Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Red Cross Assistance

Some of the building's fifty-or-so tenants are staying with family and friends after this morning's fire. About 15 were brought over to the Bridgewater Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. A Red Cross spokesperson says it could be awhile before the smoke and water damage is cleaned up. Lisa Linscott says they need the residents of the building to visit their reception area at the Legion so they can get their names and numbers. She says that way they can get ahold of them to let them know when they can go back home. Luckily, there were no injuries reported in the early morning fire at the building on North Street in Bridgewater.

Apartment Fire

Traffic is being detoured between LaHave Street and Aberdeen Road this hour. Firefighters are wrapping up at the scene of an apartment building fire that caused smoke and water damage to the building at 96 North Street. It sounds like everyone was able to get out unharmed. People were taken to the Paramedic Station across the road from the building where they were checked over. Three departments were paged to assist Bridgewater Fire. Volunteers were also brought in from Northfield, Oakhill and Dayspring. A resident tells CKBW he was sitting at his computer when he noticed flames outside on his balcony. He pulled the fire alarm and then ran through the building to alert the other tenants. The cause is still being investigated by fire officials. And the detour will remain along North Street until further notice. Local traffic only is being allowed into the area.

Chamber Release

The days are slipping past. The Lunenburg Queens Business Excellence Awards will be held on Thursday, September 24th at the Days Inn in Bridgewater.

Reception at 6:00 and dinner and awards presentation will take place at 7:00 p.m.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets...now is the time. There are only a few still available. Looks like this will be another sold-out event! A special thank you to all of our sponsors:

Michelin - BMO - ACSBE - CKBW -Aliant - NSBI - Clearwater Foods

Our Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Andrew Button, a valuable member of the organizing committee who works on NSBI 's Business Advisory Team.

Our guest speaker will be Jeremy Wellard, President of HB Studios...a past award winner. His remarks will include a brief overview of the history and development of this dynamic local business that is successfully competing in a global marketplace.

And our finalists. The following businesses have been selected as the finalists in their respective categories. The quality and caliber of the businesses nominated is a wonderful display of just how many excellent businesses are in our region. Congratulations to each and every business nominated.

The finalists are (in no particular order):


Entrepreneurial Award:
Kisserup Consulting, EmOcean Health & Wellness, and Maritime Painted Saltbox
Export Achievement Award:
Hawboldt Industries, Van Dyk Health Juices, and Terra Beata Cranberries
Hospitality Award:
Guppy’s Place Family Restaurant, Bridgewater Comfort Inn, and Lane’s Privateer Inn
Large Business Award:
RP Anaka Investments Ltd., Lighthouse Publishing, and Nova Scotia Building Supplies
New Business Award:
The Java Bead, lalaNova Communications Design, and Classic Granite CounterTops
Small Business Award:
J & H Industries, Caledonia Clover Farm Market, and The Pumpkin Patch Family Farm Market.

Exhibition Apartments

The land swap has been completed now the next step is underway for a new housing development in the Town of Bridgewater. Five, three-storey multi-unit residential buildings with a total of 135 units are proposed for 7.2 acres of land north of Jubilee Road and east of Exhibition Drive. Mayor Carroll Publicover says Council is pleasantly surprised by the demand for apartments in the community. The project which will be done in phases proposes underground parking spaces and at the suggestion of one councillor, will include hybrid plugs. Developer Bernie Dockrill of Indian Point says he's also interested in being able to connect his project into the Active Transportation Connectivity Plan.

Pesticide Ban

Bridgewater Town Council is being asked to ban the use of lawn pesticides and go with an all green lawn care policy. In a letter to Council, Kathi Petersen says putting such a policy in place would be great long-lasting gift for the area. Councillor David Mitchell who supports a ban, says 117 other Canadian Municipalities have such a ban in place so Council wouldn't be breaking new ground. There was also a suggestion to ban the sale of lawn care pesticides, but Mitchell says that's not his major concern. According to polls conducted by Corporate Research, 70% of Nova Scotians support a pesticide ban.