History on Stage

Lunenburg History will come alive on stage this Wednesday. Glimpses: a look at history through scene and song, will be performed live onstage at Empire Theatres, in Bridgewater,August 25, 7:30 p.m. Glimpses is the second production of the recently-formed Bridgewater & Area Performing Arts Society. The Society was established to promote the performing arts on the South Shore. The August 25 production of Glimpses an expanded version of the show that first appeared at the Fisheries Museum in Lunenburg, in 2008.

LUNENBURG FIRE INJURES ONE PERSON

One person was sent to hospital this morning (Friday) suffering smoke inhalation as a result of a house fire in Lunenburg.
The fire caused extensive damage to the building, located in the middle of the downtown heritage district.
Lunenburg fire-fighters were aided in battling the blaze by fire-fighters and a "pumper"-truck from the Mahone Bay department and a "rig"-team from the Dayspring and District Fire Department.
The Bridgewater Fire Department sent personel to stand-by at the Lunenburg Fire House.
Firefighters were able to get the blaze under control within an hour or so.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause.

Keji Managment Plan

Establishing a Mi’kmaq advisory committee and redevelopment of Jeremy's Bay Campground are two of the priorities in a management plant for Kejimkujik National Park .The management plan has now been tabled in Parliament .
The management plan was developed through extensive public consultation and input from many people and organizations, including the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia, local residents, visitors and stakeholders. Management plans are the primary accountability documents for the management of protected heritage places under Parks Canada’s care and will provide clear direction for the management and operations of the park for the next 10 to 15 years. The Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site Management Plan is available on the Parks Canada website at:http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ns/kejimkujik/plan.aspx

Boathouse Vandalized

RCMP are looking for a couple of youths believed to be responsible for vandalizing a boathouse in Marriott's Cove . The property damage happened sometime between noon and 1 pm on Wednesday August 18th. A window was broken during the incident and patio furniture was thrown into the harbour. The suspects are described as two boys between the ages of 11 and 12, and were said to be riding black bicycles.

Goin Green Saturday

Growing Green...is the theme of a Sustainability Festival being hosted by the Town of Bridgewater on Saturday, August 21st. Together with the Farmer's Market and the Bridgewater Century Ride, the Festival is planning activities and entertainment on King Street from 8:30 am to 3:30 p.m. Sustainability Planner Leon de Vreede says the festival will be a "Family Friendly" sustainable event which hopes to leave a lasting positive "green" impression on the community long after it is over.

VANDALS TARGET SCENIC CLARK'S HARBOUR BOARDWALK

RCMP in Barrington are trying to track down those responsible for vandalism along the boardwalk.
Several light poles and fixtures have been targetted causing substantial damage.
Investigators have no suspects and they're seeking public help in finding them.

ANOTHER SOUTH SHORE ISLAND HEADED FOR FULL PROTECTION

A South Shore coastal conservancy group has bought half of an island and hopes to be able to buy the rest so that West Ironbound Island will be protected forever.
The 57-hectare island is off the tip of Gaff Point, south of Lunenburg, and went on the market two years ago.
The group tried to buy it last year, but John Campbell of the Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy says it withdrew its bid when it couldn't raise enough money.
But he says an anonymous buyer came forward, bought the island, and then sold half of it to the conservancy for $775,000.
He has given the community group an option to buy the other half if it can raise the $775,000 by Dec. 20, 2011.
The island was first mapped by Samuel de Champlain in 1604 and initially settled in 1765 as a fishing outport.

TENTATIVE AGREEMENT IN FARMERS DAIRY DISPUTE

A labor dispute between Farmers Dairy and its unionized workers may be coming to an end.
A tentative agreement has been reached between the company and Local 40N of the Communications and Energy Paperworkers Union.
Workers at Local 40N, including those on the South Shore, have been off the job since July 10.
Farmers claims it was a strike but the workers say they were locked out.
Details of the tentative agreement will be outlined to the workers before they vote on the package in the next few days.

New LCLC Sign to be Erected

It's a sign of movement.. Paul Belliveau, Chair of the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre says they'll be putting up a new sign near the site off York Street this afternoon at 2 o'clock. Belliveau says they see this as the first step to getting to the sod turning which will happen once the land is transferred and they know the exact site where the facility will be going. Belliveau says they have now received a letter from the federal government approving them to start the project , and are now able to share any costs with them.

Bluenose Restoration Funds

The federal government is committing 4.9 million dollars to help with the refit of the Bluenose II. Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the announcement at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic yesterday afternoon. Harper says the Bluenose II is an important and lasting part of Canada’s proud maritime heritage, and the restoration efforts now underway will ensure that this important cultural icon remains part of the Canadian landscape for years to come.
This phase of the restoration work will replace the wood hull, frames and planking of the ship with improved laminated wood frames and conventional planking materials. The work will generate short-term local construction employment and ensure long-term tourism jobs. Financial support for this project comes from the Government of Canada’s Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The total estimated cost for the project is over 9.8 million. The province of Nova Scotia is matching the federal contribution. The Bluenose II is currently being restored by the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance. The refit is expected to be finished in March 2012.

Glass Half Empty; Union Rally's Against Farmers Dairy

Locked out CEP workers want to send a message to Farmers Dairy Cooperative and they're shouting it in the streets.

The local employees rallied with fellow union members in downtown Halifax today in a demonstration five-hundred people strong.

Union workers are asking for secure pensions, improved training and regular hours without forced labour.

Local strike captain, Frank Davis says they've added a plea for 'anti-scab legislation' to their growing list of concerns.

Farmers Dairy says the non-unionized workers they now employ are well qualified and trained

Davis disagrees. He says they pose a threat to public safety.

“No way they are qualified to do our jobs. It takes two years to just learn certain machines in there. You can't just have a scab worker come in to make milk,” says Davis.

Men have been off the job and on the picket line since July 10th.

Farmers Dairy could not be reached for further comment at this time.

Youths Arrested in Lunenburg Street Fighting

The Mounties have made a number of arrests after street fighting in Lunenburg between two groups of youths sent one young person to hospital.

The R-C-M-P responded to a call at around 10:20 last night reporting that about 15 youths were fighting on Faulkland Street.

When they arrived, the Mounties found six youths in the area and a severely damaged vehicle in the middle of the street.

Staff Sergeant, Bruce Hill says one male sustained non life-threatening injuries and walked to hospital for care.

Hill says some of the individuals involved will be charged as adults.

The R-C-M-P expect to make more arrests as a result of the disturbance in Lunenburg.

Prime Minister Visits South Shore

Prime Minister Steven Harper has a full day of activities lined up for a visit to Nova Scotia. Following an announcement at the Michelin Tire Plan in Waterville this morning, the P.M. heads for the South Shore. He'll be in Lunenburg this afternoon to make an announcement at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic at 2 o'clock.
The Prime Minister will be joined by Premier Darrell Dexter and South Shore/St. Margaret's M-P Gerald Keddy. Later this afternoon at 5 p.m., Harper will address the Nova Scotia Members' Reception at the Forties Community Centre in New Ross.

Queens Approves 5 Year Capital Plan

Region of Queens Council has approved a capital investment plan for the next five years through 2014/15. Mayor John Leefe says Municipalities must submit a five year plan to be eligible to receive the transfer of federal gas tax revenues. Leefe says capital work and spending is spread over a gamut of projects and purchases.
Queens Place would be one of the projects funded over the period. Others projects include extending sewer and water into Brooklyn, building a salt shed, work on the new public works garage and completing the new septage lagoon. Leefe says along with the gas tax revenues, monies to fund the capital projects will also come from reserves that the Region has set aside.

Fire Truck Loan

The Region of Queens is helping the Liverpool Fire Fighters Association to purchase a new fire rescue vehicle from Ontario. Municipal Council has approved a draft loan of 197 thousand 41 dollars to the Association . The funds taken from the Region's Special Operating General Reserve are to be paid back over 11 years. Mayor John Leefe says the Municipality provides a loan program to the fire departments within the Region of Queens. The Liverpool Fire Fighters Association used the loan program in November 2005 to acquire two used fire vehicles. The outstanding amount of that loan is being paid off with the new agreement.

West Dublin Arson Suspects Court Appearances

Three people accused of setting a fire that destroyed the old Risser's General Store in West Dublin several weeks ago are beginning to move through the court system.
One of them has been remanded back into custody until her next court appearance.
A 16-year-old girl facing several charges including arson, and theft not exceeding $5,000 returns to court September 8th.
Her lawyer successfully adjourned the matter last week after requesting additional disclosure material from the Crown.
Two other people accused in the July fire are scheduled to appear in court September 29.

Canada Games Medals Unveiled

The design of the Halifax 2011 Canada Games medals was revealed today,
(August 16th). The unveiling took place at Saint Mary's University, where medal designers Marlon Solis and Amber Whyley studied marketing together and where 122 of the 1065 medals being produced will be awarded to Games athletes competing in judo and squash. More than 90 design submissions were received in an open design competition. Entrants were asked to reflect the unique nature, theme, culture and spirit of the 2011 Canada Games and Nova Scotia.
More information about the medal design and designers can be found at
canadagames2011.ca/medals.

Waterfront Town Houses

The Region of Queens Municipality has amended its Land-Use By-law to allow row house and group dwellings in the Liverpool Waterfront C-4 Zone. Mayor John Leefe says an application was submitted to the Planning Department for an amendment which would see row house dwellings and group dwellings added to the list of permitted uses. Following a public hearing the amendment was passed unanimously by Council. Leefe says people opposed to the amendment were in support of the proposal following a presentation by Ken Anthony's planner.
Anthony is proposing to build approximately 30 townhouses at Shipyard's Point around the perimeter along the water.

Queens Place Tender

The winning tender will soon be announced for the construction of Queens Place. Six bids have been received and Region of Queens Municipal Council had hoped to announce the award at Monday's council meeting. Mayor John Leefe says the Halifax architectural firm asked for more time to review the tender documents. The tender bids ranged from 14.6 to 20 million dollars for the multi-use facility. Mayor Leefe says the project is moving forward and by late summer or early fall people will see a building starting to be erected on the site. The multi-use facility will include an NHL sized arena, a walking track, fitness centre with aerobics studio, community room, canteen, youth health centre and associated common areas.
The federal government has contributed close to 7 million for the facility while the province kicked in 5 million. The Region of Queens will contribute the remaining funds through reserves, fundraising of $1.5 million and capital financing up to $4 million.

Derby Winners

2010 LOCKEPORT SEA DERBY WINNERS:

YOUTH LARGEST MACKEREL
(Scott Smith)

YOUTH LARGEST GROUND FISH
(Amanda Roy)

ADULT LARGEST MACKEREL
(Andre Fiske)

ADULT LARGEST GROUND FISH
(Ingrid Cheshire)

LARGEST SHARK
(Austin Greene..406.78lbs round)