Fewer Surveys, More Service?

Do Saint Johners want fewer surveys, and more service? That's the debate at common council, where sparks recently flew over whether to spend $22,000 canvassing the public on their priorities for local government.

 Councillor Susan Fullerton says they already from citizens while on the campaign trail---and using tax dollars for surveys is a waste.

But others disagreed, saying the opinion of the taxpayers is the most important thing. A booklet and surveys will be mailed out ensuring those without computer access can take part.

Cardy Urges Government To Help Dying Man

The plight of a Saint John man who will die unless he receives a $10,000 per month cancer drug called Avastin--but is not covered by Medicare or his private insurance--is drawing ire from provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy. 

Cardy tells CHSJ News Mr Jean Phillipe's case proves a broader point: things need to change to bring New Brunswick's health plan up to speed with the rest of Canada. Currently, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island are the only provinces without catastrophic drug coverage.

Cardy says the Health Ministry has not answered calls from his party and has told journalists they won't respond to NDP-issued news releases.

Emera CEO Speaks On Hydroelectric Projects

The President and CEO of Emera visiting Saint John to talk about the future potential of the Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Project for the Maritimes and beyond.
 
Chris Huskilson briefing the media on the Muskrat Falls and Churchill Falls components.
 
He tells CHSJ News there are two key benefits including more energy moving through the province.

He says it creates a new market source of clean energy and that will provide more competition and long term cost relief from electricity prices.

Huskilson says one of the challenges for Emera and other companies is the federal mandate to reduce CO2 emissions by 25 per cent in 2020, 50 per cent by 2030 and nearly 100 per cent by 2050.

VIDEO: A Look Inside The Oland Investigation Documents

A total of 5 documents were released: 2 search warrants and supporting documents. The above video shows just how much is being withheld to protect the ongoing police investigation.

Sculptors Still Rocking Out At Symposium

The old Coast Guard site has been filled with the sounds of sawing, hammering, and chipping stone...and according to organizers and sculptors alike, Sculpture Saint John is turning out to be a smash hit. 

Sculptor Jim Boyd tells CHSJ News the interns from Saint John are hard at work and learning a lot.

A number of international artists are sculpting giant pieces of granite over six weeks. Admission to the site is free and everyone is welcome.

Queen Square Farmer's Market Returns

It's almost time for the summer's third farmer's market in Queen Square. Farmers, crafters, musicians and artists will be gathering to share their wares and enjoy a little-used green space in the South End. 

Organizer Jody Kliffer tells CHSJ News it's been a smash hit and this market will offer a lot of the same goodies as previous events, including fresh produce, prepared foods, a fortune teller, and performances by local theatre groups.

The Market runs in Queen Square on Sunday from 8:30-2pm.

Oland Documents Released, Heavily Censored

Little new information despite 2 search warrants and supporting documentation being released in the Richard Oland murder investigation....the heavily censored documents containing mostly public knowledge on the murder of the prominent businessman, who was found in his Canterbury Street office on July 7, 2011.

The warrants did indicate papers, books, and documents related to genealogy were seized from 58 Gondola Point Road. 57 items were seized in total. Police also requested cell phone and bank records, in addition to searching a 25-foot sailboat, "Loki" docked at the Kennebecaisis Yacht Club.

More search warrants are expected to be released later this (Thursday) afternoon.

Major Midget Vito's Move To The qplex

What the Sea Dogs are for Harbour Station, the Major Midget Vitos will be for the qplex.   

The local major midget triple A hockey club is moving to the new arena in Quispamsis and most of their home games will be Friday nights at 8pm.
 
Vito's coach Ken Dobson tells CHSJ News their players are high school students from Sussex to St. Stephen.

He says it's the top tier of minor hockey for 15, 16 and 17 year olds and a prepatory league for junior and major junior.

Dobson says the advantage of being at the qplex is being able to get three practices in a week in a facility with year round ice and a showcase game on Friday nights. 

He says tryouts and training camp start on September 1st and their first game is coming up at September 21 against Miramichi.

Vito's alumni include NHL defenceman Randy Jones.

"It's Time We Brought The Trades Back Into The Schools"

The new Anglophone South School District holding its first public meeting since the merger of Districts 6,8 and 10. 

Rob Fowler, who chaired the District 8 Education Council has been elected to chair the new school district and says it's time we brought the trades back into the schools.

Fowler says a meeting was held recently with Deputy Mayor Shelley Rinehart to see where schools fit into Saint John's true growth strategy.

The former chair of the District 6 Education Council, Roger Nesbitt was elected as vice-chair of the new school district which was told students will begin returning to schools on the Wednesday after Labour Day but for many it will be a staggered start depending on what grade you're in.

Saint John's Loss Is Fredericton's Gain

Saint John is losing its Chief Planner to Fredericton.

Ken Forrest is returning there in the new year to be its Director of Growth and Community Services overseeing that city’s Growth and Community Services Department. That includes Community Planning, Tourism, Economic Development, Culture, Parks and Building Inspection.
 
Forrest was a driving force behind the development of Plan SJ which is being hailed as the new direction for future development in our city for the next couple of decades. 

Gas Prices Continuing Their Upward Swing

Diesel continues to rise after the weekly setting.........This time the maximum price has gone up by almost 3 cents a litre. 

The max that can be charged for self serve also is up by a cent a litre. 

Propane has decreased slightly with the listed maximum price being 93.9 cents a litre and heating oil, like diesel, is more expensive by almost 3 cents to a maximum price of 115.2.

Mispec Beach Is Looking Cleaner

People from Fredericton, Quispam and Grand Bay-Westfield coming out to help clean up Mispec Beach.
 
The clean up last Saturday was spearheaded by the sandy spot's neighbour Canaport LNG.

Ward 4 Councillor Ray Strowbridge tells CHSJ News about 40 people took part.

He says everybody worked hard collecting garbage including an old spare tire and an old fencing.

Strowbridge is hoping the problems at Mispec will be taken care in 2013 and the beach will have working washrooms again.

Canaport LNG is doing landscaping work now and is committed to more work next year.

Tattoo Shop Owner Sentenced In Pitt St. Shooting

The Saint John President of the Bacchus Motorcycle Club is facing 10 years in federal prison, a lifetime ban from owning firearms, and a mandatory DNA sample after sentencing today at City Hall.

Matthew Thomas Foley had been charged with manslaughter in the July shooting death of Micheal Schimpf. Originally, the charge was second-degree murder; it was reduced after Foley wrote a letter expressing remorse and helped lead police to the weapon.

The standing-room-only crowd heard a statement from Tara Hill, Schimpf's ex-girlfriend, describing him as a loving father and lamenting the impact his death will have on his children's lives. Foley was described by his defense lawyer as an independent businessman who beat substance issues to start his successful tattoo business in 1985. According to Foley he didn't know Schimpf---but he wanted protection after Schimpf threw bricks through his window, allegedly to settle a longstanding score with the Bacchus.

CHSJ approached several people in Bacchus insignia for comment, but they would only say "Nobody talks" and "What trial?" in response. 

Photo: Stickers on storefront door of Foley's tattoo shop, Wizzard's.

Changes Could Be Afoot For Lincoln

The local service area of Lincoln could be upgrading its status to a village...currently, studies are being conduction to figure out whether the switch would benefit the community. 

According to a release from Local Government Minister Bruce Fitch, there are a number of factors to consider including boundaries, name, and the effect the designation would have on property taxes.

Local residents will be a chance to weigh in at a series of regularly scheduled town hall meetings.

Thefts At Three Car Dealerships

City Police are looking for your help in identifying people for break, enter and thefts into storage containers at Rothesay Avenue car dealerships.

A substantial amount of new and used tires and wheels were stolen from Tristar Mercedes-Benz (July 16 & 29), Kia Saint John (August 3) and Aberdeen Motors (July 13).

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Saint John Police Force at 648-3333 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477.

City Police Officer Found Guilty On Two Charges

An 11 year veteran of the Saint John Police Department has been found guilty of common assault and engaging in threatening conduct. Constable Chris Messer will be sentenced on September 7th.

Mr. Justice Hugh McLellen found Messer not guilty of assault causing bodily harm and uttering a death threat but says the police officer was profoundly unprofessional and in a conflict of interest by investigating a breakin at his home on Westfield Road in September of 2010. 

He condemned that as a breach of trust that could bring the administration of justice into disrepute.  

The judge couldn't understand why Messer was allowed to question Brett McAdam by the side of the Canadian Tire Store alone after suspecting McAdam's car may have been involved in breakins along Westfield Road.

The judge also finds it baffling why Messer was allowed to transport Randy King from the west side to the detention area when he suspected King had broken into his home.  

While finding Messer guilty on the two charges, the judge made clear the credibility of his two accusers was weak.  

Mr. Justice McLellen called an email sent by Messer to his fellow police officers to be on the lookout for a car matching the description of the one driven by McAdam as "hostile".

VIDEO: Mill Rats Announce New Head Coach

The Saint John Mill Rats announcing their new head coach today!

David Cooper is hired for the 2012-2013 NBL Canada season. Previously the teams VP of Marketing and Assistant Coach, Cooper tells CHSJ news he'll be focusing on development.

He adds the hardest part going from assistant to head coach is now you have to have the final say on decisions. Cooper says it's always been his dream to be a head coach one day.

The teams General Manager Ian McCarthy says what makes Cooper great is when other coaches get frustrated or negative when things go bad, Cooper stays positive and enthusiastic.

Cooper has been involved in coaching over 30 AAU teams for over 10 years. He's played in Division 1 NCAA basketball, the USV1 National Team and three years for the Mill Rats.

The previous coach for the past two season was Jaren Jackson, who's moved with his family to Indianapolis, Indiana.

The first home game is November 30th at Harbour Station.

Ferguson Awarded Lump Sum Payment

Former common councillor John Ferguson was found innocent of defamation against the city's pension board after a marathon 55-day trial, has been awarded $600,000 to be paid by the pension board. 

Mr Justice William Grant pooh-poohing the pension board's claims it was suing Ferguson on principle, saying that means a lot less when you're doing that with someone else's money. 

Justice Grant further called both parties "stubborn and willful" saying their attitudes became more entrenched as the trial went on. Lawyer Matt Pearn tells CHSJ News it's up to Ferguson whether he accepts that.The case incurred more than $2 million dollars in legal costs.

Saint Johners Celebrate Acadian Day

Did you wonder why King street is adorned with red, white and blue streamers and balloons today?

Acadians and others in Saint John are celebrating their culture today on National Acadian Day.

Jennifer Mitton of Settlement Services tells CHSJ News they are a variety of events happening in the City today.

She tells us their is a yard sale, a canteen and more and at noon there was a people parade that went down King street to City hall.

Mitton says it important to celebrate all the sides of our culture in a diverse province like this.
A flag was raised at City hall and more events continue at Samuel Du Champlain today.

City Police Officer Found Guilty

City Police officer Chris Messer has been found guilty of engaging in threatening conduct as well as common assault.

He has been found not guilty of assault causing bodily harm and uttering a death threat.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 7th.