S.O.S...Shovel Out Seniors

Their motto is "Be Prepared"...now they're committed to helping seniors shovel snow. The local 3rd Bridgewater Scout Troop is getting set to dig out local seniors with a new program called Operation S.O.S. The service is for seniors who do not have the means or connections to have their walks or driveways shoveled after a snowstorm. Shoveling is offered as a stop-gap measure until seniors can find family, friends, or a paid service to help them out. The program was started after Bridgewater Police Service received a call from an elderly woman who needed help to clear her driveway. Her son, who usually cleared her driveway, was away taking his children to university. With serious health concerns, the snow filled driveway was considered a safety issue, and the request was passed to the town's Seniors Safety Coordinator, Beth George, who contacted Scouts Canada - South Shore Area to see if they could help. Area Commissioner & Troop Scouter Peter Biddle came to the rescue, and offered to visit the woman to see how the Scouts could help. The visit turned into a quick shovel job, and the problem was resolved. The incident gave rise to an idea to offer a pilot project to have Scouts shovel out seniors that need their snow cleared.
Seniors can register for the pilot program through the Bridgewater Police Service. or contact Peter Biddle at 543-2445 .

Name the New Lunenburg School

The South Shore Regional School Board has approved the process to name the new P-to-9 school for Lunenburg. Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says the School Steering Committee forwarded the recommendation which was accepted by the Board at its monthly January meeting . Suggested names will be invited from all stakeholders including the students who will be attending the new facility. A shortlist of five names will be voted on by the students with the three names that get the most votes presented to the Board, which will make the final decision.
The new 23 million dollar school will be built on the same site as the old school on Knickle Road.

2nd Annual Memorial Pet Food Drive

The 2nd annual Memorial Pet food drive in honour of Karissa Boudreau was a major success. The event took place this past Wednesday at Cardinal Outfitters in the Bridgewater Mall.
More than $1000 was raised, as well as a truck and van load of pet food and supplies.

South Shore School Board Beliefs

The South Shore Regional School Board has adopted a "Belief Statement". Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says it will frame the work of the Board in the region. As part of a multi-year strategic plan the Board has already
approved its Mission Statement. It has three goal areas which are Student Achievement, Efficiency and Effective Operations and Board Governance.
There are seven beliefs in the statement and are as follows:
WE BELIEVE:
1/ Student learning is our primary responsibility.
2/ All students have the ability to learn
3/ Students learn at their own pace and in different ways.
4/ Learning is a partnership among home, school and community.
5/ Schools must be safe, supportive and socially just where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
6/ In the development of the whole person (cognitive, social, emotional physical and artistic)
7/ Learning is a lifelong process

Student Ambassador

A Bridgewater student has been chosen to be an ambassador of bilingualism. Madison Acker will represent Nova Scotia at French for the Future’s National Ambassador Youth Forum in Halifax from February 13th to 16th. During the four-day forum in Halifax, ambassadors will explore topics related to Canada’s Francophone cultures and the advantages and challenges of bilingualism. The Forum brings together 30 high school students from across Canada and is held in a different Canadian city each year.
Madison is a grade 12 student at Bridgewater High School. She is enrolled in the French Immersion program and is the secretary of the student council.

Retirement Allowance on the Table

There's still more bargaining ahead for the South Shore Regional School Board. NSGEU President Joan Jessome was at the Board's meeting Wednesday night to pitch a plea on behalf of the local union . She says one of the issues on the table is the retirement allowance. which comes in many different formulas such as a week of salary for every year of service . Jessome says the proposal they put forward is very very moderate compared to what many public sector employees already enjoy. Jessome admitted it's very irregular for any union to make a pitch at a school board on a labour relations issue that's at the bargaining table.In fact, she says she has never done it before.

School Board Workers Ratify Deal

CUPE school board workers with the South Shore Regional School Board have overwhelmingly ratified their new contract. CUPE National Representative Carl Crouse says the members of Local 46-82 have voted 97% in favour of the five-year deal which sees a 2.9 percent increase retroactive for the years 2007,
08 and 09.. There is also a one percent wage increase for the years 2010 and 2011. The contract contains wage hikes totalling more than 10 percent over the life of the deal. As well the South Shore Board has also agreed to adjust the Head Mechanic rate to $22.46 effective April 1, 2009.

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Big Tancook Elementary School to Remain Open

A victory for the residents of Big Tancook who will get to keep their school. The South Shore Regional School Board voted unanimously last night to conclude the school review process and keep Big Tancook Elementary School open. The Board also voted not to conduct a further review until 2020, or unless enrolment drops below 3 students. One option would have seen the students taking the ferry to Chester, but even Dr. Jim Gunn who authored the consultants report which initiated the formal review process was against having the younger children having to leave the island to attend school.
Hillary Dionne the Chair of the school's advisory council was overwhelmed with emotion when she heard the Board's decision. Her six year old daughter and nine year old son are among the five students currently attending Big Tancook Elementary.

Honours for the Blues man

A hometown honour for the late Dutch Mason known as the "Prime Minister of the Blues.". Lunenburg Town Council approved a procedural policy for the recognition of Prominent Lunenburgers and Mason will be among the inaugural honorees. The event is in the planning process as Council would like to see a minimum of five names submitted for the initial ceremony. Council also set guidelines to only consider people who have passed away for a minimum of three years.
Mason was born in Lunenburg in 1938 and lived in Masons Beach for 11 years before moving with his family to Kentville. He died December 23rd, 2006

Karissa Boudreau memorial pet food drive

Friends and Family of the late Karissa Boudreau are holding a memorial pet food drive today to honour her memory.
From 11am until 6pm outside of Cardinal Outfitters in the Bridgewater Mall the "Karissa Boudreau Memorial Pet Food Drive" will be taking place. All donations will be going to the Lunenburg County SPCA.
Karissa had aspirations of one day becoming a veterinarian,and would be greatly pleased knowing that animals in distress are being helped in her memory.
Some donation suggestions are:cat and kitten food,kitty litter,water dishes,pet beds,pet toys,etc.

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/event.php?eid=241433239575

LED Lights for Lunenburg

It could be another first for the Town of Lunenburg. The UNESCO designated site could become the first such one in North America to be completely lit with L-E-D roadlights. There's already 60 of the energy efficient mercury-free lights installed as part of a pilot project. Mayor Laurence Mawhinney says the Town will seek funding through ECO-Trust Nova Scotia to cost share in replacing the remaining 532 street lights.
LED Roadway Lighting says the Town could recover it's investment of 178 thousand dollars because of reduced energy costs. The company is also offering a 10 year guarantee which would cover off the period during which the lights would be paid for

Energy Retrofits for Town Buildings

The Town of Bridgewater is going for more funding from Eco Nova Scotia for solar and oil heating retrofits. Mayor Carroll Publicover says Council pre-approved up to 85 thousand dollars pending 50 percent co-funding to implement the projects as part of the Town's Energy Management Plan. Town properties to be retrofitted include Town Hall, the public works garage, the fire hall, police station and DesBrisay Museum. The Town was recently notified it will receieve 58, 000 dollars to upgrade 11 buildings based on recommendations from an energy audit.

Terms of Reference for Parks,Recreation & Culture

Town Council has adopted amendments to the terms of reference for the Bridgewater Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission. Mayor Carroll Publicover says the Commission will now become strictly an advisory committee to Council as opposed to a body that can make a determination of direction.
The selection criteria has also been expanded to include citizens from not only the Town of Bridgewater, but also from the whole of Lunenburg County.
Along with six citizens, two councillors from the Town will also sit on the the committee. The new terms of reference take effect April 1st.

Councils Donate to Haitian Relief

The Mayors and Warden of Lunenburg County are collectively donating 5 thousand dollars for relief efforts in Haiti . Mayor Don Downe of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, Bridgewater Mayor Carroll Publicover, Mahone Bay Mayor Joe Feeney, Lunenburg Mayor Laurence Mawhinney and Warden Alan Webber of the Municipality of the District of Chester says the team effort is on behalf of their respective councils and residents. The funds will be directed through Maritime Command and are targeted for the coastal area of Jacmel where the sailors of HMCS Halifax are involved in restoration efforts. It's also the home of the mother of the Governor-General.

H1N1 Shots

South West Health continues to encourage people to get their H1N1 flu shot.
In South West Health, you can get the H1N1 Flu Shot at Public Health Offices in Digby, Shelburne and Yarmouth Counties. Since the start of the H1N1 immunization program, there has been over 34, 000 doses of vaccine distributed in South West Health through a variety of means, including public immunization clinics, primary health care providers, hospitals, long term care facilities and schools.
In South West Health, you can get the H1N1 Flu Shot at Public Health Offices in Digby, Shelburne and Yarmouth Counties. Here is how to get an appointment:

1. Call the nearest Public Health Office (phone numbers below)
2. Leave your name and contact information
3. Public Health staff will call you back to make an appointment

PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICES
Yarmouth 902-742-7141
Shelburne / Barrington 902-875-2623
Meteghan 902-645-2325
Digby 902-245-2557

Some physicians are also giving flu shots to their patients. Call your doctor to check.

Queens Place

Queens Place will become a reality with tenders expected to go in the spring. At a special council meeting this morning, the Region of Queens Municipality approved moving forward with the contract documents and working drawings. The design development phase is now complete with the class "B" estimate for the project 19 million, 937 thousand, 596 dollars based on current construction costs.
The final space program for Queens Place includes an NHL sized arena , a walking track, fitness centre with aerobics studio, community room, canteen, youth health centre and associated common areas. An outdoor pool can be added at a later date and allowances have been made in the design to accommodate one easily although it is not included in this design. The federal government has contributed close to 7 million while the province kicked in 5 million. the province and close to $7million from the federal government. The Region of Queens will contribute the remaining funds through reserves, fundraising of $1.5million and capital financing up to $4million.

New Chief Executive Officer of South Shore Health

Acting CEO Alice Leverman has been appointed to the position full time. South Shore Health Board Chair, Roxie Smith made the annoucement today..she says Leverman has been a highly respected and valued member of the senior executive team at South Shore Health since 2001 and has shown tremendous strategic leadership in her role as Acting CEO. Leverman replaces Kevin McNamara who recently accepted a position as Deputy Minister of Health for Nova Scotia.

USE CAUTION BEFORE DONATING

Nova Scotia RCMP are warning people to use caution before donating to any type of aid agencies that promise to help people in Haiti. News of devastating earthquake prompted many Canadians to donate but as predictable as earthquake aftershocks are following natural disasters, "scanners" also emerge to take advantage of the tragic situation. In order to help prevent financial loss and to ensure that your donations go as far as they can, the RCMP Nova Scotia Financial Crime Section is urging people to exercise caution when donating to disaster relief.

To ensure you do not fall victim to a scam in wake of Haiti earthquake, below are a few things to be aware of when deciding where and how to donate. If you have any information regarding fraudulent charities or similar activities, please contact your local police, or call Phonebusters at 1-888-495-8501 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.


● Ask the solicitor for the registered charitable tax number of the charity. Question any discrepancies. Confirm the charity’s registration information through the Canada Revenue Agency (1-800-267-2384)

●Refuse high pressure appeals. Legitimate fund-raisers won't push you to give on the spot.

●Ask for written information about the charity, including name, address and telephone number. A legitimate charity or fund-raiser will give you information about the charity's mission and how your donation will be used.

●Ask for identification. If the solicitor refuses to tell you or does not have some form or verifiable identification, hang up or close the door and report it to law enforcement officials.

●Call the charity. Find out if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name. If not, you may be dealing with a scam artist.

●Watch out for similar sounding names. Some phony charities use names that closely resemble those of respected, legitimate organizations. If you notice a small difference from the name of the charity you intend to deal with, call the organization to check it out.

●Be wary of charities offering to send a courier or overnight delivery service to collect your donation immediately.

Cottage Fire in Bayport

One man is homeless following a fire at a Bayport cottage used as a year round residence. Riverport and District Fire Department along with Dayspring were called to the Shore Boat View Campgrounds in Bayport around 10:30 Monday morning. The wooden building was fully engulfed in flames. Sherman Conrad who owns the property suffered burns to his face and the back of his head. He was treated on scene. The tenant who lives in the cottage was at work at the time of the blaze It's believed propane was the cause of the fire.

Bridgewater Building Boom

It appears construction continues to boom in Bridgewater. Despite a gloomy economy the Town recorded its second highest building permit total in 18 years . The value of building permits issued from January to December 2009 was 17.9 million, 131 percent of the same period in 2008. Councillor Bill McInnis says the second highest total happened in a year when a recession was on so the totals are significant. The banner year for the Town was 2007 when permit values totalled 25 point 5 million dollars.