Transporting Rock Leads To Cost Overruns For LCLC

There have been some cost overruns related to work on the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. Change orders have affected the budget after additional money was spent on transporting a large quantity of rock material from the construction site. The slate management budget is believed to be over-budget by about $294,000. However, Municipality of Lunenburg mayor Don Downe says there are contingency funds in place for the $33.5-million project. He says things happen when building a new facility.



Overall, Downe says the rainy-day fund has kept the project on budget.

Bridgewater Supports Relocating Visitor Centre

Bridgewater council is supporting a move to relocate the Visitor Information Centre to make it more visible. Members approved drafting a lease agreement with the Municipality of Lunenburg that would see the VIC move from its temporary location in Cookville to an area just off exit 11. The centre has been in Cookville for the last two years. Bridgewater's rep on the joint committee, Patrick Hirtle, says the VIC needs to move.



If approved, both Bridgewater and the Municipality of Lunenburg would pay approximately $23,000 each over 10-years for the new centre.

Bluenose II Re-Launch Set For September 29th

An all-day celebration is planned to mark the re-launch of Bluenose II in Lunenburg later this month. After a two-year - $16 million dollar rebuild - Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador will make a return to the water on Saturday, September 29th. Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leonard Preyra says thousands of people are expected to watch the official relaunch, when Bluenose II slides into the water from the slipway. The schooner will then be winched out and towed beside the Fisheries Museum for the event. Highlights of the relaunch event will feature family entertainment and local talent in the afternoon. The evening Bluenose ll celebration will include top East Coast talent, a video and a fireworks presentation.

Meisner Will Battle Downe For Mayor's Chair

There will be a mayor's race in the Municipality of Lunenburg. Upper Northfield resident Kirk Meisner has confirmed with CKBW/HANK-FM News that he will challenge Don Downe for the mayor's seat. Meisner is making his first run for the mayor's chair. Downe announced in June he would seek a second term. He was first elected in 2008 after a lengthy career in provincial politics.

Yarmouth Shelter Seeks Government Understanding & Help

SHYFT House - Yarmouth

Homeless youth is not a social problem unique to the city. Its a province-wide issue according to the co-chair of a shelter in the Yarmouth area. Bernadette MacDonald says the provincial government, which didn't renew funding for the shelter last year, doesn't understand the issue.



The Supportive Housing Youth Focus team, or SHYFT, was designed to provide troubled and homeless teens with a place to live while helping integrate them into the community. Now, enough money has been provided by the federal government to keep the facility open daily from 8am to 8pm. However, SHIFT is in need of about 40-thousand dollars to hire "live-in" staff for a 24-7 operation until at least next June.
Officials are looking to government, foundations and fundraising to help reach their goal.

Chamber President Will Seek Chester Village Seat

The president of the chamber of commerce in Chester will throw his hat in the ring to represent residents of the village at the council table. Ben Wiper is a local businessman from Marriott's Cove and has served on the chamber board for the past six years. He is seeking election in District 3 and will challenge incumbent Brad Armstrong for the seat when municipal elections are held next month. Wiper says his campaign will focus on promoting growth in Chester and feels the municipality could benefit from hiring an economic development officer.



Wiper also cites access to health care and daycare as top priorities during his campaign.

Election: Final Day To Submit Nomination Papers

It's the last day for potential candidates to submit nomination papers in advance of next month's municipal and school board elections. The deadline to file is Tuesday evening at 5 o'clock. Every municipality will hold an advance poll on Tuesday, October 16th while a second advance polling day will be held on either Thursday, October 11th or Saturday, October 13th. Residents are being asked to watch for specific advance polling dates within their municipality. Election day is October 20th.