellow trustees failed to nip the unfunded liability in the bud. He also suggested they were lax in deciding who deserved disability pensions. Slippp described the fallout from Ferguson's 2006 comment that “any attempt to push the issue under the carpet wouldn't last forever.” He told the court, “I had a number of people come up to me and ask me what the pension plan was pushing under the rug. I tried to tell them [it] wasn't trying to sweep anything under the rug—but they didn't seem to understand that.”

Sea Dogs Riding High With Wins and NHL Signings

The Saint John Sea Dogs are riding high winning their last two home games before a long road stretch starts Friday to finish the regular season.
 
President Wayne Long tells CHSJ News the weekend wins capped a great week with Charlie Coyle and Danick Gauthier getting NHL deals.

He says the team is hanging on to first place in a battle with Shawinigan to clinch the Jean Rougeau Trophy for regular season champs adding the team is enjoying its time in the sun.

Longs add they are looking forward to a long and deep playoff run.   The team first home playoff game on March 23rd will be broadcast coast to coast on Sportsnet.   Tickets for the playoffs go on sale on Saturday.  For more info, click here

Kidney Donations Needed

Tomorrow is World Kidney Day and the Kidney Foundation says the theme for this year is organ donation.

Atlantic Director Tim Fox tells CHSJ News donations have not been increasing while the number of patients needing transplants has been going up.
 

He say across the country, there are 3-thousand people waiting for a transplant and only a handful are done in the province every year.

He believes people are still hesitant when it comes to talking about death and donating organs.

The Saint John chapter will be hosting a breakfast tomorrow morning at 7:30 at the Trade and Convention Centre.  To purchase tickets, call 506 634 0519.

Saint John Board Of Trade Wants Province To Buy Updated MRI's

The Saint John Board of Trade urging the Premier to make use of a 1 million dollar donation offered by the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation to buy a 3T MRI.

The province plans to buy a less-modern machine and BOT President Imelda Gilman tells CHSJ News one of her group's commitments is to grow the healthcare sector.

She says an outdated piece of equipment is a step backwards and the community has spent a lot of time and effort to raise the money.  She says it should be used on something it wants.

She adds the BOT has met with Dr. John Whalen, the head of diagnostic imaging at the Regional, and he says there are no additional costs to operating a 3T MRI.

Who Wanted To Silence A Common Councillor On Pension Deficit

A member of the city's pension board continuing to be cross examined at the defamation trial of former Common Councillor John Ferguson.

Pension Board trustee Fred Slipp was asked by lawyer Rod Gillis "Who was trying to silence Ferguson" to which Slipp replied  " I don't know".

Slipp was also asked by Gillis whether Ferguson made any direct reference to fraud in his statements about the city's pension plan. Slipp testified there was no direct reference, only the innuendo. 

As to the comparison to the pension problems in San Diego where there was an investigation of fraud, Slipp conceded he didn't know what was happening there until he was told by the former finance commissioner Andrew Beckett.

Gillis is suggesting the Pension Board isn't all that transparent, asking Slipp whether the members of the public can attend its meetings to which Slipp replied "No".

As for all the stories that were circulating about the pension plan's rising deficit, Slipp told the jury everyone has their own perspective.

Pay Equity Promoted with "Soup for Solidarity"

Will pay equity be part of the provincial government when it's unveiled later this month.? That's the question being asked by workers in childcare, home-care, at transition houses, and in group homes who are hoping for wage adjustments. 

The Saint John committee of the Coalition for Pay Equity will try to raise awareness with "Soup for Solidarity" at Centenary Queen Square United Church on Wentworth Street. Coalition Vice-President Elizabeth Blaney tells CHSJ News there's growing skepticism.

"We fear that there hasn't been any talk about this in the budget--suggesting that pay equity isn't a priority, and according to the Finance Minister the budget is all about priorities," says Blaney.

Blaney points out it's mostly women doing these jobs, and the big question should be why they aren't being fully remunerated.

Women Get Help with Personal Finance Skills

Whether you're a woman taking care of elderly relatives or saving for your first home, good personal finance skills are important. A new program called I'm Worth It from the NB Securities Commission is teaching women more about managing their money.

Education Coordinator Marissa Rignanesi says the program is useful to women of all ages and walks of life, because statistics show that many women lack a full understanding of how to make the most of their personal finances.

The free program, which includes interactive worksheets and an online money management guide, is available for download tomorrow.The release coincides with International Women's Day, which is observed on March 8th.

Get your copy of the I'm Worth It materials at www.investinknowingmore.ca 

Police Busy Overnight

A woman in her twenties was taken to hospital after a car struck the median along the causeway, flipping over and winding up on its roof while traveling westbound. The fire department reports the driver had to be cut from the car. 

And another woman getting into trouble after she reportedly confronted some students from the Middle East who happened to be in Brunswick Square at the time.

Trees in Trouble on Crown Land

Talk about paving paradise to put up a parking lot....the Conservation Council offering scathing criticism of a proposed move to sacrifice conservation measures on crown land in order to provide a temporary wood supply.

David Coon of the conservation council tells CHSJ News the way things are now is working well in these areas. Currently, some cutting is already allowed--you're simply not allowed to clear cut. The proposed measures would allow clear-cutting to happen.

45 groups have signed on to protest the proposed changes, and urge concerned citizens to contact Minister of Natural Resources Bruce Northrup. 

To let the Minister know what you think of the plan, contact bruce.northrup@gnb.ca or visit the Conservation Council's website at www.ccnbaction.ca

Missing Saint John Woman Found Out Of Province

The mystery has ended with a 20 year old Broad Street woman being located in Toronto. Casey Lloyd who's known by family and friends as "Cassie" became a mom just six months ago.

She was reported missing February 20th after visiting her own mother  in Crescent Valley.

CHSJ News found out she had been found when one of our reporters happened to be in a convenience store in the south end when the missing poster was being taken down.

 A man, believed to be her father, confirmed she was no longer was missing but wouldn't elaborate about what happened.

Senior Gets 5 Years In Federal Prison For Sex Crimes

69 year old John Joseph Allain of Nauwigewauk being sentened to 5 years in federal prison for five sex crimes that spanned over a 20 year period.

He pleaded guilty to having sex with a girl under the age of 14 back in the 1960's and four acts of sexual assault against 4 other girls from 1960 to 1982.

Lead RCMP Investigator in the case Const. Simon Jones tells CHSJ News the judge characterized the case accurately when he described Allain's actions as "predatory."

Allain will also be added to the sex offender registry.

Potash Spills After Derailment Near Causeway

The General Manager of Potashcorp New Brunswick says about 50 tonnes of potash did spill after a train derailment overnight on the track behind Crown street.

Stewart Brown tells CHSJ News that CN Rail was pulling  several loaded rail cars from the potash terminal and as they were making the turn by the causeway 8 cars came off the track and 4 tipped over.

He says potash is not a hazardous product but their first priority after making sure the NB Southern Railway crews were safe was to bring in some vacuum trucks and clean up the potash.

The Department of the Environment has also been at the site to investigate.
6 of the 8 derailed cars are back on the track and the remaining two should be back in service tonight.

West Side Candidate Wants to Create Jobs

Common sense solutions--that's what Ward 1 candidate Blake Armstrong wants for Saint John. He says he's a a proud West Sider and businessman. According to him,the city needs to be run with more business-sense if we want it to grown.

He tells CHSJ News that jobs have developed into a major problem for West Siders, and he wants to solve that.

He also says there needs to be clearer leadership at city hall, because without a captain, the ship is going down.

Calling For Regulation and Legislation For Tanning Salons

The Canadian Cancer Society is calling on the provincial government to bring in laws to protect teens from tanning too young.

Rosemary Boyle of the Saint John chapter says an evalution by the Department of Health finds 55 per cent of the salons evaluated would have let someone under the age of 18 use their tanning beds.

She says it's important to get the message out that there is no safe tan and youth are particularly vulnerable to the cumulative effects of uv exposure.

Boyle adds the Department of Health evaluation also found that 75 per cent of the salons failed to display the mandatory health warnings.

Capital Budgets Will Be Planned Ahead Over 5 Years

City Planner Ken Forrest says the capital budget will be planned ahead for the next five years in order to deal with the harsh reality of shrinking budgets and tough economic times.

Forrest tells CHSJ News Common Council is being advised not to pre-approve any projects in the 2013 capital program without making appropriate adjustments to the five year plan.  He says careful planning in the capital budget will help keep the tax rate down.

He adds more rigour needs to be applied to the approval process to ensure that the most important projects are approved and we can afford the infrastructure we already have.

Former Mayor Favours Radical Change To City's Pension Woes

Former Mayor Shirley McAlary, who is running for Councillor at large, says there will have to be changes made to the city's pension plan and she would favour changing it from defined benefits to defined contributions.

Such a change would have to be approved in the Legislature and would, no doubt, be opposed by the civic unions.

Another concern McAlary has is the amount of debt being carried by the city which she says has exceeded 100 million dollars.

McAlary decided not to run for Mayor because she tells CHSJ News she didn't want a fulltime commitment.

No Environmental Damage from Train Derailment

No word on why a train carrying potash derailed along Crown Street near Coast Tire. Crews on the scene for Southern New Brunswick Railway are referring all inquiries to J-D Irving. 

City Police are calling it a major derailment, although the fire department wasn't called, with 4 potash cars lying on their sides and 8 more are off the tracks but no one was hurt, there was no spillage and traffic along Crown is not blocked.

CHSJ News phoned the Transportation Safety Board but was told it was the first they had heard about it and requested information from us.

Train Derails Off Crown Street

(Photo Courtesy of Bill Conley)

An investigation will be launched into why a train carrying potash derailed along Crown Street in the south end. 

City Police are reporting 4 potash cars are lying on their sides and 8 more are off the tracks but no one was hurt, there was no spillage of potash and traffic along Crown is not blocked.


The stormy weather last night made driving difficult. Police are telling CHSJ News there were 18 collisions. 

One of the accidents at the Rothesay Avenue ramp onto the MacKay Highway ground traffic to a virtual standstill for about an hour and a half.

Education Critic Says Jody Carr Has Double Standards

Liberal Education Critic Hédard Albert says the Education Minister is favouring schools that are in Tory ridings.

Albert tells CHSJ News the minister will follow the recommendation of school boards as long as it doesn't affect regions that favour the Conservatives.

He says Juniper Elementary School was poised to be closed but Carr overruled that decision.  In the meantime, two schools in the Acadian Peninsula are scheduled to be closed down.

He says such a double standard is unacceptable.

Train Derails In City

(Photo Courtesy Of Bill Conley)

A train carrying potash has derailed along Crown Street in the south end. 

City Police telling CHSJ News 4 potash cars are lying on their sides and 8 more are off the tracks but no one was injured and traffic is not blocked.

The bad weather last night made driving treacherous. Police are reporting there were 18 collisions. 

One of the accidents at the Rothesay Avenue ramp onto the MacKay Highway ground traffic to a virtual standstill for about an hour and a half.

Slipp Barely Budges in Ferguson Trial Testimony

“If you're going to make statements, you're going to have to back them up.” That from Rod Gillis to Fred Slipp, who testified John Ferguson's comments were full of defamatory inferences and innuendo against the board.

Slipp testifying comments from Ferguson about three trustees suggested they were creating a paper trail to cover wrong-doing--and that harmed the reputation of the whole board.

In an excited back and forth, Gillis said, “Beckett, Nugent and Totten are three members of the pension board--they might also be three members of the YMCA! Are you capable of answering my question?”

Slipp responding Ferguson's comments carried connotations the councillors were quote, "covering their butts", to which Gillis responded it was only reasonable for employees of the city to do that.

Gillis said the board was dysfunctional because problems first identified in the late 1980s weren't addressed until 2007, sticking the city with a 200 million dollar bill.

Inmate Sentenced For 2nd Degree Murder Of Cult Leader

60-year-old Matthew Gerard MacDonald has been sentenced to 25 years in prison with no possibility for parole for the second degree murder of 63-year-old Roch Thériault.

Thériault died after an altercation with MacDonald at Dorchester Penitentiary on February 26th of last year.  Both were inmates at the prison.

Theriault was infamous for being a cult leader and was serving a life sentence for murdering one of his cult members.
 

Another Milestone Reached At Point Lepreau

The last major construction activity at the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant has been finished with the completion of the 760 lower feeder installations ahead of schedule. 

The installations are likened to completing a complex, three dimensional puzzle that has to be assembled in a defined sequence. 

The next major activity will be loading new fuel into the reactor which is scheduled to begin this month. 

NB Power is reporting the plant is still expected to return to service by the fall of 2012.

Meantime, NB Power is suing its insurers for more than $320 million over delays and mistakes made in the refurbishment and Atomic Energy of Canada has filed a similar claim for roughly $204 million.

Longtime Schoolboard Member Running For Common Council

John McKenzie, a former chair and still a member of the District 8 Education Council, announcing he will be seeking a seat on Common Council in Ward 2 which is the north end. 

MacKenzie wants to see more attention paid to revitalising the North End although he has seen improvement.

MacKenzie also wants to see a focus on attracting small businesses to the core of the city where there are several vacant storefronts. 

Ward 2 is currently represented by the principal at Millidgeville North, Gary Sullvan and Patty Higgins.

Mayor Angered By Criticism About Funding For The "Y"

Mayor Ivan Court is rejecting any criticism about the city not helping out the YM-YWCA with its new building in the north end at Crescent Valley.

Court calls the criticisms voiced last week by Saint John Portland M-L-A Trevor Holder "inappropriate". 

Holder is frustrated by the "Y" being removed from the city's capital budget because of budget cutbacks but Court says the city is helping out the 'Y" by closing off a couple of streets and might also give them three pieces of land they need for their new building, scheduled to open up in 2014. 

The Mayor says Common Council also had to remove upgrades to the convention centre and the proposed field house at E-P-R from the capital budget because there was no funding from either the province or the federal government. 

Court is suggesting Holder's criticism may have more to do with his support of another candidate who's running for Mayor.

Defamation Trial Told A Pension Board Trustee Wants Independent Audit

The defamation trial of former Common Councillor John Ferguson is continuing with the cross examination of Pension Board trustee Fred Slipp.
 
Ferguson's lawyer Rod Gillis questioned Sleep about a letter another pension board trustee, Glen Tait wrote in 2006 calling for an independent audit of the city's pension plan while adding the pension board trustees don't fully comprehend what has happened to the plan. 

Tait went on to say the silence of the Pension Board could be seen an an admission of mismanagement. Gillis also pointed out that criticisms of the pension plan were being made by other people besides Ferguson.
 
Slipp, under questioning by Gillis, testified the pension board never recommended indexing be removed even though it was told such a step would save the city's pension plan 29 million dollars.

Slipp also agreed with Gillis the number of disability pensions approved in the city was 3 and a half times the national average as well as costing the pension plan 3 million dollars a year and by 2004 contributions going in were less than the benefits being paid out.

Meteorologist Gives the Scoop on Spring Outlook

It's been a weirdly mild winter, and a lot of New Brunswickers are wondering what to expect from the spring outlook.

Meteorologist Gina Wressler has some answers. She tells CHSJ News that New Brunswick gets about 50 centimeters of snow in March, and this year won't be much different. So although we're definitely not out of the woods yet when it comes to snowfall, we are getting there. Wressler says we'll likely see a few more storms between now and May.

She calls spring weather in New Brunswick a "roller coaster" when it comes to temperatures and precipitation, but adds that the general trend is toward warmer temperatures.

RCMP Seize Enough Pot For 300,000 Joints

A 22-year old man and a 25-year-old woman from York Country facing charges after an RCMP sting on their home.

The pair were running a grow op out of their residence containing 600 pot plants. According to RCMP, that's enough to roll 300,000 joints. They also found a  restricted handgun.

They will appear in court at a later date to face related charges. The bust was part of the Marihuana Grow Initiative, the RCMP's national strategy to stamp out grown operations. 

Museum President Says The Institutuion Must Understand Its Purpose

The President of the New Brunswick Museum says people need to understand its purpose, what it does well and how it connects to the Province.
 
John Irving tells CHSJ News you have to understand what you have in order to appreciate it.

He says the museum is the repository for the story of the province that has already been written but we need to write the story of the province going forward but should do it as informed citizens.

Irving accepted a 3-year term as president of the New Brunswick Museum last month.

Grame Stewart-Robertson Wants to Be Your Next Mayor

Think long term, Saint John--that from mayoral candidate Graeme Stewart Robertson. As an a urban geographer and project manager for ACAP, he says he had the know-how and vision to make much-needed changes with how the city is run.

He tells CHSJ News the mayor's seat requires critical thinking skills and the ability to listen to what the public want--and that's not temporary Band-Aids.

Stewart-Robertson says he's seen the city's much-publicized financial woes as a challenge that he could potentially turn around if elected. As an a urban geographer and project manager for ACAP, he says he had the know-how and vision to make much-needed changes with how the city is run.

Photo Credit: Kelly Lawson

Provincial NDP Says The Environment Is Getting Short Shrift

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy charges the Alward Government is sending out a message the environment isn't important with the recent cabinet shuffle. 

The previous Environment Minister Margaret Ann Blaney is now at Energy and Environment is now part of the Local Government portfolio under cabinet minister Bruce Fitch. 

Cardy tells CHSJ News Fitch will have his hands full trying to reorganise local government which is already delayed. He questions how the Premier will be able to come up with these world class regulations on shale gas exploration if it's being done part time.

Cardy goes on to say he believes the fracking companies will see this as a green light to explore in the province without much restriction or restraint.

Weekend Flooding On East Side

The heavy rain on Saturday caused some flooding problems out east on Rothesay Avenue and Westmorland Road near McAllister Place and Parkway Mall. 

It was slow going for traffic but no streets had to be closed. 

The long range forecast is calling for heavy rain again on Friday.

(Photo Courtesy Of Mark McGraw)

Premier Urges Community Involvement in Government

David Alward emphasizing the importance of community engagement in all levels of government.

He tells CHSJ News that it's especially important at this moment in history, with all the changes that are happening here in the province.

Alward says that under the previous government people didn't have adequate opportunities to weigh in on changes to education and healthcare--and he wants to see a difference in that area.

Dieticians Working with Local Restos

Eating out just got a little healthier thanks to a national initiative by the dieticians of Canada.

Aisha Khedari, a registered dietician with public health, explains to CHSJ News what they're doing to mark Nutrition Month.

The association is partnering with over 30 local restaurants, where they're posting a link to the Fundy Wellness Network Facebook site--where you can get the information on healthy menu items at participating restaurants. They're also promoting a site called Eat Tracker that helps you analyze your intake of food and level of exercise.

Outspoken MLA Does Not Fear Or Expect Party Backlash

MLA Jim Parrott does not expect any backlash for recently going against the party line.

He has been critical of the Alward government's decision to buy less powerful MRI machines.

Parrott tells CHSJ News he has not spoken to colleagues about the issue recently and the Premier has been away but says he has gotten support from his constituents and the local caucus.

He says his stance has galvanized everybody and it's important to have public input on major decisions.

City Crews Prepping For Messy Weekend Weather

The City's snow removal crews will be out in force this weekend to keep the streets safe during the forecasted storm. Folks are reminded to take advantage of off-street parking whenever possible.

Crews are preparing for both rainfall and snowmelt. They'll be inspecting catch basins in known trouble spots to make sure they'll be open and ready to handle all the run off.

If you have any concerns about snow removal, you're encourage to report them by calling 658-4455. To learn more about how the city handles winter storms, visit saintjohn.ca/winter.

Stephen Says Robocall Scandal Did Not Impact Weston's Campaign

Saint John MP Rodney Weston's campaign manager is not aware any robocall or automated calls during the campaign last year.

Jason Stephen tells CHSJ News it's suspicious that someone is claiming Elections Canada had called them adding there has never been a situation in the past where they actually call people.

He says there is no reason for Elections Canada to call a voter adding they wouldn't have anybody's phone number.

When asked if he thought the robocall scandal has undermined the legitimacy of hte Harper government's majority, he tells CHSJ News we all have a fundamental belief in the democratic process.

Pension Board Trustee Says Even Friends Do Not Believe Him

Pension board trustee Fred Slipp detailing the fallout he has been dealing with thanks to the accusations and innuendo levelled against the pension board by former city councillor John Ferguson.

The board is suing Ferguson for defamation.

Slipp says he would hear snide remarks when speaking to his co-workers.  One time he was buying gas at Canadian Tire and a co-worker remarked that he had a really nice car.

He testified that even a close friend has told him they believe John Ferguson and something is amiss with the pension board.

Slipp says he doesn't know how to fight the allegations but if the board wins the lawsuit, at least the board will be vindicated in the public record.

Slipp will be cross-examined on Monday.

City Police Looking For Missing Girl

The City police's Major Crime Unit looking for the public's help in finding a missing 20 year old girl.

Cassie Lloyd was was last seen about 11am on Monday February 20 at her home in the city's south end.

She's described as being 5'0" tall, weighing about 100 lbs with a slim build, hazel eyes and shoulder length blonde hair.
When last seen, she was wearing a 3/4 length red jacket, blue jeans and knee high black boots.

If you have seen her call police at 648-3333 or 648-3211.

Cardy Is Not Impressed With The Alward Shuffle

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy isn't impressed with Premier David Alward's mini cabinet shuffle.

He tells CHSJ News he doesn't think we can expect much more from Rothesay MLA Margaret Ann Blaney as Energy Minister adding she completely mishandled the wetlands file while in Environment.

He says putting Margaret Ann Blaney in as Energy Minister gives a complete green light to fracking.

Cardy dismissively says Craig Leonard has been demoted from Energy Minister to the Minister in charge of stationary.

Totten Says Common Council Would Not Okay Radical Change To Pension Plan

Former City Manager Terry Totten finishing up his cross examination at the defamation trial of former Common Councillor John Ferguson.

Totten concedes questions posed by Ferguson in 2005 about the city's pension plan were appropriate but isn't sure when they were responded to.

Totten testified he's not an expert on pensions which prompted Ferguson's lawye Rod Gillisr to question whether it would not have been better to hire a pension expert rather than spend money sending pension board trustees to Vegas, California, Hawaii and Florida. 

Totten told the jury by 2007, he didn't know what to do about the rising pension plan deficit.  

Gillis tried to pin Totten down on if he ever specifically recommended the city move from defined benefits to defined contributions. Totten maintains he recommended Common Council investigate that but couldn't get approval to which Gillis replied so it's Council's fault.

Merrithew To Run In Ward 4

A Saint John investment advisor is looking to represent East Saint John at Common Council.
David Merrithew is running in Ward 4.

He tells CHSJ News despite his famous uncle, Gerry, he has never pursued public office before now.

He says he likes to get involved in his own city adding he's a passionate volunteer and this just seemed natural.

Merrithew says everyone is concerned about the pension fund deficit adding it's almost one-fifth of a billion dollars.

Council Candidate Speaks Out On SPCA Issues

A fallout between the SPCA Rescue League and the city has Ward 4 candidate Ray Strowbridge taking notice.

The SPCA will no longer be handling animal control in the city after a budget dispute.

Strowbridge tells CHSJ News it's an important issue that needs to be sorted out as animal control cannot be taken for granted.

He says controlling stray animals prevents possible injuries to people but furry citizens need protection as well.

He says the city also turned down reasonable requests from the SPCA, such as receiving snow plow service instead of money, and use of a city vehicle.
 
The city's bylaw enforcement office is currently handling animal control.

City School Mourns Former Student

Staff and students at Simonds High are in shock to hear of the passing of former student Mathieu Leclair.

He was attending Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario and he is identified as the cadet pulled from Lake Ontario this week.
 
Principal Gary Keating tells CHSJ News that Mathieu was highly respected and loved by the teachers and students at Simonds.

He says Mathieu had great leadership qualities who thoroughly enjoyed Simonds high and was the 2009 grad class president.

Keating says Leclair was also an athlete playing basketball and he won a huge scholarship to attend Royal Military College.

Former City Manager Fails To Name Defamatory Statements

Totten getting cross examined by defence lawyer Rod Gillis in the defamation lawsuit against Ferguson.

Former city manager Terry Totten failing to identify any defamatory statements made about the pension board by former city councillor John Ferguson during a presentation to council.

Gillis also asked Totten as to why he never brought up possible solutions to the city's pension problems during his time on the pension board or as city manger, such as removing indexing, putting caps back in, and going from a defined benefits plan to a defined contribution plan.

Totten says he never brought up those concerns, as either a pension trustee or city manager, because he believed council would never make such drastic changes and the pension plan needed to stay competitive.

Totten resumes his testimony tomorrow at 9 at the Court of Queen's Bench.

The Premier Shuffles Blaney To Energy

Margaret-Ann Blaney will leave her post as environment minister to become energy minister, taking over for Craig Leonard.    Leonard will lead the newly created Department of Government Services.

In January, the Opposition Liberals called for Leonard to be removed from energy after he said he would no longer comment on natural gas issues because it could be perceived as a conflict of interest.

Leonard's sister recently became a lobbyist for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and before that she was a civil servant helping the province develop shale gas regulations.
 
At the time, the premier's office said Leonard was not in a conflict as energy minister.