Playground Pitch

A Bridgewater couple is hoping the town uses the vacated Visitor Information Center lot for something other than a building. A large structure, they contend, will greatly hamper the view plane from their land on Aberdeen and Elm Street. Patricia and Fazal Rahman have written council asking them to build a playground for young kids on the lot next to North Street. They write the North side of town has been grossly underserved, especially for younger children. They point out there are three fair sized playgrounds and parkspace on the opposite side of the river. And the Rahman's say the concrete slab where the building used to sit has been covered with dirt so all they would need to do is put up a fence and equipment. Also, they say more open space and recreation facilities would be welcome. The site has been vacant since the building was removed from the lot several weeks ago.

Monumental Task

In a small town, you may think that everyone knows everyone. But, in Mahone Bay with 900 residents, there is little known about the 39 soldiers whose names are on the cenotaph in the middle of town. Now, Mahone Bay is working at identifying and paying homage to the men from the community who died for Canada in the Great War, World War II and the Korean War. Mayor Joe Feeney is organizing a group to establish a Celebration of Honour for the 39 fallen soldiers. Feeney says they are hoping to publish a booklet giving information about each of the men. And he says they want to hear from people in the Mahone Bay area who may have information about the men. He adds there is some information available for the World War I veterans but less available for the World War II or Korean War soldiers. He's asking people to get in touch with him or town staff if they can help shed some light on their identities and connections to the community.

Golden Dozen

An editorial urging people to rein in the rumours about a murdered 12 year old girl has given Vernon Oickle a spot on the Golden Dozen. The award recognizes the best non-daily opinion writing in North America through the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors. Oickle tells CKBW the Karissa Boudreau story was tough but there were things that needed to be said. This year's winners were selected from 81 entries. Hear more with Vernon and Sheldon this weekend on South Shore Sunday Morning.

Jail Time

Being involved in a home invasion has landed a Bridgewater man five years behind bars. Twenty year old Timothy Charles MacKenzie entered guilty pleas to robbery and breach of an undertaking. He was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Friday but entered the pleas instead. Mackenzie was one of three people initially charged in the invasion of a Churchill Street apartment last October 24th. Meantime there are still court appearances pending for 19 year old Matthew James Chase who is due in court July 15th, and a September trial has been scheduled for 19 year old Joshua Lamont Mosher. Charges have also been laid against three others for being parties to the crime even though they didn't enter the home. Twenty three year old Timothy Barry Stewart returns to court July 13th, while a preliminary hearing has been set for November for 23 year old Sean Andrew Ivany. A warrant has been issued for 23 year old Matthew Kevin Glavine who failed to show for an earlier court appearance.