Chair of 1688 Lobster Association calls for Solidarity

Lobster fishermen in southwestern Nova Scotia will be formally recognized under a new group called the "1688 Professional Lobster Fishermen's Association". The group was formed last week in Barington and their main goal is to fight for better lobster prices at the wharf.  PLFA chair James Mood is calling on lobster fishermen in the area to support the association by purchasing memberships. Mood is hoping at least 80 percent of lobster fishermen who hold a license in LFA's 33 and 34 to join the association as a sign of solidarity."The point is and it's like this...they got to unite...they just have to...we have to do something about these prices," Memberships will cost $250 for license holders and $25 dollars for crew members. Mood says the association will hire two staff members and set up a regional office in Woods Harbour. The group is holding a sign-up meeting today in Yarmouth at 1:30PM and tomorrow at the Fire Hall in Shelburne - they will also discuss lobster prices and industry concerns.

Mawhinney: Town of Lunenburg Looking for Fixed Power Costs

The town of Lunenburg's mayor says the entire province is feeling the same pain when discussing power rates. The cost of electricity went up across the province on January 1st and Laurence Mawhinney explains its something everyone has to deal with. The town is able to offer residents a lower cost for power because it buys electricity in bulk from Nova Scotia Power and operates its own utility. However, Mawhinney says that doesn't mean the town isn't searching for lower costs from alternate energy suppliers. "What we said in our strategic plan is that we wanted to get a new source of energy that was greener and more efficient and was more in line with fixed costs - I do believe we are moving in that direction and I'm optimistic in the not too distant future, we'll be able to put the plank down for the public," The town is one of five municipal units in the province who operate their own utility. Mahone Bay, Riverport, Berwick and Antigonish are the others. The town of Canso also operates it's own utility but is in the midst of amalgamating with the Municipality of Guysborough.

BREAKING: Councillor Mitchell to seek nomination for PC Party

David Mitchell

A Bridgewater Councillor is looking to make the switch from municipal to provincial politics. David Mitchell has announced his intent to seek nomination for the Progressive Conservative party in the Lunenburg West riding. Mitchell has spent seven years as a town councillor and says he's ready to take his style of politics to the next level.

"I love municipal politics but the issues that we face in the town are not unique to the town, they're province-wide and I believe that the hard work and common sense approach I use on council, I could use to serve more people at a provincial level."

Mitchell says the decision to run came after lengthy talks with his wife and three children. He says he's a 'tell it like it is' kind of guy who works hard and gets things done. Mitchell says the timing is right to take on the NDP government.

"The last two-and-a-half years I think we've gone backwards, whether it's increasing the HST or cancelling the ferry or simply throwing money at problems without looking for lasting solutions. The Tories will be the party I think that helps Nova Scotia get itself out of the hole its been dug into."

Mitchell says he's a firm believer in the initiatives Leader Jamie Baillie is introducing to the party. But, he says he still plans on re-offering for Bridgewater council in the fall in case his venture into provincial politics doesn't go as planned. A date for a nomination meeting has yet to be selected.

VIDEO: More Bike Lanes coming to Bridgewater

Bike enthusiasts are getting a bit more room on some Bridgewater roads. Town council voted 6-1 in favour of installing shared bike lanes on North Park Street, York Street and Alexandra Avenue. The project is expected to cost the town $33,170, which is gas tax eligible. The Lunenburg County Community Health Board, Michelin and the province's Department of Health and Wellness have each contributed funding towards the project, totalling $6,200. The director of planning with the town of Bridgewater, Eric Shaw, says they are proposing the new shared bike lanes be three kilometres long on North Park, York and Alexandra. Roughly 1.5 kilometres of shared bike lanes were implemented on Glen Allan Drive in 2010. The new shared bike lanes are expected to take effect around June or July.