MODL Moves Ahead With Outdoor Smoking Policy

The mayor for the Municipality of Lunenburg says its a step in the right direction. Don Downe says developing a "Smoke Free Outdoor Spaces" policy makes sense for the health of others who don't smoke. The move means the municipality will encourage residents not to smoke on municipally-owned land like parks, playgrounds and sports fields. Downe says the signs would gently urge people to re-consider lighting up.



Downe believes people will respect the policy, though no action will be taken against those who choose to light up.

South Shore & Provincial News-Morning-July 11, 2012

Its Wednesday, the 11th of July.
Here is the latest South Shore and provincial news this morning from CKBW and Hank-FM News.
(To listen, click below)

South Shore News: CKBW/HANK Evening Cast

 

 In case you missed today's top news from the South Shore, here is our latest CKBW Newscasts to bring you up to date on whats happening around the region:

Premier Recognizes South Shore Diamond Jubilee Winners

Eleven South Shore individuals have received a medal for their contributions to the province. Premier Darrell Dexter presented the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals Tuesday afternoon at the Bridgewater Days Inn. The medal honours the Queen's 60th anniversary of her succession to the throne, along with her service and dedication to Canada. Hundreds of Nova Scotians will receive the medal this year. 


The recipients were:

• Geraldine Ann Allen (Chester)
• Jamie Belong (Liverpool)
• Meghan Brodmann (Blockhouse)
• Christina Isabelle Brown (Bridgewater)
• Agnes Clinton (Chester Basin)
• Dora Creaser (Riverport)
• Elizabeth Durnford (Lunenburg)
• Garret Fancy (Bridgewater)
• Nora Nauss (New Germany)
• Janice Arlene Rafuse (East Chester)
• Charlotte Marie White (Liverpool)

Bridgewater Council Briefs

Bridgewater council has approved a number of vehicle tenders. 


- Members signed off on a used 2009 Kia Rio for the Finance, Administration and Planning departments at a cost of $11,470.42. The budget was $12,000.


- Bridgewater Police will receive a 2012 Dodge Charger at a cost of $29,465.24. The budget was $30,000.


- The town will get a 2013 Ford F-150 for $22,131.57 for the Waste Water Treatment Plant. The approved budget for the vehicle was $20,000. It will be a budget overrun of $2,131.57.

South Shore News: CKBW/HANK Midday Cast

In case you missed it, here is one of our latest CKBW Newscasts to bring you up to date on whats happening on the South Shore:

MODL Studying Ash Material At Former Jail Site

The Municipality of Lunenburg is investigating ash material found on site at the former Centre Jail. Council approved a motion to award SLR Consulting of Halifax $8,757.25 to study the material, subject to approving a sub-contractor. Ash was discovered under one of the outbuildings during demolition last November. CAO Tammy Wilson says the work needs to be done.




She says the study will allow the municipality to choose between two options; either remove the ash and dispose it at an approved landfill or cap the site and monitor it with restricted use in the future.

NS Gov't Injects Funds For South Shore Hospitals

The province has pumped more than half a million dollars into new equipment at South Shore hospitals. Premier Darrell Dexter announced $550,000 in funding in Bridgewater this morning. The money will go toward replacing 49 patient beds at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater and Fishermen's Memorial in Lunenburg. CEO of South Shore Health Dr. Peter Vaughan says it's important to modernize hospitals equipment.



The funds will also buy a new tissue processor for South Shore Regional and equipment to support infection prevention and control. The health foundation also kicked into 25 percent of the total funding for the announcement.

Another Buyer Interested In Former Post Office

It looks like there is more interest in buying the former post office on King Street in Bridgewater. Mayor Carroll Publicover wouldn't say much, but confirmed it's a different potential buyer than the one in negotiations from March to May. Publicover is optimistic a deal can get done.



Publicover wouldn't reveal who is behind the sale, saying he would keep his source confidential. The 109-year-old post office has been for sale since 2010.

Moppie Fest Underway In Yarmouth

The second annual Moppies Festival is underway in Yarmouth. 
It involves local residents who use floor mops to create scarecrow-like figures.  The moppies will be on display until the end of the month.
The first Moppies Festival was held last summer during Yarmouth's 250th anniversary celebrations.

Minor Damage After Boat Fire In Lunenburg

No injuries after an old scallop dragger caught fire along the Lunenburg waterfront. Officials with the town's fire department responded to a call of a vessel up in smoke off Bluenose Drive around 9:30 Monday night. Captain Bruce Parks says workers were on the vessel welding before leaving for the day.




A deputy fire chief says the boat sustained minor damage, burning insulation and fibreglass, but was never in danger of sinking. The vessel is being renovated to be turned into a coastal cruiser.

Too Early To Assess Shared Bike Lanes: Shaw

Bridgewater's director of planning isn't phased by a recent poll suggesting residents believe the new shared bike lanes aren't safe. Eric Shaw says work is still being done to the lanes to make sure cyclists and motorists understand how they work. An average of 68% of online voters at http://www.ckbw.ca/ and  http://www.hankfm.ca/ are concerned about the overall safety of the bike lanes. However, Shaw says its too early to jump to conclusions.



Shaw expects the lanes to be finished over the next few weeks.

Feature: Sisters Donate Park Land to Chester

A trio of sisters who grew up in Western Shore want to make sure a local park remains open for everyone to enjoy. Joy van Norden, Frances Sawler and Joan Delorey have donated a parcel of land in Wild Rose Park to the municipality of Chester. The municipality is trying to settle with other property owners in the park after council decided in December to expropriate the land. VanNorden says they didn't want to take the money for their oceanfront property.



A plaque will be placed on a granite rock in Wild Rose Park recognizing their donation. Councillor Bob Myra says the park is a beautiful part of Western Shore and called it an extremely kind donation.

Lohnes Wins Double Bronze At Judo Nationals

(Photo Courtesy: Judo NS)

It was a double bronze medal finish for Whitney Lohnes at the judo nationals in Toronto, Ontario. The 19-year-old finished third in the under-20 division Sunday, after posting a 2-1 record. The Bridgewater resident also placed third earlier in the tournament in the 48kg category of the senior's division. Lohnes is expected to take the rest of the summer off and get back into competition in September.

Province, Society At Odds Over Bluenose II Assets

MLAs Pam Birdsall and Gary Ramey flank Premier Darrell Dexter during an announcement in Lunenburg July 6

There's no end in sight in the battle over the Bluenose II assets. The head of the Preservation Trust Society announced in June, half of its $1.4 million has been turned over to the government. However, the province's heritage minister recently said they're still waiting for full disclosure from Senator Wilfred Moore. Darrell Dexter says the situation remains at a standstill



Dexter says the province wants the money and documents to make sure they aren't assuming a financial liability. The Bluenose II company store is considered the main asset.

PC Leader Says Province Short On Nursing Homes

PC Leader Jamie Baillie

Wait times for acute care beds in some of the province's hospitals are ridiculously long according to PC leader Jamie Baillie.  He says too many patients are tying up beds when they should be cared-for in long-term care facilities.

However, Baillie says there aren't enough nursing homes and not one new nursing home has been built since the NDP government was elected three years ago.  He says an apparent lack of planning is costing dearly and its time something was done about it.



Baillie says better planning and more nursing homes would lead to a less expensive health-care system.

South Shore Drugstore Targetted By Thieves

Chester RCMP are investigating a break, enter and theft in Chester Basin.  It happened early Friday morning at the Highway 3 Pharmasave.

When RCMP officers arrived, they found the store had been broken into and an undisclosed amount of medications were taken. Two males wearing masks were seen fleeing from the store.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have been in the area at the time and may have seen these men to contact Chester RCMP right away.

CUPE Worker Seeking Council Nod

A worker with the Canadian Union of Public Employees is going after a spot on Lunenburg municipal council. Larry Power has announced his intentions to run for District 5. Power believes his experience dealing with three levels of government will serve him well. He says the timing is right.



Power says one major issue for him is the downloading of schools from the provincial government to the municipality.



Power has lived in Lunenburg County for the past eight years. Current District 5 councillor Sandra Statton doesn't intend to run again in the October 20 elections.

Martin Wins 400 Metre Aileen Meagher Title

Martin Crossing the Line 1st (Courtesy: Athletics Canada)

It was a homecoming of sorts for Bridgewater's Jenna Martin. The 24-year-old won the 400 metre event at the 2012 Aileen Meagher Track Classic Sunday night in Halifax, crossing the finish line at 52.67 seconds. Chantel Malone of the British Virgin Islands finished second. The meet was Martin's first in Halifax since last year's event. She now heads to Toronto this week for another stop in her Olympic preparations.

Volunteers Needed: Shelburne Tall Ships

 

The Town of Shelburne is still in need of some volunteers to help with the celebration of the Tall Ships. Director of Community and Economic Development, Jerry Locke says they need about 60 volunteers in total to help host the event. Locke says approximately 30 or 40 people have already signed up but they need a few more helping hands.



Anyone interested in helping out can register online or contact the town at 875-3873 or email jlocke@town.shelburne.ns.ca . The tall ships will visit Shelburne on July 28th and 29th.