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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Leonard Praises Shale Gas Potential


The Energy Minister says the Province has enough shale gas reserves to supply the province for years.

Craig Leonard says 15 trillion cubic feet of gas is enough to heat every home in the province for the next 630 years.

He adds an oil and natural gas blueprint will be released in the spring.

Listeners React To Loss Of Murphyville

It's with a sense of sadness that the community bids goodbye to Murphyville...our listeners sharing their thoughts on the loss of the Christmas landmark

Mark: Saint Johners should have stepped up. That really sucks.
 

Tanya:  We cant blame this family or the community.The community wanted to help but it's too late. Thank you to Lou Murphy for all he did for Milford.

Andrea: Maybe it's time to start a new west side tradition somewhere!




Will: I used to go there every year since I was 1, it's a horrible thing that its being dismantled

Louise: It is sad to think a piece of our community will be gone but I can understand where the family is coming from. This must have been a very difficult decision for them

Donnie Coholan is the son of the current proprietor and he's making things very clear: There is no saving Murphyville and this discussion should be closed. My family respects all your concerns and they wish it could last forever.

Join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.


Neutered Cats Lead To More Adoptions, Says SPCA

The SPCA is hoping Operation Catnip will lead to more adoptions.

As we reported earlier this week, the new spay and neuter program will partner with PEI's Veterinary College and other institutions to fix 35 shelter cats for a discount.

Trisha Osbourne Parker is on the board of directors for the SPCA, and she tells CHSJ news this is a substantial discount for the shelter. She says when people come in looking to adopt, the cats that are spayed and neutered are adopted the quickest. Parker says it costs around $350 to spay a cat.

 She says they've been in talks with the dean of UPEI since the summer, who toured the neighborhood and saw firsthand how many cats roam our streets.   Parker hopes the initiative will reduce our cat population and crosses her fingers that the program will return next year.

Uptown Spaces Provide More Tax Revenue

It turns out some uptown in Saint John offer more tax revenue than your big box stores.

Former Ward 2 candidate Morgan Lanigan tells CHSJ News those stores come in offering the city more options but they don't bring in a lot of tax revenue.

He says on a per acre basis the Wal-Marts in Saint John bring in far less than a Centrebeam which brings in $335 thou

Lanigan says Walmart generates 49-thousand dollars per acre in taxes while the vacant Bargain Shop on King Street brings in $118 thousand per acre.   IT company Centerbeam also on King Street brings in $335 thousand per acre in tax revenue for the City   For more info, click here

McAlary: It's Impossible To Close Down The Pension Plan

Common Councillor Shirley McAlary agrees with what seems to be the prevailing opinion at City Hall: that the Shared Risk model is the way of the future for  Saint John's pension plan. 

McAlary tells CHSJ News  folding the plan is nearly impossible because it would be far more costly in the long run. 

McAlary says the decision ultimately rests with council, but there's a slim chance of another solution being found considering council has been wrestling with the pension issue for months.




Winter Biking Not For The Faint Of Heart

The nippy November temperatures are driving a lot of people indoors; however, that doesn't necessarily have to be the case. With a few easy steps you can keep biking to work even after the snow flies, according to Luke Tudor, one of the "Bike Guys" at Alternatives.

For snowy days, mountain-bike style tires provide extra traction. Companies also manufacture studded bike tires for use in icy conditions.

Keeping your bike clean of salt, properly lubricated, and dry will also reduce wear and tear on the parts, while layers of Gore-Tex and thermal clothing will ensure you're not an icicle by the end of your commute. Tudor tells CHSJ News maintenance and warm clothing are essential for anyone attempting to bike through the winter months.

Taxpayers Federation Confident Alward Government Can Cut Deficit

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is worried the throne speech did not contain anything specifically about lowering the provincial government's deficit but did promise a five year plan on health care.

The Atlantic Director of the Taxpayers Federation, Kevin Lacey tells CHSJ News that's a must because spending on health care takes up from 40 to 50 per cent of the provincial budget and he believes health care costs can be cut without jeopardising standards of care.

Lacey also warns raising the H-S-T would cost average families in the province a thousand dollars a year which they can't afford right now.

He concedes unemployment will likely go up with a reduction in spending by the province but he calls that "a necessary evil" to get the job done.


Stabbing Victim's Name Released

Bradley Saia
City police releasing the name of the teenager who was stabbed and died during a home invasion earlier this month.

18-year-old Andrew Jonathan (AJ) Dennison was from lower west Saint John and was transported to the Saint John Regional Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

There's now a Canada wide warrant for the arrest of 21-year-old Bradley Saia in connection with the home invasion.


Police remind you not to approach Saia, but to call the Saint John Police Force at 506-648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) with any information.

Police were called to 348 Prince Street West on November 3rd to a home invasion where two young men were found stabbed.

Memorial Service To Be Held For Motorcylist

A memorial service will take place this afternoon at 3:30 from Trinity Anglican Church for 57 year old Mike Patterson who was killed in a motorcycle crash last Sunday. 

Patterson leaves behind two sons as well as his parents. 

The crash happened near a turn on Milford Road. No other vehicles were involved.

Bullying Canada Still Has Head Above Water But Just Barely

The long term future of a national anti-bullying organization in Fredericton is still up in the air.
   

Rob Frenette, the co-executive director of Bullying Canada warned last month, without more financial support, the organisation would have to close down by the end of this month.
    

Since then, there has been a $10,000 donation from an Alberta company and a few hundred dollars in other donations from around the Maritimes but Frenette acknowledges that won't be enough to keep operating over the long term. 

He and his co-executive director will probably have to go back to being volunteers within two or three months.