BREAKING NEWS: Education Minister Replacing SSRSB

Education Minister Ramona Jennex

Education Minister Ramona Jennex is restoring stability for students, teachers and staff by replacing the South Shore Regional School board with an appointed board member. The move follows an independent report by Deloitte into the governance practices of the elected board. That report found frequent violations by the board of its own by-laws, persistent cases of conflict of interest, inappropriate use of in-camera meetings and a focus on individual agendas at the expense of the region's overall best interest. Jennex says it is clear from the Deloitte report that the board was unable to fulfill its duties and its conduct placed the quality of education for students at risk. Jennex informed board members in a meeting in Bridgewater Tuesday morning that she was exercising her authority under the Education Act, which allows her to transfer the school board's authority and responsibilities to Judith Sullivan-Corney, a former deputy minister.The Deloitte report is available on line at http://www.ednet.ns.ca/.  More details to come.

BREAKING NEWS : Deloitte Inc. releases its Review of SSRSB

Deloitte Inc. says the South Shore Regional School Board has serious governance issues. The Performance Review was released in Halifax Tuesday morning. Deloitte. Inc revealed the board was in frequent violation of their code of ethics, there was mistrust of management and persistent cases of conflict of interest on the part of some members. Deloitte Inc. made a number of recommendations in their report including addressing breaches of conflict of interest and ethics, removing the Board from its involvement in management issues and eliminating members' interference in schools. Deloitte Inc. further says in their report "We believe that the capabilities required to successfully implement thse recommendations are largely absent from the Board, and success is unlikely to be achieved by the current members, even with substantial outside assistance. More details to come.

Baillie: Talks Power Rates, Families & Forestry

Conservative leader Jamie Baillie says sky high power rates are haunting average families and putting some businesses like Bowater Mersey on the brink of closure. He made the comments on Monday after meeting with business leaders in Hubbards and Liverpool during a quick swing through the South Shore. Baillie stressed the need for political parties to work together on items such as power rates and policy. "I wanted the people of Lunenburg and Queens County to know that I believe there is a long term future for the forestry industry. We all know that the world-wide demand for paper has gone down but there will be paper mills in the long run - our goal is to make sure some of them are here," The future of the pulp and paper mill in Brooklyn hinges on a plan that could include provincial government funding and breaks on energy costs. The Tories have already introduced four legislative bills during the fall session of the legislature aimed at tackling power rates. However, the bills will be lucky to see the light of day given Premier Darrell Dexter's majority government.

Fairview Inn to be Demolished

Photo Courtesy of Dan Hennessey

A sad end to one of the province's oldest Inn's. The Fairview Inn is expected to start being demolished this week, nearly six months after being ravaged by fire. Bridgewater Mayor Carroll Publicover confirmed the news at Monday night's council meeting.

"There has been a demolition permit issued. On the 22nd of November it was issued and there is machinery there now and I guess it's on the verge of being brought down."

The Inn was built in 1916 after another blaze destroyed the site's original hotel. Publicover says it's sad to see the Inn up for demolition, but adds, it's been a dangerous and unsightly property since the fire. The Inn is one of two heritage sites in Bridgewater after town council deregistered the Riverview Community Centre in July. No word yet if another Fairview Inn is expected to be built.

Chester's Doucet, Fay qualify for Junior Girls Curling Provincials

Team Doucet in Berwick

A pair of Chester junior girls curling teams have qualified for provincials. Lindsay Doucet's rink made it look easy over the weekend in Berwick; quashing the competition en route to a perfect 3-0 record. Doucet, who has two different players on her team compared to last season, says it was a weekend of learning.

"The most important thing about this weekend is kind of what we learned, more important than our record. We just figured out how each of us throws and what works and what doesn't, so it will be really helpful going on and going to provincials later in December."

Also, Mary Fay beat Bridgewater's Raquel Bachman 11-3 Monday afternoon for the second provincial qualifying spot. On the boys side, Windsor's Drew MacCormack and Wolfville's Robert Mayhew earned provincial spots. The provincials will be held, beginning December 27, in Windsor.

Grant Lake Road: Needs More Attention

The Municipality of the District of Chester is hoping to see some improvements to the Grant Lake Road. Warden Allen Webber says for those who live in the area and use the road daily - it's a serious issue. Webber says the road is in poor condition and has been a concern around the council table for years. "If you happen to live there and have to travel it - it's high on your priority list. I think all we want to express to them is that there are people who care and they may not be able to fix it completely but it needs a lot more attention than what it's getting," Council has sent a letter to the Department of Transportation asking for better maintenance and care of the road.

Deloitte Inc. set to release SSRSB Performance Review

Deloitte Inc. will release its findings Tuesday into the performance review of the South Shore Regional School Board. A technical briefing will be held at 10am Tuesday morning in the Media Room at One Government Place on Granville Street in Halifax. Michael Hodgett of Deloitte. Inc will conduct the briefing. Keep it tuned in to CKBW and HANK-FM for all the details.

Forestry Threat Found In Lunenburg

The brown spruce longhorn beetle that devastated much of Halifax's Point Pleasant Park years ago has appeared in the Lunenburg area. The town recently received a notice from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that prohibits it from moving any spruce logs, bark or wood chips off nine properties it owns.The notice says the beetle turned up in traps set in the area. Mayor Laurence Mawhinney says the beetle's presence is up for discussion at town council this week. For now though, the town doesn't know what the notice means for people living in the area. The Mayor says: "We were one of the properties within a thousand metres of a trap in the Garden Lots area where a brown-spruce longhorn beetle was found. They were raising this as a concern. We cannot move nor can anyone else within this thousand metre perifery any spruce logs, bark or chips. Its simply a matter at this time to further investigate." The notice affects about 14 hectares of land. The town does not plan to do any harvesting of trees in the area affected.

Dinosaur Spreading Anti-Smoking Message at South Shore Schools

Don't be alarmed if you see a nine foot dinosaur around local schools this week. The province's Dinosaur on the Move program has hit the South Shore with stops at Bridgewater Junior/Senior High, Park View, Liverpool Regional High, Forest Heights in Chester, Gorham Memorial Education Centre in Liverpool and New Germany Rural High School. The dinosaur monument, along with artifact boxes, are designed as part of an anti-smoking campaign targetting kids 13-18 years old. The manager of tobacco control with the Department of Health, Steve Machat, says they want to prevent kids from picking up a cigarette. The dinosaur is made out of old ashtrays with references to the government's anti-smoking website. For more details, visit http://www.15andfalling.ca/ .

Christmas on the Lahave Draws Record Crowd

There was a record crowd for last night's parade of lights and fireworks during Christmas on the Lahave in Bridgewater. Some officials say they've never seen the likes of it for the event. The parade, featuring Lunenburg County organizations and businesses, went at 6pm and the fireworks at 7. Awards were handed out too. The best decorated store award went to "King Street Shoes". Honorable mentions for the "Garden of Reading", "Kitchen Witch" and "Dennison Custom Framing." The awards were sponsored by Bridgewater and area Chamber of Commerce. Christmas on the Lahave has become the kickoff event for the Christmas season on the South Shore.

Lumberjacks Acquire Smith from Dieppe

Nick Smith

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks made another roster move over the weekend. The Jacks picked up 18-year-old forward Nick Smith from Dieppe for a 9th round pick in 2012 and future considerations. Smith was a third round pick by the Commandos. He'll make his Bridgewater debut Friday when the Jacks host Summerside.

Clarke leads Mustangs over Pictou

Avery Clarke

Avery Clarke's hat trick lifted the South Shore Canadian Tire Mustangs to a 6-3 win over Pictou County Sunday in Bridgewater. Clarke also had an assist as the third place Stangs earned a weekend split with the Weeks Crushers. The Mustangs will be back on home ice Tuesday night against Cole Harbour. Gametime is 8 o'clock at the Bridgewater Arena. Meanwhile, Clarke was also named the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League's player of the week for November 9. Clarke had six points in two games. He is currently second in league scoring with 33 points and leads the league in goals scored with 19 in 20 games.

Coastal Management Strategy Meeting in Petite Riviere

Here's your chance to have your say about the province's draft version of the coastal management strategy. The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg and the Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation will host a meeting from 7-9 Monday night at the Petite Riviere Fire Hall. The chair of the Foundation, Rick Welsford, says the meeting will discuss how residents can better manage the province's coastline. The chair of the provincial oceans network, Justin Huston, is expected to explain the draft version of the coastal management strategy. Welsford believes Monday night is the last public meeting that the government will collect feedback. If you can't make the meeting, you can read the draft policy online and respond at www.gov.ns.ca/coast/consultation.asp .

Weather Causes Delay For Lobster Fishers

High winds will push back Dumping Day for both LFA 33 and 34. Fishers in Shelburne, Digby and Yarmouth will only be delayed by one day. Lobster boats will now head out on Tuesday, November 29th. District 34 will depart at 6am while those in LFA 33 leave at 7am. The forecast is looking good for Tuesday giving fishers in both districts a better chance to set their traps.

Lumberjacks mauled by Bearcats in Truro

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks got thumped 8-1 last night in Truro. The Bearcats jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first period and never looked back. Jake Bullen had the lone goal for the Jacks, who were playing their third game in as many nights. In other MHL action the Amherst Ramblers topped  Woodstock 4-1, handing the Slammers their first regulation loss of the season.
 
In Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League action in Bridgewater the Pictou County Weeks Crushers doubled the South Shore Canadian Tire Mustangs 6-3. The same two clubs meet again this morning at 10:30 at the Bridgewater Arena.

Mustangs Take Impressive Record into Double Dip with Pictou

The second place Canadian Tire Mustangs hit the ice tonight in Bridgewater. The Stangs will take on Pictou Crush. Puck drops at 8 o'clock at the Bridgewater Arena. The two clubs will lock horns again Sunday morning at 10:30. The Mustangs sport an impressive 12-5-01 record on the season - good for 25 points on the season. Pictou County sits in fourth place with 21 points and a 9-6-0-2 record. Halifax leads the league with 32 points.

Ramblers Double Jacks - Ending CIBC's Two Game Streak

Maritime Hockey League action last night in Bridgewater the Amherst Ramblers doubled the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks 4-2. Jake Bullen gave the Jacks an early 1-0 lead but the first place Ramblers scored the next three goals. Shawn Boudreau brought the locals to within one midway through the third period but Brandon Street's second goal of the game with three & a half minutes to go iced it. The Ramblers outshot Bridgewater 33-30. Tonight the Lumberjacks head to Truro to face the Bearcats. Gametime is 7:30.

Resolute to Shut Down Mill in Fort Frances, Ont

Resolute Forest Products is curtailing its papermaking operations in Fort Frances for the rest of the year beginning on Monday. The company - formerly Abitibi Bowater - is citing poor market conditions as the reason behind the five week shutdown of its paper machines. About one hundred employees at the Ontario-based mill will be impacted.  It's the third work stoppage this year. Meanwhile, workers at the Bowater Mersey Mill in Brooklyn are facing a December 1st deadline to accept severance packages after the union accepted major concessions from Resolute in an effort to save the operation. It means 80 full-time workers will be unemployed and are mulling over company offers.

It's a Big Safety Concern: Shatford

The Deputy Warden for the District of Chester is upset over the lack of snow removal following this weeks storm. During council's regular meeting on Thursday, Floyd Shatford asked each councillor to contact their area MLA to try and draw attention to the issue. Shatford says residents of Chester and the surrounding area deserve better. "I mean I was totally disgusted, the roads were very very bad. My grand kids were heading on buses and the roads were dangerous. I have a hard time accepting they can't keep the roads cleaner. It's totally unacceptable," Snow removal has been an on-going issue in the community year after year and Shatford says something needs to improve.

Former Shelburne Film Studio/Navy Base Sold in Auction

The 150-acre parcel of land at Sandy point near Shelburne was sold in a receiver's auction for $125,000 on Thursday. Roger Sullivan, owner of Yarmouth-based Tri-County Construction was the successful bidder. At one time the asking price for the property was $5 million. Sullivan says he has no immediate plans for the former film studio and navy base. In a separate bid, Tanya Strate purchased six ocean front lots for $85,000 or less than $15,000 per lot. Proceeds of the auction will go toward creditors, including the now defunct South West Shore Development Authority.