Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient Passes Away

Lunenburg County has lost one of its World War II veterans. A memorial service for Douglas Maxwell Cox of Conquerall Mills will be held Saturday after he passed away recently at Fisherman's Memorial in Lunenburg. He was 92. Cox served as navigator in Ferry Command and in Bomber Command based in the United Kingdom. He was also a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down. Cox received the Distinguished Flying Cross, given to an individual for an act or acts of valour and courage or devotion to duty performed while flying in active operations against the enemy. A memorial service and reception will be held at 2pm Saturday at Bridgewater United Church. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com .

Lunenburg: Intersection May Have Been Rushed

The mayor in Lunenburg admits construction on the Green Street/Tannery Road intersection may have been rushed. As a result, the intersection was not built wide enough to properly handle any big rigs, buses or large vehicles. Laurence Mawhinney believes the project was hurried in an effort to get the intersection completed before Bluenose Academy opened. Mawhinney says he'd like to see the issue resolved as soon as possible.

"If there is any work that needs to been done, we can do it maybe as soon as school is out...any work that needs to be done could happen in July and August when the area is not so busy with students and buses. It would be the logical time, in my opinion, if your going to make some changes to do it then,"

The town has already held meetings with MLA Pam Birdsall in hopes the province will help fund some of the costs to widen the road. However, the province has yet to commit any new funding.

Two Queens Councillors Announce Mayoral Intentions

Mervin Hartlen

Two Queens councillors have announced their intentions to replace mayor John Leefe. Mervin Hartlen started on council in 1980 until 1987. He then returned in 2000 after spending time on the school board. Hartlen says he's the right fit for mayor based on his experience.

"I've lived and worked in Queens County for the last 63 years and I think I know the people from my old profession on Nova Scotia Land Surveyor and I know what they want and I know the problems we're going through right now with seniors housing and Bowater and numerous other things and I think I can help solve some of those problems."

Hartlen says he decided to run for mayor once Leefe announced his intention to step down. Owen Hamlin is the other councillor seeking the mayor's seat. Municipal elections will be held October 20.

No Injuries After Dufferin Street Car Fire

No injuries after a car caught fire Monday night in Bridgewater. Fire officials responded to the call at 8:20pm of a car ablaze around 197 Dufferin Street. Chief Wayne Thorburne says it wasn't your typical fire.

"Well, I was talking to the owner and they had just left the parking lot and noticed smoke underneath the driver's seat, so it actually started inside the car and spread very quickly."

Thorburne says roughly 25 firefighters were on scene and had the blaze under control in a matter of minutes. He says there were two or three people in the car when it caught fire.

Bridgewater Exploring Residential And Commercial Tax Decrease

The town of Bridgewater is considering lowering its residential and commercial tax rates. Council discussed the option Monday night during the first of three budget meetings. The option would decrease the residential rate from almost $1.67 per 100 of assessment to $1.65. It would also drop the commercial rate from $4.05 to $3.99. Councillor Bill McInnis proposed the idea. He says it would be a step in the right direction.

"Will this be the cure for bringing business to the town of Bridgewater? Probably not. But at least we'll be able to say we're moving in the right direction and I'd like to see it move a lot further. Our town has seen significant growth over the last five, six and seven years and I think it's time we pay back a little dividend to the business sector, as well as the residents in our town."

The public will have another chance to have their say on the proposed budget May 7.

Aquaculture Headquarters Moving To Shelburne County

The province is re-locating its aquaculture division to Shelburne County. Fisheries Minister Sterling Belliveau made the announcement today. The move will see 12 positions move to Shelburne County by the end of the year. CAO Kirk Cox says they're pleased to receive the aquaculture headquarters.

"We have been trying to develop that industry over the last few years and we're working with the private sector and other levels of government to do that. So, the fact that it's the Aquaculture Department that is coming to Shelburne, hopefully that signals a real commitment to the industry as well, by the government of Nova Scotia."

Cox says the municipality approached the province when they announced their intentions to move civil service jobs out of Halifax in March. The Nova Scotia government also announced 25 Justice Department jobs would be moved to New Waterford and 22 from the Fisheries Department to the Digby-Clementsport area.

Five Charged After Incident In Bridgewater

Bridgewater Police have charged four youths and an adult after an incident on Dufferin Street. Police say an 18 year-old was chased by a group of people and threatened with a knife. It's not known what caused the confrontation which initially began on King Street. According to police, the victim's vehicle was eventually surrounded and the window smashed out. Various charges have been laid ranging from breach of probation to possession of a dangerous weapon and uttering threats. An 18 year-old male is in police custody and is due in court this week for a show cause hearing.

Chester: Green Light For Streetscape Plan

Chester Council has given a streetscape plan for North Street unanimous approval. The plan is designed to set standards that will shape how the highway 3 corridor will look for commercial and residential properties. However, members of the Chester Municipal Chamber of Commerce aren't happy with some areas of the document pertaining to density. Chamber President Ben Wiper believes the document needs to be tweaked to avoid contradictions in the streetscape plan.

"It's impossible to build an economically viable dwelling unit - say an apartment - with twelve units unless you can go at least three floors high with an apartment. The numbers just don't work. You are losing money, the bank will never lend you money to build something like that because it just doesn't work on paper,"

Warden Allen Webber recognizes there are some issues with the plan.

"It's not only the developer that has an issue with density, the municipality itself is sensitive to the density issue because when you are constructing water, sewer, sidewalks...all those things...the greater the density the more economical it can be done. It's an issue that needs to be addressed. Whether or not they (Chamber of Commerce) are correct it impedes development because of economics the jury is still out on that but we will hear their arguments,"

He says the organization will be given the opportunity to voice their concerns with the municipality's planning advisory committee. The 'PAC' would be able to bring amendments to the plan forward if they determine changes to the plan are valid.

MODL Preparing To Start Road Work

The Municipality of Lunenburg is gearing up to improve their roads. A tender is being finalized this week for groups to bid on maintenance work. The road work is in communities like Auberndale, Conquerall Bank, Hebbville, Italy Cross, Oak Hill, Garden Lots and Pine Grove. The work includes brush cutting, ditching, the supply and placement of concrete aggregates, grading and compaction as well as dust control. The estimated cost is $125,000 a year. The work would start June 1 and last until May 31, 2015.

McGee: Can't Keep Paying For Lunenburg Academy

The deputy mayor in Lunenburg believes the town is presenting a good budget for its residents. However, John McGee has some concerns over how the town will manage the costs associated with maintaining Lunenburg Academy. The town needs to cut about $218,000 from its operating budget in order to pay for the academy. McGee says the building is the fly in the ointment.

"I was concerned that they were picking up on some of the things that they had benefit of being in there and they weren't really valid cuts is the way I was looking at it...and that they were maybe forced cuts or I kept using the word heroic and I'm suggesting that may not be the best thing to do...to cut ourselves to the bone to fund the academy may not be what we want to do here,"

The town is faced with a $177,000 price tag to maintain the academy after it took possession of the historic building at the end of March. Council has yet to approve the budget and will hold public meetings in May. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday at 5:15PM at the town office in Lunenburg.

URB Hearing Postponed For Local School Board

A meeting to review the size of the South Shore Regional School Board has been delayed. It was announced late last week, a meeting scheduled with the province's Utility and Review Board Wednesday has been postponed. It's believed because of a recent amendment to the Education Act. Earlier this month, the province decided to amend the Act to allow the opportunity for smaller school boards. The amendment will require school boards to have at least five members, along with two at-large members representing African Nova Scotian and Mi'kmaq communities. The current minimum is eight. No alternate date has been set yet for a meeting on the South Shore.

LaHave Manor Gets Keys For Evergreen Road Home

In the end, the LaHave Manor Corporation got the home they wanted. The group received keys Thursday to the house on Evergreen Road in Bridgewater, after coming to terms with the town earlier this month. The house sold for $287,000. Chair of the corporation, Elmer Garber, says the home just fits what they are looking for.

"We want our clients to be in a residential setting because, well, they have the same rights as the rest of us to live in peace and quiet. It's a home that is appropriately sized for the number of people that we want to put there and it's a very well-built home, its a high quality home."

The group has some renovations to make inside the home, like installing a residential sprinkler system and converting one bedroom into two. Garber anticipates three residents will be able to move into the home in the next few months.

Tories Demand Resignation from Peterson-Rafuse

Denise Peterson-Rafuse

The minister of Community Services is brushing off a call for her resignation by the Tories. Denise Peterson-Rafuse says the PC's are playing politics over a confidential report on the Talbot House in Cape Breton. The PC's claim Peterson-Rafuse broke the Freedom of Information Act by putting the report on a government website for anyone to read. Peterson-Rafuse says the resignation call is unwarranted.

"They're absolutely ridiculous. They are, what you call, politicizing because they're into the election mode, so they are trying to smear my reputation and there is no basis for it, whatsoever."

The Tories are crying foul because it contains unsubstantiated information and allegations. PC House Leader Chris d'Entremont says action needs to be taken.

"It's time ministers are held accountable to the information that they release. This minister has made a number of glaring mistakes. There has been precedence across Canada that has actually drawn resignation for things less glaring than what the minister has done to this point. So, we'll continue to stand for Nova Scotians and ask for her resignation."

The Chester-St.Margaret's MLA says Premier Darrell Dexter fully supports her.

Businesses Look To Queens County: Mayor

Its proof .. larger businesses are gaining confidence in the consumer market in Queens County.  Thats how District Mayor John Leefe sums it all up.  He says as Kent Building Supplies will soon build a large outlet in Liverpool, more big-name companies may follow.  He says the federal shipbuilding contract will help too.

"We're centrally situation between Yarmouth and Halifax and we're an hour-and-a half from each of those centres and from just about everywhere in the Annapolis Valley. So, yes, we think we're making progress in that area."

Leefe also says the decision by J.D. Irving to set up a big-box Kent supply store resulted from months of negotiations involving the municipality.  It will be located on a six acre parcel of land adjacent to Best Western and the new Queens-Emera Centre.  The facility is expected to open later this year.

Plug Pulled On Homeless Shelter

Yarmouth SHYFT

A much-publicized homeless shelter for youth in Yarmouth has been forced to close.  Organizers, staff and clients of "Supportive Housing Youth Focus Team", or SHYFT, campaigned earlier this month against the Dexter government's decision not to cover a monthly operating bill.  Yarmouth Liberal MLA Zach Churchill says the government has also re-negged on a promise to provide an outreach worker for the shelter.  He says that decision jeopardized federal funding in the works.  So now, the shelter has ceased operations.
Churchill says:

"People in the community tributed more than $50,000. to make sure that facility could run and provide a very much needed 24-7 supportive housing model for homeless and at-risk youth. There were thirty-one clients who through there in one winter season and according to the shelter, the success rate has been quite significant."

The "SHYFT" shelter offered clients a permanent address, which is required if they wanted to return to school, as well as assistance applying for a social insurance number or even serving a house arrest sentence.
Zach Churchill says its a real loss for the community.

Gasoline Prices Tumble

If you drive a car or truck, you will receive a nice surprise when you pull into a South Shore gas station today.   After soaring to more than $1.43 two weeks ago, the price of gasoline has dropped by more than 6 cents a litre, literally overnight.  A litre of regular self serve is selling at South Shore pumps now for $1.34.8.  Thats the lowest price for gas around here in close to a month.  The latest fall in prices reflects the lower world price of crude oil.

Shelburne: Fish Farm Ordered to Destroy Salmon

A Shelburne Harbour fish farm has been ordered to kill all of its salmon because a virus previously found there has spread. Fisheries Minister Sterling Belliveau says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency gave the order to Cooke Aquaculture's fish farm in Shelburne. In February, the federal agency ordered the company to kill fish in two pens and quarantine its site after an outbreak of infectious salmon anemia was detected during routine testing. Belliveau says the latest order will result in the deaths of thousands of fish in up to 24 pens. However, Belliveau doesn't believe the virus has spread beyond the site, adding that it hasn't shaken his confidence in the farmed salmon industry.

Chester: Old Stone Bridge is Heritage Property

The Old Stone Bridge in Chester has been designated as a provincial heritage property site. The little bridge has a rich history and is located within the village. Councillor Brad Armstrong says the bridge holds a lot of memories for many people who grew up in the seaside village.

"We always hung out there in early June to watch the gaspereau go up the brook - which they still do. So we would meet there with the boys and watch the fish go up and we would catch 'em for lobster bait mainly. I remember selling them, I think I got a penny a piece for the gaspereau,"

The Old Stone Bridge was officially recognized as a heritage site earlier this month.

VIDEO: School Board Approves 2012-13 Balanced Budget

The South Shore Regional School board has balanced its budget for 2012-13. Board member Judith Sullivan-Corney approved the $72.6-million budget during Wednesday night's meeting. The board will have a revenue reduction of $1.4-million, but will also absorb cost of living increases estimated at $1-million. Sullivan-Corney says balancing the budget was difficult after funding cuts for the second straight year.

"The senior staff have worked very closely with each and every school, and so, we looked at each school and their particular needs and then recommendations were made to the board. So, I think we have been able to really make some good decisions around the budget reductions that we have had to take."

The board balanced their budget a number of ways including:

• Reduced 20 FTE school based teaching positions 
• Reduced governance costs 
• Reduced stipends
• Reduced travel expenditure
• Reduced telecommunications expenditure
• Reduced staff professional development funds 
• Reduced building maintenance expenditure 
• Reduced Alternate and Adult Education program expenditure 
• Revenue generated by the NS International Student Program 
• Cost savings from changes to two defined benefit pension plans 
• Cost savings from school closures 
• Cost savings from transportation route reviews - bus route changes 
• Cost savings from electricity efficiency projects 
• Cost savings from staffing cuts made in 2011-12 budget - August 2011 to July 2012 savings.

The board is already preparing for further reductions to its budget in 2013-14.

MODL to Meet with Education Minister Over School Takeover

The Municipality of Lunenburg is getting their day with the Education Minister. Mayor Don Downe confirms a meeting has been scheduled with Ramona Jennex over the Centre Consolidated takeover. Downe sent a letter to the province in March, trying to find a better solution than the municipality taking over the closed school. He says they have already inherited the Blockhouse School and Riverport Community School and can't afford to take over the facility. Downe says the province needs to step up.

"There's an obligation they have in regards to saying they have used our facility, they've had them for 20 years and done nothing more than give them back in a worse condition than we received, plus they never dealt with some of these other issues we've dealt with all along, so its a huge liability."

Downe says he plans to tell the minister the downloading of schools is causing huge financial pressure on council and its residents. The meeting will be held May 22.