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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Keir Calls Out Alward


(Energy Minister Jack Keir)
(File Photo)

Energy Minister Jack Keir is calling out Opposition Leader David Alward for wanting to keep the Dalhousie Power Plant open.

Keir says this isn't something that has just come about in the last couple weeks.

He says NB Power has been saying for a long time that there is no alternative source of fuel that would make the Dalhousie plant competitive.

Keir says New Brunswickers have asked the government time and time again to keep out of NB Power when it comes to day to day operations, yet here Alward is involving himself.

A Saint John Experiences The Toronto Earthquake

It's been confirmed that a a ``moderate earthquake'' has rocked residents of southern Ontario, Quebec and the northeastern United States.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the temblor occurred just before 2:45 and was a magnitude 5.5 tremor centred about 60 kilometres north of Ottawa, in western Quebec.


A Saint Johner working in Mississauga, Ontario experienced it first hand.

Jenn MacDonald tells CHSJ News she was having lunch with her co-workers when the chairs and walls started shaking.
She says the whole thing lasted 30 seconds.

MacDonald adds the timing was strange since she and her collegeaues were talking about the film "2012" which deals with the end of the world.

Real Estate Board President Not Panicked Over Housing Numbers

The President of the Saint John Real Estate Board says prices in the local housing market did increase slightly last month.
Jason Stephen is reacting to the dismal numbers which show 170 homes sold in May down 26% from May of 09.

He tells CHSJ News that there is no reason to panic as they are month over month numbers, he says they pay close attention to year over year numbers which shows a small increase.
Stephen tells us things are not the way they were in 2007 but, on the whole he calls the Saint John housing market stable and balanced.

Canada Day Celebrations

Saint John is kicking off summer with five days worth of Canada Day celebrations.

Heather Peterson is Chair of the Canada Day Committee and says July 1st is going to be a day filled with family oriented events. 

There will be a parade, a show with Bob the Builder, face painting and giant bounce rides. 

Peterson says this year's theme is "We Believe," which is being carried over from this year's Olympics.

Peterson says there will even be events on July 4th to celebrate Independence day with people visiting from the States.

For more information you can go to http://www.sjcanadaday.ca/.

Canada Day Kick Off

Norton Fire May Have Been Deliberately Set

A suspicious blaze in Norton is under investigation by the Fire Marshall. The fire destroyed a large detached garage on Riverview Drive East. 2 vehicles and a number of tools were also lost. No one was injured but the cause hasn't been determined yet.

Police Saving Saint John Alot of Money Through Reducing Crime











(Police Chief Bill Reid)
       (File Photo)

Crime reduction strategies have saved Saint John an estimated half a million dollars a year. That word coming from Police Chief Bill Reid who says the traditional method of policing in which crime is reacted to when it happens is inefficient and ineffective. The Chief says they meet regularly with a crime analyst who gathers all the data and pinpoints where the hotspots are so effective plans can be put together. He claims less than half of the crimes that take place are actually reported to police.
Chief Reid says city police have managed to reduce the number of stolen vehicles by 19 per cent and breakins last year by 29 per cent.

NB Power Waits


The Energy and Utilities Board is now putting together a report for Energy Minister Jack Keir on whether or not NB Power should get their 3% rate increase.

Public Intervener Daniel Theriault says the Board may have trouble making a decision because they only have access to the financial information from NB Power's distribution branch.

Theriault says the rate increase probably is necessary based on their tendancy to forcast higher earnings then they typically get.

Man Severely Beaten At Public Landing Wharf










A 31 year old man from Public Landing is in hospital in critical condition after being beaten up this past weekend and the RCMP in Grand Bay-Westfield are asking for your help in finding those who did it. The assault occurred around 9:00 Saturday night at the Public Landing Wharf. According to the Mounties, 8 or 9 men got off a 26 foot white speedboat and four or five of them beat up the man while the others went to a nearby store. If you can help, give a call to the RCMP at 757-1020 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-tips.


The RCMP in Sussex have also confirmed a man in his 50's was found dead in Sussex. More details on that are expected later this morning.

Traffic Interruptions Around Town

The Department of Transportation wants you to know traffic will stop on Route 1 eastbound and westbound near the Crown Street off Ramp today and tomorrow.
This will take place at about 2pm both days and is to allow blasting activities as part of the One Mile House Interchange Project. The project is estimated at $65 million and includes a 600-metre structure, ramps and roadways connecting Route 1 to Bayside Drive, crossing the CN rail yard, Marsh Creek and Rothesay Avenue. It will be ready in 2012.

Water Street will be closed to traffic between Duke Street and Prince William Street. Traffic will be detoured between Duke, Canterbury and Prince William streets while water service is being extended to 230 Water Street. The closure starts at 6 this morning and continues until 8 tonight.


Charlotte Street is closed to traffic from Princess to Duke Street due to construction.

Arts Funding To Be Handed Out At City Hall















25 local organizations will receive a share of $64,000 in grants this morning at City Hall.
Mayor Ivan Court will hand out the cheques to the recipients of the 5th annual Saint John Community Arts Funding Program. The ceremony is coming up at 11 this morning.