Highlights from the 2012 Saint John Santa Claus Parade
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Saturday, November 17, 2012
Pre-Parade Party At New Terminal
The Port of Saint John showing off the new Diamond Jubilee Cruise Ship terminal with a pre-parade party from 1 to 3pm on Water street.
The Port's meet and greet volunteers will be hosting tours of the new building's public spaces like the rooftop patio.
Kids can enjoy some hot apple cider, hot chocolate and cookies and get their faces painted before the parade.
Saint John Firefighter Dies From Fall In Ottawa
A 39-year-old man from Saint John has died after falling from a hydraulic lift in Ottawa early Friday morning.
Emergency crews were called to a construction site at around 2:30 a.m. Dale Clinton was rushed to hospital where he later died of his injuries. He fell about 4 1/2 meters off the lift, and friends quickly called 911.
According to a release from the International Association of Fire Fighters, Dale Clinton was attending their Canadian Political Training Academy in Ontario. The final day of the academy was suspended because of the accident.
There was no construction scheduled overnight, and police are not treating the incident as an industrial accident.
Calls have been made to the Saint John Fire Department for comment.
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
This years theme is "children's dreams, wishes and imaginations," which Leslie Keating from Uptown Saint John says will bring out some favorite childhood characters. She says this year has some pretty creative entries, plus lots of bands and walking groups. Kids are encouraged to write letters to Santa and are reminded to include their return mailing address so the big guy can write back.
Lightly used coats and donations will be collected for the food bank before the parade starts, which Keating says is the biggest single day pick up for the charity.
Local artist Fred Ross is this year's marshal for the 45 minute event, which will follow the same route as last year.
The parade will leave the Causeway, go onto Union St., left on Sydney St., right on King’s Square North, left on Charlotte St., down King St. and on to St. Patrick, on to Main St., right on Lansdowne Ave., and right at Wellesley Blvd. These streets will be closed off during the parade.
People are also asked not to park on King Street after 5pm, or risk being towed. All 4 lanes of the Causeway will be blocked off beginning at 3:30pm for the parade line-up.
The whole show starts at 6pm. For more information, click here.
Police Looking For Man Unlawfully At Large
42 year old William Wayne Cummer was last seen on November 13th. He has an extensive criminal background that involves numerous violent offenses and shouldn't be approached. He's described as being 6' tall, 181 lbs., with brown hair or a shaved head, hazel eyes, with tattoos on face, neck and body.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Cummer is asked to contact the Saint John Police at 506-648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
3rd Arrest Made In Connection With Stabbing
The 16 year old teenager, whose name can't be released, was arrested Thursday in Moncton. The teen appeared in court Friday to answer to appropriate charges.
On November 3rd police were called to a home on Prince Street West, in regards to a home invasion where two young men had been stabbed.
A warrant still exists for 22-year-old Bradley Saia.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Saint John Police Force at 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477.
Friday, November 16, 2012
What Is The Gondola Point Ferry Doing In The Saint John Harbour?
We've received word that the William Pitt 2 is still sitting in the Saint John Harbour waiting to be taken for repairs in Nova Scotia. The work is supposed to take a month and is due to begin tomorrow
A call to the Department of Transportation was not immediately returned.
Newly-Minted Liberal Leader Focusing On Jobs
Gallant tells CHSJ News with the soaring unemployment rate the growing economy is number one.
Gallant says we need to grow business here in New Brunswick rather than looking for quick fixes--because quick fixes are what got us into this economic mess in the first place.
Port Announces New Interim Board Chair
The Port Authority Board of Directors announcing their chairman, Stephen Campbell, has resigned to accept a new job in Ottawa.
Former vice-chair Peter Gaulton is the interim chairman of the Saint John Port Authority board of directors.
Gaulton has been a member of the Board since 2008.
New Way To Help Your Local Food Bank
Fortunately, a new partnership called Buy Atlantic, For Atlantic will be giving provincial food banks $1 for every dollar spent on Majesta and Cavendish products. Coupons will be available through local newspapers, flyer home deliveries, and in-store at participating retailers until December 31.
NB Food Bank Association president Greg Piers tells CHSJ News about 1,000 Saint John families rely on the food bank to get by. Further, Piers says, for others Christmas is the only time they need assistance, so it's especially important to be able to provide for everyone.
St. Stephen Students Receive Health Report Cards
That word from Dr. Sohrab Lutchmedial, a heart specialist overseeing the Health Report Card Day at St. Stephen High School.
Grade 10 students were tested on things such as cholesterol, Body Mass Index and self-esteem.
Dr. Lutchmedial says its all about educating the kids.
He says we realize they have to start when the kids are at school instead of dragging them to a hospital setting.
The school will now offer interventions for mental health, an on-site dietitian, as well as opening the gym after school to give students an extra chance to exercise.
Donor Reaches 700th Donation
Harry Cross reaching the 700 mark in plasma donation at a ceremony this morning.
Cross proudly promotes blood donation recruiting friends, family and fellow volunteers and was recognized as an exceptional donor at a national awards ceremony in Ottawa.
The donation comes as Canadian Blood Services announces its 'Dedicate a Holiday Miracle' campaign.
All donors can do so with a holiday card and through the C.B.S. Facebook page with a personalized photo dedication.
For more on the Holiday campaign, click here
Parade Organizers Issue Reminders
You are asked to bring a grocery bag with non-perishable food for the Community Food Bank. City workers will collect the donations along the route right before the parade starts.
NBCC students and staff will be picking up gently used coats along the parade route to be donated to the Coats for Kids campaign.
All children should bring their letters for Santa and make sure to include your home address.
Motorists should be aware all four lanes of the causeway will be blocked off starting at 3:30pm on Saturday for parade line-up.
Yous are asked to not park on King Street beginning at 5 pm.
Any vehicles parked anywhere along the parade route after 5:30 p.m. will be towed.
The Parade will leave the Causeway, go onto Union St., left on Sydney St., right on King’s Square North, left on Charlotte St., down King St. and on to St. Patrick, on to Main St., right on Lansdowne Ave., and right at Wellesley Blvd. These streets will be closed off during the parade.
Hold Up At South End Store
About 7:45pm last night, a man with a weapon came into Shawn's Variety on Broad Street demanding money and did leave with some cash.
Earlier in the day, emergency crews responded to a 3 vehicle collision at the intersection of Rothesay Road and Rothesay Aveneue. It happened just before 3:30pm.
No one was hurt but there was a small fuel spill resulting from it.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Folk Music Fans Won't Want To Miss This
The Awards are being held at the Imperial Theater from November 15 to 17th and organizer Dave Ryan tells CHSJ News it was a grassroots effort with local musician Brett Mason that ended up bringing Folk On The Water to the Port City.
Performances will include Matt Andersen, The Spinney Brothers, The Atlantic Ballet and many others and will take place at venues around town.
For more information, click here
Historian Is Glad Fishing House Finally Fell
Harold Wright tells CHSJ news it represented a significant part of our harbour fishing history which lasted until the beginning of the seventies. He says it was used as a shelter and a place for fishermen to store their supplies. But now that it's in the water it's a navigational and environmental hazard, as well as a loss of our heritage says Wright.
20 years ago Wright approached Common Council and asked the city to designate it as a heritage site but it didn't go through. He says we now have maybe one or two fishing houses left.
Wright adds that now it's floating in our waters, chemicals from the wood could now be in the water and someone needs to pick it up.
Old Fishing House Disappears Down River
The old dilapidated green fishing house off Reversing Falls has finally met it's end. Parts of the 150-year-old building could be see floating down river just before lunch this morning.
Candice Paulin works at the Reversing Falls restaurant, and tells CHSJ news it took about 15 minutes to gradually get out of site. She says it grabbed the attention of the workers and customers. Paulin says everyone has been waiting a long time for it to finally crumble.
The old fishing house was unused and has been falling apart for quite some time.
Job Opportunities Are There In Some Sectors
But Janet Scott of Enterprise Saint John says the picture is actually brighter in the IT sector and other specialized skills. She tells CHSJ News people should follow the trends if they want to be assured of gainful employment after they get out of school.
Scott also says it's a great time for people without a mortgage or kids to take a risk and start a small business. For more information on the opportunities available to the twentysomething set, including hiring subsidies for workers, click here
MLA Doesn't Understand Why DFO Approved Sale Of Lobster Licenses
Fishermen protested outside the DFO this week against the sales. Today the Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea will be speaking with the fishermen over a conference call, but Doucet says the fishermen want a face-to-face meeting.
Doucet tells CHSJ news when you remove this way of life from a coastal community there's a rare chance it will come back. He says there's a lot of grief and anxiety with both young and old fishermen right now, and says the more licenses they see leave the harder it is on the community.
Inventory Shutdown To Impact Potash Workers
PotashCorp General Manager Stewart Brown says they can't give a reason for the shutdown adding potash sales are cyclical. He tells CHSJ News company operations here and in Saskatchewan are being impacted.
He says they have to look at the work they have available and at some point they will have workers laid off during the 8 week period.
The shutdown is scheduled to start December 30th and is scheduled to last until February 24th. Brown says if conditions change the shutdown period could be shortened. The potash mine near Sussex currently has 500 employees. For more info, click here
Seawolves Take Home Hardware
Jason Doucet wins Offensive MVP, Colin Gallagher is the Defensive MVP, Mat Porter takes Gerry Pond Award for Community Player and Rob Fox is the Overall team MVP.
All the players, including Alex McGarvey, Andrew Palmer and Charlie Harroun, were also named AFL all stars.
Point Lepreau Hosts Exercise Today
It will involve the Point Lepreau nuclear response force team along with emergency personnel and police. The exercise will test security contingency procedures required under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.
Residents may see emergency response vehicles and hear radio communications at the station.
Three Years In Jail For Syringe Robbery
Just after 4am on September 18th, a woman entered the restaurant in Oromocto with a blanket over her head.
She was carrying syringes and demanded money from the employee.
The employee locked herself in a back office and called the RCMP.
30-year-old Cassandra Paul pleaded guilty to robbery with an offensive weapon and being disguised with intent to commit an offence.
Ross Named Parade Marshall
The honorary parade marshall is artist Fred Ross who will be joined by his daughter Lorna in the Parade.
The 60th annual Santa Claus Parade is this Saturday beginning at 6pm. The theme is children's dreams, wishes and imagination.
Gas Price Increases
The price of regular self serve gas is up to 128.5 a litre from 125.9 last week.
Diesel is down a tiny bit from 138.2 to 138 even.
Heating oil is up slightly to 116.8 a litre from 115.9 last week.
At some city pumps, self serve is still going to 125.9 a litre while diesel is 135.3 a litre.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
NB Coaches Getting Some Love
It's time to celebrate the people who make sports programs in New Brunswick possible. Coaches Week runs from November 13-21 in New Brunswick and aims to both celebrate coaches and encourage sports fans to get involved.
Coach NB Executive Director Manon Oulette tells CHSJ News it doesn't matter how long it's been since you've played, you can still get involved because your coaching certification will never expire.
2 million people are involved in coaching throughout Canada.
Big Brothers Big Sisters To Host Big Night Out
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The first time event coming up tomorrow night at the Delta.
Executive Director Laurie Collins tells CHSJ News it's a brand new fundraiser with a youth focus.
She says they want big brothers and sisters and there little brothers and sisters to attend the event and some businesses have purchased tickets and donated them back so that can happen.
Collins says Big Brothers Big Sisters has a waiting list and are looking to match local kids with adults in the community. She adds the more you promote finding bigs the more littles you recruit as well.
The entertainment includes The Exemptions featuring Kyle McVer and Kidsing.
For more info on the Big Night Out tomorrow, click here
Saint John Is Decorated For The Holidays
Brunswick Square Promotions Manager Brandi Cooper says the mall always waits until after Remembrance Day to put up decorations. Every year they hire a decorator and they'll soon start having choirs singing at the mall.
The city is also preparing for the Santa Claus parade this Saturday by putting up festive lights and Christmas trees up and down King street. After the parade old Saint Nick will be making weekly appearances at Brunswick Square.
Retired NHLers In Town Tonight
The Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni and Friends will be taking on the Saint John Legends. Former Boston Bruin and Edmonton Oiler Marty McSorley tells CHSJ News he's having a blast and the name of the game is to have fun for both players and the fans who come out.
You can also pick up some autographs with gametime at 7:00.
The other former NHL'ers who will be suiting up include Stephane Richer, a two time 50 goal scorer, Ron Duguay and Mike Krushelnyski.
Saint John Housing Market Performing Better Than Expected
Remax reports it is a buyer's market and likely will remain so well into the foreseeable future.
Realtor Hodges Hamm says the average price of a home in Saint John is 175 thousand dollars, a drop of 4 or 5 thousand in the past year but it could have been alot worse and the local market actually defied expectations.
Quispamsis and the east side are the two most popular spots for home buyers. Millidgeville has cooled off.
It is taking longer to sell homes and Hamm concedes realtors are showing alot more of them to each prospective buyer.
Listeners Have Their Say On Prostitution
Sarah Jane: "Allowing these men and women to move indoors and OFF the streets would be best for everyone - brothels are as old as recorded history - and so is prostitution."
Kristy writes "Good. Nobody wants to see that!"
Marc: "Check in the history books of Saint John. All these problems, drugs included, have been present for 150 Years. What does council do? All talk, no action."
Kay: "They just need money, and with how hard it is to get a job in this stupid city unfortunately its kind of understandable."
Shawn: "If they had the money to pay tickets or fines then they probably wouldn't have to prostitute."
Lisa: "Get them away from the parks where the kids are playing...so disgusting. I don't see anything being done about that."
Daniel: "They should start publishing the names of ALL the johns they catch along with the pros who are charged."
Join that conversation on Facebook or Twitter.
Name Of Victim Released In Baxter's Corner Shooting
Ryan Firlotte died after police arrived at a local home where they found Firlotte and two other men suffering from gunshot wounds.
The two other wounded men were taken to the Regional Hospital where they remain.
Investigators later determined that the shooting happened at another location on Route 820 after a 35-year-old man was assaulted by two men in the Saint John area earlier in the day.
Police are describing the shooting as isolated incident but, say all four men involved knew each other.
Meanwhile, police say 28-year-old Jeffrey Defazio appeared in court in Saint John in connection with the assault earlier in the day.
Arbitration For City Firefighters Decided
They don't seem to look too great for the city's bottom line.
Without specifying what effect these will have on the 2013 budget, the City's Finance Commissioner Greg Yeomans is suggesting there will be financial implications and cuts are being mentioned if the arbitration award is too expensive.
Councillor's Prostitution Proposal A "Draconian Measure"
Executive Direction Julie Dingwell tells CHSJ news the idea of charging sex workers with jaywalking or improper use of a sidewalk is backwards and mean spirited. She says she's surprised Fullerton didn't seek out more information on the issue, and thinks the Sex Trade Action Committee (whom Dingwell is chair of) will now have to come in and inform the new council.
Dingwell says prostitution in Saint John hasn't gotten worse, and says we need to deal with the underlying issues of addiction and poverty instead of criminally charging them. She says when you charge a sex worker $150 for jaywalking, it only makes them rush to work to pay that fine, which can be dangerous. She adds they already work very closely with police, and have recently hired a sex trade out reach worker to help stabilize sex workers get back on their feet.
Dingwell says sometimes with the sex trade it comes down to a moral issue, and when people make decisions based on moral ideas instead of evidence, it's always dangerous.
Hillier Speaks At Salvation Army Breakfast
Rick Hillier says he still supports the Salvation Army where he grew up in Campbellton, Newfoundland.
He says back in those days the Salvation Army was part of the social fabric of the community.
Fire Chief Kevin Clifford tells CHSJ News the Salvation Army has a rich history of helping the Saint John Fire Department. Clifford says the Community Response Vehicle gives them a physical presence at a fire scene to give out food and provide shelter.
He says the vehicle is a symbol of hope and it's about getting past the crisis of today.
All proceeds from the Hope In The City breakfast will go towards the Community Response Vehicle and for the breakfast program at the Center of Hope.
The Community Response Vehicle provided help earlier this year at the Charlotte Street fire scene in April and after the flooding in Perth Andover.
City Could See New Bike Lanes
Common Councillor Donnie Snook it's key for any growing city to connect its parks, commercial areas, and public spaces. Councillors Greg Norton and John MacKenzie were also vocal in their support.
Green Feet would like to see the $31,000 dollar project finished in 2013 if council does go ahead and approve the funding.
Councillor Wants Prostitutes Penalized Further
Fullerton told common council she'd been made aware of an older by-law prohibiting people from selling items on the sidewalk, which could be used to fine sex workers. She also motioned police levying fines for jaywalking.
Councillor Shirley MacAlary tells CHSJ News that's unnecessary given Saint John's small population of sex workers and the police force's proven track record of dealing with the problem. Councillor Ray Strowbridge, on the other hand, gives Fullerton kudos for her creativity.
Fullerton says prostitution has increased recently in the Waterloo, Peters, and Garden Street area but did not give the source for that information. She wants the issue addressed within 30 days.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Dean To Stand Trial In Park Assault
Nathan Dean was in court today where he waived his right to a bail hearing.
Early last month, a masked man carrying a weapon jumped out of the woods near Fisher Lakes attacking a jogger on a trail near Fisher Lakes. The woman fought back and contacted police.
Dean is due back in court next Tuesday to set a trial date.
New Ticket Sale Date For Carrie Underwood's Concert
Ticket sales for her Blown Away concert at Harbour Station in April will have a new on-sale date on Friday, November 30th instead of this coming Friday.That decision coming from promoters of Carrie's tour.
Tickets will be available on Harbour Station's website, over the phone and at the box office.
Flemming To Meet With Fundy Doctors
Doctors at the Fundy Health Centre are threating to shut down the clinic's emergency room because the Horizon Health Network wants to charge them $1.50 for every patient they see.
Ted Flemming tells CHSJ News thinks the dispute is a glitch in the billing process.
He says he doesn't take the idea of the doctors not working past November 30th as a threat adding he hopes to have the matter resolved long before then.
Flemming adds he has already been speaking with the doctors on this issue and plans to meet with them this week.
NBCC Announces First 5 Year Plan
NBCC president Marilyn Lucsombe tells CHSJ news there are some brand new changes in the plan. Lucsombe describes developing a signature learning experience, where students will take their learning and apply it to helping the community, such as cleaning up a river bed.
The college will also be starting an elder in residence program. The focus is bringing in an aboriginal elder to provide wisdom, guidance, and influence to both students and staff. They would also provide more education on aboriginal culture, says Lucombe.
Internships will have a bigger role in curriculum. The school will also be bringing in mentors to help students become successful in business. NBCC will also be trying to bring in more international students, who they hope will stay and work in the province after they graduate.
A whole new piece of work that's starting is applied research, so the college can work with industries to test and commercialise new products. Luscombe says they're trying to bring in their first research chair to help link up with the ICT community and to be more productive in working with mobile devices.
Members of NBCC's board will be travelling to all of their campuses to promote their new strategic commitments.
Tough Times At Chicken Noodle Club
Common Councillor Donnie Snook, who run the programme, tells CHSJ News they serve more than 60 thousand hot lunches over the course of a year to 570 young people in the city who are in need.
Snook says the yearly budget is in the neighbourhood of 60 thousand dollars and there's a desperate need for additional funding. A food drive is being organised for November 23rd, 24th and 25th in the Superstore parking lot on Rothesay Avenue. chickennoodleclub.com
Pharmacists Answer Criticism About Their Methadone Fee
The Association's Executive Director Paul Blanchard is answering criticism from healthcare ethicist Dr. Tim Christie about that fee being too high since methadone itself costs between 35 and 40 cents.
Blanchard accuses Dr. Christie of not assigning any value to the role pharmacists are playing in the programme. He points out there's considerable interaction between the pharmacists and those people taking the methadone for their addictions and if a mistake is made, it can cost someone their life.
Blanchard also argues without the participation of pharmacists, there would be no methadone programme in Saint John.
He suspects Dr. Christie would like Aids Saint John to set up its own dispensary and, if that happened, he would find out about the cost of doing business.
Diamond Jubilee Terminal Officially Opens
A business reception is coming up tomorrow night and on Saturday the Port will host a pre-parade event for the whole family.
Carl Blanchard of FCC Construction tells CHSJ News says one of the design features is the pre-cast arches on the exterior.
He says inside it's a very wide open space with a lot of windows so it's bright including a rooftop patio the public can enjoy.
There is space indoors that can be rented for wedding and meetings and can include access to the rooftop patio.
The terminal's name was announced back in May during the visit by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.
A bust of Queen Elizabeth sits inside the terminal next to a Union jack.
For more info on the Grand Opening week events, click here
Power Outages
84 customers are affected in Hampton.
NB Power says 80 of them should have their electricity back between 8 and 9 this morning with the remaining 4 sometime from 8:30 to 9:30.
Warning About Unemployment In Province
That warning from U-N-B Economics Professor Rod Hill who tells CHSJ News the Conservatives have backed themselves into a corner by their refusal to raise taxes and there must be a discussion about increasing government revenues.
Hill argues there is no evidence to suggest the tax cuts implemented in 2008 by the previous Liberal Government stimulated economic activity and the provincial government lost more than 730 million dollars in much needed revenue but the Canadian Taxpayers Federation warns it would be a mistake to raise taxes at this point.
Province's Plans For Greater Regionalisation Coming Soon
Premier David Alward expects the suspense will be over sometime in the next few weeks.
The Premier concedes this has not been an easy process and points out the current system is not fair and that's what his government will try to remedy.
A Hunter Is Shot
The RCMP in Sussex and Department of Natural Resource are both investigating how it happened.
Police say he was shot by another hunter in his group and was first taken to the Sussex Medical Centre before being transferred to the Regional Hospital.
The Mounties say the hunter who was shot will recover from his injuries.
Schools Look At Bridging Nursing Programs
NBCC President Marilyn Luscombe tells CHSJ news a license practical nurse student from the college should be able to honor their credits in the university registered nurse program. She says that way the student or grad wouldn't have to start from scratch and it would be a seamless opportunity for the student.
Luscombe says she's met a lot of LPN's in the province who are in need this kind of programming.
Funeral For Shooting Victim Later This Week
A funeral service is scheduled at St. Mary and St. Bartholomew's Church on Westmorland Road this Friday morning at 11:00.
Two other men were wounded in the shootings outside a home on Raymond Street in Baxter's Corner.
A 35 year old man, whose name has not been released and who lived at the home, was arrested but has been released and could be facing charges at a later date.
The RCMP say the shootings followed an altercation and assault.
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