Lunenburg: Zwicker Will Not Re-Offer

 A town councillor in Lunenburg has decided not to re-offer in the upcoming municipal election. Peter Zwicker was first elected in 2004 and announced on Tuesday he will not seek re-election in October. During his eight years on council he has served as deputy mayor, chair of the Planning Advisory Committee and a strong proponent and supporter of Lunenburg’s first Strategic Plan. In making the announcement, Zwicker told CKBW/HANK FM it has been a pleasure and an honour to have served the residents of the historic community.

Zwicker says it was a tough decision but hopes it will allow others the opportunity to become involved in their community.

Dollivers Brook Bridge: Closes For Repair

The province's department of transportation will begin work on the Dollivers Brook Bridge in Voglers Cove on Thursday. The bridge will close until the end of the month while the structure is being replaced. In the meantime, a detour, using Highway 103 and Hirtle Road is available for motorists. The bridge is located on Route 331.

Support Offices Open In Liverpool & Bridgewater

The province is offering more support for workers affected by the shutdown of the Bowater Mersey paper mill. Offices in Liverpool and Bridgewater are staffed with a team of career counsellors and specialists in job training. The province's deputy minister of labour, Jeff Conrad, says the team will work with people on career options and services, skills assessments and training. Conrad says information sessions that will cover issues such as EI claims will begin next month.



The team includes members of Employment Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Adult Education, as well as municipal and federal staff and resources. Support teams are located in two locations. South Shore Opportunities in Liverpool, 7 Henry Hensey Drive, 902-354-2616 and Employment Solutions Society in Bridgewater at 215 Dominion Street, 902-543-2479. Additional information can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/employmentnovascotia 
 

Support includes:

-- making sure workers have accurate information about career options and services so they can make informed decisions about their next steps

-- individual skill assessments

-- essential skills development such as computer use, resume writing, literacy upgrading

-- identification of self-employment options and support for business startups

-- customized training options for people that move them directly into employment, through programs like One Journey or Link, that match people with specific skill sets to employers.

Baillie: Resolute Needs To Compensate Bowater Workers & Companies

PC Leader Jamie Baillie

The province needs to insure a lot of people aren't left in the lurch financially with the closure of the Bowater Mersey paper mill.  That comment today from provincial PC Leader Jamie Baillie.  During a CKBW/Hank-fm News interview, the PC leader says sawmills and truckers owed money by Bowater's parent company, Resolute Forest Products, need to be paid and right away and the hundreds of workers at the plant itself need compensation too.


Baillie says there is still a bright future for the forest industry on the South Shore despite the demise of  Bowater.  He says the right business just needs to be found to tap into it. Baillie tells us everyone pulling together: politicians, business and the community in general, will insure that happens.



Baillie says among other things, the transition committee setup by the government needs to spearhead the way in finding newer and stronger markets for wood chips and lumber to help take up a bit of the slack from the closure of Bowater.

BREAKING: Don Downe To Re-Offer For Mayor

The mayor for the District of Lunenburg has announced he will re-offer for the position. Don Downe confirmed his decision Tuesday during an exclusive interview with CKBW/HANK-FM. The mayor was first elected into the seat in 2008 after representing Lunenburg West as an MLA from 1993 until 2003. He says he's ready for another term and expects to be challenged for the seat.



The decision didn't come easy for Downe. He says he was approached to run for provincial politics again, but decided against it.



He adds, it was a tough decision to make because of time commitments and daily challenges that come with the position. Downe says he's proud of the work council has done over the last four years. But, he says issues remain like improving services at the solid waste facility in Whynott's Settlement and potentially sharing services with Mahone Bay and Bridgewater. More details to come.