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Monday, August 22, 2011

Jack Layton's Letter To All Canadians

Jack Layton wrote an open letter to all Canadians on August 20th, 2011.

Dear Friends,
    Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.
    Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.
    I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.
    I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.
    A few additional thoughts:
    To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don't be discouraged that my own journey hasn't gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.
    To the members of my party: we've done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let's continue to move forward. Let's demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.
    To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.
    To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada's Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.
    To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.
    And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one _ a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world's environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don't let them tell you it can't be done.
    My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world.
    All my very best,
    Jack Layton

Anti-Noise Advocate Wants Looking For Signatures

Sam Blue is stepping up his efforts to bring some quiet to city streets and neighbourhoods.

He's taking to the streets to collect petition signatures for better enforcement of laws concerning illegal exhausts, which can cause excessive noise.

Blue tells CHSJ News he's not looking for a new by-law -- he just wants better enforcement.

He says he's hoping to collect at least a thousand signatures for his petition.To sign a digital version of the petition, click here.

St. Martins Mayor Jim Huttges Dies

CHSJ News learning St. Martins Mayor Jim Huttges has died. 

Saint John-Fundy M-L-A Glen Savoie tells CHSJ News Huttges was in the hospital when something unforeseen happened and he passed away. 

Savoie says Huttges' unexpected death is an extreme shock to the community. 

He says there's not a person who met Huttges who didn't appreciate his down-to-earth approach to things.

Savoie sending his condolence's to Huttges family, who recently lost Huttges' twin brother Mickey as well.


Opposition Liberals Says Layton Was A True Fighter

Liberal Opposition Leader Victor Boudreau says Layton was a fighter in both his personal life and as a politician. 

He says Layton was admired by many people in the political realm and brought tenacity, conviction, and commitment to making Canada a better place.

Weston Calls Layton A Skilled Parliamentarian

The MP for Saint John says the country has lost a "skilled parliamentarian".


Rodney Weston tells CHSJ News he sat across from late NDP leader Jack Layton in the last session of parliament and enjoyed watching him in action.
He tells us watching Jack speak in the house was one of the highlights of his day.
Layton says he brought passion to the job and the role he played in Canadian politics.

Additional Charges For Man Accused of Three Heists

New charges being laid against a man appearing in court in relation to three armed robberies. 

20-year-old Lucas Bradley Hebert now charged with 9 counts of stealing gas, in addition to robbing two Petro-Cans and a convenience store on Hickey Road. 

Hebert is accused of using a knife and having his face masked during all three offences. 

He will be back in court this Wednesday with 21-year-old Zackery Golden, who is charged with taking part in one of the Petro-Can robberies. 

Hebert has waived his right to a bail hearing.

The Province's NDP Leader Compares Layton To Tommy Douglas

Provincial NDP Leader Dominic Cardy adding his voice to the chorus of condolences for the passing of NDP Leader Jack Layton.


Cardy tells CHSJ News he last saw Layton at an NDP convention in Vancouver back in June.


He says Layton was very happy with how the party was growing in the Province and he says moments like that truly define a leader.


He says no one has showed more concern or care for his party and the people since Tommy Douglas.

Moore Calls Layton A Courageous Warrior

Local politicians are reeling from the news of NDP Leader Jack Layton's death at 61.


Fundy Royal Conservative MP Rob Moore tells CHSJ News Layton was a courageous warrior in his battle with cancer.

He says many Canadians needed the inspiration that Layton provided and he says everyone is very sad to hear of his passing.

Moore says he had great lively debates in the House of Commons with Layton but he was always a gentleman who treated everyone with respect.

Cancer Claims NDP Leader Jack Layton





 NDP Leader Jack Layton has died after a battle with cancer.

A Public Meeting On The Metal Shredder Proposal Set For Wednesday

Common Council holding a public information meeting this Wednesday to talk about powering a metal shredder proposed for the west side.
The American Iron and Metal project found itself on shaky ground after citizens objected to power lines going up along the Fundy Coast Line.

Council, the port and NB Power announcing four weeks ago they had an option to please everyone involved, but were waiting to release the details until after the costs of the plan were worked out.

Wednesday's meeting starts at 7 o'clock at the Carleton Community Centre.

Driscoll Says Pool Rule Is Reasonable

Mayor Murray Driscoll addressing a Quispamsis rule that only allows town residents to purchase memberships at the Q-Plex pool. Driscoll says Quispam payed the bill and its residents pay the deficit.

He says the pool is open from early in the morning until the evening and to take out the short period of time that their residents have access on their own is not an unreasonable request.

The membership provides daily access to the pool from 12:30 to 2 in the afternoon and from 6:30 to 7:30 at night. Driscoll says everyone else is still welcome at the pool for public swims, adult swims and tot swims.

Local Motorists May Be Ingoring Dristracted Driver Law

Are drivers with cellphones getting back into the old routine of talking on the phone and driving at the same time? Sergeant Jeff LaFrance of traffic enforcement for the City police department tells CHSJ News the answer appears to be yes.

He says when it first came out there was a blitz to monitor people for distracted driving and officers caught very few people but, LaFrance says he sees it more and more now.

La France warns drivers getting a hands free device will cost you less than half of what the fine is which exceeds 172 dollars.