Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Tax Rates Remain Unchanged In Municipality of Shelburne

The Municipality of Shelburne has approved their operating and capital budgets for 2013-14. Council members agreed to a $5.9-million operating budget and $2.68-million capital budget following their recent deliberations. Meanwhile, residents will continue to pay $1.28 per 100 of assessment for a tax rate while businesses remain at $1.82. CAO Kirk Cox says council felt strongly to keep the same tax rates.




Cox says the capital budget provides investments to key priorities including $440,000 for a wind turbine, over $190,000 for phase four of the sewage treatment plant, $200,000 for upgrades to the Shelburne medical clinic and over $1.2-million for industrial park development. He says the municipality also invested an additional $200,000 to five reserve funds for future operations. This total reserve amount is approximately $2.5-million.

Mother Charged In Daughter's Death Elects Judge & Jury Trial

A 31-year-old woman accused of running over her nine year-old daughter in a driveway has elected to be tried by judge and jury. Candice Roxanne Moore is facing charges of criminal negligence causing death and impaired driving causing death. Moore's daughter, Olive, died after she was struck by a vehicle on Corkum Diverson Road in Pleasantville on January 19th. Mounties laid charges against Moore a few weeks after the incident. A preliminary inquiry into the matter will take place November 29th in Bridgewater.

Election/Plea Expected In Young Girls Death

The case of a mother accused of running over her nine-year old daughter in a driveway is back in court today. Candice Roxanne Moore is facing charges including impaired driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death. Moore was charged after the girl was struck in a driveway January 19 in Pleasantville. Olive Moore died from her injuries shortly after the incident occurred on Corkum Diverson Road. The woman's lawyer, Cathy Benton, is expected to appear on her behalf. Election or plea is expected to be entered during this afternoon's court proceedings.

Local School Buses Getting High Definition Cameras

Officials are hoping some high definition cameras on local school buses will deter motorists from driving through flashing red lights. Transportation coordinator for the South Shore Regional School Board, Denise Crouse, says they've been getting too many reports of drivers running the buses red lights. She adds, they've had trouble identifying the offenders and producing convictions. However, Crouse says that's about to change.



Crouse says luckily there have been no incidents with children getting off buses and traffic. The new high definition cameras will be in place for the upcoming school year.

MODL: Future Of Former Blockhouse School To Be Decided June 25

The future use of the former Blockhouse School won't be decided until next week. A public hearing was held Tuesday night to hear arguments for and against the South Shore Ventures Co-op trying to buy the property for less than market value. The group is trying to develop new sustainable approaches in the facility, but those against the matter argue they wouldn't be able to upkeep the property or gather necessary funding. Mayor Don Downe says it was good to hear both sides.



The property's assessment for 2014 is listed at just over $123,000, but the group is looking to buy it from the municipality for one dollar. Council will discuss the matter further June 25.

Crane Display Inspires Hope For Young Cancer Patients

The idea of folding origami cranes has turned into a sign of hope for a Conquerall Bank boy. Nine-year-old Sam Bond was diagnosed with a form of Leukemia in his white blood cells three years ago. Another young cancer patient from the U.S. created a project of folding 1,000 origami cranes, after a Japanese legend which states anyone who folds that many gets a wish. Now, a set of cranes has been unveiled at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater to help inspire other young cancer patients on the South Shore. Bond's mother, Becky, says the cranes are a symbol of hope.



Bond continues to undergo chemotherapy but will end his three-year plus treatment in late December, just days before his 10th birthday. The cranes are displayed in the hospital's maternal child family waiting area on the fourth floor.