Lawyer Accuses Ferguson of Surprise Attacks

A campaign of negativity—that's what pension board lawyer Barry Morrison deemed John Ferguson's dealings with the pension board. Morrison accused Ferguson of ignoring procedure, launching surprise attacks, and refusing advice from from senior staff.

He further said John Ferguson was a publicity junkie and trying to get exposure by chasing after pension obligation bonds, even though he knew they were illegal.

Ferguson said he didn't approach his fellow councillors for information because while it might look like can speak freely, it's actually more complex. He described Councillor Chris Titus as distant, and Ivan Court as unapproachable due to conflict over the LNG.

John Ferguson was at times taciturn in his responses, prompting Morrison to remark, “You don't seem to have a very good track record--you say you haven't understood the last 5 documents I've put to you.” Later, he said Ferguson has a habit of twisting words when  it suits him.

Local Anti-Shale Gas Group Shocked At License Renewal

Hampton Water First, a group that has been critical against shale gas development, is shocked and disappointed with the Natural Resources Minister.

Minister Bruce Northrup says he is legally obligated to grant a five-year lease to Windsor Energy to explore for shale gas, even though he tried to have the company charged last year for conducting testing in Sussex and along a highway within Quispamsis town limits without the consent of either town council.

The minister says the Calgary-based company fulfilled all the commitments set out under their previous three-year license granted by the previous government.

Chris Rendell tells CHSJ News Minister Northrup has said time and time again to trust him with shale gas file but this latest development shows the province's lack of control over shale gas development.

He believes it reveals Northurp's lack of willingness to enforce existing regulations.

Rendell says our province needs to address 3 key items if it wants to retain control -- strong regulations, a willingness to enforce them, and expertise within government to get it done.

Hanson Says Voters Want A Choice In Rothesay

The longtime mayor of Rothesay finds himself in a race this time around with Kathryn Hanson running against him for the job.

The corporate project manager tells CHSJ News she believes she can do the job.

She says her candidacy is an advertising success for the provincial government who asked for more candidates specifically women and she is answering that challenge.

She says in talking to Rothesay youth, they want more recreation options and are also concerned about potholes.

HDC Says Voter Literacy Needs To Improve

The Human Development Council is giving a thumbs up to the SJ Votes committee.

The group will be helping people in the priority neighbourhoods get out to the ballot box.

Randy Hatfield is the Executive Director of the Human Development Council and he tells CHSJ News while it's important to get voters out, improving voter literacy is crucial as well.

He believes there is a lot of confusion on the various levels of government and what its responsibilities are.

He says SJ Votes will improve voter literacy but more needs to be done.

Provincial Pension Reforms Coming In 6 Months

It's not just the city that is dealing with pension woes -- Finance Minister Blaine Higgs says the province is planning on making adjustments soon to get rid of its pension deficit

He tells CHSJ News the deficit is about 30 million dollars a year and reforms will be taken soon.

He says the province will roll out a new plan in 6 months that will both protect employees and be fair to the public.

Ferguson Accused of Going Negative For Selfish Motives

Former Common Councillor John Ferguson and Pension Board lawyer Barry Morrison clashed at the defamation trial.

Ferguson testified no one at Common Council asked him who on the Pension Board told him disability was being approved improperly with taxpayers in the city being laughed at.

When Morrison suggested the conversation with Pension Board trustee David Gould was complete fiction, Ferguson disagreed saying his fellow Council members just dismissed what he had to say as if they didn't care but there was talk of having to significantly raise the tax rate because of the pension plan's debt.

Ferguson admits he was intimidated when he found out the Pension Board was going to launch the defamation lawsuit against him and he was reluctant to say anymore about the pension plan but considered it too important.

Morrison is suggesting Ferguson was laying in wait to launch an attack on senior city staff about the pension plan and misled his fellow Council members. Ferguson denied that claiming he wanted consensus when seeking outside legal advice. Morrison charged Ferguson didn't give a hoot about the city but was only concerned with his own selfish interests and a plan to go negative.

Former NATO Employee Running in Ward 3

Ward 3 candidate Pat McCaffrey says he's got the administrative chops to turn the city's financial mess around McCaffrey tells CHSJ News he's spent his career as a military lawyer, and worked for NATO in information management and financial control. 

He tells CHSJ News complaining isn't enough, because there are enough people out there criticizing but not getting involved.

His vision for the city emphasizes fiscal responsibility, because that's the only way we can achieve major objectives like solving the pension deficit, better roads, and safe drinking water.

McCaffrey is one of 7 candidates running in Ward 3.

John Ferguson Defamation Trial

Gourmet Chip Fans Rejoice

Like gourmet chips? Good news---there could be a lot more of them in the province. The Covered Bridge Chip Company getting a total of $342,000 boost from the federal and provincial governments.

The chip factory is a tourist destination and does neat varieties like chipotle, lime, and sweet potato.

The money will go toward modernizing the facility and increasing its production capacity.

Saint Johnner Who Played In NHL Sent To Prison

A 52 year old Somerset Street man who played briefly in the NHL has been sentenced to prison after being arrested with cocaine near Grand Bay Westfield over the weekend.

Brian Johnson played for 3 games with the Detroit Red Wings back in 1983. He been sentenced to four years in prison for possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

Johnson was nabbed transporting half a kilogram of cocaine into the city from Montreal. The cocaine has an estimated street value of 32 thousand dollars.

Members of the Saint John Police Department and the RCMP arrested Johnson after a short high speed chase during which he lost control of the car. It rolled over before landing back on its wheels.

New Tax Credits Can Save You Some Cash

There are some new tax credits this year that you may not be aware of -- that helpful hint from Ann LaFrance with Bren Tax.

She tells CHSJ News there is now an art credit worth 5-hundred dollars per child and can be applied to activities and ballet.

She says other credits people can miss include co-payments to insurance companies, eyeglasses, prescriptions, and dental.

There is also a disability tax credit for those with a long term illness.  If a child is sick, you can also get more child tax benefit.

Cronyism & "Crowbar Hotel" Featured at Ferguson Trial

You blew your chance investigate the pension board. That from lawyer Barry Morrison cross-examining John Ferguson. Ferguson has testified trustee David Gould privately told him the pension board's activities resembled drinking and driving.

Morrison said if Gould did make the comments, "he must have been pretty stupid to admit criminal and civil liability. He wasn't just heading to the crow bar hotel himself, he was sending eleven other people there with him” Ferguson says he saw the drinking and driving comparison as a flippant response and he didn't need to tell council because they already knew the problems.

The pension board lawyer also alluded to cronyism on Ferguson's part, asking, “You and Common Councillor Bill Farren were good buddies, weren't you?” Morrison suggested Ferguson only supported certain motions because of his friendship with Farren even when he knew they made no sense.

Wash and Cook Fiddleheads Thoroughly

The Chief Medical Officer of health wants you to make sure you wash your fiddleheads and cook them long enough.

Dr. Eilish Cleary tells CHSJ News it is unknown exactly what causes this temporary illness caused by fiddleheads but, Health Canada believes that it is most likely the result of an unidentified natural toxin present in the fiddlehead.

Cleary adds symptoms of illness appear within 30 minutes to 12 hours of eating raw or undercooked fiddleheads and typically last for less than 24 hours but may last as long as three days. 

Symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and headaches.

Fiddleheads can be boiled for 15 minutes or steamed for 10 to 12 minutes and the water used for boiling or steaming fiddleheads should be thrown out as it may contain the toxin.

For more more info: Click here

Old West Side Co-Op Building Demolished

The Old West Side Co-Op building on Fairville Boulevard has been knocked down to make way for a new business-Princess Auto.

New Citizen Excited To Vote

Meanwhile, Alexy Guerrero will be a first time voter in the upcoming election.

She tells CHSJ News she is from Columbia and received her citizenship back in January.

She is looking forward to exercising her right as a new citizen and wants to elect someone who will work for the community.

She says voting will help get her involved in the community.

Priority Neighbourhood Voters Will Get Help On Election Day

The Saint John Votes committee wants residents in the priority neighbourhoods to come out and vote in the upcoming municipal election.

Brenda Murphy is the Chair of SJ Votes and she tells CHSJ News elected officials may not give those neighbourhoods the attention it deserves if the turnout is low.

She says voter turnout improves in those neighbourhoods, it sends a strong message that residents are engaged and want to see public officials respond to their needs.

SJ Votes will help get people out to the ballot box by helping arrange transportation and child care on election day.

She says full details will be released in the coming weeks.

Saint Johner Nabs ECMA for Best Gospel

At the ECMAS, local boy Mike Biggar scoring Gospel Recording of the Year for his Christmas record, The Season, which came out last year.

Biggar tells CHSJ News he loves his hometown and it's a privilege to represent Saint John in the music scene. He cites Chris Cummings (who does a duet with Biggar on his next record) and Dean Brody as some of his favourite local country stars, although he's also a fan of Journey and Foreigner.

Biggar is working on a country album with his band, The Big Country Breakfast to be released in June. He says he's glad the ECMAs have rolled out a country music showcase because country is such a big part of life in the Maritimes.

For more information on Mike Biggar's music, visit his site here.

Greenthumbs Can Prepare Now

The green thumbs in greater Saint Johner are itching to get planting now that spring has sprung but it's a little early for that.


Peter Cantley is the Vice-President of Floral and Gardening for the Loblaw group--parent company for the Superstore and Save Easy.  He tells CHSJ News there are things eager gardeners can do now.

He says as soon as you can get on your lawn without leaving a footprint due to moisture, gardeners can start with light raking to get the grass to stand up and remove debris.

He says often people use this time of year to enhance the soil by mixing manure and compost into their flower beds to get them ready for planting.

Ferguson Tells Court Pension Board Prompted Him To Move Away

Former Common Councillor John Ferguson has begun to be cross examined at his defamation trial.

Ferguson told the court he knew it was a long shot when he ran for Mayor in 2008 but felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders when he lost because of the pension plan's financial problems. 

The court was also told the Pension Board put a lien on Ferguson's home in the city and that's why he and his wife decided to move away. He's now the Town Manager in St. Stephen.

The lawyer for the Pension Board began his cross examination of Ferguson by questioning him about his math skills, asking him to multiply 52 times 11 and accused him of craving attention.

Lawyer Barry Morrison questioned Ferguson about the Free Ferguson tee shirt making the rounds and about rallies being held in his support. Ferguson testified he has no knowledge of either and denies being a publicity hound.

He also told the court no one asked him to serve on the Pension Board. Morrison accused Ferguson of wanting to set up a shadow pension board.

National Volunteer Appreciation Week

Volunteers getting some love for their hard work: April 15-21 is national volunteer appreciation week.

Eileen McLaughlin of the Saint John Volunteer Center tells CHSJ News it doesn't take much to show your appreciation--simply a letter of appreciation can say a lot.

Various organizations are holding luncheons and awards ceremonies to mark the observance. According to McLaughlin, tens of thousands of New Brunswickers give back to the community as volunteers.