Lumberjacks hand out hardware

Lumberjack players left to right: Mitch Hennebury, Michael Crawley, Jake Bullen, Billy Clarke and Cody Coffin with their awards Thursday night at the teams awards banquet at the Bridgewater Days Inn. (photo courtesy Marci Hirtle)

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks have named Jake Bullen their most valuable player for 2011-12. The captain tied Michael Crawley for most goals with 33 and was second in points. Bullen says it means a lot to be the MVP.

"It's a great honour, especially when you see some of the names, (Matt) Stoddart was on it last year, so it feels good to have my name there next to him because he was a great player as well, and it's just a great feeling."

Bullen along with Nick Gouthro have finished their junior 'A' careers because they are both over the age limit. Meanwhile, Crawley took home top scorer honours at the clubs awards banquet Thursday night at the Bridgewater Days Inn. Crawley says he wasn't expecting the year he had.

"I was surprised on how much I found the back of the net this year because I normally struggle, but it was nice to finally get that off my back and I hope I can do the exact same, if not better next year."

Crawley finished with 78 points to lead the Jacks in scoring. Other winners were Cody Coffin for the 100% award, Mitch Hennebury for top defenseman, Billy Clarke for rookie of the year and Roland Provencal for most improved.

Lunenburg Residents Oppose Apartment Complex

A proposed six unit apartment project within the Town of Lunenburg is making some residents of the area uncomfortable. A private developer has submitted an application to enter into a development agreement with the town for the project on Green Street. However, neighbouring residents don't feel the project is a proper fit for the location. "It's an area of town where there are some very nice homes and I don't think anyone was thinking this was going to be an area of town that would host multi-family dwellings most of the units would be single family dwellings and that seems to be the main concern," Mayor Laurence Mawhinney says instead of turning down the proposal, council will look at hosting a public information meeting to clear the air. Mawhinney says he's received a dozen emails from residents opposed to the project - in addition to a few phone calls. He says a public meeting would clear the air and give both sides a chance to have their say, however, a date has yet to be identified.

Town upset over new RCMP contract with province

The town of Bridgewater isn't pleased with a new 20-year contract between the RCMP and the province. Under the Provincial Police Service Agreement, the province retains a 70/30 cost-share agreement for municipalities. Mayor Carroll Publicover says its a form of discrimination because Bridgewater is paying more money for RCMP service. He says something has to be done.

"We're paying our 100% which is closing in on $4-million, plus 30% subsidy to the units that are getting the 70/30 deal is coming from income tax which we're contributing to, so we're really paying and we want that to stop."

Publicover intends to write a letter to the province asking for the town's 30 per cent.

Conservatives Ready To Tackle Government On Numerous Issues

The sluggish economy, job losses in rural areas and the deficit.
Those will be the focus of attention for Progressive Conservatives when the legislature resumes later this month. Leader Jamie Baillie tells us, even the Yarmouth ferry is still a sore point for most businesses along the South Shore. He says: "My favourite piece of wisdom on the Yarmouth ferry is from a person I met in Liverpool who said, 'you know it really isn't the Yarmouth ferry .. its the Nova Scotia ferry and it just happened to dock in Yarmouth'. Its such an important piece of our tourism infrastructure, our rural economy and yet its bizaarely the one thing the NDP government has cut while the provincial budget grows in so many other areas."
The government is expected to unveil its budget in mid to late April.

Council defers dog by-law until March 12 meeting

Colleen Baker

Bridgewater council has deferred a decision on moving ahead with their dog by-law. A presentation Monday night by Colleen Baker with Shaid Tree animal shelter convinced council to revise wording in the by-law. She points out, the one thing the group doesn't like, is the dog catcher or any town police officer can choose to euthanize a dog if its deemed dangerous. She says creating a council of three people could better determine if a dog should be put down or not.

"If a dog is actually hanging off a person and also another animal, then we would never stand and say 'save that dog' with our posters and stuff like that. I think what we're trying to do is give a level playing field to the owners and the dogs and make sure the dog has a fair hearing and with three people instead of one."

Baker has suggested the council could be made up of a town citizen, a veterinarian and the dog catcher. Mayor Carroll Publicover says Shaid's request peaked council's interest.

"They're suggesting that there are ways to sedate the dog and quiet it and give time for a panel of three people to say whether or not that dog is in deed a danger and should be put down and when council thought about it, I think we're prepared to consider an amendment to allow that to happen."

Town council is expected to revisit the issue at their March 12 meeting.

Murder Charges: Fitness Hearing Underway in Bridgewater for Eisnor

A hearing is underway in Bridgewater to determine if a South Shore man is fit to stand trial. Wayne Eisnor is facing a charge of first degree murder following a shooting at the New Germany Freshmart in June of 2010. Eisnor is accused of shooting his wife (Tina Eisnor) twice inside her vehicle in the parking lot of the store before turning the gun on himself. He suffered significant brain damage as a result and has been undergoing extensive psychiatric assessments to gauge his recovery and mental state for the past 18 months in Dartmouth. A key witness in the hearing, Dr. Aileen Burnet recommended in her latest report on Eisnor's progress that he is fit to stand trial. However, Judge Gregory Lenehan will ultimately make the final decision on whether or not to proceed to trial. The hearing will resume on Friday in Bridgewater.

SSRSB should be reduced to nine members: Town

Bridgewater council has recommended the South Shore Regional School Board reduce its size. Council agreed to write a letter endorsing a nine-person board, with seven members plus two seats for at-large representatives from the Mik'maq and African Nova Scotia communities.  Mayor Carroll Publicover says they feel its an appropriate size.

"I think that's a nice, workable number for discussion, for decision-making. I think to make decisions based on what is in the best interests of the students, of the whole board, I think they can do that job admirably."

The board currently has a model for 10 members plus two seats for at-large representatives. Potential changes could happen after the province's Utility and Review Board approved applications from the Region of Queens and Municipality of Lunenburg to change their boundaries.

Break and Enter at Mahone Bay Liquor Store

Lunenburg County RCMP are on the hunt for those responsible for breaking and entering into the liquor store in Mahone Bay. The incident happened just after midnight Wednesday morning. RCMP say thieves smashed a window and entered the building, stealing an undetermined amount of liquor. A window was also smashed at the Mahone Bay RCMP office around the same time. Anyone with information should contact RCMP in either Lunenburg, Bridgewater or Chester.

'Inn from the Cold' needs men to volunteer

An emergency shelter program in Bridgewater is in need of volunteers. Town Councillor David Mitchell volunteers with 'Inn from the Cold' and made a plea during Monday night's council meeting for more men to get involved. He says they have lots of women who help out already. Mitchell says people shouldn't be deterred from volunteering some time.

"I think the issue for a lot of people is 'how do I go to work the next day?' It becomes an issue if you have someone staying, you do have to stay up overnight, but some people can manage and I think that if they gave it a shot, they would find out they could do it."

Churches around Bridgewater offer people sanctuaries who have no place to sleep during winter nights. Mitchell says Bridgewater Police screen people before bringing them to the volunteers to provide food and shelter.

Lumberjacks owner discusses 2011-12 season

The owner of the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks calls it a disappointing year for his club. The Lumberjacks finished their season last Friday night with a 4-1 loss to Yarmouth, capping off a campaign that seen the Jacks win only 15 times in 52 games and finish in the basement of the Bent Division. Ken Petrie says they didn't meet their expectations.

"I thought we would win a few more games, I did. When we talked at the beginning of the year we thought we'd be in the mini-series and we all know we weren't and were a long, long ways from it, but it certainly wasn't from a lack of effort."

 Petrie says he's happy with the coaching staff's effort this year after losing many players to injury early in the season. Despite the struggles, Petrie says they weren't anticipating a breakout season.

"We knew we were going into a building year, we certainly didn't expect to win any championships this year. Lost a lot of close games, but I think that comes with experience. We had a relatively young team, I think perhaps, we were the youngest team in the league and it shows."

Petrie says the club will miss Jake Bullen, after the captain registered 33 goals and 68 points in his final year of junior hockey. The Jacks will hold their annual awards banquet Thursday night at the Bridgewater Days Inn.

YMCA expanding King Street location for youth centre

Emma Sutherland

The YMCA Lunenburg County is offering more programming to youth. The organization is expanding its King Street location in Bridgewater to include a youth centre. The spot offers an after school program at the moment from 3-6pm daily. The new youth centre would offer more programs Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings along with weekends. A member of the YMCA's youth leadership program, Emma Sutherland, says the inclusion of a centre would be beneficial for local youth.

"A youth centre connects us to the local community engaging us to volunteer and make a difference in our neighbourhood. A youth centre can assist us in developing positive friendships and growing up healthy. A youth centre can provide us with a place to gather and be ourselves."

The YMCA has asked both the town of Bridgewater and Municipality of Lunenburg to consider setting aside $22,000 in their upcoming budgets to support the centre. Bridgewater Mayor Carroll Publicover says its a lot of money, but adds, council will determine what they can manage. The YMCA says they will start working on the new centre as of April 1.

Suspect Salmon Virus Pinpointed to Shelburne Harbour

Cooke Aquaculture says fish samples from Shelburne Harbour are being tested for a deadly salmon virus. The company confirmed the location to remove suspicions cast by opponents of another farming site in St. Mary's Bay. Spokeswoman Nell Halse says no signs of ISA is present at any of its other nine fish farms in the province. Thousands of fish from Shelburne Harbour were destroyed after routine testing suspected the virus on February 10th. Meanwhile, the federal agency has yet to release the test results after samples were sent to Moncton earlier this month. The agency says it will take weeks to confirm the results. ISA is not harmful to humans but is considered the more feared virus within the industry.

Update: Tips Wanted in Armed Robbery Investigation

Police have some leads, but are asking the public to help with the investigation into an armed robbery in Hebbville. Mounties say a masked man, armed with a gun, walked into an Irving gas station on Friday night and demanded cash. The robbery took place just before 10 o'clock but wittnesses inside the store weren't able to identify the suspect or the get away car. The man was able to take an undisclosed amount on money from the cash register and sped off in a vehicle left running outside the gas station. Police are hoping to hear from anyone who may have seen something around the time of the incident. Tips should be directed to the Lunenburg County RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Bridgewater Council supports Minor Football

Minor football is coming to the South Shore. Bridgewater council awarded a one-time commitment and pre-budget approval of $7,816.55 for the South Shore Seahawks to start playing this summer. The cost to the town is expected to drop with an in-kind donation of $1,500 and the towns implication to apply for a provincial Health and Wellness grant worth $2,243. Mayor Carroll Publicover says he would like other municipal units to chip-in funding.

"It should be 50/50 because these kids are going to come from the entire South Shore area, no way half of them will come from Bridgewater; can't happen, there won't be enough with a focused attention on football, they'll come from Chester right through to Queens County."

The Seahawks' team plan indicates the club would like to recruit players and hold identification camps as early as next month or April. Goal posts are expected to be installed at Kinsmen field in the next few months. Tryouts would then be held in August with league play starting in September. The Seahawks are hoping to attract at least 60 players to field two teams.

Mahone Bay recognizes volunteer of the year for 2012

A nice way to honour a long-time volunteer. Charles Uhlman has been named Mahone Bay's volunteer of the year for 2012 for his 43 years of service with the Lions Club and constant work in the town. Uhlman coached and mentored students at the former Mahone Bay school and also volunteers with the Victorian Order of Nurses. He says it was never his intention to be recognized for an award. Uhlman says he likes being involved in the town.

"The rewards that you get are the good feeling that you have when you're doing things for your community, you know, you're doing things for people, you're trying to make the place a better place in which to live."

Uhlman will represent Mahone Bay in Halifax at a provincial awards ceremony for volunteers in April.

Brookside Cemetery should be heritage property: Historian

Photo Courtesy of George Newbury

A South Shore historian is trying to get Brookside Cemetery in Bridgewater registered as a municipal heritage property. Brookside Cemetery was opened in 1879 by Dean Wile, who was manager of the local carding mill. He conveyed the property to the town in 1902. Peter Oickle says a cemetery provides a community with a sense of itself.

"When you look at the historical and cultural value of them, people want to make sure they're preserved and they're protected. When you look at it, you'll see names that we would recognize immediately like the Dawson family, the Davison family, the Gow's; each of these people made Bridgewater what it is today and contributed to the development of the town."

Among the notables buried at the cemetery is Mather Byles DesBrisay; a judge, politician and author who founded the local museum. Its also the resting place of Victoria Ernst, who became the first female doctor in Bridgewater.

Liberals: NS Gov't Should Reveal All Information on ISA Scare

It could be a few more weeks before the Canada Food Inspection Agency can confirm or dismiss a suspected virus affecting salmon at a Shelburne County aquaculture operation. The Provincial fisheries and environment departments have released little information. Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says the government has been too quiet. "When government withholds the kind of information that they have it just allows the misinformation or quite frankly the growing concerning about potential cross over from aquaculture into the regular fishery,"  Cooke Aquaculture operates nine of the provinces 13 salmon farming operations with four of them located in the Shelburne Harbour and McNutt Island areas. The operation in question is believed to be one in Shelburne Harbour.

VIDEO: Resource Bag Encourages Education at Home

The Department of Education is putting more focus on childhood learning within the household. Lunenburg MLA Pam Birdsall announced a new resource initiative this morning in Mahone Bay called the Play-Talk-Learn resource bag. The tools inside the bag include hands on items like books, crayons, letters and numbers and is designed to assist primary aged students with their language, writing and reading development. Early Learning Coordinator Nancy Taylor says it's important to make learning for young children entertaining both in the home and the classroom.

"And we also know when parents are well connected with their children education then their children are going to be more successful. This resource that we've put together with learning activities is designed to encourage children and their families to play together,"

The resource bags are being introduced to primary students in the South Shore, Annapolis Valley, Cape Breton-Victoria and Strait Regional school boards. Province wide distribution is set for September.

Ramey wins fifth shotput title at AUS Championship

Bridgewater's Garrett Ramey has won gold at the Atlantic University Sports Championship in Moncton. It's the fifth year in a row he's won the shot-put event. His winning numbers were 7.26 kilograms (16 pounds) and throwing 15.18 meters. Ramey also won a bronze in the 35-pound weight toss with a personal best of 13.27 meters. He now heads to the CIS Championships in Alberta in two weeks.

Curl for a Cause raises over $35,000 for Fisherman's Memorial

The Health Services Foundation of the South Shore exceeded their fundraising goal for Curl for a Cause. The event, held over the weekend at the Lunenburg Curling Club, raised $35,660 for Fisherman's Memorial Hospital. Managing director for the Foundation, Arlene Stevens, says she's happy they raised enough money with equipment costs on the rise.

"It's interesting. When I look at the list of the pieces of equipment that we committed to purchase this year, we surpassed what we needed by about $35 so we were right on the mark as far as what we had agreed to buy and the money we had raised."

The money will be put towards nine pieces of equipment including a specialized stretcher, overbed tables for the veterans' unit, vitals monitor and ultrasound. Stevens says the 12th annual event was a huge success with non-stop curling from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening.