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.

Albert County Residents Want Health Status Assessment

Hillsborough residents are concerned about oil and gas drilling and production being approved without the provincial government making an assessment of the community's baseline health status.

 An assessment was reccomended by the chief medical officer for the province, Dr Eilish Cleary, in a report last year.

A new well in Edgett's Landing is less than 2km from both village water wells and .5km from residential areas according to a local citizen group, Water and Environmental Protection for Albert County, who are concerned about potential adverse effects.

Hillsborough Village Council and citizens groups have sent a letter with over 100 signatures to the Minister of Health asking that province establish baseline health and socio-economic status and water/air quality, before more developments are approved.

The "B" Factor Offers Help In The KV

For those seeking out new ways to cope with bullying have another option in the K.V.
 
"The B Factor" is a  support group and information resource for victims of bullying and for the parents and guardians of those who have been bullied.
 
Constable Krystal Daley of the Rothesay Regional Police tells CHSJ News they meet every month in the KV Superstore community room.

She says they started last fall and they have either a guest speaker or a presentation by someone in the community relating to bullying and what is being done in the schools.

Daley says they've been meeting every month in the community room of the KV Superstore and they will again tonight at 7.

Tonight's presentation is about internet safety and anyone who is interested can just show up.

3 Slightly Injured In Redhead Blaze

Saint John firefighters responding to a fire last night in Redhead.

The call came in about 630 for 189 Ocean Drive and on arrival crews found heavy smoke and fire in the kitchen.

One firefighter was slightly injured, while one person suffered a slight burns to a leg and another person suffered smoke inhalation.

The cause of the blaze has been deemed accidental.

Controversy Over Simm's Corner Traffic Calming

No answer yet when it comes to tackling the tricky traffic spot at Simm's Corner. Common Councillor Bill Farren tells CHSJ that he thinks the spot is most problematic for drivers unfamiliar with the area, not west siders. After the idea to install a roundabout was shot down, Farren wants to see a permanent solution put into place.

He calls the choice not to install the traffic fixture "disappointing".

Province Could Lose Another Covered Bridge

A damaged covered bridge may get a new lease on life if some petitioners have their way.

Locals are presenting a petition to Curtis Malloch, MLA for Charlotte-Campobello, urging the provincial government to restore the damaged covered bridge at Maxwell Crossing.

The bridge was heavily damaged in a January 21 single-vehicle collision and the Department of Transport suggested the bridge might not be repaired, but  replaced with a bailey bridge. The petition has been signed by more than 900 people.

The repairs would cost some $500,000. The province has lost almost 240 of its historic covered bridges in the last 50 years.The bridge at Maxwell Crossing was built 103 years ago.

Center For Women Addicts Marks 5 Years

A recovery center aimed specifically at women is marking 5 years in operation in Saint John.

Sophia House has seen 370 women through its doors since it opened and executive director Janet Bordage tells CHSJ News there have been some amazing success stories. She says one thing, however, came as a bit of a surprise for her: the most commonly abused drug isn't something illicit. Rather, about 50% of the women they see are primarily addicted to alcohol.

Everyone who works and volunteers at Sophia House is in recovery themselves, which provides an atmosphere of understanding as women work to overcome their addictions. An event marking the 5 year milestone is being held Monday (today) at the center at 83 Hazen Street.

Shipbuilding Industry in Motion

Slowly, but surely, the shipbuilding industry is moving forward. MP Rodney Weston telling CHSJ news that he's confident that the current strategy for the program in Halifax is the right one to keep the maritime industry afloat.

The Irving shipbuilding project will span over the next 30 years, and Weston says because of that time frame, they're factoring inflation rates into cost estimates.

Marigolds A Success, But North End Needs More

Main Street in the Old North End used to be a thriving commercial area---and although things have changed for the worse according to Marigolds on Main founder Barry Ogden, the city needs to focus on the area's potential. 

Ogden tells CHSJ News he'd like to see the murals along that street keep up and a fountain installed near Fort Howe.


Ogden says part of the reason people aren't attracted to the area is also the high rate of speed on Main--but that needs to change is the city wants to generate tax revenue from the North End.

A New Look For Your Milk Carton Helps Nature

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is asking you to take a closer look at milk cartons.

The organization is partnering with Northumberland Dairy for the second year in a row for a provincial campaign that aims to protect undeveloped areas that are special to New Brunswickers by promoting the organization's land and habitat protection project on all white milk containers.

NCC Director Andrew Holland tells Tide News he hopes the campaign gets residents thinking about those spots they share a connection with in New Brunswick.The goal is to raise awareness, and to match the $50, 000 they made in donations last year.

Shoplifter Hits 3 Stores In 1 Day

A shoplifter who made the the rounds of 3 local businesses before getting busted will appear in court in the spring.

The 41 year old man us charged with with 3 counts of shoplifting from the Co-op, Grand-Bay Home Hardware and also Guardian Drugs in Grand-Bay all in the same day. 

The shoplifter is due back in court in April.

Major Retailer Opening Up Saint John Location

A major retailer of farm, industrial, garage, and surplus items is opening its doors in Saint John this year.

Princess Auto announcing it will be opening a new location at the East Point Shopping Center at some point in 2013. Previously, the closest location to the Saint John area was in Moncton.

The Canadian retail chain operates 34 stores in 8 provinces and employs 1,700 hundred people nationwide.

Gas Leak And Vandalism Calls For Fire and Police

Police were called to a few Friday night upsets; however, none of the calls were too serious.

Some residents on the corner of Pitt and Crown awoke to a nasty shock finding some windows smashed out and tires slashed overnight. Police are looking into the cause of the damage.

The Fire Department were also called to deal with a propane leak on McAllister Drive. it's speculated the leak was caused by a leaky ball joint but the situation was soon turned over to mall management.

Cardy Thinks Graham Is Right To Resign

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy tells CHSJ News he gives Shawn Graham some credit for realizing, albeit a bit late, that quitting was the right move.

Cardy says following Justice Ryan's report and his conflict of interest, getting out of politics is the correct and honourable step for Graham.

In terms of whether or not he'll seek a seat in the inevitable bye-election, Cardy says he'll be speaking with the NDP folks in Kent but he does promise there will be a strong candidate there.