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Saturday, October 30, 2010

Keeping Halloween Healthy


When your handing out candy this Halloween, don't forget that some kids are diabetic.
The Canadian Diabetes Association is offering some suggestions on how to keep Halloween healthy.

Spokesperson Richard Boon says there are a number of treats you can dole out.
He says instead of candy, you can hand out Halloween pencils, erasers and stickers.
Parents can trade with their kids for the candy for a new movie, or a toy.

City Sends Safety Message For Halloween


Halloween is just a day away and the City of Saint John is reminding parents, motorists and the trick-or-treators themselves to be safe.
Children should have costumes that are visible at night and if not, they can add reflective tape to them and carry a flashlight.
Leah Fitzgerald tells CHSJ News homeowners need to think about fire safety too.
She says they should not use candles in pumpkins or jack-o-lanterns that are outside and use only battery-operated lights in outside decorations.

Fitzgerald adds many decorations made of crepe paper and dried flowers are highly flammable and should be kept away from all heat sources including light bulbs and heaters.


Motorists should keep in mind that a lot of children will be out walking around Sunday night and they should be extra cautious.

Wellness Grants For Over 300 Schools

Nearly $400,000 given to 324 schools under the School Wellness Grant Program.
Wellness, Culture and Sport Minister Trevor Holder says the earlier students learn about healthy eating, physical activity and the impact of tobacco on their lives they have a higher chance of having a healthy lifestyle.

The program provides a single grant to schools to support all their wellness activities.


The schools choose their focus areas, based on school, district and provincial data including the New Brunswick Student Wellness Survey.

Committee Aims To Build Memorial Playground

A group of people in the city are trying to raising money and awareness to create a playground at Seawood School on the West side in memory of RCMP officer Jason Porter and his two kids, Jack and Hannah, who died in an accident in February 2009.


Committee Chair Michael Breau tells CHSJ News he got involved because his wife works with Jason's wife in Labour and Delivery at the Regional hospital.

The committe for the Porter Memorial Playground has entered a contest where they could win some of their funding.
Round two voting ends on November 5th.
To find the link to vote for the project, go to http://ss.nbed.nb.ca/infoandmin.html

Flooding Solutions For Wetlands Behind City Mall

The battle against flooding may result in an enhanced wetland area behind the McAllister Mall.
Tim Vickers with the Atlantic Coastal Action Program here in the city tells CHSJ News mall owner Cadillac Fairview is looking at its options to reduce flooding in the parking lot and stores -- and -- he says that will probably include building a larger berm and enlarging the wetland area:
Vickers says it still has be a functional wetland, it has to be stormwater and they could also put in a gazebo for consumers and others to enjoy.


Some home owners in the Glen Falls area are having trouble obtaining insurance because of the ongoing flooding issues -- Vickers says a lot of proposals like the Cadillac Fairview project are being driven by the need to reduce flooding damage in the Marsh Creek watershed.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Dinner For Military Charities Brings In Over $300,000

The True Patriot Love Foundation's Tribute Dinner raising over $310,000 for three military charities assistings soldiers and their families.

The event was held in Fredericton last night and raised funds through tribute dinner ticket sales, corporate sponsorships and silent auctions for helmets decorated by artists and centrepiece sculptures.

 
The Helmet Art display made stops in four Maritime cities including Saint John on Monday and Tuesday in Brunswick Square.
The benefitting charties in this province and in Prince Edward Island are the Canadian Forces Benevolent Fund, the Military Family Resource Centres and the Wounded Warriors Fund.

Provincial Doctor Gets National Appointment

The new president of the biggest association of family physicians in Canada is from this Province

Dr. Rob Boulay, a family physician in Miramichi, was installed as president of the College of Family Physicians of Canada earlier this month.


The 24,000-member represents family doctor throughout the country.
Dr. Boulay was born in Bathurst and is a graduate of the Dalhousie Medical School.

Accident on Garden Street

(photo provided)

No one hurt after a minor accident between a school bus and transport truck on Garden Street.
The bus was waiting on the light about 3 this afternoon when a transport coming up the hill didn't have enough room to make the turn and scratched the side of the bus.

Three students were on the bus at the time.
City police tell CHSJ news that no charges will be laid.

Queen Mary 2 In Port Today


Queen Mary 2 , the last cruise ship of seaon, in Port today.


Public Meeting Scheduled Monday Night On Proposed West Side Metal Shredder












(Fundy Baykeeper David Thompson)
           (File Photo)

11 recommendations being made by the Fundy Baykeeper about the proposed metal shredding and recycling facility by American Iron and Metal at the port on the lower west side.

David Thompson making it clear to CHSJ news he can see some good with the project because it will clean up alot of old metal.

The recommendations include preventing any runoff from making its way into the harbour and the workers have to be trained in properly cleaning up any spills.

There will be a public meeting at the cruise ship terminal on Water Street Monday night to air any concerns and have them answered.



Walking Track At Exhibition Too Important To Be Eliminated



















(Exhibition Association Planning Consultant Wendy Donovan)
                     (Photo By Brian McLain)

The plans for a 20 million dollar multi-purpose recreation centre at Exhibition Park call for an indoor 3 lane walking track that would not be used by runners or joggers.

Planning consultant Wendy Donovan tells CHSJ News it's too important to be lost in the shuffle if the cost is thought to be too high. Donovan says alot of people tend to get housebound in the winter and have no place to get any exercise.

There is also talk of having an artificial outdoor field down the road to go along with the indoor field.

Common Councillor Bruce Court is expressing some doubt whether the money will be there.

New President Takes Over At Atlantica Centre For Energy

The Atlantica Centre for Energy announcing Tim Curry is stepping down as President for health reasons. He will be replaced by John Herron, the former M-P for Fundy Royal.
Curry will remain a member of the Board of Directors and is expected to resume that role in the spring. He had planned to leave the Presidency after the annual general meeting in February.




Dramatic Rescue Of Woman After S-U-V Flips And Catches Fire










A dramatic rescue early morning after an S-U-V went out of control on Chesley Drive near the ramp onto the Harbour Bridge, flipped over and caught fire.

A woman was taken to hospital for treatment of burns. A man who was driving managed to get out. He suffered just minor burns but the woman, who was the passenger, was caught inside and she sustained more serious burns.

A passing truck driver saw what had happened and stopped and kicking the glass of the S-U-V out to bring the woman to safety.

Police believe speed and alcohol may have caused this crash to take place.

Last Day Of The 2010 Cruise Ship Season Ends With A Bang

This is closing day for the 2010 cruise ship season -- and -- the season is ending on a high note.

The luxury liner "Queen Mary 2" is in port with her 25-hundred passengers until five this afternoon. The ship is equal to the height of a 23 storey building with 2 thousand washrooms, 120 thousand square metres of fitted carpets, 3 thousand telephones and is 147 feet longer than the height of Eiffel Tower.
The visit wraps up what port officials are terming a record breaking season with over 200-thousand cruise passengers visiting our city.





Demographics Posing Challenges For Small Businesses In Province






The Canadian Federation of Independent Business in the province has found a shrinking workforce and aging population are serious challenges for small and medium businesseses in the province.

They have indentified priorities such as investing in machinery and equipment, technology and people.

Andreea Bourgeois tells CHSJ news the C-F-I-B is pleased the see so many business owners are interested in growth.
She says it's great to see that about half of business owners in the province want to grow and diversify.

The C-F-I-B says while the province offers incentive programs, many don't take advantage of them because they don't know the exist, are not eligible or don't think they are beneficial for small businesses.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

City Man Found Safe

A 24-year-old City man reported missing this week is safe and sound.


Donovan Campbell-Bentley made contact with his family this morning after hearing announcements through the media.



Police did learn he has been in Saint John since he went missing.
He is being checked out at the Regional and has reunited with his family.

He Says It's Not A Complete Ban On Boating

The City of Saint John would like to see a complete ban of all motorized boating in the Loch Lommond watershed which supplies most of the city's drinking water. Environment Minister Margaret Ann Blaney says the province will not extend exemptions that allow certain people to boat in the area when they expire next November.


The Conservation Council's David Thompson tells CHSJ News he doesn't think it's a complete ban.


He says the government will go ahead with a plan to allow boats with motors under 10 horsepower on the water in the watershed.
Thompson says he thinks their should be a complete ban on all boating especially where it concerns such a precious resource like drinking water.

No New Grandstand At Exhibition Park



















(President of the Exhibition Association Paul Gilbride)
               (Photo by Brian McLain)

Horsemen in Saint John were hoping the plans to rejuvenate Exhibition Park would include a new grandstand to watch harness racing.

Common Councillor Joe Mott was hoping for that claiming it's the only way to save horse racing in the city. Mott points out Saint John has 40 race dates a year compared to 15 in Fredericton and 5 or 6 in Woodstock.

The President of the Exhibition Association Paul Gilbride tells CHSJ News the responsibility for harness racing is now in the hands of Horse Racing New Brunswick which was set up after plans for a racino at E-P-R fell through. If a new grandstand is to be built, it will be up to that body to do so.



Coalition For Pay Equity Says No Legislation Will Mean No Pay Equity



















(Provincial Status Of Women Minister Margaret Ann Blaney)
                               (File Photo)

The new provincial Minister responsible for the Status of Women , Margaret Ann Blaney has made it clear there are no plans to impose pay equity on the private sector in the province.

The provincial Coalition for Pay Equity calls it a basic human right. Its Executive Director Joanne Perron tells CHSJ News, judging by what happened in Quebec, the way forward seems clear. Over 80 per cent of the employers in that province admitted pay equity would not have come about had it not been legislated into law.

Perron remains optimistic pointing to work being done with bringing about pay equity for those who work in homecare, childcare, group homes and transition houses. They are technically are private sector employees who provide government mandated services.

An Update On Haiti In Quispamsis Tonight

It's hard to believe but, it was over 9 months ago that an earthquake devastated Haiti.
A man who was working there on January 12th will speak about his experience in Quispamsis tonight.


Mike Griffin works for World Vision and tells CHSJ News his began treated the walking wounded immediatly after it struck.
He says the hotel went from an emergency clinic to a morgue and a media centre in 24 hours.

Griffin will also provide an update on the cholera outbreak in the country.
The event is tonight at the KV Public Library in Quispamsis at 7.

New Multi-Purpose Recreation Centre proposed For East Side



















Big plans have been unveiled for a multi-purpose recreation centre at Exhibition Park with a full sized indoor field that can be used for such sports as soccer and football along with a three lane walking track. The price tag is a cool 20 million dollars but the President of the Exhibition Association Paul Gilbride says it's needed and he hopes the city, province and federal government will see it the same way and chip in some funding.

The facility would not be subsidised by the taxpayer according to planning consultant Wendy Donovan. She tells CHSJ News the feasibility study has determined it would cost from 225 to 250 dollars an hour just to break even.

Common Councillor Joe Mott was on hand and was suitably impressed by what he heard and saw saying the project would add much needed recreation facilities to the east side. There would also be landscaping and greenspace to make the site more attractive to the eye.

Donovan believes there would be alot of usage from late fall to May after school, in the evening and at weekends. The field can also be divided up into portions depending on what it's being used for and the hourly rate would be less.

A Mixed Bag With Gas Prices







If you fill up with self serve regular, you're going to pay less after the weekly setting.......It fell, in the city, to just below a dollar a litre at 99.8 cents but diesel has gone up by over a cent a litre to $108.6. Heating oil is costing a bit more at 94.4 cents but the maximum price for propane has decreased to $107.3 a litre.

Women Can Get Free Pap Tests Today In The City

Pap tests save lives! That is the motivation behind a free pap test clinic for women of all ages today at St. Joseph's hospital.

The initiative is part of the National Pap Test campaign during Cervical Cancer Awareness Week.

The Public Health Agency of Canada reports 15 per cent of women have never been screened and 30 per cent have not been screened in the last three years.

Between 1300 and 1500 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and 400 women die from it annually.

Today's clinic is on the 9th floor of the St. Joe's Women's Wellness Centre.

No appointments are needed, but you will need to register in the lobby.

The clinic runs from 8:30 to 11:30 this morning and 1 to 3:30 this afternoon.











Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Graham Appointed As New Speaker



Liberal MLA Denis Landry and Premier David Alward drag Speaker Dale Graham to the Throne to assume the position of Speaker of the 57th Legislative Assembly .

Members of the Provincial legislature have chosen Conservative member Dale Graham as their new Speaker.  Only one person was in the running for the job.

Graham says he's honoured to be chosen Speaker and will work hard to ensure decorum in the legislature.
The fall session of the legislature will begin with a throne speech on November 23rd.

Fire Destroys Home On The Pennisula

Crews spending five hours battling a house fire on the Kingston Pennisula today.
No one was hurt as no one was at home at the time.

The call came in just after 10am to a home along Route 845 where flames could be seen coming from the structure.
Crews are still on scene trying to determine a cause.

The home is located about 1 kilometre past the Kingston store heading towards Hampton.

Water Disruption For K-Park And Hastings Cove Tomorrow

The City advising the Town of Rothesay repairs will be made to the Saint John East Side Distribution System affecting residents in Kennebecasis Park and Hastings Cove tomorrow night.

The work, tomorrow between 8 and 9 pm will require shutting off the water service.
Residents of K-Park and Hastings Cove area of Rothesay can expect disruption in service tomorrow evening.

For more info, call 848-6600.

Bed Bugs Arrive In Saint John

They are here early but, no one is excited about it.
Bed bugs can be found all over Saint John and many are wondering what to do about it.
Greg Flynn of Braemar Pest Control Services tells CHSJ News despite what many think, bed bugs are not small.

He says they are an oval-shaped reddish brown bug that bites when you are sleeping and you don't feel it because they inject your skin with an anesthetic.
Flynn adds part of the problem is people in apartment buildings throwing out their beds and others pick them up spreading the bugs to another location.

He says you can cover mattresses and box springs to keep the bugs out and prevent them from getting in.

10 Get The Order Of New Brunswick

The Premier and Lieutenant Governor awarding the Order of New Brunswick to ten provincial leaders today.


They are Reuben Cohen, a former Dalhousie University chancellor from Moncton, Everard Daigle a Grand Falls community activist and Gerard Losier, a physician and health activist from Saint-Isidore.

Susan Richards, who helped develop and adopt the province's poverty reduction plan, also receiving the honour along with Zoel Saulnier a promoter of Acadian literature and heritage and Ruth Stanley an advocate for gender equality.

Dawn Arnold of the Northrup Frye Literary Festival in Moncton, Wayne Brown of the St. Mary's First Nation and Pamela Coates, a poverty activist.
Gérard Haché of Saint-Isidore, a longtime volunteer in education and health.

Crews Battling Peninsula Fire

Fire - police - and - ambulance crews are arriving on the scene of a house fire on the Kingston Peninsula along Route 845.

The call came in about twenty minutes ago and initial reports are indicating a lot of flames -- there's no word on possible injuries.

More Barbs Exchanged Over Rockwood Park

The sniping never ends when it comes to where development should be allowed on Sandy Point Road at Rockwood Park.

Joan Pearce of the Friends of Rockwood Park fears some minds have already been made up regardless of what the city's planning department recommends.
The Mayor has said the Rockwood Park Advisory Committee wants to enlarge and enhance the park.
Pearce says she came across a 2004 document which spells out Harrigan Lake be suggested for development.

New Airport Lighting Energized

The Saint John Airport is a little greener now thanks to a half million dollar upgrade to lighting along the taxiway leading from the runways and the apron in front of the passenger gates.

The lights have been replaced with energy efficient L-E-D lighting with a longer lifespan.
Airport officials are estimating the new lighting system will mean a reduction of 12-metric tonnes of greenhouse gases each year.

Mayor Speaks Out Against Boaters Using Loch Lomond Watershed












(Saint John Mayor Ivan Court)
         (File Photo)

Mayor Ivan Court is speaking out against anyone using a motorised boat in the Loch Lomond watershed which provides drinking water to most of the people who live in the city.

Provincial Environment Minister Margaret Ann Blaney says motorised boating on the watershed will be banned when the current exemptions expire in November of next year.

Councillor Patty Higgins suspects most of the boaters live outside the watershed area.

Mayor Court claims lives will be jeopardized if the supply of drinking water is contaminated and he characterizes this situation as being more serious than a bit of silt being stirred up which prompted the last boil water order.

He also points out the town of Rothesay has requested in the past not to allow an industry to locate close to its water source and the city complied.

Coalition For Pay Equity In Province Fundraising To Step Up Campaign





Over 25 leaders gathering for the launch of a fundraising campaign of the New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity.Campaign Co-chair Ginette Petitpas Taylor says pay equity is closely linked to women’s financial autonomy and to the valuing of women’s work.

The co-chairs announcing that 40% of the $100,000 goal through donations from CUPE, the New Brunswick Union of Public and Private Employees, and the Sisters of Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur.

The fundraising campaign will be done by direct canvassing.

The campaign will end on December 10, International Human Rights Day, as a reminder that pay equity is a human right.

Saint John Librarian To Be Honoured

While many continue to celebrate Saint John's 225th anniversary, librarians have rediscovered an interesting part of their history.

Estelle Vaughan holds the record for length of service at 45 years, and is also the longest serving chief librarian with 33½ years of service in this position. She joined the library staff in 1903 and retired in 1948.

Members of her family and the public will have a chance to peek into hundred year old library scrapbooks to learn about Canada’s First Free Public Library through the work of Estelle Vaughan.

A plaque will be unveiled at the library to honour Estelle Vaughn in Market Square this morning at 11.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Girl Escapes Serious Injury


A young girl suffering only minor injuries after being hit by a bus this morning.
It happened around 8:30 as the bus was turning from Haymarket Square on to City Road.

Police tell CHSJ news the girl was wearing headphones as she crossed the street and may not have heard the bus. No charges will be laid.

Board Of Trade To Honour Award Winners


The Saint John Board of Trade proudly announcing the winners of the Outstanding Business Achievement Awards.

From 35 nominees,the judging panel has selected Dillon Consulting as the recipient for the Business Excellence award.


The Entrepreneurial Achievement award honour is Kelson & Kelson Limited and Emerging Enterprise goes to ClinicServer.
The Young Entrepreneur Award is Kiera Fraser of Je Suis Prest Boutique.
The awards will be handed out on November 24th at the Trade and Convention Centre.

Park Advocates Dislike The Mayor's Criticism

(David Thompson of the Friends of Rockwood Park)
The Friends of Rockwood Park finds comments from the Mayor disturbing.

Ivan Court told Common Council he thinks some information provided by groups opposed to development in the park is misleading.
David Thompson tells CHSJ News they submitted more signatures on their petition.

He says for the mayor to suggest that people were misinformed by park advocates is very disturbing to say the least.
Thompson says the criticism is insulting to the people who care about the park which he calls a crown jewel in the city.

Record Cruise Season Drawing To A Close

The Port Authority is in a mood to celebrate as this year's cruise season wraps up later this week.
The port says this has been a banner year with just over 200-thousand passengers arriving - a new seasonal record.
There are two more cruise ships scheduled to call on the port this year -- the "Crystal Symphony" on Thursday and the "Queen Mary 2" on Friday.

Helmet Art Display In Brunswick Square




A glimpse into the minds of soldiers and what they feel and think about life on the battlefield.

That is depicted in a helmet art display at Brunswick Square.

Sgt. Nathan Den-Hollander tells CHSJ News the reaction is postive from the public.

He says some hope they are not meant to wear the bright, vibrant canvases and some are just taken aback with the colour and detail.
Some of the helmets are being auctioned off at the True Patriot Love dinner on Thursday night in Fredericton with the proceeds going to three military charities. The display is on at Brunswick Square until 6 tonight.

Drug Bust In Sussex










The RCMP making a drug bust in Sussex on Wallace Court. The Mounties say they seized one and a half pounds of marijuana, 7 grams of cocaine which was packaged for sale and 5 grams of hash.

They also confiscated some money and scales for weighing. A 24 year old man was arrested and will be appearing in court at a later date.

His name won't be released until he's formally charged.

Police Determine Cause Of South End Fire And Look For Missing Man From North End










City Police have determined how that fire Sunday afternoon at the rear of 28 Harding Street and then spread to 24/26 Harding got started.

They say the blaze was started by four young people who were playing with a lighter. The fire left ten people temporarily homeless and took 27 firefighters to extinguish.

Police are also looking for your help in finding a man who has been among the missing since earlier this month.
 
He's 24 year old Donovan Campbell-Bentley who was reported missing October 15th from his apartment in the north end. He's believed to be wearing a brown leather bomber style jacket, light beige cargo pants and brown shoes.
 
 If you can help locate him, give police a call at 648-3333 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-tips.

Mayor Charges Misleading Information Is Being Spread About Rockwood Park















                 (Mayor Ivan Court)
                       (File Photo)

Mayor Ivan Court says there's a lot of misleading information being circulated about what the city plans to do with Rockwood Park and some people may have signed a petition on false pretenses which he finds offensive.

The Mayor says the Rockwood Park Advisory Board met in late September and made several recommendations which do not include moving the zoo or the golf course.

If anything, Court says the city wants to make the park larger and establish a new trail. As for future development along Sandy Point Road, Court says it would be low to medium density housing meaning no apartment buildings and no vinyl siding.
 
Common Council, a few years ago, spent five million dollars to install water and sewage services along Sandy Point Road for future development.

Peel Plaza Parking Garage To Be Constructed













(Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase)
             (File Photo)

The Parking Commission has been given the go ahead by Common Council to borrow 11 million dollars to construct the Peel Plaza Parking Garage.

Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase voted against. He fears parking lots nearby will charge less and that the Parking Commission will find itself to financially strapped to build other lots for parking around the city, Trinity Royal in particular. Councillors Donnie Snook and Patty Higgins also voted against.

The provincial government earlier agreed to contribute 6 million dollars since much of the parking spaces will be used by the people who work in the nearby justice complex, now under construction on Hazen Avenue.

The Parking Commission will own and operate the garage.

Proposed Changes To City Pension Plan To Be Presented Next Month















(City Manager Pat Woods)
        (File Photo)

City Manager Pat Woods is planning to make recommendations on changing the city's financially beleaguered pension plan at the next meeting of Common Council on November 8th.

Woods presented what he calls a comprehensive reform proposal to the employee groups last week and is expecting a response from them this week. He has also been in touch with the Superintendent of Pensions for the province asking for regulatory relief.

Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase wants to know how much the pension board's legal action against former Common Councillor John Ferguson for defamation has cost so far.
 
The pension board has been given that information but it has not been passed on to Council. Ferguson is now the city manager for the town of St. Stephen.

Common Council Given Plan To Ease Flooding On West Side And Millidgeville













(Municipal Operations Commissioner Paul Groody)
                     (File Photo)

Common Council is being asked by city staff to spend 30 million dollars next year on storm drainage to ease flooding on the west side and in Millidgeville.

The head of Municipal Operations Paul Groody says the weather has become stormier over the past 5 years and caused flooding in parts of the city other than the east side where it's normally expected.

Groody concedes the city suffers from what he calls an infrastructure deficit and the work being proposed would have to be done at some point in the future anyway.

Federal regulations now require the separation of catch basins and sanitary sewers to ease the flow of water.
 
Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase worries city water rates will escalate because of all the work that has to be done.

Common Council Takes First Step To Rejuvenate North End Community Centre















(Common Councillor Peter McGuire)
           (File Photo)

Common Council has set the ball rolling to revamp the aging North End Community Centre on Victoria Street.

The estimated cost of bringing it up to par is just shy of 3 million dollars over four years but Councillors Peter McGuire and Gary Sullivan maintain it has to be done to revitalise that part of town.

Councillor Bruce Court says it's a great idea but he doubts whether the money will be there next year to go beyond the design phase.

Councillors are hoping the provincial government will chip in some funding especially since the M-L-A for the area, Trevor Holder is a member of cabinet.

Drivers Warned By City Police To Watch For Deer










City police warning drivers to be wary of deer and moose on the road on the way to work and on the way home.
 
121 deer-vehicle collisions, most during November, happened last year with a average of one per day.
 
Police warn the animals are most active in the early morning and in late afternoon.

Over 30 per cent of the collisions last year took place on the throughway in the Saint John area.



Monday, October 25, 2010

Realtors and Competition Bureau Reach Agreement

The competition bureau and canadian realtors have come to any agreement on competition.
Saint John Real Estate Board president Jason Stephen tells CHSJ News it became necessary after people were discriminating against some business models.

Stephen says real estate boards participating have to be licensed and members in good standing.
Both the Competition bureau and the Canadian real estate board agree that the rules should not deny or discriminate against realtors wishing to offering posting services.

City Man Found Guilty In Drug Trial

A 43-year-old Saint John man is guilty of conspiring to traffic cocaine.

After a long investigation into organized drug trafficking by the RCMP, Rothesay Regional Police and City police, 10 people were charged including Charles William Pleasance.

Pleasance has a court date in Saint John in December for sentencing.

McAdam Moves Halloween Celebrations

Ghosties and goblins in the McAdam area will be out early this year -- village council is moving the celebration of Halloween to Saturday night so it doesn't interfere with Christian worship in the community.

Village council made the decision at its last council meeting -- meantime -- most municipalities including those in the greater Saint John area are celebrating Halloween on Sunday.

Another Corporate Sponsor For The Q-Plex

(Christine Cooper- BMO Bank of Montreal & Murray Driscoll, Mayor Town of Quispamsis)
The BMO Financial Group is the latest corporation to put its name on a piece of the new Q-Plex in Quispamsis.
BMO has signed a ten year deal to sponsor the score clock in the facility which is slated to open in the new year.
The town continues to look for someone or some company to take on naming rights for the building.

Edmundston Area Man Facing Variety Of Charges

A 55-year old man is facing a variety of charges following a police search of a home in Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska late last week -- the Mounties say they found nine thousand illegal cigarettes - some pot plants - ten guns - and - 600-pounds of moose and deer meat.
The man was arrested and has an early January court date in Edmundston.

North End Center Could Get Makeover

Common Council wants the North End Community brought into the 21st century but it won't come cheap.
The city commissioned a consultants' study on how much it would cost to revamp the building.
A-D-I estimates the city would have to spend 2.9 million dollars over four years to upgrade and expand.
If the choice is to build a new community centre from the ground up, the estimated cost would be in excess of 4.1 million dollars.

Civic Pension Plan Still In The Red

The numbers still don't look all that good for the city's pension plan -- City Manager Pat Woods earlier said a solution would be on the table by late September but we still haven't heard anything yet.
The city has to pay almost five million dollars into the municipal pension plan by November 15th to cover the contributions that are required to be made from January to June.
According to the latest valuation, as of the end of December of last year, the plan was running a deficit of more than 129 million dollars which was 21 million dollars more than the previous assumption.

Dollar Signs Hang Over Fate Of Old Paramount

A feasibility study is expected to be complete by the middle of next month to determine if the Paramount Theatre can be saved by demolition -- Uptown Saint John has taken out an option to buy the building but Mayor Ivan Court seemed less than enthused about the prospect of contributing city money.
One idea being put forward is turning King's Square into a performing arts district.
The city's Cultural Affairs Officer Bernie Cormier tells CHSJ News it's a good idea but would have to be financially sustainable.
Cormier worries this could turn out the same as the failed attempt several years to save the Odeon Theatre across from the Beatty.

South End Fire Leaves 3 Families Homeless


9 people have been left homeless after a fire yesterday afternoon at 28 Harding Street. The blaze began in the rear of the building and spread to 24/26 Harding. The cause is considered suspicious with city police investigating as well as the fire department.

City Looking For Watershed Protection From Province

The protection of drinking water over recreation.......That's the choice facing the new Provincial Environment Minister Margaret Ann Blaney, according to the city, as it wants her to restrict motorised boatiing on the Loch Lomand watershed.

Right now there are exemptions for motor boats but they are scheduled to expire in November of 2011 and the city doesn't want to see them extended.

The Loch Lomand watershed contains the supply of drinking water for most of the city.


















(Common Council Candidate John Campbell)
                (File Photo)

There is now a third candidate who will be running in the Ward 3 byelection December 13th to fill the seat left vacant on Common Council when Carl Killen won Saint John Harbour for the Conservatives in the September 27th provincial election.

John Campbell ran as an independent in that election after narrowly losing the Conservative nomination to Killen.

He will be facing Anne Marie Mullen, the owner of the House of tara Irish shop, and Hazel Braithwaite who has been an advocate for heritage preservation along with with co-op and lnon-profit housing.