MBS Employees Hit The Bricks

7 employees of Maritime Broadcasting says they are looking for a fair deal and that's why they are picketing today.

A union spokesperson says $10.58 an hour to start is not a living wage.

After 10 months of negotiating, they have not been able to get their first collective agreement.   

CHSJ News has learned management is doing one show at their three local stations, a replacement worker is training to possibly take over another and one is being operated remotely from Halifax.    No new talks are planned between the union and management.

Traffic Disrupted For Next Couple Of Days

Both westbound lanes at Hilyard Street will be closed to traffic until Wednesday afternoon, June 27th.

Drivers heading from the west side should use the Harbour bridge or Douglas Avenue. If you do go west on Hilyard Street, you'll be detoured along Simonds Street to Main Street North.

This work is part of the Harbour Clean-up project and includes the construction of a new lift station on Chesley Drive and sewer installation on Chesley Drive and Hilyard Street.

Don't Throw Out School Supplies

Schools out for the summer but don't throw away those school supplies because your local food bank could use them. Saint John High Teacher Barry Ogden tells CHSJ news pens, pencils and paper are needed.
 

"There's a supply and a demand, so if people have them at home or their work place, perhaps they can just take them to their food banks."

Ogden adds unused office supplies can also be donated to any of the 12 regional food banks.

Rothesay Votes Today

It may feel like a bit of a deja-vu, just a few weeks after the municipal election but there is another vote in the region today.     It's by-election day in Rothesay.

5 people are running to replace former provincial MLA Margaret Ann Blaney who resigned her post in May.

The candidates are Dominic Cardy of the NDP, Sharon Murphy of the Greens, Independent candidate Marjorie MacMurray, Liberal John Wilcox and Conservative Ted Flemming.

The polls are open from 10am to 8pm today.

Live coverage begins here after the polls close tonight.

Potential Of Partridge Island Downplayed

The estimate of 100 to 150 thousand people a year visiting Partridge Island if it's developed is low balling the potential which the General Manager of Saint John Waterfront Development Kent McIntyre calls huge considering from where all the immigrants came from before going elsewhere.

McIntyre believes the descendents, who have dispersed throughout Atlantic Canada and all down the U.S. Eastern Seaborad, would be interested in seeing where their ancestors landed. 

Besides Ireland, McIntyre says the immigrants passed through Partridge Island from Belgium, Germany, France and England.

Finance Commissioner Refutes Claim City Is Broke

Common Councillor Susan Fullerton has said the city is flat broke but that's a misperception according to Finance Commissioner Greg Yeomans. 

He says the city has more than enough assets to meet all of its financial obligations and it's debt ratio is well below what the provincial government considers precarious.
 
Nevertheless, Fullerton says the city should be looking for small efficiencies wherever they can be found because they all add up.

Yeomans does concede Saint John, like every other city, has an infrastructure deficit on such things as streets, water and sewage but points out has to maintain twice as much road as anyone else. He also complains the city is not getting as high a share of the tax pie as it should.
 
Common Council has been told by Yeomans had Saint John hosted the Memorial Cup at Harbour Station, the city would have had to pay as much as half a million dollars on chillers so ice could be made in May.

Common Council Warned About Plan SJ

A warning for the new Common Council from Chief City Planner Ken Forrest........Your feet will be held to the fire to stay the course with the new direction in development. 

Forrest tells CHSJ News there will be proposals put forward to bend the rules and Councillors will have to make some tough decisions.
 
He says the rural development that took place in the city in the 1990's in an effort to compete with what was happening in the Valley did not turn out to be good for Saint John because it's more expensive to service those areas where there are fewer people. He calls it "scatteration". 

Forrest says there was a forecast, way back when, that the population o the city would grow to a quarter of a million.

Hygiene Council Warns About Food Preparation

Preparing just one meal can contaminate 90% of surfaces touched. A new study warns people can become very sick from cross contamination of both raw meat and veggies. Dr. Donald Low of the Global Hygiene Council tells CHSJ news that everything from the plate used for thawing meat to an ingredient you touched can become contaminated.

"Now your hands are contaminated, now your utensils are contaminated, cutting board is... and what we found from the study is that people inadvertently not realizing this or just having a lapse will take that dirty hand and pick something else up."

Dr. Low adds the solution is simple --- just remember to wash your hands before touching other surfaces like taps and utensils. When barbecuing your meat, cooking hotter and longer is better to kill bacteria.

Common Council Gets Assurances About City Water

Saint John's drinking water is safe to drink........That message delivered to Common Council with the warning chlorine treatment doesn't protect the water year round. 

Council will have to decide whether all of us who live in the city will be using water meters with the aim being to reduce consumption. 

The Acting Commissioner of Water Bill Edwards tells CHSJ News meters will let you know how much water you're consuming and the more you use, the more you pay and that, according to Edwards, will save the city alot of money.

Edwards also says the estimated cost of providing safe drinking water with advanced treatment may not be as high as 280 million dollars.

Once the water is properly treated, Councillor Donna Reardon says the city could generate additional revenue by selling some of it.

City Looking At Losing A Big Percentage Of Its Workforce

The city wants to become the employer of choice as it faces the loss of almost one-quarter of its workers over the next five years through retirement. Common Council has been told 151 city workers could be retiring over the next five years. 

There has been talk some of those nearing retirement could be leaving early because they're uncertain over what's going to happen to the city's pension plan. Human Resources doesn't know how many of them will actually retire because many times they give very short notice. 

The city is making do with 70 fewer workers than it had a decade ago and there is one major job vacancy at City Hall these days.......Commissioner of Water as a decision will have to be made on universal metering and efforts continuing at reaching a funding ageeement with the federal and provincial governments on advanced treatment of drinking water.

'Superhero Shindig' Fundraiser At Rockwood Park

Spiderman working the BBQ while Bowser raises money....Those are just some of the characters you can expect in Rockwood Park tomorrow. Harbour Con-Fusion will be hosting a 'Superhero Shindig'...a fundraiser full of food, face painting and other goodies to raise money for the Animal Rescue League. Chaz Gougen from Harbour Con-Fusion tells CHSJ news everyone is welcome to dress up and bring picnic food to donate.
"We're recommending that if people want to come dressed in costume, feel free to do that! We're not limited to super heroes, whatever costume you have, if you want to wear one, feel free to bring that. But costumes aren't required to attend, if you want to show up as yourself you're welcome to."
Harbour Con-Fusion is a local non-profit organization planning a family friendly "comicon" convention for July. The event takes place from 11 until 2.

For more information on Harbour Con-Fusion, click here.

Quispamsis Says No To Fracking

The town of Quispamsis doesn't have a problem with seismic testing for shale gas and that's not why it wants a ban, according to Mayor Murray Driscoll.


"It's when they come to fracturing to find shale gas. That's the difficulty and of in our town, we have 6,000 wells with 3 major ones to look after our water supply for the entire community."

Driscoll says the town opposes anything that would jeopardise the integrity of those wells.


Driscoll  tells CHSJ News when they come up with a method for extracting the natural gas which doesn't pose a risk to drinking water from wells, the town will have another look.

Arrests Made At Westfield Establishment

Several arrests made at a venue on Westfield road last night after multiple complaints by neighbours. Saint John City Police tell CHSJ news there were several violations under the liquor control act. One man is criminally charged with criminal disturbance by swearing. Another man facing charges for drinking and driving and failing a breathalyzer. The venue itself allegedly broke a noise by-law and liquor control act. Police could not confirm how many arrests were made. The incident is under investigation.

The Princess Of Acadia Ferry Will Be Off Its Run

After picking up some fishing gear in their propulsion system, the Princess of Acadia will be off its run from tomorrow afternoon until next Thursday.

Bay Ferries spokesperson Don Cormier tells CHSJ News says the decision was made to do the work now to avoid further damage.

Tomorrow's crossing from Saint John to Digby will go ahead as normal but the vessel will not make the crossing from Digby at 4pm but head for drydock in Halifax for the repair work.

Cormier is asking travellers to keep a close eye on their website for news on when the service will resume.   To find the link, click here

Local Companies Among Best Employers

A trio of Saint John based companies are being recognized as among the top places to work in Atlantic Canada according to a survey by Progress Magazine.
The Halifax based publication says Bayview Credit Union's employee recognition program along with in-house social events are some of the things making the financial institution attractive as a place to work.
Directors Choice supplies answering services to funeral homes and makes the list by having staff members spend time with funeral directors to better understand their business and in-house fund raising activities for the Terry Fox Foundation.
CAA Atlantic also makes the list with its employee health benefits and recognition programs being cited as reasons why it's among one of the top companies in the region.

Adventure Race Kicks Off Tomorrow

Racers will be tying up their sneakers for the second Marsh Creek Eco-Challenge tomorrow. The adventure race will see forty-five 4 person teams hike, run, bike and paddle a 26 kilometre route at the creek. Tim Vickers of Atlantic Coastal Action Program Saint John tells CHSJ news proceeds of the event go towards the restoration of the Marsh Creek water shed.

"Most people know Marsh Creek for all the wrong reasons - and that being the sewage mainly - but with harbour clean up being completed this year, it's a chance for us to start to put people in the water shed so they can see the potential it has to be a real asset to the people of Saint John."

The race kicks off at 8am. More information can be found at Atlantic Coastal Action Program, Saint John.

Saint John "A Gateway" For Drug Traffickers

Saint John Deputy Chief Bruce Connell says City Police don't have their heads buried in the sand........They know drugs make it through the port destined for elsewhere in the country but still seizing 350 pounds of cocaine is a good result and it wouldn't have happened without various law enforcement agencies working together.

Connell says sometimes the drugs pass through Saint John on the way to Quebec and then wind up back in the city being sold on the street.

He wouldn't be surprised if that were the case with Operation "Crackdown" which resulted in 40 people being nabbed together with more than 230 thousand dollars worth of drugs being seized in an undercover sting.

Tide Announcer Wins Volunteer Award

He mentors a grade 6 student during the week and volunteers as well...so that is why Mark Downey wins the Judge Tom Bell Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The award is named after Tom Bell who was a judge in the juvenile court system where he worked with many troubled youth and was instrumental in starting the Big Brother Big Sisters program.

Downey tells CHSJ News as a mentor he sees his pal at St. Stephen Middle School.

He says once a week they meet at the school and play sports so his mentee has a good male figure in his life because otherwise he wouldn't have that.

Saint John Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Laurie Collins says Downey's name came up in discussions with their staff in Saint John, St. George and St. Stephen.

Huge Cocaine Bust At The Port

A big drug seizure at the port...............More than $21 million dollars in cocaine confiscated. 

Don Collins of the Canada Border Services Agency says there were 170 kilograms or 350 pounds and it goes for 35 or 36 thousand dollars a pound on the street.

He says it arrived in the two separate shipments on May 29th and June 5th and in both cases the drugs were seized from marine containers from Guyana, South America.

Police call Saint John a gateway for the drugs that were destined for the Toronto area where 8 arrests were made.

 

NB Exhibit At Toronto Expo Is Seeing Traffic

No doubt the Maritimers aren't used to the melting temps in Ontario right now but our contingent at the Saltscapes Expo in Toronto is still doing its best to sell a visit to this province.

Tourism Minister Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News people there understand how friendly New Brunswickers are and how we have wonderful hospitality.

He says he is more and more convinced in a crowd like this that New Brunswick has a world class product but it has to be marketed if people are going to find us.

The expo began today and finishes on Sunday and is expected to see up to 60,000 visitors per day.    Those visitors are learning about provincial attractions including our rivers, food and music.     To learn more, click here

Radio Employees to Strike Monday

Low wages, mandatory unpaid overtime, and arrogant management--those are the main reasons cited by Saint John unionists at Maritime Broadcasting, who will be on strike as of Monday if a collective agreement is not reached.

Strike negotiator Dan Oldfield says attempting to bargain with MBS has been a long and frustrating battle--and the employees are ready to take action. He says he's been negotiating for 30 years and the management at Maritime Broadcasting are the most arrogant and thoughtless he has ever encountered.

7 employees will be on strike. Oldfield says he wouldn't be surprised to see MBS employ strikebreakers.

More Singing At Market Square Tonight

It couldn't be a better night to hear country music at Market Square.

Aspiring Reba's and Kenny's get their shot as Alpine Country Star returns to the boardwalk.

Over 30 contestants will sing for the judges in their bid to walk away with the top prize of 5 thousand dollars.

Country 94's Marky B, Jim and Bobbi are your hosts when the event begins at 8 tonight on the Market Square boardwalk.

Saint John Might Break A Temperature Record Today

On the first full day of summer, we could be in for a scorcher.
 
Temperatures are set hit 27 degrees today even warmer in the humidex.
 
Environment Canada Meterologist Claude Cote tells CHSJ 
News we did not break any temperature records yesterday.

He says last night at the Saint John Airport they had a temperature of 25.5 degrees shy of the record of the record of 30 degrees set in 1953.

The hot spot in the province yesterday was St. Stephen at 32.7 degrees.

Another NDP Heavyweight Comes To Rothesay

The byelection in Rothesay is generating alot of chatter and speculation about whether the riding is up for grabs. 

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy is getting alot of support from the federal party. The M-P from Burnaby-Westminster Peter Julian, who also serves as the NDP's critic for energy and natural resources is in the riding canvassing with Cardy. 

The Liberal candidate John Wilcox tells CHSJ News there are other issues he's hearing about besides patronage. These include healthcare, concerns over the high numbers of young people leaving the province for better opportunities elsewhere, tuition fees, flooding in Oakville Acres and the displacement of people on Scott Avenue to make way for a fieldhouse. 

The former M-L-A in Rothesay Margaret Ann Blaney was critical of those people being displaced for the fieldhouse as was Conservative Senator John Wallace.

Aboriginal Celebrations Today

The sound of drumming and scent of sweetgrass in the air with Aboriginal Day kicking off in front of City Hall. Local politicians, native leaders, and community members gathering together with the message that we are all one tribe.

Lieutenant Governor Graydon Nicholas tells CHSJ News the challenges faced by the aboriginal community in the province can be overcome by sharing our history and stories. He says the biggest challenge to aboriginal communities throughout Canada is that people outside their communities aren't aware of the challenges they face.

Aboriginal artist Carlos Gomes lead the ceremony, which called on the traditions of a number of different tribes.

North End Fire Quelled

City fire crews called out to the north end to a three storey apartment building at 55 Metcalf Street.

Acting Platoon Chief Mark Carey says there was a mattress and clothing on fire in a bedroom on the top floor of the building. 

There was heavy smoke but fire crews managed to keep the blaze from spreading.

The cause is now under investigation.

Gas Prices Down Again

If you have to fill up today, you won't have to pay as much as you would have just last night. 

Gas prices in the city are continuing to drop, slowly but steadily. Self serve regular falling by 2 cents a litre to $1.20.8. 

Diesel is down by under half a cent at $123.5 a litre. 

Propane is also less expensive with a listed price of 91.7 cents a litre and heating oil is at $1.06.5, a decrease of just over a cent.

Student Names New Gangway

Adon Irvine’s Grade 2  class from St. John the Baptist-King Edward School class during their tour of Carnival Glory today.

Adon won a contest to name the new gangway at the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal.

He called it Loyalist Landing.

Saint John Idol Starts 10th Season Tonight

As the contestants warm up and get their hair and makeup just right, fans are excited for the 10th year of Saint John Idol.

The summer mainstay kicks off tonight on the Market Square boardwalk.
 
Tonight also mark the beginning of the 145 hours to 
celebrate Canada's 145th birthday.

A fireworks display will finish the night sometime between 10 and 10:30 tonight.

Saint John Idol kicks off at 8 tonight on the boardwalk.

Provincial Tourism Gets A Boost At Toronto Show

Up to 60,000 visitors a day will be visiting the New Brunswick store at the Toronto Saltscapes Expo.
 
Tourism Minister Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News a contingent of tourism operators, industry partners and exhibitors will bring a taste of provincial life to the big smoke.

He says it's the first time the province has been in the Toronto event having been in the Halifax version for several years now.

Holder says they will be focusing on the four pillars:  the Bay of Fundy, Acadian Culture, our rivers and beaches.

To learn about the event, click here

Williams Says No Deal - Yet

Transportation Minister Claude Williams says no deal has been reached for a replacement contractor for the multi-million dollar Harbour Bridge and One Mile Interchange projects.
Reports have been circulating today that an agreement was ready to be signed - but - in an email to CHSJ News - the Minister says negotiations are ongoing at this time - and - he will make an announcement if - and - when a signed legal agreement is in place.
Work has been at a standstill since Concreate U-S-L went bankrupt earlier this year - the province has been working with a bonding company to get a replacement contractor for the projects.

40 People Arrested In Major Sting

Thirty men and 10 women have been arrested after a major sting by Saint John City Police. The seven-week investigation, called Operation Crackdown, was aimed at street level crimes, particularly cocaine, prescription drug and marijuana dealers.

The investigation involved undercover buys and seven search warrants being authorized for a number of homes.

Of those arrested, 5 were under the age of 18.  Eight men have been remanded in custody and the others have been released with court dates.

The investigation targeted homes in the North End and West side and seized $13,000 worth of cocaine, $220,000 worth of marijuana and $1,000 in other drugs. 

Operation Crackdown wrapped up on June 15. 

Potholes Not The Top Priority, Says Council

Common councilor Shirley McAlary recently getting vocal about the need to fix potholes and cracks in the city roads--but her motion to prioritize those repairs has been defeated with some saying the spot-jobs shouldn't at the expense of bigger repaving projects.

McAlary had said she wanted the cracks and potholes at the top of the list, even before repaving streets.

Councillor Donnie Snook says he's in favour of better roads, but fixing entire streets, like Somerset, is just as important as isolated potholes.

Word On Bridge & Interchange Projects Expected Soon

A Transportation Department spokesperson says reports of a replacement contractor being found for the Harbour Bridge and One Mile Interchange projects aren't entirely accurate.
The spokesperson tells CHSJ News negotiations continue and nothing has been signed - but - we are promised an official statement later this afternoon.
Work on both projects has been at a standstill since Concreate U-S-L went bankrupt back in the spring -- since then the province has been working with the bonding company to make arrangements for a replacement contractor to finish the projects valued at just over 100-million dollars.

Transit GM Calls Bus Route A Bad Idea

With Common Councillor John Mackenzie motioning for the city to investigate a bus route from Saint John and outlying areas to the Sussex Potash Mine and Point Lepreau. 

Saint John Transit General Manager Frank McCarrey tells CHSJ news he doesn't see such a service making money unless it was subsidized by the companies. With so many drastic cuts to the bus service over the past several months, McCarrey says the last thing they need is to lose more money.

McCarrey says without subsidies the fare would have to be as high as 10 dollars a head.

Saint John Facing Aging Workface Problems

Saint John is not immune from the challenges that come with an aging workforce...a problem facing the entire country.

Enterprise Saint John hosting an event this week featuring speaker Mark Breslin who shares his insight with local employers.

Gina O'Rourke-McKay tells CHSJ News 20 per cent of the city workforce is industrial.

She say the skilled trades are facing many retirements over the next 5 to 10 years so to make sure they have the workers when they need them, Enterprise Saint John has begun an initiative to work with employers, union leaders and educators.

Mark Breslin says Alberta is an example saying it has not shifted its culture to develop people so they are now struggling just trying to find bodies to fill positions.

Partridge Island Is Not Top In List Of Priorities

Restoration of Partridge Island is further on down the list of priorities for development in the city.

The General Manager of Saint John Waterfront Development, Kent McIntyre says the Coast Guard site next to Market Square, the Reversing Falls master plan and upgrading the Trade and Convention Centre supercede Partridge Island.

Talks have been going on with four developers about the Coast Guard site and one very seriously.

CHSJ News has been told an announcement could be made by the end of the summer.

Saint John Has Missed Out On Money For Partridge Island

A Saint John historian says the 5.1 million dollar plan by Saint John Waterfront Development to restore Partridge Island is achievable but there have been lost opportunities in the past.

Harold Wright says back in 1984 then Trudeau cabinet minister Romeo Leblanc was to make a three million dollar announcement for Partridge Island that was cancelled. Then on two separate occasions, the city turned down offers of 9 million dollars.

Wright tells CHSJ News Partridge Island has been neglected for years and the vandalism over the past five years has been worse than during the previous 50.

The money went instead to Pier 21 in Halifax where a museum was built.

Shelter Says Abuse Is Still An Issue

A safe haven for a women living with abuse marking another year of service to the area. At Hestia House's annual general meeting, Executive Director Elaine Northrup telling CHSJ News its services remain vital even 31 years after it was first founded.

Outgoing president Kelly Ferris tells us since 1981, the shelter has sometimes seen three generations of women come through its doors as the cycle of abused is passed down from grandmothers, to mothers, and their children. The women come to them in desperate straits, she says, and need everything from pyjamas, toiletries and toys to help finding work or a more permanent place to live.

Hestia House provides shelter and support for up to 24 women and their children.  It is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with ten full-time and three part time staff.

Because the shelter is housed in an aging building, Northrup adds, and needs a lot of repairs to be kept comfortable for the women and children living there. For more information about you can help, visit their website here

Plan Unveiled To Open Up Partridge Island

Saint John Waterfront Development rolling out a 5.1 million dollar plan to restore Partridge Island so people can get there and wander about. 

General Manager Kent McIntyre tells CHSJ News one of the big challenges is to provide access to the island along the breakwater. 

The breakwater would be levelled and covered over with a walkway able to withstand the weight of a half ton truck. McIntyre says people could either walk from the mainland to the island or be taken there in golf cart type buggies.
 
Once on the island, McIntyre says there would be a series of trails for people to use with interpretive signs detailing what was there at one time.

 Most of the buildings are gone but there are still some military installations still standing which could be restored. 

A local fundraising campaign will be launched and he estimates from 100 to 150 thousand people would visit the island each year.

McIntyre concedes there would have to be some funding help from government and right now budgets are too tight.

Disney Magic Kids To Paint Mosaic Tiles

Kids on the Disney Magic cruise ship will be having a whale of a time this summer as they participate in creating a mosaic at the NB Museum.
 
Aquila Tours President Beth Kelly tells CHSJ News the pieces the kids paint will be assembled into a mosaic of a whale, which will have its permanent home at the new cruise ship terminal.

She says the children and their parents go to the museum and paint tiles which will be included in an art peice by Sheryl Crowley.

As part of Aquila Tour's 30th anniversary celebrations this year, Kelly tells us the company will also be adopting a Right Whale each day the Disney Magic calls on the Port City.    The Disney Magic cruise ship makes its second call to Saint John tomorrow morning, arriving in port about 8:30am.

Police Issue Warning To Partiers

Graduation is certainly a milestone worth celebrating--but the Rothesay Regional Police are warning parents and guardians to keep a close eye on the kids this time of year. 

Constable Eugene Belliveau says it's a time when parties can get out of hand.

He says things can get out of control with damage and thefts to the house and with social media and people texting their friends all of a sudden 20 to 30 people show up who were not invited.

Belliveau tells CHSJ News last year an officer had a bottle smashed over her head--and there are steep fines in Rothesay and Quispamsis for both noise violations and underage drinking.

Hampton RCMP Remind You To Lock Your Vehicles

Hampton RCMP reminding you to remove items from your car that may be tempting to thieves.

Sometime between 1:30 and 4:30 yesterday, the Mounties were called to the Florida Beach in Upper Loch Lomond where a car window was smashed and a purse was taken.   

The owner had taken her wallet to the beach with her.

The black Saturn was parked along Route 820 at the time.
 
If you can help police or Crimestoppers, call RCMP at 832-5566 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Commission Issues Cease Trade Orders

The Provincial Securities Commission issuing permanent cease-trade order against MI Capital Corp of Hong Kong and One Capital Corp Limited of Singapore.

The commission received complaints from several people in the province who received many calls in an effort to get them to invest in gold options.
  
The commission says the number of salespersons is unknown, and at least one of the callers may be using different names.

Executive Director Rick Hancox says you should be particularly suspicious of people offering deals over the telephone.

None of the people reporting the suspicious activity invested any money but, the commission wants to hear from any residents who got calls from the companies or who may have given money to them.

For more info, click here

Seal Pup Born In Shippagan

A seal pup has been born at the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre in Shippagan.

Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp says the birth of a seal in captivity is rare in this province.

The baby seal is being named "D'Amour".

No Injuries After Train/Tractor Crack Up

No one got hurt but the vehicles after a train/tractor crack-up in Passekeag.

RCMP responding to the collision at the railway crossing on the Bettle Point Road about 1:30 yesterday afternoon.

The 22-year-old driver of the tractor was hauling a load near the railway crossing when he noticed the train approaching.
In trying to move the tractor off the tracks, the trailer jack-knifed.

The train clipped the forklift equipment on the front of the tractor causing extensive damage to both the train and tractor. 

Chow Campaigns With Cardy In Rothesay

Provincial NDP Leader Dominic Cardy getting more federal support as Monday's by-election in Rothesay draws closer.

Toronto NDP MP Olivia Chow tells CHSJ News that accountable government is important weather it's Ottawa or Fredericton.

She says it's important to have a New Democrat voice to keep the government honest which is why she is here to support Cardy.

Cardy says its an honour to have Chow with him on the campaign trail in Rothesay and it shows the New Democrats are united.

Blaney Appointment Dominating Rothesay Byelection

The Conservatives can't have it both ways on the appointment of former Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney as President and C-E-O of Efficiency NB. 

So charges the Liberal candidate in the Rothesay byelection John Wilcox who points out they were bragging about saving the taxpayers 200 thousand dollars by eliminating the job and having the Deputy Minister take over the duties. 

Wilcox tells CHSJ News people have been venting as he campaigns door to door and alot of people who have voted Conservative in the past have told him they're not going to be doing that next Monday.
 
Elections NB, meantime, is reporting 846 people in the riding cast ballots in the advance polls.

  

New Revenue-Generating Bus Routes Suggested

City Council looking for ways to generate revenue with new bus routes. The routes would run from the outlying communities to the Sussex Potash Mines and Point Lepreau.

Councillor John Mackenzie tells CHSJ news it would help the commute for Saint John residents who work in those areas and it's a good money making opportunity for Saint John Transit.  
 
Mackenzie adds fares wouldn't be raised, but it would generate revenue for long term sustainability. He also believes such a move could restore funding cuts to bus routes in priority neighbourhoods.

City Authorises New Approach to Pension Deficit

Now that Premier David Alward has signed off a repeal of the city's Pension Act, Mayor Mel Norton taking a cue from the province's collaborative approach to hammering out the best reforms. 

Common council carrying Norton's motion the city enlist the provincial pension task force to consult with labour groups, personnel, and plan members to restructure the city's nearly $200 million dollar pension deficit.

Norton says a cooperative approach will provide long term security for plan members, ensuring funds will be there "forever and a day," in the mayor's words.

The move that was recently approved by the Legislature is believed to give to City more control over the pension plan. Norton making it clear whatever the task force comes back with, the decision remains with the City of Saint John.