For Review: MLA's Pension, Salary & Travel

A three member panel set up to review MLA compensation has been finalized. Roy Salmon, Janet Hazelton, and John Merrick were appointed to the panel.They will review salaries, benefits, pensions, travel and constituency allowances for MLAs. Salmon served as auditor general of Nova Scotia for 14 years will be the panel's chair. Hazelton has served as president of the Nova Scotia Nurses' Union since 2002. Merrick previously worked on the public inquiry into the Westray Mine Disaster. The panel will begin its deliberations early in the New Year and will present its findings by March 31.

New Doctor Accepting Patients In Yarmouth County

A new family doctor working in Pubnico will begin accepting patients next month. South West Health says Dr. Asif Sardar will accept 100 patients during the first intake with priority given to residents of Yarmouth County. The intake process will be done over the phone on January 4. It is expected the new doctor will be able to accept a maximum of 1,000 patients over time.


Contact Information:

Patients will only be accepted by phone on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The number to call for telephone registrations is 902-742-9538.

When calling in to register, people are asked to have their MSI number, date of birth, civic address and current phone number available. People will only be considered who do not now have a primary health provider (a family physician or nurse practitioner) in South West Health ( Yarmouth, Digby or Shelburne counties.) First priority will be given to the residents of Yarmouth County.

People are asked not to phone in with a list of friends or extended family members. Dr. Asif will only consider a person and their immediate family members (spouse, parent or children) as patients.

Update: Fay Rink Improves to 4-1

Mary Fay of Chester leads the way at the AMJ Campbell Provincial Junior Curling Championships. The Fay foursome improved to 4-1, and clinched a playoff spot, with a 7-0 win this morning over Emily Manuel of Mayflower. Micayla Dorey from Chester was eliminated after a 10-2 loss to Mayflower's Hayley McCabe. McCabe and Fay battle this afternoon for a spot in the "C" division final. Three other girls' teams are still alive. The winning squad will head to the Canadian Junior championships in Liverpool next month.

Lunenburg County Salvation Army Reaches "Kettle" Goal

The Lunenburg County Salvation Army has reached its target with its annual Christmas Kettle Campaign. Ten days ago, it was 19-thousand dollars short. An appeal to the public helped in surpassing the goal.
Salvation Army Captain Felipe Vega is astounded by the success.



The final total was $57,149. It will be used to fund the children and family support programs offered through the year in the area by the Salvation Army.

Greenfield Airport Targetted By Thieves

For the second time in eight months, there has been a breakin and theft at the airport in Greenfield. Over the weekend, someone pried-open a locked door on a hanger, smashed out a window on a Cesna 172 aircraft, stole earphones, a GPS unit and welding gear and also damaged an ultra-light aircraft. Bluenose Flying Club member and hanger co-owner Barry Mercer says he's feeling frustrated by it all and he's going to take action.



The most expensive piece of gear taken was a GPS unit. Mercer says no one else can use it except pilots.



Mercer say the estimated cost of the lost gear and damage is close to 4-thousand dollars. The RCMP is investigating.

Primary Care Is Primary Focus For South Shore Health

Improving access to doctors and primary care will be a key focus for South Shore Health heading into 2014. President Dr. Peter Vaughan says they welcomed five new physicians over the past year. They've also hired four nurse practitioners and a geriatrician. Vaughan says the health authority will continue to work on attracting new staff while focusing on keeping the professionals they already have in place.



Vaughan believes the new family health centre in Bridgewater and collaborative clinic in Liverpool will improve access and help bring new doctors to the area. Both of those facilities are expected to open in the new year.

Curling: Chester Rink Nears Provincial Title

Chester's Mary Fay is one win away from the playoffs at the AMJ Campbell Provincial Junior Curling Championships in Lower Sackville. Fay faces Mayflower's Emily Manuel this morning at 9 in the "B" division qualifier. Both rinks are 3-1. Defending champ Mary Myketyn-Driscoll of Truro has already earned a playoff spot. Micayla Dorey of Chester, with a 2-2 record, is also still alive. In the boys division, Matthew Manuel of Mayflower and Robert Mayhew of Windsor lead the way with 4-1 marks. All three South Shore teams have been eliminated. This week's winners will advance to the M & M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Championships in Liverpool in mid-January.

Local Chamber Of Commerce Ready For 2014

The new year will see the beginning of major changes in the town of Bridgewater and the area Chamber of Commerce intends to be front and centre. Manager Dan Hennessey says his organization is changing to meet the times. He says 2014 will be a busy year.



Hennessey says the past year has been one of transition for the Bridgewater Area Chamber of Commerce. He says its expanding to become more community and business oriented.