Lornville Cove Could Be Home To Future Barge Site

General Manger for Saint John Industrial Parks Brian Irving says a tenative location has been selected in the Lornville Cove area for a barge site.

He says the site is suitable because of water depths and a road that can accommodate transporters moving oversized components.

Irving tells CHSJ News the the export market for large fabricated metal pieces is very significant -- up to ten of thousands of man-years.

However, Irving says there is still work plenty of work ahead, such as community approval, engineering designs, and permits.

The estimated cost of the project is 6 million dollars and he says he has an aggressive timeline in mind - he would like the project to be completed in 2012.

Costs On The Rise For Cable TV, Internet, and Phones

The cost of having cable TV, internet, and phone service is on the rise.

Bell Aliant recently increasing the prices to several of their services and spokesperson Sarah Levy tells CHSJ News while she can't speak for the competitors, the cost of doing business is going up for everyone.

She says the increases are being driven by increases in costs like TV programming and exponential growth in internet usage.

She says because of that, Bell Aliant will need to invest in their network to be better able to serve its customers.

The growing popularity of on-demand viewing services like Netflix is also affecting both bandwidth use and demand for traditional TV services.

Rick Mercer Visiting Saint John According To Twitter

It's not a whole lot of info but according to the Twitterverse, Rick Mercer is paying a visit to the Port City today.

A tweet on Rick Mercer's twitter page says "Saint John, NB in the AM.  Gonna rock me some Bay of Fundy."

There is no word yet as to whether he is coming here as part of his show The Rick Mercer Report or for personal reasons.

Landfill Doubles Fees For Yard Waste In Garbage

The local landfill is serious about you leaving the twigs and brush out of your garage.
To that end, the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission doubling the tipping fees for any garbage containing yard waste.
Brenda MacCallum tells CHSJ News they are giving everyone the fall to make the change with the new fee taking effect in January.

She says it's not a big change but, people just need to package their compost correctly.

MacCullum says any extra material should be beside the compost cart in clear or brown paper bags.
For more info, click here

Take Back The Night Back In Saint John

It's back after more than 30 years, the Take Back The Night march taking place tonight in Saint John.
The event shining a light on the reality of sexual assault in our community.
Organizer Sharon Amirault tells CHSJ News while they want to take back the night, they also want everyone to be safe when they walk at night.

She says more than 85 per cent of sexual assaults happen in homes by someone you know and the tv version in a dark alley is rare.
The event at King Square begins at 8 tonight and features a video with the testimony of three survivors.

Walmart Heading To The West Side

It looks like the west side will be getting a Walmart after all - the giant box store retailer has completed a deal with Target that will see it assume the Zeller's location in the Lancaster Mall.

It's one of 39 Zeller's locations Walmart is picking up across the country as part of an agreement with Target.

Walmart says conversion of the stores to its brand should be completed by late next year -- meantime -- the McAllister Place Zeller's will be rebranded a Target store in 2013.

Walmart shelved plans for a new west side location a couple of years ago.

Taxpayers Federation Objects To Use Of Government Money For CFL Game

Not everyone likes the idea of using government money to help stage Sunday afternoon's Canadian Football League game in Moncton. 

Last year, the provincial government and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency spent 1.5 million dollars but Premier David Alward maintains the game was worth 7 million dollars to the province.

Kevin Lacey, Atlantic Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, has a different take telling CHSJ News the money could be used better on Education or in healthcare.

Part of that 1.5 million last year was used to provide additional seating at the Moncton Stadium. The Calgary Stampeders take on the Hamilton Tiger Cats Sunday afternoon.

Police Union Unhappy About Uncertainty Over Pension Plan

A deal is a deal...........That's the reaction from the President of the Saint John Police Association, Jamie Hachey to word the city has to come up with a new proposal to change its pension plan for the provincial government to approve from six options.

 The Police Union accepted a two year wage freeze back in April to help put the city's pension plan on a firmer financial footing.

Hachey tells CHSJ News his members might be willing to offer up more money in contributions but he hasn't heard anything from the city about whether it would be willing to up its contribution to the plan.

Hachey vows the police union members will not accept any further cuts.

Former City Councillor In Court

A former member of Common Council finding himself in court for violating the city's residential standards bylaw. 

Jay Chang pleaded guilty to not carrying out repairs to a building he owns at 56 to 58 Queen Street.

Nathan Gionet also pleaded guilty to the same charge and both were fined a thousand dollars each, which is the mnimum fine. 

The court was told the city found 32 violations during an inspection. Both Gionet and Chang have been told to have those repairs done by December.  

Saint John Men Learn Fate For Pub Robberies In November

Two men facing charges after two bar robberies in Saint John and a theft in Rothesay will learn their fate in November.

23-year-old David John Harris of Iona Avenue and 28-year-old Joshua Peter McIntyre of Elizabeth Court were charged in robberies at the Somerset Pub and Colonial Inn on August 30th and possession of stolen property after thefts in the Rothesay Area on September 3rd.    Harris also faces charges for wearing a mask during the crimes.

Court heard that Harris entered the Somerset Pub with a weapon ordering the patrons to get on the floor and demanded an employee to give him all their money leaving the bar with $1500.    Less than two hours later, Harris entered the Colonial Inn demanding money from a worker and leaving with $40.     The attorneys for both requesting a pre-sentence report with both men not having a record.   

The weapon used in the crime was an air pistol.
Each entered guilty pleas on all charges and sentencing will be handed down on November 8th.

City Police Seize Pot Plants

The details now just coming to light about the seizure of 28 marijuana plants on the west side in Randolph. This happened earlier this month. 

The plants were about two feet high and were growing in a wooded area off Sawdust Road near Dominion Park.  

The value of each plant is estimated by police to be about a thousand dollars. No arrests have been made.

Woods Not Ruling Out Pension Related Tax Increase

Despite denials from some civic politicians - a tax increase to cover off the civic pension 129-million dollar deficit remains a very distinct possibility according to City Manager Pat Woods.


Woods has released a statement indicating a limited number of new scenarios were presented to various employee groups during a meeting last week.

He says they were asked to give their feedback by the end of this month with the idea of presenting a recommendation to council in early October.

Woods says the objective is to make the pension plan affordable without imposing an excessive tax burden on property owners.
 
An earlier proposal by the city to resolve the pension deficit issue was rejected by the provincial government.

Fight Brewng Over Home Care In The Province

"It's like David taking on Goliath"--that's how the President of the Province's Home Care Association describes their fight with the Alward government.

Bob Price says a meeting in Saint John this morning with Finance Minister Blaine Higgs and Social Development Minister Sue Stultz did not go well.
The meeting to discuss the challenges facing home care and how government can help home care agencies keep seniors in their homes.

He says the government has figured out by themselves without talking to them that wages are the most important.

Prices says wages are important but, their workers have told them education and training are just as important to feel comfortable in their jobs.

Price says his group is heading to the Centennial building in Fredericton to inform the government to keep their 4.4 million dollars because they can afford it.

Weston Vows Clean Drinking Water Will Be A Reality

As the Harper government struggles to find four billion dollars in savings, that has some wondering if infrastructure projects like clean drinking water for Saint John may be put on the back burner?
The MP for Saint John Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News that is not the case.

Weston says restrain measures can be used that do not necessarily impact program funding.

Weston adds the province, the city and his office are meeting often and he feels good about the progress being made towards making safe drinking water a reality for the Port city.

Frustration Over Delays In Fixing Flood Problem At Oakville Acres

Disappointment.........That's the reaction of the people who live in Oakville Acres to delays in getting their flooding problem resolved.

Gary Howard, who spoke on behalf of the residents when they made their case to Rothesay Town council, tells CHSJ News there are holdups with two property owners, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans along wth the town of Quispamsis.

Howard says the solution is simple as well.......a detention pond and overflow pipes.
 
He adds the homeowners get nervous everytime heavy rain is on the way and some people can't use their basements or half of their homes never mind getting insurance on their house.

Saint John Man In Court Over March Drunk Driving Death

A 30 year old King Street East man charged with impaired driving causing death making a court appearance. 
Jordan Sullivan was charged after a two car collision last March which killed 50 year old Sheila Bayers on the Airport Arterial.

Sullivan will be back in court for a preliminary hearing January 4th which will determine if there's enough evidence to proceed to trial.

How A Chinese Teen Died Remains A Mystery

How the 17 year old student from China died at the Aquatic Centre remains a mystery. That word coming from Leo Maloney, who chairs the Aquatic Centre's board of commissioners.

Maloney tells CHSJ News they might have a better idea after an autopsy is carried out.

The teenager, who had just started at Simonds High, was found in the middle of the swimming pool near the bulkhead. 

As to whether, he was injured in while diving, Maloney tells us he can't confirm or deny but doesn't believe that to be true.

The parents of the boy are expected to be arriving in the city today.

Fire Destroys House Outside City

No injuries reported but a house at Garnett Settlement has been destroyed by fire.

The Simonds Fire Department telling us the call came in shortly after noonhour yesterday and it took fire crews with help from St. Martins, Hampton, the Kennebecasis Valley, Upham and Nauwwigewauk until 10:00 last night to knock it down.

There's no word yet on how it got started.

Gas Prices Tumble

If you didn't fill up yesterday, you're in luck......There has been a big drop in the price of gas after the weekly setting.

Self serve regular around town dropping by more than 4 cents a litre to an even $1.23.

Diesel has also fallen but not by as much and is going for $1.29.2 a litre. 

Heating oil has dropped below $1.14 a litre and is listed at $1.13.4 but propane is more expensive at more than 115 a litre.

Man Arrested For Holdup Of Convenience Store

City Police making an arrest in the robbery last week of the convenience store on Ellerdale Street by a man armed with a knife.

27 year old Kent Joseph Leblanc, who lived across the street, appeared in court and pleaded guilty. He'll be sentenced on October 4th.

City fire crews were kept busy with three collisions last night. The first one involving a motorcyle and resulting in injuries happened at Rothesay Road and Ashburn Lake Road.

There was a two vehicle crash on Westfield Road with no injuries and then three vehicles collided on City Road at Garden Street, again with no injuries.