Too Many Unsecured Dollars Going To Big Corporations: McNeil

The province's NDP government promised, prior to being elected three years ago, to create 2 thousand jobs a year. However, Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says that promise fizzled in the early-going and now close to 8-thousand jobs have been lost. He says much of the problem has been created by the government handing out millions of dollars in un-secured grants and subsidies.


McNeil says 5 large corporations, including Bowater Mersey owner Resolute Forest Products, have received or were promised funds by the Dexter government and have ended up laying off a total of almost 11-hundred workers. In Bowater's case, the entire operation was closed for good throwing 320 people out of work.

Acadia First Nation's Well-Paid Chief & Councillors

The chief and band councillors of the Acadia First Nation are being challenged to explain their salaries and expenses. Acadia represents aboriginals living along the South Shore to Yarmouth. Last year, the band quietly reduced the annual salaries of chief and council after complaints from its membership.Canadian Taxpayers Federation Atlantic President Kevin Lacey says the band's chief Deborah Robinson and councillors need to be more open.



The Acadia chief has held her position for 25 years and stands to gain a pension of 125-thousand dollars when she retires. Her annual salary is now totals $150-thousand dollars.

Welcome Home Celebration Planned For Jenna

 

It's a welcome home party for the South Shore's biggest role model. Municipal and community leaders are organizing a victory party for Jenna Martin as she returns home from the London Olympics. The event will be held on Thursday night at HB Studio's Sports Centre on Glen Allen Drive in Bridgewater beginning at 7:30PM. Municipality of Lunenburg mayor Don Downe says it's an opportunity to show Martin that the region is proud of her efforts.



Martin is expected to talk about her experiences in London while a number of local dignitaries are expected to deliver speeches as well. The 24 year-old created a huge buzz when she qualified for the semi-final in the 400M sprint event in her first appearance at an Olympic Games. Martin returns to Nova Scotia today after taking part in last night's closing ceremony of the 2012 London Games.

Hector Will Re-Offer For Seat On Chester Council

The councillor for Blandford-East Chester will seek re-election in municipal elections in October. Marshal Hector was elected in 2000 and is seeking his fourth term on Chester council. Hector has enjoyed his 12 years as an elected official and says he has the time and energy to seek another term. He says a key goal for him and council is to help improve the quality of life for residents throughout the municipality.



Hector says another key initiative is make sure there is continued support for community organizations. He is a retired businessman and the former owner of Hubbards Home Hardware. Municipal and school board elections will be held throughout the province on October 20th.

NSP: Failed Insulator Caused Power Outage

Nova Scotia Power is reporting a failed insulator at their substation in Auberndale to be the cause for last night's outage. Over 6,000 people were without power because of the incident, which occurred around 8:30pm. Company spokesperson, David Rodenhiser, says the failed insulator could cause a loud bang and flash.



Power was restored early this morning. The outage affected people all across the South Shore.

What Was That Big BANG!?

People from Liverpool to Yarmouth and through the Annapolis Valley are scratching their heads trying to figure out what was that big bang and rumbling they heard last night. Its also big chat this morning on Facebook and on Twitter. "The Big Bang Theory" has been ruled out but some people are wondering if it had anything to do with power outages in the region last night and earlier this morning. There has been no word from any officials about it.