E-Votes Pouring In Around South Shore

It appears residents of Bridgewater and Chester are liking the option of casting their ballots either by phone or online. Chester has recorded 543 total votes through evoting since the polls opened on Thursday. The break down has 173 votes via TelVote and 370 votes via WebVote. In Bridgewater, 357 residents have already voted with 305 via Internet and 52 over the phone. E-voting in the Town of Bridgewater and Municipality of Chester will continue until October 20th and October 18th respectively. Meanwhile, advanced polls will also open tomorrow for residents who live within the Municipality of Lunenburg and Town of Mahone Bay. Voting those those jurisdictions will take place between 12PM and 8PM on Saturday with the traditional paper ballot system in place.

Lunenburg Mayoralty Candidate Says She Has The Right Stuff



Rachel Bailey

 For the first time in more than a generation, the municipal election ballot in Lunenburg will "not" contain the name ... Laurence Mawhinney! The venerable mayor of 33 years is retiring and "that" has some people in the town concerned about life after the MaWhinney era. However, mayoralty candidate Rachel Bailey says no fears .... she's ready to step up to the plate and take-on the challenge.



Bailey has experience on Lunenburg town council and as deputy-mayor. Ron Stockton is the other candidate seeking to replace Laurence MaWhinney. Election day is October 20th.

Health Authority Earns Highest Accreditation Level

South Shore Health has received a distinction few organizations can boast about. The authority has been accredited with exemplary standing. It's the highest honour possible from Accreditation Canada. CEO for South Shore Health, Peter Vaughan, says staff is well-deserving of the honour.



Vaughan says they moved up to exemplary standing after developing strategies to address issues in patient identification and client and families role in safety. He says this is the first time South Shore Health has received the recognition.

Yarmouth Company Providing South Shore Shuttle

Bernie Melanson

A surprising twist came out of Thursday night's Utility and Review Board hearing in Bridgewater on a new regional bus service. Trius Tours was looking to abandon their service on the South Shore, but instead, Yarmouth-based Bernie's Shuttle Service has stepped up and will carry-on the service. The company has one eight-passenger and two six-passenger vehicles to service the route to Halifax. Owner Bernie Melanson says it's a new challenge.



Meanwhile, Trius Tours owner, Mike Cassidy, says the timing of Acadian Lines decision to shut down its business played a factor in abandoning service to the South Shore.



Melanson says its too early to say where the route will stop or how much it will cost. He looks forward to providing the service and feels its important to local residents.

Gas Prices Fall (& Rise) At South Shore Pumps

As expected, gasoline prices have decreased overnight on the South Shore. One particular grade is up though. While regular self serve is down almost 4.5 cents a litre, diesel is up almost 3 cents. Self serve regular is a dollar-37-point-3 while diesel is selling at a dollar-38. High test gas is also down a bit this morning.