Aquarius Tavern Closes Its Doors

The Aquarius Tavern, a landmark watering hole since 1970,  is closed.     

Blaine Harris of the Saint John West Business Association confirms to CHSJ News the famed west side bar is closed throwing about 10 people out of work.

He says they have had a downswing in both the bar and food business over the last few years.
Harris says the owners have decided as of today that it's just costing too much to maintain the property and the staff.

When asked if anyone else might take it over, Harris tells us he doesn't know if anyone would take it over the Aquarius Tavern as a bar/restaurant adding it needs some work.

KV Fire Conducting A Station Location Study

Neither Quispamsis nor Rothesay have said yes to a new fire station but that isn't stopping KV Fire from scouting out the perfect spot for a new one.

Tenders are currently being accepted for a fire station location study.
 
KV Fire Chief Bill Ireland tells CHSJ News the current fire station on Campbell Drive is no longer suitable for their needs.

He says they have exceeded the capacity of the building that they currently operate out of in Quispamsis.

Ireland points out neither community has committed to building a new fire station but they are just doing some of the work needed should that decision be made in the future.  

The deadline to submit tenders for the location study is March 22nd.

Depending On Your Meds, Be Wary Of Grapefruit

A seemingly harmless grapefruit could be the source of a life-threatening reaction to some prescription medications.
 
March is Pharmacist Awareness Month and those in this province are trying to create awareness about the harmful drug interactions between prescription or over the counter meds and even food.

Paul Blanchard of the provincial pharamacist's association tells CHSJ News as many as 1 in 9 ER visits are the result of at-risk drug events.

He says it can be the abuse of a narcotic and it can also be the interaction of someone taking a medication and consuming foods like grapefruit.

To help spread the word on the 6000 dangerous combinations and 11,000 possible side effects, the Association are making available a new pamphlet outlining the most common drug interations. 

It will be available in provincial pharmacies this month.

NB Power Lowers Point Lepreau's Power

NB Power tweeting earlier today that the Point Lepreau Generating Station is temporarily reducing power to allow adjustments to re-fuelling equipment.

The move is necessary to allow adjustments to be made to equipment associated with re-fuelling the reactor.

Site VP and Chief Nuclear Officer Sean Granville says the restart of the station has gone extremely well given all the factors involved and they have been very pleased with reactor performance to date.

Before Point Lepreau came back online in November of 2012, the reactor was filled with new fuel.

Granville says they have now reached the point in the operation of the Station that online fuelling is required on an ongoing basis to sustain the operation.

Price Of Gas And Heating Oil Rising

The Energy and Utilities Board has come to a decision on how high the maximum wholesale profit margin should be for gas and heating oil. 

It means you'll have to pay half a cent a litre more after the weekly setting on Thursday regardless of what happens with the price of oil this week. 

Irving Oil had applied for a higher increase in its wholesale profit margins for both gas and heating oil and the E-U-B decision falls short of what it had applied for. 

The maximum wholesale margin for gas will increase from six cents a litre to just over 6 and a half cents. For heating oil, the wholesale margin, which had been five cents a litre, will rise to 5 and a half cents a litre on Thursday as well.

P3 Could Help Deliver Clean Water--But At What Cost?

As the city decides whether or not to go ahead with a public private partnership, some concerned taxpayers are criticizing P3 as an example of the federal government abandoning its responsibility to this municipality. 

Letitica Adair of the Council of Canadians tells CHSJ News while they'll listen to what P3 Canada has to say they don't think depending on private companies for safe water is wise--since by definition, private companies are interested exclusively in fattening their bottom lines.

P3 Canada has 1.2 billion dollars in funding available for major projects like clean water. Its advocates, who appear to include Mayor Mel Norton, says the people of Saint John have spoken loudly and clearly and it's up to the city to explore all the available avenues to deliver. As well, P3 Canada representative John McBride pointed out in a presentation to council last week that it's obvious the private sector performs better if it's their money on the line.

Councillor Raising Questions About Aging Water Pipes

An evaluation is being done by Price Waterhouse Cooper about whether the public-private partnership called the P-3 model is the best way to pay for the water treatment plant on the east side when it comes to spending tax dollars. 

Mayor Mel Norton expects that study will be done and a report prepared for Common Council in a couple of weeks.

Some questions being raised by Common Councillor Bill Farren on what the cost of clean water will be when it's all said and done. 

He wants to know if all the aging underground pipes will have to be replaced when a water treatment plant is constructed and if they're not, will there still be boil orders if there are continuing watermain breaks.

Attempted Robbery And Missing Man Found

There was an attempted armed robbery in the uptown last night around 9 at King and Germain. Police say no one was injured and a suspect is being sought. 

They also tell CHSJ News an elderly man who went missing over the weekend has been found and is alright. Police had issued a public alert yesterday asking for help in finding 80 year old Donald Cook, who's legally blind and uses a white cane when walking.

Old North End Is Becoming A Better Neighbourhood

The Old North End is not a writeoff and the neighbourhood is slowly changing for the better..........That, from the President of One Change Scott Crawford who has spent ten years in the neighbourhood trying to make things better. 

Crawford tells CHSJ News he can understand why other Saint Johnners might think that if they're unfamiliar with the neighbourhood.
 
Crawford estimates there are something like 18 hundred people who live in the old North End and likely less than a dozen who cause the trouble but reports in the media tend to concentrate on crime and fires which give a negative impression of the community to other Saint Johnners. 

He points to Victoria Park as an example of change for the better where in the summer you see neighbourhood festivals and cultural events taking place.

Anti-Bullying Events To Keep Man's Memory Alive

A mother is paying tribute to her son by organizing a string of anti-bullying events. Marina Dow, the mother of Jason Dow, who tragically lost his life two years ago, tells CHSJ news that she's putting on these events as a way to commemorate Jason's life.

She says that her son, who was 29-year-old at the time of his death, was always a target of bullying. Dow's upcoming anti-bullying events are detailed below.

Monday, March 4: Zumba with Candace and Robin at Saint John High School from 7-8 p.m., $10
Friday, March 8: Youth Dance at the Carleton Community Centre from 7-11 p.m., $3.50
Saturday, March 9: Auction/Dance at the Aquarius Tavern from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., $10

Electrical Fire On Wright Street

An electrical fire at 11 1/2 Wright Street last night. When fire crews arrived on the scene, the first floor of the building was filled with smoke. Platoon Chief Joe Armstrong says all of the residents were evacuated, but were let back in after the building was ventilated. 

The cause of the fire was an overloaded extension cord.

Cardy Responds to Gallant's Proposed Accountability Measures

The Liberals are tackling the topic of patronage, with Liberal leader Brian Gallant proposing accountability measures. To the leader of the New Democratic Party, Dominic Cardy, that's a step in the right direction.

In Cardy's view, every hiring outside an MLA or minister's immediate staff should be 100% based on merit. He called on Gallant to work with the NDP to introduce the Charter to End Patronage In New Brunswick, a law that would make it illegal for elected officials to hire staff outside their offices and stop them from interfering in deciding government contracts.

Animal Rescue League Cut Hours

With high bills and low adoption rates, the Animal Rescue League is being forced to make cuts to sustain the operation.

Over the next eight weeks, the shelter's public hours will change from Sunday-Wednesday to Thursday–Saturday. But other than the change in hours of operation, all activities at the shelter will remain the same. They'll continue to answer incoming calls, and deal with any issues that arise. There will be no risk to shelter pets or their the shelter's level of service; they say their first priority is taking care of the animals.

The shelter's website and Facebook page will continue to advertise adoptions, with some pets available at Pet Corral on the west side.

Man Arrested for Weapons-Related Crimes

A 30-year-old man has been charged with weapons-related crimes.

Bryan Nathan West was arrested after members of the District 2 RCMP executed a search warrant on February 27, seizing several weapons and a small quantity of drugs at a home in Kingsley.

West appeared in Fredericton Provincial Court the next day, where he was charged with careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and possession of a weapon contrary to an order. He will return to court this Monday.

Atlantic Canadians Eat Together Less Than Rest Of The Nation

When it comes to eating meals at the dinner table, Atlantic Canadians are the least likely to pull up a chair. A national survey shows that families on this side of the country eat together less than the rest of the nation, and local dietician Vanessa MacLellon says that has an impact on health. She says prepared meals tend to be lower in salt, sugar, fat and are very nutrient-dense.

The study says work schedules and the demands of children's after school activities are big hurdles that make regular family dinners a difficulty. But, MacLellan says parents can be role models to their kids by making meal time a priority and letting them know eating together is important. 


MacLellan will be at the Atlantic Superstore on Rothesay Avenue during Dietitian Days, as part of Nutrition month, from March 2 to March 20 to answer customer questions.

You Have 3 Weeks To Nominate City Volunteers

The Port City has a big heart and its volunteers prove it year after year.
 
The City of Saint John is giving a chance to celebrate the people who make sports, recreation and neighbourhoods run smoothly and attractive places to spend your time.
 
Lori Jenson tells CHSJ News the winners are celebrated in an event at the Lily Lake Pavilion in April.

She says they have about 200 people on hand including the nominees, the winners and their families and they have a meal together and get to celebrate them in the way they deserve.

The 2012 winners ranged from a  17 year old sports volunteer to an 80 year old community centre volunteer.

Volunteers are being recognized in the following categories:

1) outstanding volunteer contribution in a sport or recreation organization

2)  outstanding volunteer contribution to a community development initiative 

3)  fundraiser of the year for sport and recreation

4)  fundraiser of the year for neighbourhood and community development

5) corporate sponsor award






The deadline to submit nomination forms is March 22nd at 4pm.
For more info, call Leisure Services at 642-7529.

North End Building One Of Its Kind In NB

The former site of a vacant gas station has certainly changed a lot for the better.

Somerset Square, the modern office building on the corner Wellesley Avenue and Somerset Street is the first building in the province and one of the few non-government buildings in Canada to get a top rating for efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainability. 

Commercial Properties project manager Mark McGraw tells CHSJ News we need more buildings like it, since in addition to saving money workers in modern office buildings tend to report fewer health problems and greater job satisfaction.

The state of the art office building includes features like a rainwater collection system, bike racks and a solar reflective roof.

St. Stephen Schools Are Closing

All schools in the St. Stephen Education center will be dismissed today at 2:00.

Buses will do a reverse morning run.

Obstruction Of Justice Case In Court

The court case against a senior provincial civil servant who's charged with obstructing justice has been adjourned until April 26th.

A lawyer for 56-year-old Peter Andrews appeared on his client's behalf in a Fredericton court. Andrews is the executive director of corporate services with the province's Department of Aquaculture, Agriculture and Fisheries.

He was charged after the R-C-M-P received a letter passed to them by then interim Liberal leader Victor Boudreau alleging someone in the provincial government was interfering with an aquaculture investigation involving the brother of Deputy Premier Paul Robichaud and carried out a lengthy investigation.

Saint John Chosen As Part Of A National Project On The Disabled

The Saint John Human Development Council, best known for tracking poverty in the city, now has something else on its plate.........Identify what barriers are faced by the disabled in healthcare and how they can be removed.

The Executive-Director of the Human Development Council Randy Hatfield tells CHSJ News there's alot of work to do in gathering information from various focus groups.

He does say sometimes things can be made better with a simple change of attitude and realisation of what barriers there are for some people that may not come readily to mind.

Saint John has been chosen as the sole location in the province to be part of this national project in conjunction with the Disability Women's Network and the Canadian Association for Community Living.

Roads Are Slick With Latest Snowfall

In the Anglophone South School District, all schools will be open today but all school buses will be on a one hour delay. Schools in Francophone South which includes Samuel de Champlain are open at the usual times but the school buses are on a one hour delay.
 
You might want to give yourself some extra time on your morning commute because of the snow which is expected to remain with us until around noonhour. Gelas Duguay of Environment Canada tells CHSJ News you can expect another 2 to 4 centimeters to fall.

Duguay says Saint John missed the brunt of yesterday's storm with the snow concentrated in the western part of the province. 

Court Hears Gruesome Details On East Side Assault

Two men in their early 20s and one teenager are charged in the continuing investigation in a savage attack by a group of young men in Glen Falls. The victim remains in hospital in critical condition.

John Alexander Adams, Robert Hachey and a teen who cannot be named are charged with aggravated assault and stealing a quantity of cigarettes from the victim on February 26th.   Adams pleaded guilty to only the first charge, while Hachey pleaded not guilty to both.

The court heard police received several calls from the Glen Falls area from a driver and homeowners about a young man wandering around the neighborhood bleeding and confused.   According to testimony from the accused, the victim was beaten with a baseball bat for allegedly selling pills to another man who became addicted.

The accused parties will reappear in court on March 5.

McKenna Says NB Must Demand Fair Revenue From Feds

It's estimated that New Brunswick has 82 trillion cubit feet of shale gas and if only 10 per cent of the shale gas is exploitable it would result in 150,000 person years of work.
 
In a recent speech, Former Premier Frank McKenna said shale gas has the potential to bring in 7 billion dollars in royalty and tax revenues.
 
McKenna says the potential of a shale gas industry also has spinoffs in the knowledge sector where at the University of Alberta over 1000 university students are working in research.

He says they are engaged with corporate partners to develop new technologies for extracting these resources in the most environmentally sensitive way possible. 

He adds this province must demand equal treatment from the Feds for these revenues in the same way the offshore revenues are assessed in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

While laying out the potential of a shale gas industry, McKenna did qualify the statements in his speech saying his has no vested interest in the success of energy projects in this province.

No Real Change In Saint John Housing Market Expected

Saint John will remain a buyer's market for the next couple of years when it comes to housing. That, according to Jason Beaton of Canada Mortgage and Housing who delivered a seminar to realtors in the city about how things look this year and next.

Beaton says the housing market in Saint John has been trending down since 2008 and he expects a further softening in the sale of existing homes this year.

Beaton tells CHSJ News it takes an average of 110 days to sell a home in Saint John and the average price is around 167 thousand dollars.

Local Farmers Unite To Swap Seeds, Tips

As we face yet another winter storm warning, the warmer days of picking your own lettuce, tomatoes or carrots might seem far off.

But spring is slowly but surely approaching--- and an event for local farmers and gardeners can help you get the most out of your plot. 

Seedy Saturday is an all-day seed swap, forum, and documentary screening open to members of the public. Organizer Greg Daggett tells CHSJ News it's a great way to encourage diversity in your garden and meet some like-minded individuals.

In addition to the seed swap, there will be a free book table and workshops by Master Gardener Phil Savage, Amy Baker from Wellwood Farms, and potentially others TBA. It's happening Saturday at the City Market Senior's Great Room on the 2nd floor from 10am to 4pm.

Admission is free.

City Police Arrest 3 In Glen Falls Assault

City police arresting 3 men in connection with a serious assault in Glen Falls on Tuesday night.

Officers found the victim on Broadway Avenue with serious injuries and he was taken to hospital.
He remains in serious condition at the Regional hospital.

One 17 year old and two 18 year olds faces charges of Robbery with Violence and Aggravated Assault.

All 3 men are due before a judge this afternoon in Provincial court.

Nervousness Over What Cuts Will Take Place At Horizon Health

Workers at the Horizon Health Network are on edge these days with all the talk about impending cuts especially after the 6 per cent cut in jobs announced by Vitalite, which runs the francophone health network.

The Regional Director of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Gordon Black says if the same percentage of cuts is implemented at Horizon, as many as 700 or 800 jobs will be lost. Black tells CHSJ News Horizon has too many managers but he's almost certain that's not where the cuts will be happening.

Black says health administration has increased several fold ever since regionalisation of healthcare in the early 90's under then Premier Frank McKenna and remains top heavy.

Controversial Meeting Over Future Of Your Water

Common Council met this morning on the possibility of a P3, or public private partnership for water treatment.

John McBride of P3 Canada explaining the funding model isn't the same as privatizing water; rather, since private companies are already doing most of the work it makes sense to put their money on the line, and make them responsible for its entire life cycle. He referred to P3s as a "tool" which are more or less applicable depending on the situation--but for a $200 million-plus project like the one Saint John is looking at, it makes sense.

Mayor Mel Norton says he wants to make it clear we'll still own the water--because there's never been a situation where a Canadian municipality lost control of its water supply as a result of adopting a P3.

Members of various community organizations object to the idea saying the federal government is shirking its responsibility to fund essential services like water, and forcing the city to rely on private corporations

Another Storm To Hammer Saint John

You can expect stormy weather right through tonight into tomorrow as we have a winter storm warning for the Saint John region. 

Darin Borgel of Environment Canada tells CHSJ News we will receive mostly snow with the risk of some freezing rain along the coast. 

Borgel says you can expect anywhere from 15 up to 30 centimeters of snow depending where you are in the region with the heaviest amounts falling late this afternoon and tonight.

He says this is a slow moving system with lighter snow continuing intermittently tomorrow.

In the Anglophone South School District.........Schools are closed in St. Stephen, Saint John, Hampton, the K-V and Belle Isle. Schools in Sussex, Norton and Apohaqui are open.

Samuel de Champlain is closed for the day as is the Sussex Christian school.

Drivers Getting A Bit Of A Price Break

Gas prices go down a bit after the weekly setting. 

The price of self serve regular in the city is down to an even $1.34 a litre, a decline of half a cent. 

Diesel dropped by more than 2 and a half cents to $1.43.1 and heating oil also taking a dip to $1.23.1 a litre.

Man On The Run After Woman Stabbed Near Sussex

Sussex RCMP are looking for a 49-year old man in connection with a stabbing that occurred earlier this morning in Plumweseep, near Sussex.

Shortly before 8 a.m Sussex RCMP received a 911 call from a woman who had suffered stab wounds during an altercation in a Plumweseep home. The woman was taken to hospital in Saint John. The seriousness of her injuries is unknown.

The 49-year-old man was last seen driving a 2009 grey Honda Ridgeline truck with N.B. license plate CPM 926. The man is described as being 5'11'' tall with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing glasses, a black coat, blue jeans and black boots.

Police are treating this as an isolated incident as the victim and suspect know each other.

If anyone has information on the location of this person or the truck, do not approach him, and contact police immediately or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Copper Thieves Wreck House

Some thieves did a real number on a house in Saint Andrews over the weekend....

An undisclosed quantity of copper piping was ripped out of the walls over the weekend at a home on Mowat Drive. No word on how much pipe was taken but RCMP are describing the damage as significant.

If anyone has information contact police immediately or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Board Of Trade Is On Board With Proposed Fertilizer Plant

The interim president of the Saint John Board of Trade calls the proposed fertilizer production plant in McAllister Industrial Park exactly what Saint John needs. 

Dick Daigle of the BOT tells CHSJ News the timing came as something of a surprise--albeit a pleasant one, and it is certainly in line with the True Growth 2.0 strategy the city has been looking to embrace.

Daigle says the next thing they'd like to see the city move on is shale gas. The plant is expected to cost $350 million, creating over 1,200 jobs during construction.

Social Media Award Winners Celebrate At Saltys

Most of us are familiar with Facebook and Twitter: but some Saint Johners are really taking it to to the next level. 

The 2013 Salty Awards honour those who make major contributions to our online lives--including Best Facebook, Instagram, and use of social media in a campaign. 

Cultural Affairs Minister Bernard Cormier won for Best Twitter. He tells CHSJ News the secret is delivering local content with a bit of humour. The complete list of winners is as follows.

Twitter Person of the Year - Bernard Cormier - Link

Best Facebook Page- Je Suis Prest - Link

Awesome Instagram – Mark Hemmings - Link

Hottest YouTube – From Sussex and I Know It - Link

Coolest Blog – barbbarbbarb – Barb Crawford - Link

Best Use of Social Media in a Campaign – Pay It Forward Saint John - Link

Savoie Says More Fundy Trail $ Is Close

According to one Saint John area MLA, we can expect a funding announcement soon to complete the next phase of the Fundy Trail.

Saint John Fundy MLA Glen Savoie tells CHSJ News he's been working with Tourism, Culture and Healthy Living Minister Trevor Holder.

He says they have been working with their federal counterparts and the province to get the deal in place and at this stage they are crossing the T's and dotting the I's.

Savoie says to complete the trail another whole section has to be done and this funding will allow work to begin on that section.

75 Acts of Kindness from Bayview Credit Union

Bayview Credit Union is giving back. To celebrate 75 years in business, Bayview's Carolyn MacPherson says they will commit 75 acts of kindness this year.


It launches at the Sea Dogs game tonight, where staff will collect Canadian Tire money for P.R.O. Kids. Other charitable causes they'll support this year include Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life and Hestia House.

Glen Falls Assault

City police are looking for two men after an assault in Glen Falls.   

Police were called to Brown Street about 10:25 last night to find a man had been assaulted.    Police were led to a crime scene on Glen Road.

A man in his 20's was sent to hospital with serious injuries.

Police believe a weapon was used but it's unclear what it was.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Major Crime at 648-3333.

More Moose Says Aerial Survey

Scientists looking at the moose population in and around Funday National Park have noticed a huge upswing in the number this year. Dr. Daniel Mazerolle, an ecologist at Fundy National Park, saying the survey hopes to shed some light on both how many there are and where they're located.

The air tracking study spotted 49 moose this year, a huge increase from the last two years.

Rockwood Park Attacker Sentenced

A 27 year old Saint John man  has been sentenced to 4 years and 1 month in federal jail for an attack on a jogger in Rockwood Park.

Nathan Dean was described by the defense as a shy man with a small social circle--and admitted in court he himself isn't sure why, on  October 3, he jumped out of the bushes into the path of a female jogger carrying a knife, his face masked with pantyhose.

Judge Andrew LeMeasure said the sentence needs to reflect the level of fear the attack put into the community as well as the harm to the individual victim. In a statement read to the court the unnamed woman said she's now more fearful and was traumatized by the event. The 4 year, 1 month sentence subtracts the 5 months Dean has already served.

Repsol Closes Sale - Canaport Not Included

Repsol won't be selling it's stake in the Canaport L-N-G terminal - at least not for the time being - the Spanish based company says it's completed a 6.7-billion dollar deal with Shell to buy a number of its Liquefied Natural Gas holdings.
But - it says the low natural gas prices in the U-S thanks to a glut of American produced shale gas makes it difficult to put a long term value on the facility.
Instead Shell has signed a ten year deal with Repsol to supply liquefied natural gas to the terminal.
Repsol owns a 75-percent share of the Canaport terminal while Irving Oil has a 25-percent stake in the facility.

Trudeau Campaigns In Rothesay & Milford

Liberal leadership candidate Justin Trudeau making a couple quick stops in Greater Saint John today.
Trudeau tells CHSJ News he was touched so many longtime Lliberals and business leaders came out to the fundraising breakfast in Rothesay.

He says they wanted to talk about their concerns including the cost overruns of the Point Lepreau refurbishment.

Trudeau supports the idea of a West-East pipeline adding he has always said we have to be better at transforming our own resources within our own borders.

Trudeau also gave a speech to a crowd at the Dennis Morris Community Center which included Former Mayor Ivan Court, MP Dominic Leblanc and Provincial Liberal Leader Brian Gallant.

Big Saint John Event For International Women's Day

Women in the Port City will have a singular chance to network, re-energize and take part in some inspiring conversations on International Women's Day.

Rhoda Welshman is organizing Pathways to Empowerment at the Delta on March 8th that will feature a wide range of inspirational women. 

Best-selling author, entrepreneur and Honourary Colonel Barabara Stegmann will deliver the keynote address. Stegmann appeared on Dragon's Den where she received $75,000 in venture capital for her brand, 7 Virtues. 

Registration is $75 which includes the discussion panel, lunch, keynote speech and other bonuses. 200 women are signed up so far. For more information, click here

Quispamsis Businessman Fined

A local businessman pleading guilty on charges of failing to file his taxes.

Gregory Paul Watson from Quispamsis fined $10,500 dollars in Saint John Provincial Court. He's been charged with failing to file personal income tax returns from 2008-2010 and four GST/HST returns for 2009-2010.

He's been given one year to pay up, and a compliance order was issued for outstanding returns.

Trudeau In Town

Local Grits get a boost today with Federal leadership candidate Justin Trudeau in town.

Trudeau will take part in two events in the Greater Saint John area today.

A fundraising breakfast in Rothesay and a meet and greet on the West side.

Atlantic Potash Plans To Build Plant In Saint John

Atlantic Potash Corporation plans to build a proposed specialty fertilizer production facility in Saint John.

The proposed facility would be developed on approximately 100 acres of land in McAllister Industrial Park and is expected to cost $350 million, creating over 1,200 jobs during construction.

Once operational, the facility would generate over 1,300 jobs, more than $40 million in wages and salaries, approximately $344 million in expenditures and $4 million in municipal taxes annually.

Keith Attoe, co-project lead for Atlantic Potash, says global demand for fertilizer is growing quickly and their plan with this new facility is to produce and export 380,000 tons annually of fertilizers from Saint John to buyers in markets including Europe and South America.

The facility would produce three potash-based specialty fertilizers, which include urea, potassium nitrate and ammonium chloride. 

Over the next two years, Atlantic Potash will be undertaking the mandatory approval processes including the completion of an environmental impact assessment.      Construction would start two years after the EIA process is approved.   Operations at the fertilizer production facility are anticipated to start in 2017.

Kennebecasis Drive Fire

 17 firefighters spending 4 hours battling a blaze at 944 Kennebecasis Drive.

Platoon Chief Eric Garland tells CHSJ News when crews arrived they found the fire which started in a chimney had spread.

It spread to the roof and crews were able to knock it down.
 
One person was in the house at the time but was not hurt.
 
Investigators are looking into the cause but it's believed to be accidental.

Common Causes Hosts Meeting On Problems With P3s

H20 is a boiling-hot topic in the port city.

Common Causes, which calls itself "an assembly of social movements committed to defending democracy, the environment and human rights", hosted a town hall meeting on Monday night to talk about the public-private-partnership funding model the city is looking at to pay for an upgraded water system, and the problems it would present.

The forum's moderator was Andrew Graham, a member of the group. He tells CHSJ news that the meeting at the Saint John Arts Centre accomplished two things. It educated the public about the risks of P3 funding, and gave local people a platform to ask about the issue and to give their own input.

Their words might very well transform into action; there was talk of submitting a letter to common council this week, congregating at the meeting next Monday, and regrouping the day after.

Gallant To Seek Graham's Seat In By-Election

Liberal leader Brian Gallant is announcing he will run in the by-election for the riding of Kent recently vacated by former premier Shawn Graham.

Last week, NB's conflict of interest commissioner determined Graham was in a conflict when he assisted in an agreement to provide financial help to a subsidary of now-defunct Atcon, which had ties to his father.

Gallant said he looks forward to the opportunity to represent the riding of Kent as a member of the Legislative Assemply and he'd like to zero in on changes to EI and twinning Route 11 in addition to ministering to the province's flagging economy. He also pointed to the potential for shale gas development in the province as a concern.

Gallant said he hopes Premier Alward will call a by-election as soon as possible.  He was elected leader of the provincial Liberals on October 27, 2012 defeating two other candidates. He is a lawyer by profession.

Closure Of Laundry Facilities In Nursing Homes Causes Backlash

The New Brunswick Council of Nursing Homes lashing out at the provincial government for its decision to close laundry facilities in 16 nursing homes across the province...which they believe will lead to the loss of 60 jobs despite the government's claims the workers will merely be transferred to other departments. Nursing Home Union President Wayne Brown doesn't buy the assurances.

For its part, the government claims the job-sharing plan will save nearly $600,000 annually; however, the union representatives say if the government had wanted to find efficiencies it should have consulted with them. Locally, employees at Passamaquoddy Lodge, Kennebec Manor, Kings Way Centre and Rocmaura Nursing Home will be affected.

No Clear Solution For Simm's Corner

Some reactions from listeners in the Saint John area on the decision not to install a roundabout at one of the city's most notorious intersections: Simm's Corner.

Nancy-Leigh says "I think to many transports go through there for a roundabout. Maybe reconfigure it into a proper intersection and put in lights."

Paul says:  "Yes for roundabout."

Victoria "We shouldn't have a roundabout there. How it would work without everyone getting cut off?"

Natasha agrees saying Simms Corner is too small, logistically, to put in a traffic circle. "It is easy to get through if you follow the flow of traffic and the signs... I go through it daily ( a few times) and I never have an issue."
 
What do you think about Simm's Corner? Have your say on Facebook or Twitter.