Regional Transit Study

It's a change of mind for the Municipality of Lunenburg to get back aboard a possible regional transit operation. Council voted to explore the
feasibility of a hybrid transit model for the partner units that integrates a fixed route service with a dial-a-ride service. Deputy-Mayor Martin Bell says Council backed off because there seemed to be an abrupt change from the original agreement which was based on a fixed route model. Bell says Council slowed down and reassessed how the other municipal units were proceeding. He says once they were confident the end result could be met and move on with the study, that's when they decided to become a partner again. A detailed analysis will be undertaken to explore existing services and how they can be integrated, then an action plan will be developed to implement such a model if deemed feasible

Council & Boundary Review

The Municipality of Lunenburg is planning a review of the size of its Council and the Polling District Boundaries. Deputy-Mayor Martin Bell says it's a proactive move to make sure the proper boundaries are being addressed. He says in the last review some of the districts ended up being rather large, but it was based on population. Bell says there is also a second consideration. He says under a Mayor instead of a Warden, the Mayor is out and involved in each and every district. He says a lot of the issues that come before Council are being worked together both by the local Councillor and the Mayor sharing the responsibility and looking for solutions. Bell says with that consideration they're looking at the fact that maybe they could reduce the number of councillors that are actually in the District of Lunenburg. Any proposed changes would have to be approved by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, with the intent to take effect with the 2012 Municipal Election.

Sewer Rates Reduced

The Municipality of Lunenburg is reducing some sewer rate charges . Council voted that the sewer rate charges for Global Sewer Rate and Hebbville Sewer Rates be reduced by 10 percent for commercial properties connected to sewer systems. Councillor Milton Countway spoke against the motion saying it's not right for one area to receive preferential treatment. He says it's a case of some businesses having to pay to support their competition and it should be fair all across the municipality.The deficit created by the reduction will be funded through the general tax rate.

Police Car Purchase

Bridgewater Town Council has given pre-budget approval for the police department to buy back the vehicle used by the South Shore Street Crime Enforcement Unit. Mayor Carroll Publicover says the lease expires April 1st, and it's a cost saver for the Town. He says although the Chev Impala is a 2007, it doesn't get severe use and has been fairly well treated. He says the mileage is not extreme and the Town can purchase out the lease and still get a good number of years of use out of the vehicle.The matter was brought to Council for early approval of the capital budget in the amount of 11 thousand, 245 dollars and 50 cents plus taxes.

Performing Arts Venue in Bridgewater

A business relationship has been reached between a newly established Performing Arts group in Bridgewater with Empire Theatres Studio 7. The Performing Arts group was formed to help create a venue for live performances in the Town. Empire Theatre will provide use of one of its studios for live performances as scheduling permits. Mayor Carroll Publicover says a venue for live performances has been needed in Bridgewater for a long time . The Performing Arts Group hopes to hold at least one event each month, with the exception of May and November. The first event has already been booked for April 28th at 7p.m. Air Traffic Control will launch their newest CD.."Can't Kill Love."
The Performing Arts Group is asking for people wishing to become a volunteer with the performing arts group to contact Ida Scott, Manager, Bridgewater Development Association by phone 902-527-6278,or by email at manager@smartbridgewater.ca.

Interpretive Panel Project

Sperry Design Inc. has been awarded the proposal for the Town's Riverfront Renaissance Interpretive Panel Project at a cost of almost 4 thousand dollars per panel. Council endorsed the proposal even though it was not the lowest price submitted . Councillor David Mitchell voted against the proposal saying the cost issue should be looked at as well as the scoring criteria. Six companies responded to the call for proposals with prices ranging from 17 to 58 thousand dollars for the design, production and installation of up to 14 interpretive panels.
The approved budget by Town Council for the project with the inclusion of a separate mural is 90 thousand dollars.

Bread and Roses Bursary

Women studying sciences, trades and technology at Nova Scotia Community College can apply for a bursary that aims to advance the economic quality of women. The Advisory Council on the Status of Women established the Bread and Roses Bursary in 2009 to encourage more women to enter higher-paying work and to mark International Women's Day. Denise Peterson-Rafuse, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, says the bursary is an investment in a better future for families. The 20 thousand dollar fund, which will provide two $3,500 awards and 13 $1,000 awards for students entering or continuing studies in trades, technology and science-related programs at NSCC's campuses. Women can use the money to pay for child care, transportation, tuition, school supplies and other necessities.

Keddy on Federal budget

The Member of Parliament for the South Shore - St. Margaret's, Gerald Keddy has spoken out about the recent federal budget. He says Our Government presented a jobs and growth budget, and they are completing year Two of our Economic Action Plan to create and protect jobs now. Nova Scotia will continue to receive increased federal support through Budget 2010. Total transfers will hit $2.9 billion in 2010-11, an increase of $574 million from under the old Liberal government.

Lunenburg house fire

A Lunenburg County couple is homeless after fire destroyed their house. Flames greeted Walden firefighters as they arrived at the scene on the Woodstock Road after they received a call around 5:30 yesterday afternoon. The couple was were not home at the time of the outbreak. Walden firefighters were helped by the Cornwall, Mahone Bay and New Germany fire departments, while Northfield and Lunenburg remained on "stand-by". Walden firefighters had to return to the scene shortly before 4:30 this morning to deal with flare-ups at the site of the fire. RCMP remain on the scene awaiting the arrival of officials from the Fire Marshalls office to conduct an investigation into the cause of the fire. The Mounties are asking you to contact the Lunenburg County R-C-M-P or "Crimestoppers" if you have any information concerning the fire.

Illegal Cigarettes Seized

A Lunenburg County man faces a number of charges following the seizure of a large cache of illegal cigarettes. Police say they found over 72-hundred illegal-cigarettes in a residence on the Sarty Road in New Canada. A 53-year-old New Canada man is scheduled to appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court on April 28th for election and plea. He faces charges for possessing illegal cigarettes and unsafe storage of firearms. The South Shore Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit was assisted by the Lunenburg County District RCMP and the Bridgewater Police Service General Investigation Section.
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Slippery Road Conditions

Slippery road conditions the cause of a couple of accidents along the South Shore. A single vehicle rollover took place this morning on Trunk 3 . No injuries were reported. Around noon time an accident occurred on Highway 331 in Conquerall Bank. Again no injuries in that accident. Motorists are advised to use caution on the roads and highways.

NS Daycare's receive funding

Forty-five daycare's in Nova Scotia are getting about $1.3 million in funding from the provincial government to help them do repairs and renovations. Day cares in the surrounding area that will be receiving money are .. Bye the Sea Nursery School, Chester Kiddie Academy, Little People's Place of Shelburne Association, Lunenburg Day Care Centre, both Small World Learning Centre Society, The Fox & The Hare Daycare Association, and Bridgewater United Church's Day Care Centre and Wee Wisdom Nursery School. The government says non-profit and commercial daycare's can use the loans for improvements such as new windows, installing accessibility ramps and adding energy-efficient furnaces.

Class Afloat Students Return to Academy

Class Afloat students will be returning to the Lunenburg Academy to finish out their school year after their vessel, the Concordia sank off the coast of Brazil.February 17th. Trish Smith, Communications Manager with the South Shore Regional School Board says an arrangement has been worked out to expand their current rental to allow for classroom space. Class Afloat rents office and classroom space from the School Board at the Lunenburg Academy where students spend class time at the beginning of their year before heading out to sea. Students will be returning to class later this month . Class Afloat will be holding a "Welcome Back" reception at the Lunenburg Academy on Sunday, March 14th.

Bluenose II Restoration

A consortium of Nova Scotia shipbuilders has been selected to restore the Bluenose II. The Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance was the successful respondent to a request for interest issued in December. The consortium includes Snyder's Shipyard of Dayspring, Lunenburg Industrial Foundry and Engineering and Covey Island Boatworks. The province will issue a request for proposals shortly that will be the basis a contract with the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance. The restoration of Bluenose II expected to begin later this year is being jointly funded by the province and federal governments. The project must be completed by March 31, 2011

Traffic Enforcement for Lunenburg County

Residents of Lunenburg should make sure they are prepared before they get behind the wheel again. During the month of March Lunenburg County RCMP will be setting up random check points to ensure everyone has driver and vehicle documents. When drivers change their address they have 30 days before it must be reflected or a ticket could be issued. As well the first offence for not having insurance, including expired insurance is in excess of $1200.

School buses effected by spring weight restrictions

The Communications Manager for the South Shore Regional School Board is reminding you that their school buses cannot travel on a number of routes. Trish Smith says the school buses cannot travel on certain roads due to the Department of Highways' "Spring Weight Restrictions." Those restrictions came into effect on Monday.The school-bus restrictions affect routes in Queens and Lunenburg Counties. Smith asks you to visit the school board website at www.ssrsb.ca for a complete list of roads.

Tour for the Cure

The Canadian Breast Cancer Tour for the Cure bus will be making a stop at the South Shore Regional Hospital today. The big pink bus will allow people to view interactive displays and learn about breast health as it relates to breast screening and breast cancer. A Visit takes about 10 to 15 minutes and all are welcome. The bus will be there from 3pm until 6pm today (March 3rd).

Gunshots FIred

A Mahone Bay man facing a number of charges in connection with gunshots fired outside a home early Tuesday morning will have a bail hearing this afternoon. (Wed.) Twenty-seven year old Justin Arthur Piercy was arrested after RCMP responded to a 9-1-1 call shortly after midnight Tuesday,
of gunshots being fired in the vicinity of a residence on Fauxburg Road.
Piercy faces a dozen charges relating to the incident including various firearms offences, impaired driving, and breaching previous court orders. Piercy is known by the occupants of the residence

Bridgewater High School Back Yard Project

More details on the 'Back Yard Project' for the Bridgewater High School have been released. The project was founded two years ago and is now in the process of finding funding to go through with construction. Principal Chuck McLellan, says they are looking at a potential price tag of around 350 thousand dollars. Plans for the new Back yard project include developing some seated areas, refurbish the existing basketball court, and build a couple of out door classrooms for students.

Increased Real Estate in the South Shore

The South Shore is reported as the one of the top regions that experienced increased sales to real estate over this time last year. The number of residential units sold across Nova Scotia, through the Multiple Listing Service system from November to January was up 27 per cent, compared to the same three months last year. Along with the South Shore was Halifax-Dartmouth that were listed as the two largest areas that experienced increase in sales.