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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Missing Nova Scotia Teen May Be In Saint John

A missing teen from Nova Scotia may be in the Saint John area.

RCMP and Halifax Regional Police say they've received information that 14-year old Dametry Ruscoe of Lake Echo may be in the Port City on his way to Oshawa, Ontario. 


He was last seen on August 19 at his home on Walker Street. He may have been in Halifax on Spring Garden Road and looking to go a local shelter. He's described as being 5'7', 140 lbs, with medium length dark hair.

Police and Crimestoppers asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact any RCMP office, Halifax Regional Police or Crime Stoppers anonymously anytime at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

9/11 Anniversary Marked In NB


September 11, 2013 marks 12 years since the tragic attacks on New York City in which nearly 3,000 people lost their lives. Saint John Fire Chief Kevin Clifford tells CHSJ News as a firefighter, he was struck by the conscious sacrifice many New York  emergency personnel made on that day.

An honour guard and memorial service is planned in Fredericton to honour both the emergency personnel who died in New York that day, and also those who have passed away both in and outside the line of duty.

Mayor Calls Sick Leave At KV Fire "Out Of Hand"

The mayor of Rothesay says there's a big problem at the KV Fire Department, which is currently operating with a deficit and has approached the town asking for a change in the way funds are allocated.

Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News council needs to take a look at how money is being spent when it comes to sick leave, disability and overtime. Bishop says the current usage of sick time leave is out of hand and needs to be explained.

The councils of Rothesay and Quispamsis will be scheduling a meeting to discuss what should be done about the issue. Bishop says they did the same thing last year and after some debate, they two towns took a similar stance and agreed upon certain terms for the way funds are allocated to the fire department.

United Way Sets Campaign Goal Of 1.4 Million

What would happen if the United Way wasn't here to help people?  

A crowd at the Detla learning abused women wouldn't be able to seek help and hundreds of children wouldn't have access to daycare and other programs.


Executive Director Wendy MacDermott tells CHSJ News this year's goal of 1.4 million for the 2013/2014 campaign was not set lightly.

She says there is something to be said for a round numbered goal like 1.4 million adding it's felt like their has been a ceiling around 1.3.


She also thinks it's a big statement to break the threshhold move on to 1.4 million.

Councillor David Merrithew informing the crowd that City of Saint John employees gave the most of any organization contributing $87,000 last year.


The United Way serves communities from the Fundy Isles all the way to Havelock.

Port Celebrates 25 Years Of Cruise, Despite Less Successful Season

It's been 25 years since a hurricane accidentally blew the first cruise ship into the Port City--and while 2013 hasn't been the best year for traffic from the the big boats, Port CEO Jim Quinn tells CHSJ News there are better times ahead.

There are only 56 boats scheduled to come here in 2014, which Quinn says is due in part to the still-recovering economy,but the hope is that things will continue to bounce back especially in the historically strong fall cruise season.

Councillor Unimpressed With Buck-Passing

The City needs to stop passing the buck and take taxpayer complaints more seriously: that, from Common Councillor Bill Farren. 

He says he's heard from a number of citizens with complaints ranging from illegal dumping to flooding where there hasn't been an issue previously.
 

Farren says when people try to complain to the city there's a pattern of officials referring them to someone else like a contractor or a neighbour, when in reality he says the city needs to be looking after its citizens a little better.

Two Fatalities In Province

The RCMP in Moncton are investigating a fatal collision involving a motorized wheelchair.
 

A 76 year old woman, in a motorized wheelchair, who was crossing an intersection was struck by a minivan and killed.
 

The man driving the minivan and a woman who was with the victim were not injured.
 

The circumstances of the collision are still under investigation but alcohol is not believed to have been a factor.

Another fatality is under investigation int he northern part of the province.. 


This one happened along Highway 2 near Perth-Andover when a vehicle left the highway and collided with the guard rail before rolling over, killing a 61 year old man from Ontario. Speed and alcohol use are not believed to be responsible.

TransCanada Offers More Details On Pipeline Jobs

Trans Canada announcing the economic benefits that will stem from the Energy East Pipeline based on a report by Deloitte and Touche. 

Deloitte used 40 years as a example for the life of pipeline but expects it will be around a lot longer than that.


The gross domestic product is forecast to be 10 billion dollars in the construction and development phase.  Russ Girling is the President and CEO of TransCanada and he says that's going to mean a significant number of jobs--over 10,000 in the construction phase.

In the operating phase, the pipeline, when completed, will create 1000 jobs and when you add in spinoff positions it increases to 4000 jobs.

Maine Governor Likes Proposed Pipeline

More support for the Energy East pipeline.......This time from a New England governor.

Maine's governor Paul Lepage is attending the New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers meeting in Quebec and calls it a great project.

In an online report, Lepage says he would like to see oil transported by pipeline rather than by rail, adding the Lac Megantic disaster was a perfect storm involving aging equipment and human error.

Scam Alert

Loblaw, which includes the Real Canadian Superstore, is warning of a fraudulent scam that targets you over the phone. 

Several people have reported receiving an automated phone call that advises them they have won a free vacation from Real Canadian Superstore. 

The automated caller asks them to press one if they agree and two if they disagree. If the customer presses one it takes them to a live caller who asks for their personal information including their credit card information to book the vacation. 

Loblaw says customers would never be asked to provide their personal or credit card information over the phone.

Controversial Housing Development Moves Ahead

A plan to build a new neighbourhood in Rothesay getting some pushback.

Some residents voicing concerns about traffic, safety and property values if the Dobbin Street housing development goes ahead at a public hearing.

The development would be made up of two new apartment buildings and 15 new townhouses. A new road and sidewalk would also be built.

Council giving the project preliminary approval, and Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News before they give the official go-ahead, the town will be reviewing the development deal in detail.

Bishop tells us he thinks the development would make a good addition to Rothesay not only for taxation reasons but for accommodating those who want to live in the town but can't afford a home.

More Interest In Using Former Synagogue Building

A few local ventures are expressing interest in renting space in the former synagogue on Wellington Row--and the Multicultural Association of Saint John's executive director Melana Iverson tells CHSJ News they're providing more valuable services that some other bidders, including a fashion modelling school that has also described the space as ideal for their purposes.

Iverson presented at last night's meeting of common council about the challenges of running the association, and the support she needs from council to keep her efforts going.


She says the space would allow them to roll our programs that would benefit the entire community--not simply newcomers.