St. Margarets Bay Residents Again Blast Province Over Connector Road Issue

Sean Kirby

The province jumped the gun and decided on a route for a planned road connecting highways 103 and 3 in St. Margarets Bay. That comment from area residents' spokesman Sean Kirby who says the transportation department paid no heed to the need to first undertake an environmental assessment on the route.
He says its another example of what he calls the government's strong-arm tactics in pushing ahead with the road. Kirby says: "At some point when an environmental assessment is completed, maybe this summer, we'll get a copy of it and have a chance to look at it. But right now, I think its further evidence of how inappropriately the government has been handling this issue."
St. Margarets Bay residents still haven't heard a decision yet by the supreme court on their attempt in January during a hearing to force the government to release uncensored documents pertaining to planning for the connector road.

More ER Shutdowns At "Fishermen's"

There's another South Shore hospital emergency room closure and at a location, familiar to this sort of thing! The ER at Fishermen's Memorial in Lunenburg is closed until 3:30 this afternoon.
Another shutdown is scheduled on Thursday night from 10:30 until 3:30 Friday afternoon. A hospital official says the closures result from a shortage of doctors.
Liberal health critic Leo Glavine says the NDP government was elected on a promise to improve ER service but that hasn't been happening.
He says: "Lunenburg County is one of six counties in the province that continues to keep its population, in fact growing some. I think we have to be cognizant of that and respond accordingly with good, strong emergency room service."
Glavine suggests the government set up a central data bank of emergency room doctors available province-wide and when a shortage develops in an ER, they can be sent there to cover-off a shift or two.

Car accident reportedly causes Power Outage

There was a huge power outage in Lunenburg County Tuesday night and for many people it seemed like it would never end. The power went out just before 6pm in places like Blockhouse, parts of Lunenburg, New Germany, Bakers Settlement and Calidonia. Nova Scotia Power says it was the result of a car accident, bringing down power lines in Barss Corner. Power wasn't restored until 2 o'clock Wednesday morning to the hundreds of NSP customers affected.

MODL awards landfill closure contract to Dartmouth group

A Dartmouth company has been awarded the contract for final landfill closure at the Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Center. The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg selected ABL Environmental for the design and engineering services of phase two and three at a cost of almost $194,000 including HST. The project had a budget of $200,000. Mayor Don Downe says it's nice to see it remained under budget. The Municipality received five submissions for the project, with every proposal coming from either Halifax or Dartmouth. During phases two and three of the Landfill Remediation project, permanent caps will be put over the landfill cells at the LRCRC to protect the environment.

Keddy announces funding for Osprey Arts Centre

The Osprey Arts Centre is adding film equipment to its operation. South Shore - St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy announced funding to the Shelburne Centre Tuesday to help it buy a cinema-quality multimedia projector and projection screen to offer film screenings for local audiences. The new film equipment will also be used by a variety of performers such as dance and theatre organizations, musical groups, and the Maritime Concert Opera. The Government of Canada provided funding of $10,690 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The Osprey Arts Centre also plans to use the new film equipment in workshops for youth and adults to help people develop an interest in film making.

Two Temporary Emergency Dept Closures at Fishermen's Memorial

A couple of closures are expected this week in the emergency department at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg. The first closure will begin Tuesday night at 10:30PM and last until 3:30PM Wednesday afternoon. The second closure will occur on Thursday night at 10:30PM with the emergency department expected to re-open at 3:30 on Friday afternoon. Anyone requiring emergency care during those times should call 9-1-1 or visit the South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater.

Accused in Chester Basin Murder Appears in Court

The lawyer for an 18 year old man charged with second degree murder says his client will fight the charge. Pat MacEwen told reporters John Buckley maintains his innocence in relation to the death of 57 year-old Victoria Buckley. The accused teenager tried to address Judge Jim Burrill during a brief court appearance this afternoon but later declined on the advice of his lawyer. "I didn't know what he wanted to say at that point essentially he wanted to advise everyone in the room that he is maintaining his innocence and is looking forward to having this matter dealt with," John Buckley was arrested on Monday at the Atlantica Hotel in Western Shore and is accused of killing his mother on March 1st in Chester Basin. Her body was found the next morning at a home on Borgels Point Road. The case has been put over until April 11th.

Son charged with second degree murder

Charges have been laid in the death of a Chester Basin woman. RCMP say John (Jack) Buckley is charged with second degree murder in the death of 57-year-old Victoria Brauns-Buckley. The 18-year-old is appearing in Bridgewater Provincial Court Tuesday morning. Staff Sgt. Bruce Hill says RCMP aren't releasing information on how Brauns-Buckley died.

"That's part of the investigation that's now before the court, so I can't comment on that."

Sgt. Hill says they arrested the 18-year-old son Monday morning. Brauns-Buckley was found dead in her home on Borgels Point Road March 2.

Yarmouth Town Council Supports E-Voting

The Town of Yarmouth will introduce e-voting in time for municipal election in October. Council voted to eliminate the traditional paper ballot and polling booth in exchange for electronic voting by computer or phone. They will also do away with proxy voting in favour of voting electronically. Voters will be given a PIN number and use their date of birth when logging on to vote or calling in by phone. Mayor Phil Mooney hopes the move will increase voter turnout and adds the town will likely offer assitance for seniors so they can still vote. The town of Bridgewater will also move towards e-voting but residents will still give voters the option to use the paper ballots as well.  The municipality of Chester is looking at a similar style of voting for the upcoming election.

Seahawks holding learn-to-play football sessions

The South Shore Seahawks are holding free Try-Learn-Play tackle football sessions. The sessions are for kids between the ages of 9-12 and helps introduce the game to both girls and boys. President of the Seahawks minor football club, Gary Linthorne, says kids will get involved in a number of drills.

"Agility drills, hand offs, teaching a person how to receive a hand off, take a snap, give a snap, kick the ball, kids will have a chance to put on some equipment; helmet and shoulder pads and we'll let them run into a blocking dummy."

Tuesday night's session goes from 6-8pm at Bridgewater High School. All kids have to do is show up to play.
Another session is scheduled for Thursday night from 6-8pm at Forest Heights Community School.

Local Boxing Club seeking new home

A local boxing group is looking for a new home. The South Shore Boxing club is looking for a place to set up its equipment including a ring and heavy bags after leaving its former location at 416 King Street in Bridgewater. Club members Jared Mitchell and Brian Falkenham made a presentation to Bridgewater council Monday night. Mitchell is hoping council can help them search for a new location.

"I know there is a lot of empty buildings in Bridgewater, I don't know how accessible they are to you, you know the owners, you know more than I would about this and I'm just asking for a helping hand."

Mayor Carroll Publicover says it will be a challenge to find a place, but council will look into the matter.

Owner renovating 99 Aberdeen Road in Bridgewater

The so-called 'blight' at 99 Aberdeen Road in Bridgewater is getting renovated. Building owner Frank Rhyno says he is completely refurbishing the roof, gutting the inside of the property and turning the building into rental suites. He says he plans to turn the front section into four or five spaces for people to rent. Rhyno says the time is right to improve the building's look.

"Well, I guess the bottom line is I've been sitting on this eyesore, as some people call it, long enough without doing anything, so I've come to the conclusion that you can't take it with you so I might as well put some money on it."

 Rhyno doesn't know how much he will need to spend, but adds, he will buy supplies on a day-by-day basis. He says the changes are necessary after four years of the building being vacant. Work began on the property Monday, and Rhyno expects a number of changes to be made by the end of the week.

Temporary Shut Down at Bowater Mersey

The Bowater Mersey Paper Mill will temporarily cease operations this morning. It's the beginning of a near three-week shut down at the mill. The decision was announced last month when the owner, Resolute Forest Products, said world paper markets were flooded with the product. The company also cited a shortage of new orders. It's the seconde shutdown at the Brooklyn mill since before Christmas, when it was closed for three weeks for the same reasons. Employees will return to work on March 28th.

VIDEO: Shipbuilding Action Plan Arrives in Shelburne

Shipbuilding firms in Shelburne are attending a supplier development information session today on the Atlantic Shipbuilding Action Plan. The Irving owned yard will see a large increase in work and employment when the federal ship building contract gets underway. South Shore-St. Margarets MP Gerald Keddy addressed the session this morning, with a lot of emphasis on youth. "But the other great opportunity here is for an entire generation of young people to have a choice to work in Nova Scotia versus going somewhere else. For far too long we haven't been able to give them the option - quite frankly - of staying, now that option will be open to them," Keddy says the session is designed to help businesses position themselves to become suppliers or sub-contractors to through the Shipbuilding contract. "This gives them an opportunity to ramp up and actually go out there and become certified, if they are not certified already and they will get a very good message from ACOA, Irving and other presenters on what exactly is needed for them to tap into these contracts," Today's event in Shelburne is the final information session hosted by ACOA and Irving Shipbuilding.

BREAKING: Arrest made in Chester Basin homicide

RCMP have made an arrest in the Chester Basin homicide case. Staff Sgt. Bruce Hill confirmed with CKBW and HANK-FM news Monday morning that a man has been taken into custody. Sgt. Hill couldn't release any other details. 57-year-old Victoria Rae Brauns-Buckley was found dead March 2 at her home on Borgels Point Road.

SSRSB applying for second SchoolsPlus program

The South Shore Regional School Board is looking to gain another SchoolsPlus program. The province announced late last week the application process has officially opened for boards to try and secure one of four new sites. Coordinator for student services for the South Shore Regional School Board, Jeff Dewolfe, says they are planning a proposal with their application that would allow SchoolsPlus to cover two areas instead of one. He says it would be more beneficial.

"So, we're hoping to actually include both Lunenburg and Queens County in our proposal. So, we're hoping that proposing this new structure, there will be some cost efficiencies with that and we'll be able to reach more students and more communities."

Chester has the only SchoolsPlus program on the South Shore. Criteria includes commitment to using school facilities after hours, adequate facility use for communities and the ability to reach as many schools as possible. Selected applicants are awarded $125,000 to provide leadership and community outreach for the program. Site selection is expected to be announced in the spring.

Bridgewater's McIntosh Wins Gold in Pentathlon

A former member of the Bluenose Athletics Club has set a new Nova Scotia Senior Record in the pentathlon. Bridgewater's Rachael McIntosh was competing for the University of Calgary and picked up the gold medal in the Canadian University Indoor Track and Field Championships in the event this week. Meanwhile, her Bluenose teammate Jesse Drennan had a top ten finish in the men's pentathlon in his first year at the University of Windsor. The event was held at the University of Toronto.

Harmony Bazaar announces 2012 headliners

The self-described festival of women and song has announced its headliners for this summer. Harmony Bazaar organizers say Serena Ryder and Sarah Harmer will perform at the event, which runs from July 27-29. Errin Williams Spidle says both artists can have a positive influence on women.

"One of the things it does it speaks to how women can do well in the music industry and they can do so with writing really good, strong lyrics and making well-crafted songs because they are both amazing singer/songwriters as well as performers."

Spidle says the two women are top Canadian performers and expects they will draw a big crowd for the event.
She says the festival is enjoying early bird ticket sales with weekend passes being sold for half price until the end of the month. All the details can be found at http://harmonybazaarfestival.blogspot.com/ .

Bridgewater council exploring social media

Bridgewater town councillors could be tweeting or liking statuses in the near future. Staff educated council members about twitter and facebook during their recent discussion session Monday night. Councillor David Mitchell says the time is now for council to get involved with social media.

"I think its one of those things that there's no sense in waiting. Social media is here, its not going away, there's just no sense in waiting, we might as well jump on the ship now."

Mitchell says his attempt to use social media last year to promote council's budget process didn't fly with members. He says social media sites like facebook and twitter would help promote Bridgewater.

NSTU President Slams Education Cuts

The president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union says funding cuts are changing the way education is delivered. Nova Scotia's eight school boards are bracing for combined cuts of $13.4 million from an overall budget estimate of just over $1 billion. The South Shore, Strait and Cape Breton-Victoria regional school boards are facing the highest cuts at 2.1 per cent. School boards were also hit with a $17.6 million reduction in funding last year. Alexis Allen says teachers are dealing with larger classrooms and heavier work loads. "Twenty teaching positions will not be filled. The minister keep saying they will be through attrition but we're losing teachers on the South Shore and that has to mean larger class sizes. Last year, we lost 343 teachers throughout the province, those are all gone and those people that retired...those jobs were not replaced," Allen predicts the province could lose as many as 300 teaching positions for the second straight year in order to meet budget requirements.