Too Many Unsecured Dollars Going To Big Corporations: McNeil

The province's NDP government promised, prior to being elected three years ago, to create 2 thousand jobs a year. However, Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says that promise fizzled in the early-going and now close to 8-thousand jobs have been lost. He says much of the problem has been created by the government handing out millions of dollars in un-secured grants and subsidies.


McNeil says 5 large corporations, including Bowater Mersey owner Resolute Forest Products, have received or were promised funds by the Dexter government and have ended up laying off a total of almost 11-hundred workers. In Bowater's case, the entire operation was closed for good throwing 320 people out of work.

Acadia First Nation's Well-Paid Chief & Councillors

The chief and band councillors of the Acadia First Nation are being challenged to explain their salaries and expenses. Acadia represents aboriginals living along the South Shore to Yarmouth. Last year, the band quietly reduced the annual salaries of chief and council after complaints from its membership.Canadian Taxpayers Federation Atlantic President Kevin Lacey says the band's chief Deborah Robinson and councillors need to be more open.



The Acadia chief has held her position for 25 years and stands to gain a pension of 125-thousand dollars when she retires. Her annual salary is now totals $150-thousand dollars.

Welcome Home Celebration Planned For Jenna

 

It's a welcome home party for the South Shore's biggest role model. Municipal and community leaders are organizing a victory party for Jenna Martin as she returns home from the London Olympics. The event will be held on Thursday night at HB Studio's Sports Centre on Glen Allen Drive in Bridgewater beginning at 7:30PM. Municipality of Lunenburg mayor Don Downe says it's an opportunity to show Martin that the region is proud of her efforts.



Martin is expected to talk about her experiences in London while a number of local dignitaries are expected to deliver speeches as well. The 24 year-old created a huge buzz when she qualified for the semi-final in the 400M sprint event in her first appearance at an Olympic Games. Martin returns to Nova Scotia today after taking part in last night's closing ceremony of the 2012 London Games.

Hector Will Re-Offer For Seat On Chester Council

The councillor for Blandford-East Chester will seek re-election in municipal elections in October. Marshal Hector was elected in 2000 and is seeking his fourth term on Chester council. Hector has enjoyed his 12 years as an elected official and says he has the time and energy to seek another term. He says a key goal for him and council is to help improve the quality of life for residents throughout the municipality.



Hector says another key initiative is make sure there is continued support for community organizations. He is a retired businessman and the former owner of Hubbards Home Hardware. Municipal and school board elections will be held throughout the province on October 20th.

NSP: Failed Insulator Caused Power Outage

Nova Scotia Power is reporting a failed insulator at their substation in Auberndale to be the cause for last night's outage. Over 6,000 people were without power because of the incident, which occurred around 8:30pm. Company spokesperson, David Rodenhiser, says the failed insulator could cause a loud bang and flash.



Power was restored early this morning. The outage affected people all across the South Shore.

What Was That Big BANG!?

People from Liverpool to Yarmouth and through the Annapolis Valley are scratching their heads trying to figure out what was that big bang and rumbling they heard last night. Its also big chat this morning on Facebook and on Twitter. "The Big Bang Theory" has been ruled out but some people are wondering if it had anything to do with power outages in the region last night and earlier this morning. There has been no word from any officials about it.

MODL Mayor Reappointed To FCM Standing Committee

The mayor of the Municipality of Lunenburg says he feels honoured to be recognized by his peers. Don Downe was selected to serve his third term as standing committee chair with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. He will chair the standing committee on Municipal Finance and Intergovernmental Arrangements. Downe says its a chance to learn more at the national level and bring information back to council.



The committee partners with the federal and provincial governments to secure new revenue sources that support increased demands on municipal infrastructure and services.

Rental Units Planned For Liverpool Waterfront

 

The Liverpool waterfront will soon be home to some new rental housing by this time next year. The development is know as "Rovers Quay" and will consist of 18 rental units in total to be constructed at Shipyards Point. Local developers Barry Tomalin and Steward Horton are leading the project. The units will target both current Queens County residents and those who choose to live in Liverpool for lifestyle reasons. A live webcam will be up and running when work begins on the project. Construction is expected to begin this summer with the first units available for rent early in 2013. For more info check out http://www.roversquay.ca/

Seabury's Sister Schooner Awaits Buyer

With the launch of the Martha Seabury earlier this week, the focus switches to find an owner for its sister ship. Work began on both vessels over two years ago. Now, the unnamed boat remains ready for purchase along the Lunenburg waterfront. The hull of the sister ship is complete. General Manager for Dawson Moreland and Associates, Susan Corkum-Greek, says the vessel is ready for the next step.


Corkum-Greek says they are fielding inquiries about the vessel and are optimistic a buyer will step forward soon. The hull will be showcased when the Martha Seabury travels to Newport in mid-September for an international boat show.

Bridgewater: RCMP Officer Released From Custody

An RCMP officer charged in a case of domestic violence has been released from custody. The release was granted during a court appearance today in Bridgewater. The officer, in his 30s, was taken into custody late Tuesday night. His release was granted with a number of conditions; including he reside in Ontario except for court appearances in Nova Scotia. Other conditions include no contact with the female involved in the alleged incident and a ban on firearms and prohibited weapons. The case had been put over until October 10th when the accused is scheduled to enter a plea to the charges.

Phil Mooney Not Re-offering As Yarmouth Mayor

Mayor Phil Mooney

Phil Mooney's name will not be on the mayor's ballot in this fall's municipal elections in Yarmouth. He says he's leaving the mayor's position to have more time for family matters and to being a town councillor, a role he took-on for a term in the mid-1980's. Mooney believes he can be as effective in pushing for change as the time-consuming mayor's job.



Projects like revitalizing the downtown, development of a farmers' market, devising a plan for greater financial stability and working to re-instate the ferry to Maine. Mooney says there are several things he's most proud-of during his 4 years as mayor. One was the new high school.



Three people remain in the running for the mayor's job. They are consultant Pam Mood, deputy-mayor Byron Boudreau and former Yarmouth mayor Charles Crosby.

Chester Council Supports Woodland Purchase

A coalition group is trying to encourage the provincial government to buy back the former Bowater Mersey woodlands. Members of "Buy Back The Mersey" made a presentation to Chester council yesterday in an effort to drum up support for their group. Resolute owns more than 200,000 hectares of land spread over three large sections of the province. Councillor Marshall Hector says the coalition is doing good work and council is behind their efforts.



Chester council would like to see all the woodlands managed by the province. However, their letter of support will focus on 40,000 hectares of the land in the St. Margaret's District.

Valley Vocational Centre Robbed

Thieves have targeted a vocational centre in the Annapolis Valley that helps disabled adults. "New Boundaries" in Windsor was robbed overnight Wednesday and police are still investigating. A safe and a pickup truck were among the items stolen. Officials say the safe held a small amount of cash and pay-cheques for clients with intellectual disabilities. The agency has about 40 adults earning a training allowance.
Thieves apparently entered the one-storey building through an addition under construction. The burned shell of the centre's truck was discovered 25 kilometres away.

Big Jump In Gasoline Prices

A very large jump in the price of gasoline overnight at South Shore pumps. When you haul into a gas station this morning, you'll pay 6.3 cents more per litre of regular self serve. Its selling this morning for $1.33.6. Diesel took a hit too. Its up by more than 3 cents a litre at $1.31.2. Whats fueling the increases is the world price of crude oil which has increased more than 14 dollars a barrel in the past month. It closed yesterday at $93.36 (US) per barrel.

Challenges Ahead For NSP & Customers

The CEO of Nova Scotia Power says the biggest factor pushing up power bills is the situation within the pulp and paper sector. The utility has lost two of its largest customers with the closure of Bowater Mersey and struggles at NewPage Port Hawkesbury. It's prompted the company to apply for another rake hike of six percent over the next two years to minimize the impact. Rob Bennett says they are also dealing with the cost of adding more renewable energy to the grid as mandated by the province.



If approved, the rate hikes will amount to about $3.50 a month to an average household’s power bill. Bennett addressed the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce in a speech on Thursday at the Best Western.

Chester Council Opposes Tower In Western Shore

Chester Council will send a letter to Industry Canada over the proposed location of a a cell phone tower in Western Shore. Eastlink is proposing to construct a large telecommunications tower near Frank Swinimar Road. However, residents and council are opposed to its proposed location because its so close to a residential area. Councillor Bob Myra says people simply don't want the tower near their homes.

<iframe width="90%" height="50" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F55764243&show_artwork=true"></iframe>

Myra is hopeful the company will reconsider the location of the tower and select another location. The letter from council will also be sent to MP Gerald Keddy and Chester-St Margaret's MLA Denise Peterson-Rafuse.

Bluenose II Table Open To Public

A table dawning items from every province and territory is up for public viewing. The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenburg will give people a chance to see the hand-crafted table in the Bluenose exhibit in the second floor gallery. The one-of-a-kind table is made of items like wood, stone and mineral that was donated during this summer's Council of the Federation meeting. The table will eventually be installed on the schooner as part of its restoration. It was built by Colin O'Toole of Covey Island Boatworks, one of three companies in the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance rebuilding Bluenose II for the province.

High Liner Foods Reports Revenue Surge, Less Profit

The acquisition of Icelandic USA has resulted in less profit for High Liner Foods in its second quarter financial outlook. The Lunenburg-based company says its net income fell to $995,000, down from $4.8-million a year earlier. Despite the decrease in profit, revenue rose over $65-million in the second quarter to $219-million. President and CEO, Henry Demone, says he's pleased with the results.



Demone says new product helped contribute to increased sales in Canada.



The $230.6-million U.S. purchase of Icelandic was announced last November and closed in December.

Gasoline Prices Heading Up Again!

Get set! South Shore gasoline prices will likely take a sizeable jump overnight tonight. That is if New Brunswick prices are an early indicator and often .... they are! That province's Energy and Utilities Board has boosted the price ceiling on regular self-serve gas by 4.9 cents a litre. It's now at $1.30. The jump had been predicted by analysts. Gasoline prices are now approaching those of diesel, which rose 1.3 cents overnight in New Brunswick to a-dollar-32.5

Folk Harbour Festival Back For 27th Year

Over 30 musicians will hit the stage in Lunenburg over the next four days as the 27th annual Folk Harbour Festival gets underway Thursday. The festival features local music acts and musicians from away. This year will feature performances by Dave Gunning, Kim Stockwood, Garnet Rogers and many more. Communications Chair Nancy Wilson says the festival grabs people's attention.



One of the headliners this year includes Juno and East Coast music award-winning Ashley MacIsaac. Wilson says MacIsaac should draw a big crowd.



The acts are expected to play at several venues including along Lunenburg's waterfront, at the Opera House and at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.Wilson says tickets are still available to purchase. You can find out more details by going to http://www.folkharbour.com/ .