Saint John Behind the Eight Ball Headed Home

(Dogs Head Coach Gerard Gallant Makes a Leap at Moncton Bench)
                      (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

Things got ugly both on and office the ice for the Seadogs in the Presidents Cup Final. Moncton scored early and often today en-route to a 9-3 spanking of Saint John and 2-0 series lead.

In the dying seconds of the game, Moncton Head Coach and GM Danny Flynn pulled starting goalie Nicola Riopel which sent Dogs Head Coach Gerard Gallant lunging at the Moncton bench.

Gallant says this is the second game in a row this has happened and there is no reason for it.


As for Flynn, he says the move was no reflection on the Dogs staff or players he just wanted to make sure there were no goal mouth collisions that would see Riopel get hurt.


When asked what went wrong, Gallant simply answered Moncton.

So far, the Wildcat has out-scored Saint John 14-4 in the series. Game Three goes tomorrow night, seven o'clock at the Station.

Are You Prepared For Emergencies?

It's Emergency Preparedness Week and the Emergency Management office wants Saint Johnners to learn three simple steps: know your risks, make a plan and get a kit. Manager of EMO Murielle Provost tells CHSJ news this week is about awareness and preparedness. She reminds Saint Johnners an emergency doesn't have to be a flood or a tornado, it can also be a simple power-outage or storm. People are encouraged to always have 72 hours worth of supplies in case of an emergency, including flashlights, batteries, radio, food and water. There will be a contest this week where the prize is a pre-packed emergency kit.
An information booth will be set up in Brunswick Square Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 11 am and 2pm. People are encouraged to come out and get tips from the Week's mascot, Preparedness Patti.

Senator Mike Duffy In Saint John Speaking Out on Afghanistan And Freedom Of Speech

(Senator Mike Duffy in Saint John on the weekend)
                 (Photo by Sherry Aske)

Free speech and the Afghan Detainee issue are two topics on Conservative Senator Mike Duffy's mind. Duffy was the keynotes speaker at the Radio-Television News Directors Association Conference in Saint John this weekend. He says free speech in Canada is under attack from the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council acting on behalf of the C-R-T-C which regulates TV and radio stations.
Duffy also says he finds it hard to believe people think Stephen Harper is hiding something in the Afghanistan documents. He says Parliment has been more involved in Afghanistan than in any other war.

Saint John to commemorate Battle of the Atlantic

Saint John's Naval Reserve Unit will commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic today.

A ceremony will be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception beginning at ten.

Following the ceremony, sailors from HMCS BRUNSWICKER and the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets will parade from Waterloo street to Market slip where there will be a wreath laying ceremony at 12:10 p.m.

This World War II Naval Battle took place between September 1939 and May 1945.

Game Two of Cats vs. Dogs to begin at 4pm

The Presidents Cup Final switches to Moncton this afternoon for Game Two.

The Wildcats punished the Seadogs in the opener with a stifling defence on their way to a 5-1 win.

Cats Head Coach and GM Danny Flynn says Saint John is the best team they have seen all year.

Seadogs Head Coach Gerard Gallant says one of the areas his team needs to focus on is winning face-offs.

He says he juggled the line-up late in Game One but doesn't expect any drastic changes today.

Game time this afternoon is four o'clock at the Coliseum.

Student says Saint John should be on Monopoly board

Get ready Uncle Pennybags, District 8 student Alex Magee wants Saint John to be the next property on the new Monopoly board.

Magee was invited by Common Councillor Gary Sullivan at the District 8 speech competition to deliver his speech on Saint John's unique cultural and historical background to Council.

MaGee's speech praised Saint John as the home of many firsts, including Canada's first public high school, Saint John High, and Canada's first YMCA, which opened on Germain Street.

Mayor Ivan Court congradulated Magee and added Saint John should also be on the board for winning $5000 for Hospice last year.

He encourages people to vote in this year's competition at bayshore.ca, where the city is currently in 2nd place.

High School teams compete in Envirothon

Student teams from Saint Malachy's and Harbourview High are competing in Envirothon this weekend.

It's an environmental competition at Mount Allison University and Grade 12 Harbourview student Melissa Chase tells CHSJ news she and the other 7 students on the team have been preparing for weeks leading up to today.
 
The teams have been studying in class every week and doing fieldwork.
 
Chase says her teacher, Miss Blennan, approached her about joining the Envirothon because she knew she has interest in the environment.

Chase's team and the team from St. Malachy's are making presentations to the judges today.

The winning team from the Province moves on the international championship in California in August.

Hampton gets a farmer's market of their own

After consulting the community, the Tourism Committee from the Town of Hampton decided they needed a farmer's market of their own.

They formed a board of directors for the new Hampton Market and Chair Brian Fowler tells CHSJ News, it took about five months to put together.

He says they hope to see 25-30 vendors this weekend and have everything from sweet treats to swedish weaving.

The Hampton Market is located at 48 Cemetery Road inside the Hampton Curling Club.

Fowler says once you pass the Green bridge-just follow the signs.

It's open from 8 until 2 today.

Advanced Polls open today!

Eligible voters in nine municipalities can take advantage of advance polls today.

There are vacancies for councilors at large in St. Andrews, St. George, McAdam,

Nackawic, Petitcodiac, Port Elgin, Saint-Hilaire and Tracadie Sheila.

Voters in Riverside-Albert will cast ballots to elect a new mayor.

The advance poll will also be held on Campobello Island as part of a plebiscite to determine if voters wish to replace the existing local service district with a rural community that would have an elected council.
 
Everyone wishing to cast their ballot is reminded to bring their voter information cards.
 
The polls are open today between ten and eight with the regular polling day on Monday the 10th.

Saint John Energy raises rates by three per cent

The news is not good for residential, commerical and industrial users of Saint John Energy.

The utility has announced that on June.1st, it is raising it's rates by three per cent.

This is in conjunction with the three per cent increase that NB Power has applied for.

President and CEO Eric Marr tells CHSJ News, those rates represent 85% of the utilities cost and three per cent is large amount of cash and the only way to recover it is through the rate-payers.

Kingston General Merchants store owner thrilled

After 11 years of lobbying for a liquor outlet, the owner of Kingston General Merchants is thrilled with the news from NB Liquor that an outlet will be opening.

Steve Gatien tells CHSJ News, he realizes there are some concerns with a school right across from his store but is ready to prove that liquor will not be sold to minors.

Gatien adds this is a win for him and the community because it provides a product people want.

As for when the outlet might open, Gatien says he is now shooting for the Canada Day Long Weekend.

Kingston Peninsula to get new liquor store

The Kingston Peninsula is getting a liquor outlet store.

NB Liquor spokes-person Nora Lacey tells CHSJ News, the board of directors have given thumbs up to the store which will set up shop in Kingston General Merchants.

She says the next step in the process is to send out written notification, meet with the store owner, set up training dates and then lock up an official opening.

Lacey adds there are still renovations that need to be finished at the store, getting a supply of stock and the training as well.

Irving Pulp and Paper has its day in court

Irving Pulp & Paper will pay $71,250 to the Atlantic Coastal Action Program and pay a fine of $3,750 under a court order handed down yesterday in provincial court.

This after the mill released green liquor (a by-product of the chemical recovery process) into the Saint John River on October 31 of 2007 during the start-up of a new lime kiln.

The company says human error is the reason for the incident.

Moncton Takes Opener of Presidents Cup Final

(Opening Face-Off of Presidents Cup Game One)
              (Photo by Jim Hennessy)

It's advantage Moncton in the Presidents Cup Final.


A smothering defenceman and three goals by Gabrielle Boruque led the Cats to a 5-1 win over the Seadogs last night to take Game One in the best of seven.


Moncton head Coach and GM Danny Flynn says his team did a lot of things right but is taking nothing away from the Seadogs knowing this is only one game and doesn't expect they are ready to rollover.


Dogs Head Coach Gerard Gallant calls his teams performance flat and give full marks to Moncton for a solid blue-line and winning important face-offs.


Game Two in the series goes tomorrow afternoon at the Coliseum. Game time is four o'clock.

West Side Pulp Mill is Fined

The work week has closed with a hefty fine for the Irving Pulp and Paper mill on the west-side.

The company will pay $71,250 to the Atlantic Coastal Action Program and pay a fine of $3,750.

This after the mill released green liquor (a by-product of the chemical recovery process) into the Saint John River on October 31 of 2007 during the start-up of a new lime kiln.

The company says human error is the reason for the incident.

NB Liquor Approves Liquor Outlet on Kingston Peninsula

The Board of Directors at NB Liquor has given thumbs up to a liquor outlet setting up shop on the Kingston Peninsula.

NB Liquor spokes-person Nora Lacey tells CHSJ News, the next step in the process is to send out written notification, meet with the store owner, set up training dates and then lock up an official opening.

Lacey adds NB Liquor is pleased they are able to bring their product where the demand is.

Store Owner Thrilled With Decision

The news out of Fredericton has put a smile on the face of Steve Gatien.


He is the owner of the Kingston General Merchants store and has been fighting for a liquor outlet for 11 years.
Gatien tells CHSJ News, there is still a lot of work to do in setting up the store before locking up an opening date.


There are some concerns from some residents with a school right across from the store but Gatien says he is ready to prove that liquor will not be sold to minors.

Saint John Energy is raising it's rates

The news is not good for residential, commerical and industrial users of Saint John Energy. The utility has announced that on June.1st, it is raising it's rates by three per cent. This is in conjunction with the three per cent increase that NB Power has applied for. President and CEO Eric Marr tells CHSJ News, those rates represent 85% of the utilities cost and three per cent is large amount of cash and they only way to recover it is through the rate-payers.

 Energy Minister Jack Keir has ordered a hearing with the Energy and Utilities Board for NB Power to justify it's rate his proposal but no date has been set.

Weston on the Harbour Bridge

(Saint John MP Rodney Weston)

After Energy Minister Jack Keir told us he came away with a negative vibe, Saint John MP Rodney Weston is weighing in on the meeting in Ottawa this week concerning the future of the Harbour Bridge. Weston tells CHSJ News, the bottom line is Saint John is not getting equal treatment:

Weston again points out, federal funding for repairs the bridge might need in the future are not being pulled off the table. Ottawa's proposal for the Harbour Bridge includes providing $17.5 million toward repairs and in return, the bridge becomes part of Highway One with the province responsible for all future costs and the tolls are removed immediately.

Call Goes Out For More Community Policing

(Saint John Councilor Donnie Snook)
          (File Photo)

Its an area of the city infamous for prostitution and drug use.

Common Councillor Donnie Snook believes the time is right, as part of a poverty reduction strategy, to set up a community policing office in the Waterloo Street area which has become known as the Village.


The final say will be made by the Police Commission which will mull over the request.
 
Snook maintains the cost could be minimal.