Lumberjacks hand out hardware

Lumberjack players left to right: Mitch Hennebury, Michael Crawley, Jake Bullen, Billy Clarke and Cody Coffin with their awards Thursday night at the teams awards banquet at the Bridgewater Days Inn. (photo courtesy Marci Hirtle)

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have named Jake Bullen their most valuable player for 2011-12. The captain tied Michael Crawley for most goals with 33 and was second in points. Bullen says it means a lot to be the MVP.

"It's a great honour, especially when you see some of the names, (Matt) Stoddart was on it last year, so it feels good to have my name there next to him because he was a great player as well, and it's just a great feeling."

Bullen along with Nick Gouthro have finished their junior 'A' careers because they are both over the age limit. Meanwhile, Crawley took home top scorer honours at the clubs awards banquet Thursday night at the Bridgewater Days Inn. Crawley says he wasn't expecting the year he had.

"I was surprised on how much I found the back of the net this year because I normally struggle, but it was nice to finally get that off my back and I hope I can do the exact same, if not better next year."

Crawley finished with 78 points to lead the Jacks in scoring. Other winners were Cody Coffin for the 100% award, Mitch Hennebury for top defenseman, Billy Clarke for rookie of the year and Roland Provencal for most improved.

Lunenburg Residents Oppose Apartment Complex

A proposed six unit apartment project within the Town of Lunenburg is making some residents of the area uncomfortable. A private developer has submitted an application to enter into a development agreement with the town for the project on Green Street. However, neighbouring residents don't feel the project is a proper fit for the location. "It's an area of town where there are some very nice homes and I don't think anyone was thinking this was going to be an area of town that would host multi-family dwellings most of the units would be single family dwellings and that seems to be the main concern," Mayor Laurence Mawhinney says instead of turning down the proposal, council will look at hosting a public information meeting to clear the air. Mawhinney says he's received a dozen emails from residents opposed to the project - in addition to a few phone calls. He says a public meeting would clear the air and give both sides a chance to have their say, however, a date has yet to be identified.

Town upset over new RCMP contract with province

The town of Bridgewater isn't pleased with a new 20-year contract between the RCMP and the province. Under the Provincial Police Service Agreement, the province retains a 70/30 cost-share agreement for municipalities. Mayor Carroll Publicover says its a form of discrimination because Bridgewater is paying more money for RCMP service. He says something has to be done.

"We're paying our 100% which is closing in on $4-million, plus 30% subsidy to the units that are getting the 70/30 deal is coming from income tax which we're contributing to, so we're really paying and we want that to stop."

Publicover intends to write a letter to the province asking for the town's 30 per cent.

Conservatives Ready To Tackle Government On Numerous Issues

The sluggish economy, job losses in rural areas and the deficit.
Those will be the focus of attention for Progressive Conservatives when the legislature resumes later this month. Leader Jamie Baillie tells us, even the Yarmouth ferry is still a sore point for most businesses along the South Shore. He says: "My favourite piece of wisdom on the Yarmouth ferry is from a person I met in Liverpool who said, 'you know it really isn't the Yarmouth ferry .. its the Nova Scotia ferry and it just happened to dock in Yarmouth'. Its such an important piece of our tourism infrastructure, our rural economy and yet its bizaarely the one thing the NDP government has cut while the provincial budget grows in so many other areas."
The government is expected to unveil its budget in mid to late April.

Council defers dog by-law until March 12 meeting

Colleen Baker

Bridgewater council has deferred a decision on moving ahead with their dog by-law. A presentation Monday night by Colleen Baker with Shaid Tree animal shelter convinced council to revise wording in the by-law. She points out, the one thing the group doesn't like, is the dog catcher or any town police officer can choose to euthanize a dog if its deemed dangerous. She says creating a council of three people could better determine if a dog should be put down or not.

"If a dog is actually hanging off a person and also another animal, then we would never stand and say 'save that dog' with our posters and stuff like that. I think what we're trying to do is give a level playing field to the owners and the dogs and make sure the dog has a fair hearing and with three people instead of one."

Baker has suggested the council could be made up of a town citizen, a veterinarian and the dog catcher. Mayor Carroll Publicover says Shaid's request peaked council's interest.

"They're suggesting that there are ways to sedate the dog and quiet it and give time for a panel of three people to say whether or not that dog is in deed a danger and should be put down and when council thought about it, I think we're prepared to consider an amendment to allow that to happen."

Town council is expected to revisit the issue at their March 12 meeting.