Clipper Grounded

It's the end of a south shore community newspaper - at least in a format that you can light the woodstove with. This week's edition of the Chester Clipper says their last publication will be coming up on November 10th. An article on the front page says owner Colin MacDonald is assessing it's future because ad revenues have dropped to a level that the paper is no longer viable. The website associated with the Chester Clipper will continue to operate though. The paper was started almost ten years ago and they show a current circulation of just over 10,000 copies.

Wharf Assault Delay

One of the men charged in connection with an assault at the Chester government wharf earlier this summer has requested more time to see a lawyer. Twenty-eight year old Chad Wesley Swinimer of Chester along with a co-accused are facing resulting from a late night altercation at the wharf on August 20th. A woman was taken to hospital with serious head injuries after she allegedly got involved in a disagreement between her husband and three other men. Swinimer is accused of striking the woman and her husband with a wooden fence stake. He's charged with two counts of assault with a weapon, two counts of assault causing bodily harm, aggravated assault, assault and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
He's also facing two drug charges including production and possession for the purpose of trafficking. Swinimer is slated to return to court November 18th to enter pleas. Meantime, 26 year old Joel Ray Meister has elected to be tried by a Supreme Court judge alone on the charges he's facing in relation to the wharf incident. A preliminary hearing has been set for next March 25th.

Bathroom Plans

A public washroom for the Village of Chester is one step closer. The Village Commission recently unveiled plans for a new washroom at the Lido Pool at a cost of about 70 thousand dollars. Chester Warden Alan Webber says Municipal Council has indicated they might be able to offer some assistance but hasn't had any recent communication with the Commission. The Village Commission had previously made a request to Council for assistance with the washroom, and upgrades to the changehouses.

Racing Fun

They come from all over for Chester Race week almost splitting the Village at its seams. It's a party atmosphere, but Warden Allan Webber says they don't want the party-goers to get out of hand and the area will be well patrolled. Whether you're a landlubber or a yacht racer, the welcome mat is out at the Chester Yacht Club. This years Chester Race Week runs from the 12th to the 15th.

Water Speed Limits

With things about to get busy on the water with Chester Race Week, a timely advisory from the RCMP. Constable Brandy Steeves sent out a news release about complaints police were getting about seadoos speeding in Chester Harbour. She says they wanted to remind boaters and pleasure craft operators to note the posted speed limits and respect them. Chester Race Week starts tomorrow. It's billed as Canada's largest keel boat regatta.

Rudy Retires (a bit)

It's the end of an era for a Visionary Environmentalist. Tonight will see Martin Rudy Haase stepping down as Executive Secretary of the Friends of Nature Conservation Society - a group he founded in Maine in 1954. Haase emigrated to Nova Scotia, forming a Canadian Chapter in 1967. Federal Green Party leader Elizabeth May will be at Monday night's meeting. Rudy will be Sheldon's special guest this weekend on South Shore Sunday Morning.

Chester Taxes

Tax rates are going up slightly in the Municipality of Chester. Warden Allan Webber says regrettably the trend of lowering the tax rate over the past four years could not be continued. Residential rates increase by 1.67 percent to 61 cents per 100 dollars of assessment. Commercial rates rise by 2.72 percent, to $1.51 up from $1.47. Council approved a 19.5 million dollar budget yesterday. Warden Webber says a number of factors came into play including the current global economic situation. One casualty of this budget is the proposed indoor swimming pool complex which has been cancelled. Webber says the project did not receive broad based public support for an expenditure of this magnitude.

Furnace Finances

The Forties Community Centre is looking for a lifeline from Chester Council. Warden Allan Webber says they're asking for a $16,000 grant to replace their hot water furnace Webber says the Municipality has been swamped with grant requests this year and there's only so much money to go around. The Community Centre still has four years left on its mortgage and has no additional funding for the emergency cost of replacing the furnace.

Retraining Money

It's close to 90-thousand dollars from the federal government to help unemployed workers in Eastern Lunenburg County. South Shore/St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy announced the funding today for the South Shore Community Service Association. The money is going to the Chester Career Resource Center. He says the Conservative government is pleased to help unemployed Nova Scotians develop the skills, knowledge and experience they need to move forward. The Center will help 200 new unemployeed workers with job search support, skills workshops, career exploration services and referrals for appropriate interventions. The funding will also allow the organization to continue providing services to approximately 120 existing clients in Chester municipality.