Rothesay Holds Tax Rate For 2012

The 2012 budget for Rothesay is in and it's good news for residents -- despite a 5.3 percent increase to the fire and police budgets, the tax rate will remain steady at $1.19 per $100 assessed.

The only jump in the bills comes in the form of the sewer service charge, which is going from $265 dollars to $285.

Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News the $8.9 million dollar capital budget will be put to good use.  Projects will include Oakville Acres and the Rothesay Arena.

Despite additional increases in costs to garbage collection and transportation, Bishop says the town has managed it's money well and reserves will make up the shortfall.

The General Operating budget of the town for 2012 is 15.9 million dollars.

Lots Of Views Voiced About New Direction For Development In City

There was no shortage of reaction voiced to Common Council about the proposed new municipal plan that will serve as a blueprint for future development in the city once approved. 

Chris Boudreau of Uptown Saint John maintains more and more people are moving back to the core of the city and this plan encourages that. He believes density will solve alot of the city's problems. 

Odette McGrath of Latimore Lake doesn't want to see any more gravel pits operating in her area. She complains the roads in her part of the city are not being repaired and the snow plowing leaves much to be desired. 

Developer Camille Debly says a large scale housing development in Millidgeville, the Cambridge Estates subdivision, is under threat unless it's put back in the designated growth area. 

Mac Blair of Blair Construction vows he will not be building homes in Saint John after this year and predicts property owners will be taking the city to court.

Both Enterprise Saint John and U-N-B Saint John spoke in favour of the plan which is expected to be approved with changes next month.
 
There's still time to make changes but the plan is expected to come before Council for adoption early in the new year.

Alward Government Rolls Out Capital Budget Today

The Alward government unveils its 2012 capital budget later today in the Legislature -- a budget Finance Minister Blaine Higgs says is not tough by business standards - but - tough by government standards.
Higgs says the Highway One twinning is taking the lion's share of spending while other needed projects and maintenance items will get some funding.
And the Minister tells CHSJ News he's taking a cautious approach as he readies the operating budget to be delivered in the spring.
Meanwhile -- Premier Alward says his government is working to get spending under control before considering any increase in taxes to battle the deficit.

St. Stephen Remembers Flooding Nightmare

A good chunk of Charlotte County was underwater this time last year after heavy rains lead to widespread flooding.
The Bordertown's businesses suffering serious damage along with over 100 homeowners who had their basements floods.
St. Stephen town manager John Ferguson tells CHSJ News says co-ordinating relief was a challenge.

He tells us getting donations and materials to people in a timely fashion was a real struggle after the flooding.

Since last year's flooding, Ferguson says the four Charlotte county municipalities purchased the Sentinel computer system to monitor their inventory.
So if they need a pump in one area and don't have it, they can locate it quickly and bring it there.

Unionized Workers Confront Premier In Quispamsis

Province Signs Potash Deal In Sussex

The Alward government signing a deal giving Saint John's Atlantic Potash Corporation the right to explore and develop a confirmed potash deposit near Sussex.

The deposit about 10 kilometres west of Sussex in Millstream was discovered more than 25 years ago.
The Premier says the company has committed to spend at least 4.5 million dollars on exploration.

David Alward says if a mine is economically viable, it would mean hundreds of jobs.

Government Workers Say They're Being Attacked

Canadian Union of Public Employees vice president Sandy Harding tells CHSJ News they're worried about losing some long standing benefits as the Alward government tackles the deficit.
Harding says they're demanding some recognition and respect for the services public sector workers provide -- she says they're not only workers but also tax paying New Brunswickers as well.
A group of CUPE workers greeted the Premier as he arrived for a party fund raising breakfast in Quispamsis this morning.

Elderly Man Found Safe

It's likely been a scary two days for him and a worrisome 48 hours for his family.

RCMP locating an 83-year-old man from Kingston missing since Friday.

He was found safe last night in Chipman.

The Mounties are thankful for the help from the public.

East Side Armed Robbers Sentenced To Prison

Provincial Court Judge Bill McCarroll says 90 per cent of the cases that come before the courts involve the abuse of drugs and alcohol. The Judge made the observation while sentencing two armed robbers to prison terms.

A 20 year old Champlain Heights man has been sentenced to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to committing 3 armed robberies along with 9 charges of stealing gas and having his face concealed during the holdups.

Lucas Bradley Hebert held up two Petro Cans, one on Bayside Drive and the other on Loch Lomand Road along with a convenience store on Hickey Road.

The court was told he had no previous criminal record but developed a severe addiction to painkillers. The court was also told Hebert has a five month old son.

21 year old Zachary Golden who remained outside during the robbery of the Petro Can on Loch Lomand Road while armed with a knife, acting as a lookout, got 2 years and 8 months.

Alward Downplays H-S-T Increase

Premier Alward is all but ruling out any talk of an increase in the H-S-T in the new year.
Alward tells CHSJ News his mandate during last year's election campaign didn't include any move to raise the tax.
He says the government's fiscal house isn't in order and that has to happen before any increase in revenues.
And Alward says under existing legislation any move to increase the H-S-T would have to be put to a referendum.

Premier Greeted By Unionized Workers

A large group of unionized public sector workers on hand this morning to greet Premier Alward as he arrived for a party fundraiser in Quispamsis this morning.
Alward and Finance Minister Blaine Higgs met briefly with the group before going into the breakfast meeting at th Q-
The workers are concerned about the impact of cutbacks on union members and the services they provide.

This Winter Should Bring Average Temps and Snowfall

Remember how terrible last winter was with all that snow?   According to the Weather Network, it really wasn't the way we remember it.
Weather Network Meteorologist Patrick Cool tell CHSJ News the snowfall was average between October and April but February changed everything.

He says February was a snowy month and that's what people remember is the two big blizzards from last winter.

The Saint John area normally receives about 50 centimetres of snow in February while last year it was nearly 100.
As for this year, Cool says we can expect average snowfall this winter.

138-Year-Old Church Destroyed in KingsClear First Nation

A historic church in New Brunswick was destroyed by a fire early Sunday morning.

Volunteer firefighter Rick Hunter says the blaze started at the 138-year-old catholic church on the Kingsclear First Nation reserve near Fredericton at about 1 a.m.

He said about 30 firefighters were able to save two stone walls and the church's cross, and the flames were extinguished within 15 minutes.

Hunter says the cause of the fire is not known and could not say if it is suspicious.

He says community members are grief stricken and have been gathering outside the church to look upon the rubble.

On Saturday, the century-old Victoria Presbyterian Church in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, was also destroyed in a fire.

Comparison of Costs in Saint John And Prince George, B.C.

The first person out of the gate seeking a seat on Common Council has released a comparision of what it costs to provide police and fire services in Prince George B-C as opposed to Saint John.

John Campbell chose Prince George because he tells CHSJ News the two cities are similar in population, age and makeup.

He found the fire service to be ten million dollars less costly in Prince George. It must be pointed out Saint John does have an oil refinery and L-N-G terminal which Prince George doesn't have.



Campbell says policing costs were far less in Prince George, as well, where they use the RCMP.

Proposed New Muncipal Plan Up For Public Discussion Tonight

You'll get your chance at a public hearing later today to have a say on the proposed new municipal plan that Plan SJ is getting ready to propose for the approval of Common Council.

The provisions in this plan will guide future development for the next generation.

Jacqueline Hamilton of Plan SJ says the aim is to focus development closer to the uptown core and that means there will be limitations imposed on residential rural development within city limits although it won't be eliminated altogether.



Hamilton says they have received more than 30 submissions to date and most support the new direction.

The public hearing starts at 5:30 in Council Chambers.

Meteorologists Predict Milder Winter--For Now

You won't have to dig out your car--or your snow-blower--for a while yet this winter. That's the outlook coming from AccuWeather, which just released its 2011-2012 winter forecast. 

According to the weather agency, New Brunswickers should expect a tamer-than-usual winter with less snowfall than average--for now.

In southern Atlantic Canada, says meteorologist Brett Anderson, the winter will start out pretty tame. But things will turn more stormy in the coming months as the coast gets hit by wintry blasts of snow and rain.

For now, however, enjoy the not-so-wintry wonderland while it lasts.

Alleged Workplace Bullying at NB Power

NB Power defending itself against allegations that it's a hotbed of workplace bullying. BullyingCanada drawing attention to the complaints it's received from employees.

The anti-bullying group has heard from 15 workers  who say they've been bullied at work by their supervisors.

Higher-ups at the power company have been accused with refusing to let workers speak their minds, as well as of giving their friends preferential treatment.

NB Power responding that they will meet with representatives of Bullying Canada to address the issue. They say that they are committed to providing a harassment-free work environment.

2012 Election A Distant Thought For The Mayor

Mayor Ivan Court isn't looking too far ahead into the 2012 municipal elections, despite the recent announcement of a new candidate for Ward 4.

Ray Strowbridge joins John Campbell as a candidate for council next year.

Court tells CHSJ News there's still too much work to think about the election, such as finishing the budget.


He says he will re-offer next year because there are still many projects on the drawing board that he would like to see through.

He believes many of the current councillors will put their names on the ballot again as well.

Opposition Bill Could Help New Brunswickers Quit Smoking

Need help kicking your cigarette habit? If the New Brunswick Liberals have their way, quitting could soon be a little easier.

The Liberal Opposition presenting a new bill to the Legislative assembly that aims to provide smokers with services and medications to treat their addictions.

The province collected $102.6 million in tobacco tax revenues in 2009-2010. The new law, if adopted, would dedicated a percentage of those tax revenues to quit-smoking and nicotine replacement therapies.

It's estimated that smoking costs the province more that $200 million annually in health care and workplace-related expenses.

ONE Change Ltd. Hosts Party at Community Centre

Old Saint Nick is visiting residents of the Old North End a little early today. 

ONE Change Inc. is hosting its "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" party today at the North End Community Centre. 

The registered charity aims to improve the quality of life for everyone in the area. 

A free holiday dinner, presents for kids, door prizes, and entertainment will be provided.

Donations of kid's pajamas, storybooks, and turkeys will be accepted. All residents of the Old North End are invited to come celebrate.