1688 PLFA President Resigns

The board of directors with the 1688 Professional Lobster Fishermen Association has revealed its newly-minted president has resigned. A press release from the group says John Crandall Nickerson has stepped down from the position effective immediately after some people in the industry disapproved the decision of him being president. The release explains Nickerson was put in a position where he had to choose between his full time employment or the association. A pair of meetings being held in Wedgeport and Barrington over the next few weeks have been temporarily cancelled until further notice. The 1688 PLFA board of directors is asking members to submit nominees for the president position.

Town Excludes Skate Park Design From Budget Pre-Approval

Bridgewater town council has pre-approved a number of capital projects for their 2013-14 budget, but a detailed design for a skate park was left off the list. Council decided to forgo the matter, instead choosing to bring it up during the budget process. The six projects that were pre-approved include repair to the York Street bridge, land purchase along St. Phillips Street and an IT assessment. Mayor David Walker feels a detailed design for the skate park can wait.



The total amount pre-approved by council is just over $1.1-million in the capital budget.

Fire Department History Project Receives Federal Funds

A project highlighting past contributions to Lunenburg County fire departments is getting financial help from Ottawa. MP Gerald Keddy is providing $25,000 to the "Greatest Volunteer Success Story in our lifetime: Fire Departments in Lunenburg County" project. The funding is being provided through the 'New Horizons For Seniors' program. The project honours the past efforts of firefighters in the Municipality of Lunenburg and towns of Bridgewater, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg. A book will be created showcasing seniors sharing their stories and contributions to the fire service. Local fire departments will then sell the book as a fundraiser.

Queens Mayor Relieved Government Funding Comes Through

The Nova Scotia government is extending an olive branch to the Region of Queens. The province will pay an additional $500,000 toward renovations and improvements at Queens General Hospital. It's a welcomed gesture following the closure of the Bowater Mersey mill last June. The money will cover the municipalities final two payments to South Shore Health for the $16 million hospital project. Mayor Christopher Clarke says the provincial funding will lessen the blow on the region's tax rates.



Clarke says council made a commitment to the hospital project during better times when the Bowater Mill was still operating and the municipality was in a stronger financial position. The Queens General Health project will feature a new collaborative health care clinic and the redevelopment of 22 inpatient units. It's expected to be ready in the spring of 2014. The province indicates it will also offer support to the Municipality of Lunenburg to help offset it's lost revenue due to the closure of the Oakhill Sawmill.

School Board: Members Expected To Discuss Minister's Recommendations

The future of a South Shore school is expected to be up for discussion this evening. School Board members will receive a letter from the education minister regarding her recommendation to forego school closures for the current year while a new review process is created. The board decided late last month to close Gold River-Western Shore Elementary in September and send students to Chester. The board wanted to explore legal opinion on its options, so it's not clear if a decision will be made during tonight's meeting. It gets underway at 7pm at the board office in Bridgewater.

Wednesday: Hospital Non-Urgent Clinic Open

Bridgewater's non-urgent care clinic will be open for the third straight day. The clinic is located in the regional hospital. It's been established to deal with minor illnesses or those in need of prescription refills. Residents will need to book an appointment in order to see a doctor at the clinic.  It's open today between 10:30am and 3:30pm. The number to call for appointments (between 8 and 10 am) is 527-5815. South Shore Health will look at announcing more clinic dates next month.