Councillor Suggests More Info Needed On Tax Bills

A councillor with the Municipality of Lunenburg is looking to create more transparency. John Veinot put forward an initiative that would show residents where there money is going on their tax bills. He says people seem confused about the two-and-a-half cent special tax towards the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. Veinot says it could clear things up if all costs were released.



The municipality's residential tax rate is currently at 80 cents per 100 of assessment. The notion was carried and will go to the public relations and communications committee for review.

MODL Concerned About Bridgewater Intersection

It's a change that needs to happen sooner rather than later, according to Arthur Young. The councillor with the Municipality of Lunenburg is looking for answers after the province's transportation department denied a request for traffic lights at the intersection where highway 325 meets the William Wile Road and Logan Road. Officials say it doesn't meet criteria but Young disagrees.



Committee of the Whole have decided to create an ad hoc committee. The committee will try and set up a meeting with department officials and local MLA Gary Ramey to determine a solution.

UPDATE: Closing Arguments Conclude In Leopold Trial

Closing arguments wrapped up today in the second degree murder trial of a Liverpool man after a sudden development in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. Defence lawyers for 33 year-old Jamie Leopold decided not to call any witnesses this morning in the court case. The move comes after the jury heard the end of a nine-hour police interview on Monday where Leopold told police he fatally struck Laura Lee Robertson in the neck but it was an accident. Leopold has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Robertson last April. Crown attorney's argue Leopold intended to kill Robertson based on testimony from a forensic expert who determined she was killed by some form of asphyxiation. However, defence lawyer Chris Manning says Leopold had no choice but to act quickly after Robertson bit his penis during a drunken sexual act on April 13, 2011. Manning presented photos of Leopold's injury to the jury today which still had not healed when the photos were taken five weeks after the alleged incident last year. The twelve member jury is expected to begin deliberations tomorrow morning.

Defence Rests In Bridgewater "Leopold Trial"

In a sudden new development this morning, defence lawyers for 33 year old James LeRoy Leopold have rested their case and will not call any witnesses.  Leopold has been on trial in Bridgewater Supreme Court on a second degree murder charge in the death of Laura Lee Robertson in April of 2011. 

The development came this morning after the jury heard a nine hour police video taped interview yesterday, in which Leopold told investigators her death was an accident.  Closing arguments are now taking place.

Jury deliberations will likely begin tomorrow.  The six man, six woman panel will be tasked with the job of determining whether or not Leopold intended to kill Robertson.

Day 5: Leopold Trial Resumes in Supreme Court

Defence lawyers for 33 year-old Jamie Leopold will call their first witness today in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. The Liverpool man has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second degree murder in the death of Laura Lee Robertson. Crown attorney's presented their final piece evidence on Monday in Bridgewater. The twelve member jury heard Leopold describe details of Robertson's death yesterday which he said was caused by a single blow to the neck on the night of April 13th, 2011. The details were revealed to the panel towards the tail end of a marathon interrogation interview. The jury heard Leopold tell investigators they were both drinking heavily at the time and her death was accident. The trial is expected to wrap up on Friday.

Former Lumberjack Conrad Back In Bridgewater

Jacob Conrad

A familiar face is back home and ready to try and bring an MHL title to Bridgewater. 19-year-old Jacob Conrad of New Germany, who has spent the last three seasons with the Gatineau Olympique of the QMJHL, will be suiting up for the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks this year. Conrad says he looks forward to playing in front of the hometown crowd.

Conrad had 11 points in 47 games last year with Gatineau. He played with the Lumberjacks for 21 games in 2009-10 before getting called up to the Olympique. He hopes to make an impact with the Lumberjacks as quickly as possible.

Bridgewater Lowers Tax Rate, Approves 2012-13 Budget

The tax rate is going down in the town of Bridgewater. Council lowered the residential rate from almost $1.67 per 100 of assessment to $1.65 and dropped the commercial rate from $4.05 to $3.99. Members also gave thumbs up to a capital budget of just over $2.8-million and a balanced operating budget of over $19.5-million. Mayor Carroll Publicover calls it a responsible budget.



Council voted 5-1 in favour of the budget. Jim Bell voted against, saying he couldn't support taking money out of reserves to balance the operating budget.