CKBW's Wiles Winner

Describing it as a junior farm system, Dave Bannerman says CKBW and Acadia Broadcasting are helping young people get into the broadcasting business. Bannerman is an instructor with the NSCC's Waterfront Campus. He says John Wiles has been named National Broadcaster of the year by the Broadcaster Educators Association. CKBW's station manager John Wiles was recently presented with an award recognizing him and the radio station for their continued support of broadcast students. He is a native of Liverpool who has worked in broadcasting in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia over his 30 year career.

Tuition Winners

Four Nova Scotia high school students have each won five thousand dollars in tuition for a Nova Scotia university or college of their choice through the online game Mission Tuition. Mission Tuition was designed to encourage more high school students to plan careers in Nova Scotia, by making them aware of the range of successful business and job opportunities here at home. More than 23-hundred people played the interactive online game on a website telling Nova Scotians about opportunities in growth sectors such as aerospace, finance, skilled trades, IT and health. The four winners are: David Cann, Riverview Rural HighSchool (Sydney); Kelsie Johnston, Sackville High School; Alessandra Pagnottella, Sacred Heart School (Halifax); and Allison Rand, Bridgewater Junior and Senior High School. They were randomly chosen from more than 900 entries.

Health CEO Deputized

South Shore Health CEO, Kevin McNamara, has been appointed acting deputy minister of the Department of Health. Premier Darrell Dexter in making the announced today says McNamara understands the unique challenges of Nova Scotia's health-care system and will be able to help government prepare to address those challenges. The appointment will take effect Friday (July 3rd) and will last about three months.

MLA's Appointed

Two South Shore NDP MLA's among eight appointed to the role of ministerial assistants. They will represent ministers and government to build relationships with important stakeholders, and oversee policy and program development that helps government keep commitments. Lunenburg West's Gary Ramey has been named ministerial assistant to the Department of Health while Queens MLA Vicki Conrad, has been appointed to Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. Ministerial assistants will not receive additional pay for their role and it is not a full-time position.

Justice Center Opens

Bridgewater's new justice center opens Monday, months later than scheduled and millions of dollars over original budget estimates. The exact cost has not been released by officials but at last count it was close to double the original estimate of 9-point-75 million dollars. The building was supposed to open last November but was delayed another six months because of labour issues according to the Department of Justice. The justice centre includes a centralized court administration area and four courtrooms. The late Michael Baker, who was credited with pushing to have a new court house built in the community, got to tour the building in February.

Justice Issues

Shelburne RCMP say drug charges are pending after a 9-1-1 call to a Parr Street residence. They don't say what prompted the emergency call. But they say when they got there, they found a marijuana grow-op. Officers got a search warrant to dismantle the grow and seize exhibits. They say a large number of plants in various stages of growth were seized.

Chester Mounties are looking into a break, enter and theft in Chester village. Someone broke into Chester Area Middle school and stole a silver Hewlett Packard 15 inch computer monitor. It's believed it happened overnight Thursday.

Furnace Finances

The Forties Community Centre is looking for a lifeline from Chester Council. Warden Allan Webber says they're asking for a $16,000 grant to replace their hot water furnace Webber says the Municipality has been swamped with grant requests this year and there's only so much money to go around. The Community Centre still has four years left on its mortgage and has no additional funding for the emergency cost of replacing the furnace.

King of Pop dies

The Los Angeles County coroner's office has confirmed that Michael Jackson has died.
He was 50. Ed Winter, the assistant chief coroner, confirmed his office had been notified of the death and would handle the investigation. Jackson died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. The circumstances of Jackson's death were not immediately clear. A spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department says Jackson was not breathing when paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m California time. The paramedics performed C-P-R and took him to the hospital.The tragedy struck amid a concerted effort by Jackson to resurrect his singing career after years of tabloid headlines. Earlier this year, he announced his impending comeback: a marathon series of massive back-to-back concerts in London.

Back To Work

After dipping his toes into the political pool, the Detachment Commander for Lunenburg County RCMP is expected back in the office soon. Mark Furey went on an unpaid leave of absence back on April 15th when he announced he was running for the Liberal party in Lunenburg West. Staff at the detachment office in Cookville say he is scheduled to be back in his office on Monday. Staff Sergeant Furey is a 29-year veteran of the RCMP. At the time of his nomination, there was no guarantee he'd reclaim the district commander's job or that he'd remain with Lunenburg County's RCMP following election day. New Democrat Gary Ramey was elected as the MLA for the area, defeating former Cabinet Minister Carolyn Bollivar Getson.

School Sites

Three possible sites for the new P to 9 school for Lunenburg have been identified by the South Shore Regional School Board, Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says the Board approved the Finance and Operations report on the ranking of the host sites, which now gets forwarded to the Department of Education. A public meeting has been scheduled for Lunenburg Junior Senior High School for June 29th at 7 p.m., but Pynch-Worthylake says that's only for information purposes. The sites will not be announced publicly until they are evaluated and considered by the province.

Party Crashed

RCMP from two Shelburne county detachments had to be called in to break up a house party that appeared to have gotten out of hand. Sergeant Bob Forbes says officers from Barrington were called around one o'clock Wednesday morning to a complaint of assault. That was at a home on Highway 103 near Clyde River. Sergeant Forbes says there were around 200 people there when they rolled up. Beer bottles were thrown at the police cruiser and a fire was started on the highway. More officers were called in from Shelburne and Barrington as the party-goers spread out onto the highway. The RCMP and the homeowner closed down the party and moved the revellers along. One male was taken into custody and was later taken by ambulance to Roseway Hospital in Shelburne. He was treated for minor injuries and released. Sergeant Forbes says the scene was cleared by around two this morning. He adds members are still investigating and are still deciding if charges will be laid.

Foley Lane Frustration

He's persistent, but it hasn't paid off. And Billy Rhodenizer says he won't be asking Town Council anymore about upgrades to Foley Lane. The street needs storm sewer, curbing and gutter work to bring it up to standards but has never been considered an operational imperative. Mayor Carroll Publicover says he knows there is a possible development planned for the area and feels the street will be upgraded down the road. The Foley Lane upgrade was scrapped from the 2008/09 budget when a tender for the project came in over budget by almost 200 thousand dollars.

Caucus Appointments

Premier Darrell Dexter announced three government caucus appointments. Vicki Conrad, MLA for Queens, will serve as the caucus chair, Mat Whynott, MLA for Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville, will be the whip and Dave Wilson, MLA for Sackville-Cobequid, will serve as Deputy House Leader. Conrad was first elected to the Legislature in 2006 and has served as critic for Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. She has worked with the Scotian Windfield network, has been a rural outreach assistant for the NDP caucus and was employed as a residential councillor and home support worker. Whynott, at 24, is the youngest member of the Legislature. He represented Canada at the United Nations, speaking at the UN's World Programme of Action for Youth. While this is Mr. Whynott's first term as an MLA, he ran for the NDP in 2006, taking 36 per cent of the vote. Mat was employed as an NDP Caucus outreach worker until the most recent election. Wilson has been an MLA since 2003. He has served as Health critic and, before becoming an MLA, was a paramedic for eight years. He is a former vice-president of the Sackville Volunteer Firefighters Association and an associate member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Forwarding Address

A fixture in the Town's landscape will soon be vacated. Canada Post is moving from the King Street location in Bridgewater. Mayor Carroll Publicover was coy when asked about a North Street location and any plans for the historic building. Publicover says the old post office is pivotal to the downtown core. As well , the old court house on Pleasant Street will soon be vacant. Preparations are underway for the move to the new Justice Centre on High Street this weekend.

Beer Tent Canned

The Molson Zone has been canned. The Bridgewater Canada Day Committee wanted to relocate the beer tent to a town owned property next to LaHave Landing near School Street. Council voted 5 to 2 against the proposal. Dennis Woodworth, Chair of the Canada Day Committee says with Council's decision, there will be NO beer tent. Woodworth says he's stepping down as Chair of the Canada Day Committee. Mayor Carroll Publicover says they may have to look into restructuring the Canada Day Committee. This year's Canada Day events will be limited to Shipyards Landing.

Imprisoned Poison Peddler

Calling anyone who sells cocaine "a peddler of poison", Bridgewater Provincial Court Judge Jim Burrill sentenced a Blockhouse man to 34 months in prison. Twenty-six year old Arthur Abdul Mosher was given double credit for the seven months he spent in custody after being arrested in April 2007. A police search of Mosher's parents' residence in April 2007 turned up 37 grams of cocaine in a plastic bag in a shaving cream can with a false bottom. The can was in a pocket of Randy Mosher's bathrobe . Randy Mosher who has since died of cancer told police at the time , he was using the drug for pain management but his son later said he owed a 32 thousand dollar drug debt and his father was selling cocaine in an effort to save his life. Mosher was found guilty of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking at the conclusion of his trial this March 23rd. He was also convicted of two counts of breach of probation as well as charges of possession of marijuana and hashish. Mosher has eight prior convictions for possession, and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Composites Trade Show

A delegation of 17 Atlantic Canadian aerospace and defence companies and organizations have returned home following a successful trade mission to Paris, France. They attended the Paris Air Show, an international trade show for aerospace equipment and technology. Mission delegates , including Composites Atlantic in Lunenburg, were able to establish and build business contacts and take part in a number of industry-related meetings, roundtables and information sessions.

Fatal ATV accident

Not a lot of detail is known about the circumstances surrounding a fatal A-T-V accident in Queens county. A 52-year old man from Riversdale was pronounced dead at the scene yesterday according to RCMP. A news release says the members of the Queens detachment were called to an all terrain vehicle accident on the Medway River Road in Riversdale. They say the deceased was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, which they say was one factor contributing to his death. The man's name hasn't been released. The community is north of Mill Village.

Cabinet Swearing In

It's still a mystery whether or not any of the five M-L-A's on the south shore are up for a cabinet post in the New Democratic government. The official swearing in ceremony is being held tomorrow evening at the Cunnard Center on the Halifax waterfront. Members of the Executive Council will be sworn in by Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis Friday evening. And a spokesman in the Premier's office says the names will be released only after they are being introduced at the event. Both Vicki Conrad in Queens and Sterling Belliveau of Shelburne are returning N-D-P Members of the Legislative Assembly. Pam Birdsall, Gary Ramey and Denise Peterson-Rafuse will be on the government side of the house representing Lunenburg, Lunenburg West and Chester St. Margaret's. There's word today, eleven members of the new N-D-P government will be getting an important phone call today. Premier-designate Darrell Dexter will be telling them they'll be serving in his cabinet but we won't find out about it untill tonight. The event will be held at the Cunard Centre, 961 Marginal Rd., Halifax. It can be viewed online at http://gov.ns.ca/stayinformed/webcast/ .

Retraining Money

It's close to 90-thousand dollars from the federal government to help unemployed workers in Eastern Lunenburg County. South Shore/St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy announced the funding today for the South Shore Community Service Association. The money is going to the Chester Career Resource Center. He says the Conservative government is pleased to help unemployed Nova Scotians develop the skills, knowledge and experience they need to move forward. The Center will help 200 new unemployeed workers with job search support, skills workshops, career exploration services and referrals for appropriate interventions. The funding will also allow the organization to continue providing services to approximately 120 existing clients in Chester municipality.

Power of Change

Rodney MacDonald has attended his last official function as the premier of Nova Scotia. This week, MacDonald went to a ceremony to recognize 10 young Nova Scotians with a leadership award. One of the winners of the Power of Change Award is Kelsie Mosher. The grade eight student from Lunenburg goes to Centre Consolidated. After dealing with a difficult period from being bullied, Kelsie took charge of the situation and brought awareness to the dangers and effects of bullying. She approached her Home and School Association for funding to organize Pink Day at her school, and inspired other schools in her community to do the same. She is working closely with elementary students and has pledged to put an end to bullying. Congratulations Kelsie Mosher from all of us.

Firing up the barbecue in Queens County could be a bit of a problem this summer. The region is about to lose the last free-standing propane fill-up. Mayor John Leefe says the situation will also affect some businesses. There is still the availability for the 30-pound tanks to be filled in Queens through exchange programs.

Service Award

Judy Purcell of Bridgewater one of the team members recognized with the Premier's Award of Excellence, the highest honour of the Nova Scotia civil service. It recognizes public servants for outstanding contributions to the province. Purcell is a member of the Skill Development Coordinators Team, Department of Labour and Workforce Development. The team played a lead role in responding to closures in industry by creating on-site and community response teams, conducting job vacancy studies in affected and nearby communities, developing transition centres for displaced workers, and arranging and providing direct programs and services to help workers find new employment. Premier Rodney MacDonald presented the awards to two teams and three individuals this week.

Michael Hall Reward

Another case in Nova Scotia's Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program was added today (June 16th) by the Department of Justice. The department is offering a cash reward of up to 150-thousand-dollars for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible in the case of homicide victim Steven Michael Hall of Seffernsville, Lunenburg County. Hall was last seen on Saturday, April 27th, 1996, hitchhiking towards Chester, after paying a bill at the Ultramar in Chester Basin. Hall was not seen again until his body was recovered in a wooded area of Lunenburg County on November 23rd, 1996. More information on the homicide case of Mr. Hall and other cases, can be found on the Department of Justice website.

Stroke Awareness

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in Canada but work continues on the south shore to address the health issue. The District is working on a program to both treat and prevent brain attacks, also known as strokes. Clinical Services President Sandy Christie says on the South Shore, we have high rates of many of the risk factors for stroke. They include smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, physical inactivity and elevated cholesterol levels. As part of the program, funded by the Department of Health, South Shore Health hired a Coordinator to help support District planning and implementation. South Shore Health has dedicated 4-beds on the Cardiovascular Health Unit at South Shore Regional Hospital to stroke care. Christie says evidence shows grouping stroke patients together improves functional outcomes, reduces mortality rates and decreases length of hospital stay.

Woman Located

A sad ending to a search for a Lunenburg county woman. RCMP say the body of Hazel Laurence was located in the Church Lake area yesterday. Police, members of the Lunenburg County Ground Search and Rescue team and a helicopter were all called in to search for the 58-year old woman. They had been called in to look for her in the Cornwall Road area Monday. She had last been seen around 4:30 Sunday afternoon. An autopsy is being completed by the Medical Examiner to find out the cause of death.

Wire Worries

Town Council has given the go-ahead for the construction of 4 two-storey semi-detached dwellings fronting on Glen Allan Drive, In a report to Bridgewater Council, Town Planner Eric Shaw says the matter of power connections was discussed in relation to the number of utility poles and wires in the subdivision. The applicant, Jamie Cochrane didn't support underground connections saying it wasn't fair to come up mid-way through the process. Council voted voted in favour of the option of above grade connections, contingent on early consultation between the developer and NSP.

Farmers Market Returns

It's now officially confirmed. A Farmers Market is coming to downtown Bridgewater, starting on Saturday, July 4th from 8:30am to noon. Councillor David Mitchell says the market will be held on King Street in the parking lot between Intelligent Choice Computers and The Garden of Reading between Dominion St and Empire St. Mitchell says the location provides the best of both worlds he says there is plenty of space for the vendors and that section of King St has parking of both sides of the street as well as parking on Empire. The market will also attract people to the downtown core and into the shops on King St. The first week will see at least 6 producers with, baked goods, meat and produce and Mitchell says that number will grow throughout the season.

Sewage Smell

2009-06-12 05:54:29

Something smells in the Municipality of Lunenburg and it's going to cost almost $100,000 to make it go away.  Council has awarded a tender for an odour control system at the Cookville wastewater treatment plant,  Deputy-Mayor Don Zwicker says there's been an odour issue at the plant for quite some time.  He says they've been told since day one there's not enough flow of sewage going through the plant so that's why there's an odour. He says that's why they have to do something to fix the odour issue. Western Plumbing and Heating Limited of Dartmouth was awarded the tender for almost $98,000 plus HST.  Work at the plant is expected to start immediately.

NSCC Grads

2009-06-11 06:19:59

She returned to school after 28 years, and this evening she'll be delivering the valedictorian address at the convocation ceremonies for NSCC, Lunenburg Campus.  Barb Tidd, is a student in the Office  Administration program. Tonight's ceremonies set for 7:00 p.m. will  recognize the achievement of all 223 Lunenburg Campus graduates who have earned diplomas and certificates over the last academic year.

Lunenburg School

2009-06-11 06:18:48

A new Primary to Grade 9 school will be built in Lunenburg in the next few years, but the exact location still has to be decided.   A School Steering team has been formed and a public meeting has been scheduled for later this month.  School board officials say the site selection is one of the first items that will be addressed by them.  The board passed a motion to have the school built in Lunenburg with the possible sites are being whittled down to three locations.  Board members will get those at the June 24th meeting and their recommended site for the Lunenburg school will then go to the Government.  The selection committee is made up from all four school communities and and a public meeting has been scheduled at Lunenburg Junior Senior High School for June 29th at 7:00 p.m.  The process for naming the new school is still being worked out.

South Shore Results

2009-06-10 06:29:59

Chester St Margaret's:

NDP   Denise Peterson-Rafuse 4,835 48.09% Elected
PC  Judy Streatch  2,762  27.47 %
LIB  Jo-Ann Grant  2,122  21.11 %
GRN  Ryan Cameron 335  3.33 %

Lunenburg:

NDP   Pam Birdsall   3,644   48.82% Elected
PC  Peter Zwicker  2,049  27.45%
LIB  Rick Welsford  1,190  15.94%
IND  Milton Countway  457  6.12% 
GRN  Jason A. Remai  124  1.66%

Lunenburg West:

NDP   Gary Ramey   3,600   39.60% Elected
PC  Carolyn Bolivar-Getson 3,045  33.50% 
LIB  Mark Furey  2,297  25.27%
GRN  Emily Richardson 148  1.63%

Queens:

NDP   Vicki Conrad   4,012   59.91% Elected
PC  Kerry Morash  1,926  28.76%
LIB  Wayne Henley 674  10.06%
GRN  Stuart Simpson 85  1.27%

Shelburne:

NDP   Sterling Belliveau  3,844 55.41% Elected
PC  Eddie Nickerson 1,637 23.59% 
LIB  Darian Huskilson 1,356  19.54% 
GRN  Robin Smith  101 1.46%

RESULTS

2009-06-09 21:13:24

 An NDP majority in Nova Scotia and a south shore sweep for the party. Vicki Conrad held on to her seat, winning in Queens. Sterling Belliveau was returned as the NDP MLA for Shelburne. Two cabinet ministers on the south shore were unseated with Judy Streatch falling to Denise Peterson-Rafuse and Carolyn Bolivar-Getson ceding her seat to Gary Ramey, a first time candidate.  In Lunenburg, Pam Birdsall was elected as the New Democrat representative.

The first N-D-P government elected east of Ontario has not only won -- it's won big.   Voters in Nova Scotia have delivered a decisive majority win to a party that offered a modest platform and a commitment to balance the province's books.
    The N-D-P is elected in 30 ridings and leading in one.   It appears the Liberals will be elevated to the Official Opposition, with the Grits elected in 10 ridings and leading in one.  The Tories have won 10 seats.
    
The New Democrats swept to a majority government by boosting their share of the popular vote to 45 per cent.    That's up from about 35 per cent in 2006.    The Tories fell to 25 per cent from 40 per cent in the last election.  The Liberals polled 27 per cent of the vote, up a touch from about 23 per cent in 2006.

Tune in tomorrow morning for results and reaction to this historic night.

Foul Play Ruled Out

2009-06-09 17:46:11

Bridgewater police say foul play has been ruled out in the death of a woman who's body was found in Glen Allen Park.  She has been identified as 50-year old Deborah Bell-Ivany of Bridgewater.  An autopsy is being performed today in Halifax at the Provincial Medical Examiner's office.  Police say they are still conducting interviews and they are waiting for results from additional forensic testing.  A man walking his dog in the park found the remains just before noon yesterday.

Voting Day

2009-06-09 06:19:43

It's Election day in Nova Scotia. Polls open across the province at 8:00 this morning as a general election gets underway. New Democrats are hoping to form government for the first time having led in opinion surveys for most of the 35-day campaign. At dissolution, there were 21 Tory seats in the 52-seat legislature, 20 NDP, nine Liberals, one Independent and one vacancy.  Polls are closing at seven tonight. And then join CKBW for team coverage of the results from the five South Shore ridings brought to you by the Home Center, North Street, Bridgewater.

Chester-St. Margarets: Ryan Cameron, Green; Jo-Ann Grant, Liberal; Denise Peterson-Rafuse, NDP; Judy Streatch (i), PC.

Lunenburg: Pam Birdsall, NDP; Milton Countway, Independent; Jason Remai, Green; Rick Welsford, Liberal; Peter Zwicker, PC

Lunenburg West: Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (i), PC; Mark Furey, Liberal; Gary Ramey, NDP; Emily Richardson, Green

Queens: Vicki Conrad (i), NDP; Wayne Henley, Liberal; Kerry Morash, PC; Stuart Simpson, Green

Shelburne: Sterling Belliveau (i), NDP; Darian Huskilson, Liberal; Eddie Nickerson, PC; Robin Smith, Green

(i)=incumbant

Joey Mailman

2009-06-08 11:32:51

A husband, father and longtime DOT employee has lost his courageous and lengthy battle with cancer.  Joey Mailman passed away this weekend at the age of 63.  A proud life-long Bridgewater resident, Joey was also committed to helping in his community.  From refereeing hockey, he was a founding member of Shaid, a dedicated member of the Bridgewater Golf and country club, he was also a director for Bridgewater minor baseball and president of South Shore Video Group.  He was a Lions club member and spent a great deal of time helping raise money for the fight against cancer.   A celebration of life service is being held tomorrow, Tuesday at the RA Corkum Funeral Home.   

Obituary notice from RA Corkum funeral home

Campaign change

2009-06-08 06:39:32

A political scientist says when voters get in a mindset that a change is needed, there's no fighting it.  The Conservatives have been asking for another mandate based on experience and leadership.  But Dr Michael MacMillan of Mount Saint Vincent University says government's aren't elected, they're defeated. He says opposition parties wait for opportunities for the government to discredit itself, make mistakes or voters just get tired of them. Dr MacMillan says when making up their minds they look at the parties first, leaders second followed by issues and local candidates. He says opinion polls rank well below those factors when it comes to people making their minds up about who to vote for.

The head of a leading market research firm says Nova Scotians are in the mood for a big change. Don Mills, C-E-O of Corporate Research Associates, says the major theme of the 35-day election campaign was ``change in a substantive way,''  The Halifax-based pollster has been tracking Nova Scotia politics for two decades. His quarterly polls show the N-D-P has been the preferred choice for voters for almost three years.

Itineraries of the Nova Scotia party leaders for Monday, June 8:  
Rodney MacDonald, Progressive Conservative party:
    IONA: Canvassing. 10:30 a.m. 
    NORTH SYDNEY: Canvassing. 12:00 p.m.   
    ESKASONI: Canvassing. 2:00 p.m.
      
Darrell Dexter, New Democratic Party:
    BRAS D'OR: Canvassing at Tim Hortons, 366 Park Rd. 8:15 a.m.   
    NORTH SYDNEY: Canvassing at Tim Hortons, 7 Blowers St. 8:45 a.m.
    NORTH SYDNEY: Canvassing at Northside Community Guest Home and Extended Care, 11 Queen St. 9:15 a.m.
    MILLBROOK: Canvassing. 2:00 p.m.   
    SALMON RIVER: Canvassing along Birch Street. 2:30 pm   
    TRURO: Canvassing along Young Street. 2:50 p.m.
    BIBLE HILL: Canvassing at Bible Hill Estates. 3:30 p.m.
    PUGWASH: Canvassing along Victoria, Prince Albert and Black streets. 5:00 p.m.
  
Stephen McNeil, Liberal party:
    DARTMOUTH: Waving at traffic on the Angus L. Macdonald bridge. 7 a.m.   
    DARTMOUTH: Canvassing at Seniors Apartments, Jamieson Street. 10:00 a.m.   
    DARTMOUTH: Canvassing along Virginia Avenue. 11:30 a.m.   
    WINDSOR: Canvassing along Water Street. 2:00 p.m.   
    NEW MINAS: Waving at the Atlantic Superstore. 3:00 p.m.   
    KENTVILLE: Canvassing on Main Street. 4:00 p.m.   
    ANNAPOLIS: Canvassing. 6:00 p.m.

Doctor Passes

2009-06-05 12:33:33

A family physician who served Bridgewater residents for more than 40 years has passed away.  Doctor Fred Prince was 81.  He died at home yesterday.  Doctor Prince was born in Kentville but served tirelessly as a family doctor in Bridgewater for decades after graduating Dalhousie medical school in 1956.  In 1963, he organized the first medical clinic on the South Shore on Hillcrest Street, which housed three general practitioners and a dentist.   He was also a huge supporter of music.    Over the years, he was a member of the Gentlemen of Swing, the Don Warner Orchestra, the Chester Brass, the South Shore Concert Orchestra, the Bridgewater Fireman’s Band, and the Big Sound Band.   Doctor Fred Prince is survived by his wife of 57 years Beatrice along with his children and grandchildren.  A family service is being held next week in the Valley.  Visitation will be on Monday night at Sweeny's funeral home in Bridgewater.

New Charges

2009-06-05 09:32:11

A Simpsons Corner man facing charges of impaired driving three months after being sentenced on a same charge has asked for time to see a lawyer. Forty-seven year old Randall James Durling was fined $600 February 23d . He had been set to go to trial on a charge of impaired driving causing bodily harm, but changed his plea to a lesser offence of impaired driving. The initial charge stemmed from a collision in Nineveh in December 2007. The latest charges were laid May 22nd when Durling was stopped in New Canada. Along with the impaired and breathalyzer counts, Durling is also charged with operating a motor vehicle while disqualified, and possession of marijuana.  He's scheduled to be back in court June 24th.

Campaign Update

2009-06-05 06:22:03

Just to highlight how important the five ridings are in this campaign, both the NDP and the Conservatives are criss-crossing the south shore today.  Rodney MacDonald will be in Lunenburg with Peter Zwicker this morning before heading out with Carolyn Bolivar-Getson in Bridgewater this afternoon and then it's off to Liverpool with Kerry Morash this evening.  Darrell Dexter will be in Lunenburg this morning for a campaign statement at the Fisheries Museum at ten, before heading to Mahone Bay with Pam Birdsall. He then will be off to Wolfville this afternoon.  Stephen McNeil will be in and around Halifax this morning before heading to Stewiacke, Guysborough and Antigonish.

Two political scientists say the chances of the New Democrats forming a government may be decided in close races in rural Nova Scotia on Tuesday.    David Johnson of Cape Breton University says there's strong evidence the N-D-P has consolidated its lead in most Halifax ridings.    He says a breakthrough victory would be the result of a ``two-decade haul'' of ground work.    Jennifer Smith at Dalhousie University also says she believes the party's hold is strong in Halifax.    However, both long-time observers of party politics say it's much harder to call what will happen in smaller ridings.    That includes ridings like Queens, where just a few hundred votes in the south shore district may decide the outcome in three-way races.    Smith notes when the N-D-P won in Queens in the last election, there was no Liberal candidate, and this race is ``too close to call.'' (The Canadian Press)

Missing Woman Found

2009-06-05 06:20:46

(UPDATE) A Queens county woman who RCMP had asked for help in locating has been found.  Corporal Grant Webber says she was found in Sobeys in Liverpool after making a phone call to her home.  He adds she wasn't lost. Her family was concerned about her well-being when they notified police yesterday afternoon.  Police are thanking everyone for their help on this file.

Queens RCMP asking for public assistance in locating 53 year old Wilma Karen Labrador of Liverpool. Labrador is about 5 feet, 2 inches, 170 to 180 pounds and has chin length dark hair with gold highlights.  She was wearing a beige T-shirt and black pants.  A police dog and helicopter are being used in the search for Labrador who has been missing since around 1:15 Thursday afternoon.  Anyone having seen her or knows of her whereabouts is asked to contact the Queens RCMP.

Regulation Situation

2009-06-04 06:16:29

An independent retailer says some smaller gas stations in Nova Scotia are still closing in spite of government price regulation that's supposed to save them.    Dave Collins of Wilson Fuels expects that will continue to happen until regulators raise margins so the smaller operators can make more money.    But, he says that would be political suicide.    Collins suggests government get out of regulation and let business address the price issue.    He says governments run a business for headlines while the focus of business is profit.    Collins says the taxes generated can help pay for social programs. (CKBW)

Nurse Practitioner

2009-06-04 06:14:53

Even if the doctor is OUT, the nurse practitioner is IN at the New Germany and Area Medical Center.  Rob Snelling started seeing patients yesterday as part of the District plan to have more health care opportunities in Lunenburg and Queens counties.  There are also nurse practitioners in North Queens, Lunenburg and Chester.  Nurse practitioners are able to diagnose, monitor, and treat many conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, flu, sore throats and ear infections. They can prescribe some medications and can order blood tests, X-rays and scans.   South Shore Health officials say having the position at the New Germany clinic will help in the efforts to recruit family physicians to the area.  The position is being funding by the Department of Health.

Drugs Seized

2009-06-03 06:13:08

RCMP with the Shelburne Street Crime Enforcement unit say they seized two pounds of pot from a home on Highway 3 in Shag Harbour.  The Mounties executed the search warrant Monday.  Police say the marijuana was wrapped in 28 gram packages. They also nabbed about sixteen grams of hash in the raid.   A 38 year old Shag Harbour resident was arrested for possession for the purpose of trafficking. Additional charges are pending for having unregistered firearms and unsafely stored firearms.  The suspect has a court appearance scheduled for August 27th in Barrington.

Tax Rate Held

2009-06-03 06:08:51

Tax rates in Bridgewater are being held at the same level as last year.  Town council unanimously passed a budget last night keeping the residential rate at $1.628 and the commercial rate at $3.721 per one hundred dollars assessment.  Mayor Carroll Publicover says higher assessments and some department cost cutting helped them to achieve the status quo with rates.  Publicover says they are hoping to expand town services while keeping taxes in check.  The mayor says fortunately the province hasn't been as hard hit by the recession as other areas like Ontario.

Moved by Deputy Mayor Walker, seconded by Councillor Ritcey that Town Council for the Town of Bridgewater approve the 2009/2010 budget tabled as follows:                1.           the Capital Budget in the amount of $3,136,951, which is partially funded by borrowing $200,000 from the capital reserve fund to be repaid in equal annual payments over 10 years with interest paid annually at a rate of 6%;               2.           Operating expenditures in the amount of $16,347,022 which includes $404,948 Capital out of Revenue; $110,116 Transfer to Reserves; and $1,214,638 for Principal Repayment;               3.           the Operating Revenue of $16,347,022;               4.           Commercial Tax Rate including Business Occupancy Tax Rate to be set at $3.721 per $100 of the full assessed value of the property;               5.           Residential Tax to remain at $1.628 per $100 of the adjusted assessed value after cap;                6.           a special purpose parking tax for all commercial assessment in the parking services district as follows:                              i.             $0.0743 per $100 of the assessed value for all commercial property assessments except for those occupied by financial institutions; and                              ii.            $3.198 per $100 of the assessed value for commercial property assessments for those occupied by financial institutions; and               7.           the interest rate paid on reserves be set at 0%. And that the final tax bill will become due on Wednesday, September 30, 2009; and that the interest rate on overdue accounts be set at 12% per annum, charged at 1% per month.  Motion Carried.

Protest Rally

2009-06-02 06:12:35

Workers at the Bowater Mersey Mill in Brooklyn will be taking part in a national  day of protest  Tuesday, June 2nd.  The main campaign rally to be held in Ottawa, is called 'Wake up Harper", to draw attention to the crisis in the forest industry.  Courtney Wentzell, president of the local union, says they'll have information pickets set up outside the mills gates from 7 to 9:30 am.  The Brooklyn mill is going into its third shutdown June 2nd. It will run through to July 16th.

Purses Poached

2009-06-02 06:10:44

Bridgewater Police aren't saying if the incidents are related, other than the targets are similar and the incidents happened not far from one another.  The first incident happened on Wednesday afternoon. A purse was taken out of a vehicle parked at the LaHave Street ball field. That was sometime between 4:45 and 5:40pm.  And on Thursday afternoon, someone smashed out a passenger window smashed in a grey Honda Civic and stole a purse sitting on the seat.  The vehicle was parked at the HB Studios fieldhouse on Glen Allan Extension.  Police are asking for people to get ahold of them if they saw anyone hanging out in the parking lot last Thursday between 4:10 and 4:30.

 

Student Remembered

2009-06-01 09:48:14

They should be getting ready for graduation and the start on the journey for the rest of their lives.  Instead, students at New Germany Rural High are being dismissed early today to get ready to say goodbye to a fellow classmate.  17 year-old Jacob Alexander Noonan was killed last Wednesday afternoon walking along Highway 10 in Springfield.  The Grade 12 student was from North River and was a part-time employee of the New Germany Irving.  A funeral service is being held this afternoon (at 3pm) in the New Germany High School gymnasium.   A Memorial Bursary fund is being set up in Jacob's name.

V-I-C SOLD

2009-06-01 06:23:19

The Bridgewater Tourist Bureau has a new owner.  The land the building sits on at the corner of Elm Street and Aberdeen Road is owned by the Town, but the  building  used as a Visitor Information Centre was owned by the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce.  The VIC was offered to the Town for a dollar, but after no sale the Chamber called for public tenders.   It was announced Friday afternoon the building has been sold to Sea Coast HVAC Limited of Bridgewater. The new owners have until June 30th to remove the VIC from its present location.

Friday Politics

2009-06-01 06:19:43

Liberals in Lunenburg West are challenging a statement by Conservative Candidate Carolyn Bolivar-Getson.  Mark Furey is speaking out against a statement she made at a debate in Bridgewater this week.  Bolivar-Getson made the claim her Conservative government had produced eight consecutive balanced budgets.  Furey adamantely denies that.  He says the only way they could have balanced the spring budget was if they broke the rules.  A proposed amendment to the Finance Act had to pass for the Conservative financial plan to balance. That change would have allowed them to spend extra money on programs instead of putting it on the province's 12-billion dollar debt.  Furey says it's time for the Conservative government to be accountable for their actions and realize Nova Scotians are smarter than that.

Political rhetoric, or a pledge to set the record straight?   Pam Birdsall has paid for a print ad to refute what she says are untrue statements by Premier Rodney MacDonald.   The NDP candidate in Lunenburg says the premier claimed publicly the Firefighter tax credit would be cancelled if the government changed.  Birdsall says the $500 credit for 2009 is law and was approved in the Legislature in 2007 with the NDP fully supporting the measure.  She says the election makes no difference to the law or the ammendment extending it to ground search and rescue along with firefighters.

Judy Streatch is calling on the South Shore Region School board to keep Big Tancook Elementary school open.  The facility is one of the last one-room schools in the country and it sits on an island in the waters of Mahone Bay.  Declining enrollments at the school in recent years have lead board members to order an impact assessment report.  Streatch says Big Tancook Elementary has a long standing history of educating the children who call the islands home.  She adds it is a wonderful school in a unique situation and she says that has to be remembered in any move forward plan for the P-5 facility.  It's thought there will be an enrollment of between five and ten students over the next five years.  Streatch says she does not support closing Big Tancook Elementary and will work to make sure parents have input on where their kids are educated.

It's a political challenge of a different sort. Rick Welsford, the Liberal candidate in the riding of Lunenburg has challenged the other candidates to remove their signs from the Towns lawns and gardens. Welsford issued his challenge during his closing remarks of a candidates debate in Lunenburg last night.  He planned to remove his signs immediately after leaving the debate.