Former Lieutenant Governor Kinley Passes Away

A former lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia who served as a merchant marine during the Second World War has died. John James Kinley passed away Tuesday at the age of 86. Premier Darrell Dexter says Kinley will be remembered as a respected community member, accomplished businessman and loving family man. Kinley served as president of the family foundry and engineering company in Lunenburg for more than 50 years. He was appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia in 2002 and was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal. Kinley was the province's 29th lieutenant governor from 1994 until 2000.

Projected Surplus, Capital Overage Highlight First Bridgewater Budget Meeting

Budget deliberations are underway in the town of Bridgewater. During a public meeting, Director of Finance, Dawn Keizer, projected a $650,000 surplus for the fiscal year ending 2011-12. The surplus is from an unexpected increase in deed transfer tax, reduced spending in snow removal and other areas that came in under budget. Keizer also revealed a $200,000 overage in capital spending from a sewer and sanitation project on Dominion Street. Mayor Carroll Publicover says tapping into the town's reserve funds would help pay off that project.

"It was a long time, over five years from the beginning of that project until now and cost increases over that time have really hurt us but this should be the end of it."

The next public meeting will be held May 7.

Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient Passes Away

Lunenburg County has lost one of its World War II veterans. A memorial service for Douglas Maxwell Cox of Conquerall Mills will be held Saturday after he passed away recently at Fisherman's Memorial in Lunenburg. He was 92. Cox served as navigator in Ferry Command and in Bomber Command based in the United Kingdom. He was also a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down. Cox received the Distinguished Flying Cross, given to an individual for an act or acts of valour and courage or devotion to duty performed while flying in active operations against the enemy. A memorial service and reception will be held at 2pm Saturday at Bridgewater United Church. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com .

Lunenburg: Intersection May Have Been Rushed

The mayor in Lunenburg admits construction on the Green Street/Tannery Road intersection may have been rushed. As a result, the intersection was not built wide enough to properly handle any big rigs, buses or large vehicles. Laurence Mawhinney believes the project was hurried in an effort to get the intersection completed before Bluenose Academy opened. Mawhinney says he'd like to see the issue resolved as soon as possible.

"If there is any work that needs to been done, we can do it maybe as soon as school is out...any work that needs to be done could happen in July and August when the area is not so busy with students and buses. It would be the logical time, in my opinion, if your going to make some changes to do it then,"

The town has already held meetings with MLA Pam Birdsall in hopes the province will help fund some of the costs to widen the road. However, the province has yet to commit any new funding.

Two Queens Councillors Announce Mayoral Intentions

Mervin Hartlen

Two Queens councillors have announced their intentions to replace mayor John Leefe. Mervin Hartlen started on council in 1980 until 1987. He then returned in 2000 after spending time on the school board. Hartlen says he's the right fit for mayor based on his experience.

"I've lived and worked in Queens County for the last 63 years and I think I know the people from my old profession on Nova Scotia Land Surveyor and I know what they want and I know the problems we're going through right now with seniors housing and Bowater and numerous other things and I think I can help solve some of those problems."

Hartlen says he decided to run for mayor once Leefe announced his intention to step down. Owen Hamlin is the other councillor seeking the mayor's seat. Municipal elections will be held October 20.

No Injuries After Dufferin Street Car Fire

No injuries after a car caught fire Monday night in Bridgewater. Fire officials responded to the call at 8:20pm of a car ablaze around 197 Dufferin Street. Chief Wayne Thorburne says it wasn't your typical fire.

"Well, I was talking to the owner and they had just left the parking lot and noticed smoke underneath the driver's seat, so it actually started inside the car and spread very quickly."

Thorburne says roughly 25 firefighters were on scene and had the blaze under control in a matter of minutes. He says there were two or three people in the car when it caught fire.

Bridgewater Exploring Residential And Commercial Tax Decrease

The town of Bridgewater is considering lowering its residential and commercial tax rates. Council discussed the option Monday night during the first of three budget meetings. The option would decrease the residential rate from almost $1.67 per 100 of assessment to $1.65. It would also drop the commercial rate from $4.05 to $3.99. Councillor Bill McInnis proposed the idea. He says it would be a step in the right direction.

"Will this be the cure for bringing business to the town of Bridgewater? Probably not. But at least we'll be able to say we're moving in the right direction and I'd like to see it move a lot further. Our town has seen significant growth over the last five, six and seven years and I think it's time we pay back a little dividend to the business sector, as well as the residents in our town."

The public will have another chance to have their say on the proposed budget May 7.