Local Events Planned To Pay Tribute To Jack Layton

Those of you in the community who want to pay tribute to fallen NDP Leader Jack Layton can do so tomorrow night.

The local NDP Federal Riding Association is holding a candlelight vigil for Layton tomorrow at the Lily Lake Pavilion at 8pm.

Everyone is invited.

Also, if you didn't get the chance to sign the book of condolences in Fredericton for Jack Layton, you now have another chance to do so.

Books of condolences will be made available at the offices of both Saint John MP Rodney Weston and Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore.  They will be open to the public tomorrow from 9am to 5pm and Friday from 9am until noon.

Both books will be forwarded to Jack Layton's family.

Montreal Man Facing Charges For Selling Counterfeit Items In Sussex

The RCMP attending the Sussex Flea Market searching for a man selling counterfeit items.

The Mounties arresting a 57-year-old man from Montreal in connection with the sale of several hundred t-shirts, hoodies and purses.
The approximate retail value is estmated at $15,000.

The man was released and is expected to face charges under the Copyright Act.
For more information about copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting, click here

Still No Picketers, Despite Strike

All flights are on schedule at the airport despite 25 employees who remain on strike.  

The workers are part of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

Colleen Kemp-Mitchell with the airport tells CHSJ News both parties remained at the negotiation table until at least 7:30 last night and talks resumed first thing this morning. 

She says all activities, including this afternoon's open house, are running as planned.  

She says there are still no picketers so no one is crossing the picket line.

Conservation Council Appalled By Minister's Comment

The Conservation Council saying its absolutely absurd to say the council would condone vandalism to seismic testing equipment.  

Director David Coon responding to Environment Minister Margaret-Ann Blaney, who says the Conservation Council played a role in Southwestern Resources Canada's decision to suspend seismic testing and is inflaming peoples' emotions on shale gas.  

Coon tells CHSJ News the council supports non-violent opposition to concerns that communities have.

Coon says he's appalled the Minister thinks the council would endorse property damage or illegal activity and Blaney should publicly apologize for her comment.  

He says seismic testing was delayed because thousands of citizens raised their voices in a democratic fashion.

Child And Youth Advocate Wants Input From Saint John Autism Community

The acting child and youth advocate encouraging families with concerns about the services available to autistic children in Saint John to contact him.

Christian Whalen extending the invite at the Art for Autism showcase at the Community Autism Centre which showcases the artistic ability of youth diagnosed with autism.

Over 800 famillies use the non-profit centre that helps people and their famillies living with autism spectrum disorder.  For more info or to reach Whalen, click here

Details On Metal Shredder Released Tonight

Common Council hosting a meeting tonight to provide the public with details about the proposed metal shredder operation for the city's west side.  

The American Iron and Metal project was held up after residents objected to the use of above ground transmission lines to power the shredder.   

At a meeting four weeks ago Mayor Ivan Court announcing council had found an option but could not release details until the costs were worked out.  

Representatives from the parties involved will be at the Carleton Community Centre tonight to provide information and to answer questions.  

The meeting starts at 7 o'clock.

PotashCorp Gives $50K To Hospital Foundation

PotashCorp NB handing a cheque to the Regional Hospital Foundation to the tune of 50 thousand dollars. The Foundation now has 70 per cent of the money needed to purchase equipment for a new stem-cell lab at the Regional. PotashCorp GM Stewart Brown tells CHSJ News raising that much money in such a short period of time is a huge accomplishment.

He says reaching this point required an agressive fundraising campaign that began earlier this year. Brown says the company decided to donate because a new stem-cell lab is something that will benefit everyone in the region. He says says you'd be hard pressed to find someone who hasn't been impacted by cancer.

Blaney Blames Shale Gas Testing Delay On Conservation Council

Environment Minister Margaret-Ann Blaney says the Conservation Council of New Brunswick is fanning the flames of controversy and is responsible for the delay in shale gas testing.

Southwestern Resources Canada recently suspended seismic testing for shale gas until next year amid safety concerns and vandalism to equipment.

She tells CHSJ News the council has been showing a film across the province that is not doing anyone any favours.


Blaney says the Conservation Council has been taking the Gaslands movie around the province and she thinks a factual debate on shale gas is needed.
She believes they implicitly condone the recent vandalism to seismic testing equipment.

Police Arrest Four After East Side Break And Enter

City police arresting 4 men ranging in age from 18 to 27 after a break and enter on the East side.


Neighbours alerting police about 3am this morning after they heard noises coming from a house on Bonita Avenue.

All four men will be in court this morning.

Six People Temporarily Homeless After St. Martin's Blaze

Six people including three kids are temporarily homeless after a fire gutted a building with an antique shop and three apartments in St. Martin's.

Family, friends and the Red Cross helping out one senior, a man and a woman with three kids get housing, food and other items.

No one was hurt in the fire on Route 11 early yesterday morning.

ACAP Gets Funding Boost For Ongoing Projects

3 environmental projects from the Atlantic Coastal Action program getting a boost thanks to 51-thousand dollars in funding from the Department of the Environment.

Executive Director Tim Vickers tells CHSJ News a portion of the money will go towards their online education program on watersheds.

Other programs getting support is their Green Network Program which organizes community clean-up projects and their management plan for local watersheds.

Airport Strike Continues

It's business as usual at the airport, despite 25 striking employees from the Public Service Alliance of Canada. 

Colleen Kemp-Mitchell with the airport tells CHSJ News negotiations have been taking place all afternoon but there's no news of a resolution yet. 

She says there is still no picket line and service has not been interrupted.

Mayor Says Council Will Take A Closer Look At Chalk Art

With chalk art on King Street being considered vandalism by police and the ensuing public outcry, Mayor Ivan Court says city council may have to take a closer look at the graffiti by-laws. 

He tells CHSJ News he believes it warrants a closer look but one man's art could be another's graffiti.

He says things like how long the art will last and who will clean it up are all issues to consider.

First Wave Of Strike Action Hits Airport

About 25 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada working at Saint John Airport did not report for work today in the first wave of strike action.

Union Rep Jeannie Baldin says the workers provide a valuable service to the traveling public in Saint John but, they haven't had a raise since January of 2008.

The union has not put up a picket line for now as all non-essential workers took strike action including those doing administrative, labour, trades and firefighting duties.

The union claims management walked away from the table last week at which time they gave notice the next day, warning that strike action will be launched today at 5am if no deal was reached. The mediator has called the two parties to reconvene talks this afternoon.   The workers last contract expired in December of 2008.

Saint John Airport Open House Tomorrow

 Saint John Airport wants to increase its visibility in the minds of Saint Johners by holding an open house tomorrow and everyone from the area is invited to have a look see. It will be held from 3 until 7 come rain or shine with exhibits and a chance to take a flight. President and C-E-O Bernie Leblanc tells CHSJ News all too often it seems, the airport is taken for granted but while it may be federally regulated, it is not federally funded anymore.

He's not sure if people realize the airport is self-sustaining and they don't get funding from anywhere else and if people want the airport they need to use it, help develop it and support it.

At the open house, scenic flights will be offered by Blue Skies Above and vintage aircraft will be on display with many of them inside the Atlantic Flight Centre hangar.

You Can Offer Condolences To Jack Layton's Family

You can sign a book of condolences for the family of Jack Layton.

It's set up in the vestibule of the Legislature from 8:15am to 5pm daily until Friday and on Saturday from 9am to 5pm.

The book of condolence will be delivered to Layton’s family.

Listeners Think Sidewalk Artists Should Stay Put

It would appear the citizens support two young artists and their right to create street art on King Street.  Some of our listeners taking to our Facebook page to vent their frustrations that the young couple have been told to move along.

Kerry Ann says i guess we can't let the kids use chalk cause it's called vandalism.


Wendy says the police should do something useful such as find the vandals who spray-painted the brick building at Rainbow Park.   She adds chalk washes away and it looks nice.
Betty says if someone is not hurting anyone drawing pictures on sidewalk and as long as they are not vulgar and they are not panhandling he is sharing a gift with tourists walking by and should be allowed to do so. She adds it's a shame because she enjoyed looking at the amazing art that people create.
To add your voice to the conversation click here

Premier Offers Condolences On The Death of St. Martin's Mayor

The Premier offering his condolences on the death of St. Martin's Mayor Jim Huttges.


David Alward says Huttges was known for his dedication to the people of his community, the Village of St. Martin's and Greater Saint John.

The premier adds Jim Huttges was also widely known for his involvement in developing the Fundy Trail.

Two Collisions Slow West Side Traffic

Two separate collisions on the west side causing a major traffic tie-up this morning.

Both crack-ups occurring on Highway One westbound near exit 117-Fairville Boulevard.

No word yet on any injuries.

Crews Fight Fire In St. Martin's Business

Crews responding to a fire in St. Martin's this morning.

The blaze in an apartment of the building that houses the Flying Colours gallery on Main Street across from the XTR gas station.