The Premier To Give Pension Update

The Premier will be in Saint John tomorrow.

David Alward is going to highlight progress being made on pension reform.

He'll be speaking at the Delta tomorrow afternoon.

 

Moir Remembers Layton

One year ago today, former N-D-P Leader Jack Layton died -- just three months after leading his party to official opposition status in Parliament. 

UNB Saint John Professor Rob Moir ran for the NDP in Saint John in the last election and tells CHSJ News Jack wasn't about putting people down but pulling people up.

He says we are all taught as kids however you find the place leave it a bit better when you go and Moir says Layton did that.

Moir believes that the newly elected young MP's in Quebec are really proving themselves as strong players in government.

Union At Maritime Broadcasting Kicking It Up A Notch

The Canadian Media Guild is ramping up its campaign to end the strike at three radio stations in the city owned by Maritime Broadcasting.

Unions affiliated with the Saint John District Labour Council will be setting up information picket lines outside the businesses that have not pulled their advertising.

The Media Guild's Gerry Whalen is hoping this will force the owner, Robert Pace, to bargain seriously because he has 3 of the 7 employees on strike earn only 24 thousand dollars a year and find themselves on the border of poverty. There are 3 others making 30 thousand. Whalen charges they are not being treated with respect.

Whalen says he was told by one car dealer in town he has people working for him who clean cars and get paid more money than that.

Negotiations started last October and the strike has been going on now for 9 weeks.

Wilderness Classroom Kayaking To Saint John

This kind of classroom makes kids want to go to school!

Married duo Amy & David Freeman have spent the past two and half years kayaking across North America and now, they're paddling down the St. John River. But the trip isn't a vacation, David Freeman says the Wilderness Classroom focuses on teaching people the importance of protecting the environment and how nature is interconnected. Freeman says they normally go to elementary and middle school classrooms, but since school isn't in session they won't be able to speak in Saint John.

 

The two started in Seattle, Washington on Earth Day of 2010, and will canoe, kayak and dog sled around 20,000 kilometers.

Freeman says two things surprised him about the St. John Watershed. One was how much wildlife was along the river, and the other was how some areas of the river were abundant with boats and fisherman while others weren't.

The couple will be in Saint John either Thursday or Friday. They hope to finish in seven months in Florida. 

For more information on the Wilderness Classroom, click here.

Federal Minister Defends Closure Of RCMP Lab In Halifax In Face Of Criticism

Federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews doesn't share the same concern over the closure of the RCMP lab in Halifax as the New Brunswick Police Association. 

It warns delays in processing evidence could get even longer. The Police Association and Chief Bill Reid blame delays in processing evidence in the Richard Oland Murder investigation as being largely responsible for no one being arrested yet. A police affadavit that was released recently shows most of the evidence, at the time it was written, had not been analysed.

Toews, who made a stop in Saint John this week, says he has been given assurances the closing of the lab in Halifax won't make a difference.

Police Association President Dean Secord says it means police in the Atlantic region will have to send their evidence to Ottawa for processing. 

Toews also doesn't go along with the claim that you have to wait your turn in getting the evidence processed regardless of high profile the case is.

Alot Of Unknowns With New Sex Crimes Investigation

Mayor Mel Norton says he wants to do the right thing but the city doesn't know how much that will wind up costing.

An investigation is underway after a new complaint surfaced of sexual assault made against former city police officer Ken Estabrooks who served time in prison before dying in 2005. 

Private investigator Dave Perry says quite often after one person comes forward, others follow after being silent for years and he suspects that will happen here. 

Perry, who is well known for his work investigating sex crimes with the Metro Toronto Police, concedes he doesn't know how long the investigation will last but cautions when you're dealing with sexual assaults, the file is never closed permanently.     

Fire Trucks Respond To East Saint John Alarm

You may have noticed the fire trucks near Michael's just before 6 tonight.

They were responding to fire alarms activated due to a  malfunctioning sprinkler system.

As a precaution, all staff and shoppers were evactuated from the building.
No one was hurt.

Thieves Get A Haul From Peninsula Home

Just imagine how mad you would be....

Sometime between 6 and midnight on Friday night someone broke into a home on Centerton Road on the Peninsula stealing a laptop, MP3 player and an electric fireplace.

The homeowner was away for the night.

If you can help the Mounties solve this one,  call Hampton RCMP at 832-5566 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or click here .

Nine Alcohol Related Arrests In Sussex

Nine people have been arrested in alcohol-related incidents in Sussex over this past weekend.

RCMP say two men were arrested in separate incidents for refusing to take a road-side alcohol screening test, including one 42-year-old Saint John man. There was also an ATV collision in Lakeside that sent a 23-year-old man to hospital, where alcohol is believed to have been a factor. There were also six people arrested for public intoxication.

Cpl. Pat Cole calls the number of alcohol-related calls concerning, but was thankful no one was seriously injured or killed.

Two Vehicle Collision On Causeway

Two vehicle collision at Bayside Drive and Mount Pleasant Avenue East near the Causeway causing brief traffic problems early this afternoon.

Photo by Andrew Sanojca.

Running With Fido In Her Memory

If you love either running or dogs -- or even both -- this event is up your alley.

The "Fido and Friends" run is being held this Sunday at Rockwood Park and 100% of the registration fees go towards the Animal Rescue League. Organizer Cindy Loiser tells CHSJ news the event was started three years ago in memory of a friend who was killed while running and was passionate about the Animal Rescue League. Loiser says in the first year it was a bunch of friends who got together, and since then it's grown. She wants to make it a yearly event so people can support a cause and honor those who've had accident and injuries during a run.

Loiser says the run isn't a race, but a way to enjoy running or walking with your dog and friends while raising money. There's a 1, 5 and 10 kilometre course to choose from and kids are also welcome.

For more information, click here.

Common Council Can't Have Finger In Every Pie

Common Council has the authority to make things happen at City Hall, not the Mayor and individual councillors on their own.

That, from former City Finance Commissioner Darryl Wilson who cautions against Council getting into the nitty gritty, day to day operations of the city.

He tells CHSJ News it's up to Council to establish what the expectations are for the fire service, as an example, by deciding what level of response time it wants.

Wilson  adds Council will have to balance what it would like to see with what it's willing to pay in order to achieve that. Then it's up to City Manager, Fire Chief and staff to come up with options.

He maintains the City Manager is the most important employee at City Hall.

City Hires Firm To Look Into New Abuse Complaint

The City of Saint John learning early this year of a new sexual abuse complaint against deceased Saint John police officer Ken Estabrooks.

Estabrooks was convicted on four counts of indecent assault in 1999 and served jail time before his death in 2005.  Mayor Mel Norton wants the public to know that after receiving the complaint, the City took immediate action.

He says shortly after receiving the complaint the City contacted an arms-length investigative firm, Investigative Solutions Network,  to initiate an investigation.

Dave Perry of Investigative Solutions says sexual abuse investigations are never closed permanently.

He says if they finish their work in a couple of weeks or a couple of months and someone came forward in year they would have to listen to that person.

ISN will examine Estabrooks former work places to see where the alleged abuse took place.
The City is offering to provide counselling to any victims that come forward.

Toews: Priority Cases Can Be Processed Faster

Confusion builds regarding the delays in processing evidence at RCMP labs in the case of Richard Oland.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews says if there's a high priority and time sensitive case, police and the labs work together to move it ahead. He says they take a number of steps to make ensure the case is before the courts as quickly as possible.

That's quite a different response from Police Association President Dean Secord, who said just last month that once the evidence is sent off to the RCMP lab in Halifax, you wait your turn. Secord says it's that slowness that's delayed laying charges in Oland's death.

Huge Seizure Of Drugs In City And Valley

A big drug bust resulting in the arrests of 2 Rothesay men 50 year old Joseph Henri Lambert of Lambert Court and 29 year old Andrew Brian Lambert of Hooper Drive. 

Canada Border Services, City Police, Rothesay Regional Police and the RCMP all getting together on this investigation. 

They seized 34 pounds of marijuana, over a pound of hash, 27 marijuana plants, half a pound of cocaine, 400 prescription pills and more than 10 thousand dollars in cash.

The drugs have an estimated street value of 362 thousand dollars. Also confiscated was a semi automatic handgun. 

Two women, aged 27 and 49 along with three otgher men ranging in age from 25 to 51 were also nabbed on drug related charges.

City Hall Launches Investigation

The city has launched an investigation that will be conducted by Investigative Solutions Network headquartered in the Toronto region in Pickering Ontario. 

More details will be released at a news conference this morning. 

The company claims to have recruited top homicide, fraud, sex crimes and forensic investigators who have proven track records from the Metro Toronto Police Department, RCMP and FBI. 

New Council Members Told How They Can Do Their Jobs

Common Councillors getting the ABC's of how to do their jobs and govern the city well from former City Finance Commissioner for 15 years Darryl Wilson who also worked as Auditor-General for the province over a period of 8 years. 

Wilson says Council members should be asking themselves what is their vision for the future of the city and how will success be measured by themselves and Saint Johnners when the next municipal election rolls around in 4 years time.

Wilson says it's up to Council to evaluate the performance of not only senior City Hall staffers but also all the agencies, boards and commmissions that operate on behalf of the city. 

He has no objections to having term limits for those people who serve on City boards, commissions and agencies. He doesn't necessarily accept the proposition that you have to pay in order to get good people to come forward.

Wilson also telling the Councillors, the city has great potential and if they're going to change the structure of local government, it should be done for one reason and that is to make things better.

West Side Beach Party Prompts Visit By Police

City Police had to break up what they say was a large beach party on the west side. 

It's believed from 50 to 75 teenagers had congregated on Bayshore Beach. 

An 18 year old man was arrested for violating the terms of his probation not to drink and he also resisted arrest.

Meantime, three people were sent to hospital after two separate crashes in the city. The first one happening on Sandy Point Road when a car went into a ditch and then, a short time later, two vehicles collided into one another on Lansdowne Avenue.

Marsh Creek Could Smell Better By Next Summer

You might be irritated by construction delays on a number of city streets these days--but Tim Vickers of the Atlantic Coastal Action Program wants you to know all that work is going to pay major dividends. 

Vickers tells CHSJ News the the Harbour Cleanup infrastructure they're putting in will make life a little sweeter for residents on the East Side and beyond. Raw sewage will no longer be pumped into the Harbour and Marsh Creek, which will mean an improvement over the coming years.

Vickers says once the sewage stops being pumped in the plant-life will take over purifying the water of toxins. He says the Cleanup will be pretty remarkable considering it's been generations since the Creek wasn't a cesspool.

Federal Funding Helps Local Crime Prevention

A provincial crime prevention program getting a big boost from the federal government.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews announcing close to $300,000 being provided to support the "Equipping for Crime Prevention" program here in the province. The funds will provide crime prevention workers with the resources to help reduce crime involving at-risk you, chronic offenders and Aboriginal persons.

Toews says his meeting with Saint John MP Rodney Weston and stakeholders showed him Saint Johner's are involved in making a difference in crime prevention. Toews mentioned he's seen the success and progress One Change has made in the Old North End since he toured the facility two years ago.

The government has also provided more than $1.1 million in support of the Nogemag Youth Program which helps at-risk youth from the Elsipogtog First Nation here in New Brunswick.

VIDEO: Mayor's Comments To Gay Community

Mayor Mel Norton speaks to the crowd at Saint John's 10th annual Pride flag raising.

SJ's Gay Community Is Here & Proud

The message of Pride week in Saint John is that it's OK to be who you are...and Mayor Mel Norton and other community groups are getting on board. At the Pride flag-raising ceremony this afternoon Norton tells CHSJ News the gay community is vital to his vision of Saint John as a "Renaissance City"--and he and common council will continue to work hard to embrace diversity in all its forms.

Organizer Brian Boyd says things have improved a lot since Pride started in Saint John a decade ago. He says instead of being told to "sit down and shut up", the gay community is now accepted as part of mainstream society. Further, Boyd says he hopes this year's celebrations will be bigger and more family-friendly than ever.

The official events for Pride 2012 are as follows:

Monday Aug 20th - Flag Raising 12pm City Hall

Coffee House for Youth ages 13-18 - Public Library Market Square from 2pm-5pm.

Tuesday August 21st - Pride Community Auction & Social @ Mahogany Manor 7pm-9pm

Wednesday August 22 - Movie Night @ Pump Nightclub 8pm - "Another Gay Movie" 

Thursday August 23rd - Vagina Monologues 8pm - $5 at the door. Pride Karoake @ Pump Nightclub -10pm

Friday August 24th - Pride Drag Show @ Pump Nightclub  - 9pm-midnight. Blackout Party @ Pump Nightclub Midnight-2am

​Saturday August 25th - Pride Parade 2pm set up 1pm. Pride Party @ Pump Nightclub - 10pm-2am

Buy Cheap Books All Week Uptown!

If you finished everything on your summer reading list, then this event may be calling your name.

 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saint John hosting their annual big book sale with books going for as little as 50 cents.

It's on now until Saturday at Brunswick Square.   Executive director Laurie Collins tells CHSJ News they are still accepting books at the sale this week.
 
It's on today until 6pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Thursday and Friday from 10am to 8pm.

Police and Fire Investigate Weekend Blaze

City police are looking into a fire early Saturday morning on the 

Upper Golden Grove Road.
 

When police and fire arrived at the scene at about 3:30 am, the home was fully engulfed in flames.

In a release, Sgt. Jay Henderson tells CHSJ News they have since determined a break, enter and theft took place at the home and the cause of the fire is suspicious.

Fire investigators and the Major Crime Unit are looking into the incident.   

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 648-3333 or Crime stoppers 1-800-222-8477.

Dirty Water For Some Customers

Folks in areas of the South-Central peninsula including Haymarket Square, Douglas Avenue, and north and south of the Saint John throughway could be seeing dirty water from their taps in the next few weeks.

The city is flushing out fire hydrants between 8am and 8pm to clean out water distribution pipes. The dirty water could last for as long as 20 minutes. Water pressure might also be effected, but the water will not be shut off.

For further information please contact 658-4455.

Coal Creek Crash Claims One

A crash on Highway 10 in Coal Creek last night claiming the life of a 41 year old Chipman woman.

The mounties tell CHSJ News it appears the crash occurred when the woman's vehicle crossed the centre line and was hit by an oncoming transport.

The woman died at the scene and her name is not being released until her family is notified.

The driver of the transport truck was checked out in hospital.

Potential Partnership For Greens & NDP

A potential partnership could be in the works when the next provincial election rolls around.

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy is looking favorably at Green Party candidate Roy McMullin's suggestion of forming an alliance. Cardy tells CHSJ news the idea of a cooperation is a good one, but should be on shared platform and shared values, not to get elected more easily. He adds people have to get beyond the idea of which parties flag is flying, and concentrate on getting the province back on track.

Cardy says he's already spoken with McMullin a few times this month, and both of them saw eye to eye on electoral reforms and the patronage system.

McMullin and David Coon are running for the Green Party leadership position.

Antlerless Deer Draw Results In

New Brunswick hunters hear today whether their names were picked in the annual anterless deer draw...almost 35-hundred names were drawn, and stickers will be sent out in the mail by the end of next month.


Having a sticker means you can shoot one deer of either sex within the wildlife management zone on the tag--or an antlered deer in any area open for deer hunting. Hunters are only allowed one deer apiece.

Following is a list of wildlife management zones (WMZ) and the 2012 quota of antlerless permits allocated for each zone:


WMZ 1 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 2 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 3 - deer season closed
WMZ 4 - deer season closed
WMZ 5 - deer season closed
WMZ 6 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 7 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 8 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 9 - deer season closed
WMZ 10 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 11 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 12 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 13 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 14 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 15 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 16 - 106
WMZ 17 - 55
WMZ 18 - 54
WMZ 19 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 20 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 21 - 201
WMZ 22 - 1,508
WMZ 23 - 1,017
WMZ 24 - 51
WMZ 25 - 0 (bucks only)
WMZ 26 - 50
WMZ 27 - 393

Fatal Highway Crash

The RCMP investigating a fatal collision early last night near Chipman which took the life of a woman. It happened on Route 10 involving a car and and a tractor trailer. No name has been released yet.

Transit Union Wonders If Common Council Considers Bus Service A Priority?

Saint John Transit is limping along and the President of the union local, Tom McGraw is worried whether the new Common Council considers bus service to be a priority. 

McGraw is saying this because of all the money that will be spent on surveying Saint Johnners and holding public meetings in the four wards. 

McGraw tells CHSJ News if the city spent 15 thousand dollars, there could be bus service on the three statutory holidays remaining in this budget year. Only four buses are run on a stat and it costs 5 thousand dollars for the day.

Councillor David Merrithew estimated the cost of the public ward meetings at 40 thousand dollars and fellow Council member Susan Fullerton objected to spending 22 thousand on sending out booklets and surveys to Saint Johnners so soon after the election campaign.

Parents Confused Over New School District

School districts 6, 8 and 10 are now the Anglophone South District, but confusion is building since their old district websites are still running.

Superintendent Zoe Watson says parents have stopped her while shopping because they're unsure of what district their children are now in. She says a website for the new district is in the making, but until then the older websites are still active.

Watson says the school district will have to go through the web, newsletters, and media to explain more specifically what changes have been made.

LBR GM Torn Over Expansion Idea

The chance of renovating the L-B-R to an Olympic size rink is growing smaller.

L-B-R General Manager Dave Nicholson tells CHSJ news the expansion would mainly affect the speed skating community, but he doesn't think there's enough money to go ahead. He says the complexion of the rink would also change completely and lose half it's seats (and ticket sales) from ice expansion.

Nicholson adds it's a subject that's been talked about for years. 

Common Council received a report last month estimating a cost around $3.5 million if the reno took place. The issue was referred back to the Leisure Services Advisory Committee.

A Second Home Destroyed By Fire

A second home has been destroyed by a fire this weekend.

The KV fire department battled a blaze that engulfed a mobile home at 9 Sitka Lane around 9:30 last night.

Assistant Deputy Chief Alick Taylor tells CHSJ News there was no one in the home at the time of the fire, but they were worried the fire was going to spread to other homes.

Taylor adds they had to call the Hampton and Nauwigewauk fire departments for help. No word yet on what caused the fire.

Patrol Stop Finds Stolen ATVs

For city police, it was being in the right place at the right time.

Two men in their early twenties were arrested last night after being caught with two stolen ATV's.
Saint John City Police tell CHSJ news while doing a patrol on Harbour Bridge they stopped a truck driving a utility trailer. When police checked the two ATV's they were towing they discovered they were stolen.

One man has since been released with a later court date while the other is being held.

Acadian Closure An Opportunity?

One organization sees the closure of Acadian Coach Lines as an opportunity in disguise.
The Ecology Action Centre and Atlantic Canada Sustainable Energy Coalition see this is a chance for the maritime provinces to come together to form a new public maritime transit agency.
EAC's Wayne Groszko tells CHSJ news they would start by having a round table discussion with provincial leaders to explore the idea. He says with moderate investments and with getting service standards for a towns depending on their size, he believes they could run better than Acadian Lines.

Groszko says Saskatchewan is a good example of public transit that works, which he believes New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI could easily adapt.

The only inter-city bus service stops rolling on November 30th.

House Destroyed By Fire

A house on Golden Grove has been destroyed by a fire.

The fire investigator and the major crime unit are now on scene trying to determine what caused the fire early this morning.

City Police, KV Fire and Saint John Fire Department have been on scene at 2720 Golden Grove Road since 3:00 am.

Saint John Fire says three KV firefighters were on the second floor deck when it collapsed, leaving one firefighter hanging and sending two others to the ground -- suffering minor injuries.

Police say the owners were camping in Sussex at the time of the fire. Police add there are no neighboring houses near the blaze.

There's no word on what caused the fire.

Lawyer Argues Transparency Is Key in Oland Case

Media lawyer David Coles arguing that transparency is essential when it comes to law enforcement; this, after closing arguments to unseal warrants in the Richard Oland murder investigation. 

Coles says the documents already released were so heavily censored the process seems almost meaningless. 

He says transparency in the legal system is how we make sure police and judges are doing their jobs. Coles says there's little risk of police being misled by false confessions, considering the investigation is so focused on one person.

Giant Flea Market Underway In Sussex

Bargain hunters won't want to miss this one....what's being billed as the largest outdoor flea market in Atlantic Canada is underway in Sussex. As many as 1000 tables will be selling home furnishings, collectibles, auto parts and more at Princess Louise Park.

The giant sale runs from 8am until 8pm today and from 8 until 3pm on Sunday. There will also be a Show 'n' Shine from 9am until 3pm.

Admission is $5 for the day and kids under 16 are free with an adult.

West Side Church Comes Down

A long vacant west side church that was standing this morning was gone by the afternoon.

City fire crews got the call to Church Avenue West about 4:30am and building inspectors later determined the structure was unsafe.

The road was closed and demolition equipment was brought in and the church was knocked down.

The cause of the fire is unknown and no one was hurt.

Governments Give Cash To Upgrade St. Andrews Wharf

Get ready for the Cruise Lines!
 
New upgrades for the wharf being announced today in St. Andrews in order to bring in more traffic from cruise ships.
 
Charlotte-Campobello MLA Curtis Malloch tells CHSJ News when he took on the responsibility of MLA he wanted to see our communities become closer.

He says it's very exciting to see it take off and he expects to see big things from it.

A combined federal, provincial, and municipal investment of approximately $900,000 will be used for improvements and upgrades to the wharf.

Oland Hearing Continues

With several heavily-censored search warrants and related documents released yesterday in the Richard Oland murder investigation, the hearing continues this afternoon.

The media lawyer, David Coles made the argument to open up the warrants, pointing out the last of them was executed in November 2011 and no physical evidence remains to be seized.

Under cross examination, Constable Stephen Davidson testified while the police force has zeroed in on a single suspect which they believe to be the right one, new evidence is being received all the time.

Davidson further testified his opinion on the case differs from that of his chief, Bill Reid.
The constable stated while he respects Reid's opinion, he does not see charges being laid in a short period of time as Reid has said.

The cross examination of Davidson and the arguments will conclude today; however Provincial court judge R. Leslie Jackson will decide how much more can be revealed at a later date.

Chief Says Church Will Come Down

Because its a danger, a church on the west side damaged by fire, will have to come down. 

Fire Chief Kevin Clifford tells CHSJ News no one was hurt in the blaze on Church Avenue early this morning.

He says after an examination, it was determined that the building needs to come down and demolition equipment will be brought in.

The cause of the fire in the old Pentecostal church is under investigation.

The building had been vacant for some time.

LBR Won't Suffer With The Vito's Departure

The LBR is losing the Major Midget Vitos hockey team to the qplex but they don't expect feel it financially.
 
General Manager David Nicholson tells CHSJ News it will depend on what Saint John Youth Hockey, who pay for the ice time, decide to do with the Vito's old Saturday afternoon slot.

He says the triple A bantams might use it or the minor midgets and the canteen shouldn't suffer too much.

Nicholson says it wasn't a big surprise that the Vito's left as there were rumours they might go to the valley back when the qplex was in the early stages.

He adds a lot of the players are from the KV.

Taxpayers Federation Targets Government's Private Plane

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Alward government to sell its private plane which is used to take the Premier and cabinet ministers around the province. 

The Federation's Atlantic Director Kevin Lacey calls it the "gravy plane" because of the cost involved at 15 hundred dollars an hour. 

Lacey tells CHSJ News the plane could likely fetch something like three million dollars if sold. He points out both Nova Scotia and B-C got rid of their private planes.

The provincial government's private plane has been a source of controversy for years but Lacey maintains times have changed because of the 200 million dollar plus deficit and debt of 10 billion dollars.

Saint John Native Wants Leadership Of The Greens

There will be an actual race for the leadership of the Provincial Green Party next month. Roy MacMullin, who was born in Saint John and raised in Fredericton is running to be leader after being the party's candidate in Moncton East.

 MacMullin tells CHSJ News there should be some sort of alliance with the provincial NDP when the next provincial election rolls around so they don't split the vote.
 
MacMullin doesn't believe the status quo is sustainable and he doesn't see a dime's worth of difference between the Liberals and Conservatives both of whom, he charges, represent that status quo. 

David Coon of the Conservation Council is also running for the Green leadership. Ironically, MacMullin is President of the Southeast chapter of the Conservation Council.   

City Police Officer Cross Examined At Oland Hearing

More arguments are being made today that additional information from search warrants in the Richard OIand murder investigation should be released.

Under cross examination by media lawyer David Coles, Constable Stephen Davidson says while the police force is confident they have the right suspect in mind, new evidence is coming in all the time.

Coles points out the most recent warrant was issued in November 2011 and there is nothing further to be seized in connection with the murder.

Davidson says they wish to keep hallmark evidence under wraps because it could result in false confessions.

New Cruise Ship Terminal Is On Time And On Budget

Some local politicians and others getting a sneak peak of the new Diamond Jubilee Cruise Ship Terminal going up at lightning speed on Water street.

Saint John Port Authority President and CEO Jim Quinn says the project is on time and on budget.

He says they budgeted up to 18.5 million and now they are sitting at about 16.5 million so they are on time and on the low end of the budget range.

The new Cruise ship terminal which can accommodate the new 340 metre ships is due to welcome it's first vessel on September 5th.

Fire Department To Unveil New Vehicle

The City fire department will be showing off a new toy later this morning.

They will be demonstrating the Argo, the department's new special operations off-road vehicle.

Fire staff along with the City's Recreation and Neighborhood Support Service are joining forces to clear brush in the Emera Trail.

It's happening at 10 this morning on the Emera Trail at Lou Murphy park next to the baseball park.

Fire At West Side Church

City fire crews called out to a church fire early this morning. 

It was reported shortly before 4:30 at the old Pentacostal church on Church Avenue West. That building has been vacant for a number of years.

There was already heavy smoke in the area and flames coming 
from inside the building  through the roof when firefighters arrived.

 There are street closures to tell you about because of the fire.......Main Street West at Walnut and Main at Orange along with Church Avenue from Main Street to McKeil.

(Photo courtesy of Andrew Sanojca)

Fewer Surveys, More Service?

Do Saint Johners want fewer surveys, and more service? That's the debate at common council, where sparks recently flew over whether to spend $22,000 canvassing the public on their priorities for local government.

 Councillor Susan Fullerton says they already from citizens while on the campaign trail---and using tax dollars for surveys is a waste.

But others disagreed, saying the opinion of the taxpayers is the most important thing. A booklet and surveys will be mailed out ensuring those without computer access can take part.