NDP Ferry Service Support Is Political Hay Making: Yarmouth Liberal MLA

Zach Churchill

The Nova Scotia government has antied-up 21 million dollars to re-launch a ferry service that once linked Yarmouth and Portland, Maine. Premier Darrell Dexter made the announcement this morning, three years after his government effectively killed the service by cancelling a six-million dollar annual subsidy. The premier says the money will be provided over a seven-year period on the condition a private operator can be found to run it. Yarmouth Liberal MLA Zach Churchill says he's happy to see this issue move forward finally. He questions the timing though.



The premiers's announcement this morning came after the release of an independent report that concluded the service could be revived with 35 million dollars in public funds and a significant boost in passenger traffic.

NS Government Backs Revived Yarmouth Ferry Service



Premier Darrell Dexter

 A new ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine is not a lost cause according to an independent panel report released this morning. It concludes an initial $35 million in public funds would be needed as well as a significant boost in passenger traffic to ensure the service is viable. However, the provincial government is adding its support to a new service with premier Darrell Dexter saying 21 million dollars over 7 years will be committed to the project. The province will also look for a private sector operator. Yarmouth Mayor Phil Mooney says its the best news he's heard in a long time and he's optimistic a ferry service can be up and running by next summer.



The mayor says its now up to the federal government to also make a major committment. He says the local Conservative MP Greg Kerr and Defence minister Peter McKay have already voiced their support. Mooney believes they'll hold weight in any Harper Government discussion on whether to provide financing.

Power Rates: UARB Sides With Electric Co-op

It's decision that will save members of the province's municipal electric co-op millions in unnecessary charges. Nova Scotia Power attempted to apply a $30 million dollar cost recovery charge to keep the five municipal utilities locked into their power grid. However, the Utility and Review Board rejected the request in a ruling handed down yesterday in Halifax. Members of the co-op have been working for the past seven years to secure a cheaper source of power and were caught off guard by NSP's request. The UARB decision means the co-op can proceed with its negotiations with an outside energy producer in an effort to find cheaper power for their residents. The Municipal Electric Co-op is made of independent utilities in the town's of Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, Riverport, Berwick and Antigonish.

Slight Increase In Gasoline Prices

The province's utility and review board has set gasoline prices for the coming week. Only a slight change in some South Shore prices this morning. Regular self serve is up a bit to $1.39 per litre. Thats just under half a cent more than yesterday. High-test is selling for $1.48. Diesel is unchanged at $1.37.1.

Lumberjacks Trim Roster As Season-Opener Nears

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have whittled down their roster as the regular season looms. The Junior "A" hockey club has sent three players back to their respective Major Midget clubs including Cole Skinner, Riley Strowbridge, and Patrick Duggan.  More players will be released following the Jacks' exhibition games this weekend in Yarmouth and Dartmouth. The Lumberjacks open their regular season a week from tomorrow night when they welcome Yarmouth.

Decision On Yarmouth Ferry Service Set For Friday

People in Yarmouth will know more about the fate of ferry service on Friday. A highly anticipated report will be released in Halifax examining whether a ferry linking their community to the U-S is considered viable. Municipal leaders along the South Shore have been calling on the government to reinstate the ferry service to help boost tourism and the economy. The N-D-P government ended a subsidy for a high-speed ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine in December 2009. The decision to end the annual six-million-dollar subsidy for Bay Ferries Limited sparked protests in Yarmouth, where residents say it harmed the local economy.

New Jobs Boost Housing Market In Lunenburg

A hot housing market over the summer in Lunenburg combined with an expanding workforce is just what the doctor ordered according to the town's outgoing mayor. Several homes have been taken off the market over the past few months and Laurence Mawhinney believes it the sign of a strong economy. He says new employment opportunities at Composites Atlantic, the Lunenburg Foundry and HB Studio's have helped the housing market.




Mawhinney says nearly 100 new jobs have been created through new opportunities within the three companies. He believes another driving factor behind the positive economic climate is the opening of Bluenose Academy and it's proximity to the town.

Dexter: QGH Project Provides Long Term Benefits

Premier Darrell Dexter says the Queen General Health project will provide long term benefits to the region. The $16 million project will see the construction of a collaborative health care facility in Liverpool in addition to upgrades at the hospital's existing 22-bed inpatient unit. Dexter says the project will help improve the overall quality of life for medical staff and assist with recruitment and retention of doctors and nurses. He also believes the new health care services will help attract new employers to Queens.



The sod was turned on the project late last month with a tentative completion date set for the end of 2013.

Former Town Councillor Seeks Seat In Bridgewater

A former Bridgewater town councillor's name will appear on the ballot when municipal elections are held next month. Long-time resident Kevin Marlin has declared his intentions to seek a council seat on October 20th. He says community engagement, fiscal responsibility and accountability are the cornerstones of good open local government. If elected, Marlin says he'd like to see a realistic strategic plan implemented by council.





Marlin is currently a manager with Service Canada and previously served on council from 1994 to 1997 and again from 2004 to 2008.

Beware Of Rules About Stopped School Buses

Thousands of South Shore students are beginning their new school year today. The return to class is a busy occasion for kids and drivers. Motorists are being advised to slow down and watch for children darting out into streets. Sgt. Brigit Leger of the RCMP says they also must stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights. The fine for not doing so is 399 dollars plus 6 demerit points on their license.



Motorists also have to slow down in school zones to the posted speed, either 30 km an hour or 50 km an hour, depending on location.

MHL: Jacks Edge Mariners In Pre-Season Action

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks edged the Yarmouth Mariners 4-3 in a shootout in MHL exhibition action last night in Bridgewater. Michael Crawley scored the shootout winner while Shawn Boudreau, Cody Coffin, and Damon MacEachern scored in regulation time.  The Jacks got strong goaltending from both Dylan MacQuad and Jordan Lee as they were outshot 46-25 by the Mariners. The Jacks, who are now 2-0 in the pre-season, play in Yarmouth on Saturday.

Parkinson's Superwalk In Bridgewater Sunday

The largest fundraising event supporting people with Parkinson's disease goes this weekend in Bridgewater. The annual Superwalk for Parkinson's will hit the streets just after 1pm Sunday afternoon. The one-kilometre walk raises awareness for the disease and money to help find a cure. Chair of the Parkinson Society in the Maritime Region, Maureen Brisson, says the walk doesn't take long to do.



Brisson says this will be her last Superwalk in Bridgewater because she's moving closer to her family in B.C. The event goes Sunday beginning in the Gow's parking lot on LaHave Street.

Bridgewater Bulldogs Nab Two Provincial Crowns

Two Bridgewater baseball teams are representing Nova Scotia at Atlantic Championships. The latest team to qualify are the Bantam "AA" Bulldogs, who beat Windsor 11-4 in the final over the weekend. Meanwhile, the Peewee "AAA" club is on its way to St. John's, Newfoundland to begin play Thursday evening. A coach for both teams, Dennis Woodworth, says the two teams will need to play well to be able to win.


The Bantam "AA" club will travel to Dartmouth next weekend for the Atlantics. The Peewee "AAA" team opens up play Thursday night against Moncton. You can follow the local team by going to http://www.baseball.ca/peeweeatlantic/ .

UPDATE: Crews Return To Put Down Brush Fire Flareup

Department of Natural Resources and Mahone Bay fire fighters were back on the scene this morning of last night's brush fire on highway 103 between exits 9 and 10. They returned with an excavator after a flareup around 5am. The original blaze broke out at about 7:45 last evening and 6 deparments were involved including the DNR, Western Shore, Martins River, Mahone Bay, Chester Basin and Blockhouse.
Fire crews spent more than three hours at the scene last night. A Department of Natural Resources spokesman says today's rain should help put out the fire and dampen all wooded areas.

RCMP Looking For Vessel Involved In Mahone Bay Collision

Almost 2 weeks ago, there was an incident in Mahone Bay involving two sailing vessels. On August 25th, a 30-foot-or-more sloop ran into the side of a Middle Sackville man's vessel. The collision caused extensive damage. The sloop with six people aboard stopped briefly to check on the Middle Sackville man's condition. Then, the vessel left the scene and disappeared. No names or insurance information was left. Lunenburg County RCMP are looking for public help in tracking down the suspect vessel and its owner. If you have any information, you're asked to contact Lunenburg County RCMP at 1-902-634-8674 (Lilydale), 1-902-527-5555 (Cookville) or 1-902-275-3583 (Chester). Or, you can contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).

Zwicker To Run For District 3 In Queens

It is now a three-horse race for District 3's seat around the council table in Queens. Joel Zwicker has announced his intention to run against fellow candidates Brian Fralic and Stacey Smart-Chandler. Zwicker believes its time for fresh faces with new ideas to be part of Queens Council.  He's also concerned about the natural resources in the area.


Zwicker says Queens is in a transition period with the closure of Bowater but believes there's lots of promise for the future. Municipal elections will be held province-wide October 20.

VIDEO: Large Brush Fire Off Highway 103

No injuries after a large brush fire Tuesday night in the Martins River area. Five fire departments including Western Shore, Martins River, Mahone Bay, Chester Basin, and Blockhouse were called to the scene to battle the blaze around 7:45pm. The fire happened just off highway 103 between exits 9 and 10. Western Shore Fire Chief Scott Rafuse says the outcome could have been worse.



Fire crews spent over three hours at the scene. It is considered suspicious. Close to 50 firefighters helped battle the blaze.

School Board Approves New By-Laws

The South Shore Regional School Board has approved new by-laws before this fall's election. Board member Judith Sullivan-Corney and the regional education officer started working on the information back in January. The new by-laws define roles and responsibilities of the superintendent and members, meeting procedures, and accountability. Sullivan-Corney says the by-laws will provide structure to the newly elected board.



The by-laws will now be forwarded to the Minister of Education for final approval. To view the new by-laws, go to http://ssrsb.ca/ .

Feds, Province Invest In Nova Scotia Music Week

The federal and provincial governments are teaming up to help showcase local musicians. Member of Parliament, Gerald Keddy, announced $246,000 from the federal government to purchase equipment and make infrastructure improvements at Queens Place Emera Centre for Nova Scotia Music Week. Improvements to the facility include a new ice covering system, upgrades to storage capacity, and additional seating. Keddy says an additional $40,000 will spent to help Music Nova Scotia develop export opportunities during Nova Scotia Music Week.
The money will be used to give musicians access to influential music buyers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Meanwhile, the province announced $38,400 in funding to also bring in international music buyers from the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada to hear live performances from local acts. Nova Scotia Music Week 2012 will be held at the Queens Place Emera Centre from November 8-11. More details on the event can be found at http://nsmw.ca/ .

RCMP Advise Drivers To Slowdown As School Begins

South Shore schools open for classes on Thursday. The first day of school in September after summer vacation is considered one of the busiest days of the year. For motorists, they have to be extra cautious. The RCMP's media liason officer, Sgt. Brigdit Leger, says one of the biggest changes this year for motorists is in school zones.



However, Leger says drivers have to be careful everywhere and expect the unexpected.



Leger says motorists need to slow down not only in school zones but everywhere else too where kids are seen along streets and on sidewalks.