Bridgewater Police Honour

A south shore man is among a group of 75 Police officers from across Nova Scotia being recognized for contributions to law enforcement. They have been presented with the Nova Scotia Provincial Long Service Award. Detective/Sergeant Scott Feener of the Bridgewater Police Service has been recognised for his 15 years of service with the force. Justice Minister and Attorney General Ross Landry presented the awards in Halifax today (October 27th). The awards recognize police officers who have served in the province for 15 and 25 consecutive years. Landry says it is important to recognize these men and women because they are creating a province that is safer for all Nova Scotians.

Day Care Dollars

Nova Scotia is investing six-million dollars in 12 child-care centres to expand facilities and create 300 new child-care spaces. Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse was in Spryfield today (October 27th) at the Edward Jost Children's Centre to present $1.5-million to help the centre build a second building and double its capacity. Peterson-Rafuse says the funding will provide more Nova Scotia families with access to affordable, quality child care. The funding is provided through Nova Scotia's 10-year Early Learning and Child Care Plan. On the list for 2009/2010 is Association De la Garderie de la Rive Sud in Blockhouse with funding of $585,401. Other south shore facilities to receive money in recent years include the Chester & Area Family Resource Centre with $706,590 and the Lunenburg Daycare Centre with support of $88,566.

Legion Help

Bridgewater Town Council has agreed to supply a letter of support to the local Legion in it's bid to secure capital assistance funding under the New Horizons for Seniors Program. Branch #24 is seeking a grant of $25,000 for the repair of a leaking foundation wall and to make some repairs to the Legion kitchen. Both projects are deemed as high priority for health and safety as well as aesthetics. The application for funding must be post marked by November 5th.

World Vision Help

It is the epitome of the gift that keeps on giving. And a dairy cow for $600 is a huge investment in a developing country. World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Last year, there were 61 Bridgewater area residents who used the group's Gift catalogue to help families overseas. World Vision says south shore residents spent more than $8,610 to help buy things like livestock, school uniforms and medical supplies for children and families.

Daycare Tax Break

A request for a full property tax exemption for a York Street daycare was turned down earlier this year, now the Board of Directors is asking Bridgewater Town Council to take another look at the matter. Treasurer Michael Dunham says the exemption would put all daycares on a level playing field. Samantha Crouse, Chair of the Centre's Board of Directors says they want to be competitive with the other child care centres in the area. Mayor Carroll Publicover says the Small World Learning Centre currently has a partial tax exemption and granting full exemption would level the playing field. Council did consider a special by-law for registered charitable organizations but it only got as far as first reading. Council will discuss the issue at the next briefing session and re-table the by-law for second reading at it's November 23 meeting.

Theater Concerns

It may be easier said than done.. Mayor Carroll Publicover says he doesn't want to see an X-rated movie theatre set up shop in Bridgewater, but it's more than just saying no. The Town's planner says at this point the Town has limited control under the current by-laws and municipal planning strategy but he's researching the matter. The owner of Sister Sarah's has said he might consider setting up theatres in various locations which would screen skin flicks in order to make up for lost revenue because of provincial fees he has to pay the province to rate the porn films he sells in his shops. Franklyn Rhyno who is originally from Bridgewater mentioned the Town as one of the possible sites for a movie theatre.