McNeil: Three Solutions For Better Health Care

The province's Liberal Leader says nurse practitioners are one of three solutions to improving health care. Stephen McNeil made the comments after 800 available spots with Bridgewater's nurse practitioners were filled after two public intakes. He says a Liberal government would target university students to help alleviate the issue.



McNeil also believes a separate residency program should be set up for Nova Scotia students who move home after studying outside the province. Bridgewater's nurse practitioners can handle up to 1,400 patients with a third intake planned for the fall. Nurse practitioners are the first step towards a new Collaborative Health Centre in Bridgewater to help meet the needs of the community.

Gas Prices May be Lowered Some Tonight

Gas prices along the South Shore may drop some tonight ... if New Brunswick is a good measure of what might happen.  New Brunswick's Energy and Utilities Board reset gas prices at midnight last night with the maximum price of regular unleaded falling by almost a cent to $1.27.3 per litre.  Strangely, the price of diesel went in the opposite direction though, up by just under two cents to a maximum of $1.32.5 a litre.  In case you're interested, the world markets price of oil was up yesterday by just under 50 cents to $88.95 a barrel.

White Point Build On Track: Officials

White Point Build on July 25

Officials at White Point say the building of the new main lodge remains on track. Construction began four months ago after a devastating fire levelled the historic lodge last November. White Point's marketing and product development manager, Donna Hatt, says a floor has been installed and she's been able to walk within the structure. She says crews will soon start work on the roof.



Hatt says once the roof is complete, work will then begin on the interior of the lodge. She says everything is starting to come together.

Hatt says they will be set to open to the public November 8.

Lunenburg: Atleo Renews Calls For Public Inquiry

National Chief Shawn Atleo has left a meeting on the South Shore searching for full support from Canada's premiers for a public inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women. The chief of the Assembly of First Nations met with the premiers today in Lunenburg where they discussed several issues of concern to aboriginal peoples. Speaking with media, Atleo urged the premiers and the federal government to support his calls for a national inquiry into missing and slain aboriginal women.

   

Premier Darrell Dexter, who hosted the meeting, said the matter was discussed. He says premiers will return to the topic at a meeting in November. Ottawa has also resisted calls for such an inquiry.

Keddy Among Those To Benefit Most From MP Pension Plan

The campaign to reform the pension plan for Canada's members of parliament is being ramped up.  Leading the way is the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, kicking off its renewed effort this morning in Halifax with a billboard unveiling.  The average Nova Scotia MP will be eligible for an over $77,000 a year pension by the 2015 election. CTF Atlantic President Kevin Lacey says Gerald Keddy of South Shore St. Margarets is one of the leaders of the pack of high-pensioned MP's.




An MP is eligible for a pension after serving just 6 years and can begin collecting at just 55 years of age (fully indexed at 60). They earn 10.4% interest each year on their contributions that is paid for entirely by taxpayers.  The CTF’s campaign includes billboards sporting the message “For every $1 an MP puts into their pension, taxpayers put in $24” were put up today in Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Ottawa and Halifax.
The goal of the campaign is to get Canadians to take action this summer and put pressure on their MPs, opposition leaders and the prime minister before they come out with their MP pension reform plan this fall.
In 2010-11 MPs and Senators contributed a combined $4.5 million to the parliamentary pension accounts, while taxpayers contributed $110.7 million ($26.7 million in contributions and $84 million in ‘interest’ and actuarial adjustments).




By the 2015 election Nova Scotia MPs will be eligible for the following annual pension payouts, largely paid for by taxpayers. In brackets are lifetime payments, assuming they live to 80:

Scott Armstrong (CPC) Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodobit Valley Not Eligible
Scott Brison (Lib) Kings-Hants $96,721 ($3,113,881)
Robert Chisholm (NDP) Dartmouth-Cole Harbour Not Eligible
Rodger Cuzner (Lib) Cape Breton-Canso $73,057 ($1,782,177)
Mark Eyking (Lib) Sydney-Victoria $71,935 ($2,315,922)
Gerald Keddy (CPC) South Shore – St. Margaret’s $94,429 ($2,029,121)
Greg Kerr (CPC) West Nova $39,025 ($524,589)*
Megan Leslie (NDP) Halifax $33,149 ($1,067,227)
Peter MacKay (CPC) Central Nova $117,297 ($3,776,298)
Geoff Regan (Lib) Halifax West $77,316 ($2,363,699)**
Peter Stoffer (NDP) Sackville-Eastern Shore $93,562 ($2,422,517)

* Also qualifies for a Nova Scotia MLA pension
** Has the option to “buy back” years prior to being defeated in 1997 election, if he bought back his estimated pension would be $105,090 ($3,212,681)

Liberal MLA Slammed After NDP/Layton Tweet

The MLA for Yarmouth sent the twitter world a buzz yesterday with a tweet from his account slamming the NDP government. Zach Churchill is the Liberal member in southwestern Nova Scotia. He tweeted that former NDP leader Jack Layton 'would be disgusted with how the party is operating in Nova Scotia'. Further, his tweet went on to say 'Premier Dexter makes Prime Minster Stephen Harper look like a saint'. Churchill sent the message on the social media site as the anniversary of Layton's decision to step down as leader of the NDP approaches. Layton was forced to leave the party this time last year to focus on his battle with cancer, which he ultimately lost on August 22, 2011. Churchill was blitzed with reply messages from his followers who thought the tweet was inappropriate. We'd like to hear what what you think of the tweet - check our poll on the main page of our website.

Official Tweet: @natnewswatch He would be disgusted with how the #ndp are operating in #novascotia. @PremierDexter makes #Harper look like a saint #nspoli


Responses:

  - @zachchurchill @natnewswatch Jack Layton was a friend of mine since 1977. That is arrant nonsense. For shame, sir. For shame. #nspoli

  

- But @zachchurchill, when use someone's death in a pathetic attempt at gain you should be put in place by many regardless of party. #nspoli

http://twitter.com/zachchurchill you stay classy Zach! I'm embarrassed for the people of Yarmouth that elected such an immature bully #nspoli

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 -  @zachchurchill @PremierDexter and how can you presume to know what Jack Layton would be thinking? all for cheap politics. for shame, sir.

 

Exhibition Parade On Tonight

The South Shore Exhibition parade, scheduled for last evening in Bridgewater, is now on for tonight. The event was postponed last night because of the rain. Exhibition manager Christine Sarty says the parade route will be the same as earlier planned.



The parade will begin at 6pm on High Street.

UNSM To Decide On MODL Resolution This Fall

The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities has a decision to make. The body has the option to approve or defeat a resolution brought forward by the Municipality of Lunenburg regarding surplus schools. Council forwarded a resolution regarding changes to the Education Act, and a notice to municipalities when a school becomes surplus. CAO Tammy Wilson says the resolution gives more responsibility to the province.



A decision by the UNSM is expected at its fall conference in mid-September.

Premiers & Native Chiefs Meet Today In Lunenburg

The Provincial and Territorial premiers will be holding talks today with aboriginal leaders to discuss education, health and natural resources.  The premiers have gathered in Lunenburg for the Council of the Federation meeting.  The native chiefs plan to also talk to the premiers about violence against aboriginal women and girls.  Ottawa has resisted calls for a national inquiry or task force on that topic.  The meeting is taking place at the Lunenburg Arms Hotel.

Birdsall: Premiers, Aboriginals Showcase Lunenburg

The MLA for Lunenburg says there's no better time to bring Canada's premiers to the area. The provincial and territorial leaders will meet with National Aboriginal Organization Leaders Wednesday in Lunenburg. Pam Birdsall says there will be plenty to see and talk about besides politics.



Topics up for discussion include education, economic development and issues involving natives who live off reserves. 

No Injuries After Two-Vehicle Crash In Hebbs Cross

No injuries after a two-vehicle crash in Hebbs Cross. RCMP Cst. Christine Pelly says a car turned out onto highway 103 near the Blarney Stone restaurant when it was struck from behind. Pelly says it was raining heavily at the time, making visibility tough for drivers. One car was towed and RCMP cleared the scene just before 2pm this afternoon.

UPDATE: Power Restored In Yarmouth/Shelburne

Nova Scotia Power crews have restored electricity for thousands of customers in the south western part of the province. According to their twitter feed, power was restored around 12:30PM. Rain, lightning and wind are believed to be the cause. Approximately 6,000 between Barrington to Argyle residents were without power for a little more than two hours. The forecast is calling for up 20 and 30 mm of rain in Shelburne, Yarmouth, Queens and Lunenburg counties.

RCMP Seek Suspects In Lunenburg Co. B&E's

The Mounties are investigating a break and enter at a restaurant in Mahone Bay. It happened at the "Mug and Anchor" in the downtown, sometime between 1:30am and 6:45am this past Saturday (July 21). Apparently nothing was taken but investigators say there was considerable damage. Meanwhile, another B & E, this one spreading possibly over several months, in West LaHave has the RCMP seeking suspects as well. It happened between November 1st, 2011 and July 3rd. Among items taken were three outboard boat motors. In both cases, the RCMP are asking anyone who might have information to contact them at (1-902) 527-5555. Or you can contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can also submit your tips online by logging on to the Crimestoppers website at http://www.crimestoppers.n.s.ca/. If police use the information to make an arrest and lay charges, callers qualify for cash rewards ranging from $50.00 to $2000.00.

Motorcyclist Collides With Deer In Queens County

 

A close call in Queens County this morning. RCMP say a woman is in hospital after her motorcycle collided with a deer near Exit 17. The accident happened around 11 o'clock this morning and shut down the highway for a short period. Queens RCMP say the woman has been taken to South Shore Regional Hospital. Her injuries are described as non-life threatening. The deer was not at the scene and officials believe it may have survived.

UPDATE: Big Ex Parade Rescheduled For Wednesday

The South Shore Exhibition parade scheduled for tonight has been postponed until tomorrow night. Parade Marshal Tom Mailman says the executive made the decision just before noon-time today. Officials were concerned about weather conditions with rain, thundershowers and gusting winds in today's forecast. The parade will be held at 6pm tomorrow night along the same route.

103 Improvements Should Be Priority: PC Leader

The province's PC Leader is joining the chorus of people urging the province to make improvements to highway 103 a priority! Jamie Baillie says scores of people have died and hundreds have been injured in recent years and the government has to stop casting a blind eye to the problem.



The province has a five year highway improvement plan. However, highway 103 is not included.

Thousands Of Tri-County Residents Without Power

 

Thousands of tri-county residents are without electricity today. Nova Scotia Power states on it's website approximately 5,000 people between Barrington and Argyle are without power. Rain, lighting and wind is being blamed for the outage but its expected to be resolved over the noon hour. The forecast is calling for up 20 and 30 mm of rain in Shelburne, Yarmouth, Queens and Lunenburg counties.

Big Ex: Decision On Parade Pending

Officials with the South Shore Exhibition are expected to make a decision on tonight's parade before 2pm this afternoon.Weather could postpone the event with heavy rain, a risk of thundershowers and gusting winds in the forecast. The parade is scheduled to start at 6pm in Bridgewater. More details can be found at http://www.thebigex.com/ .

Tall Ships Lunenburg: Times & Parking Details

Organizers of the Tall Ships Festival in Lunenburg expect big crowds over the next two days. Seven tall ships are docked in the harbour and the ships will be open to the public beginning on Wednesday morning. Lunenburg's recreation director, Robin Scott says people will be able to board the ships between 10AM and 5PM each day. He says a number of parking options are available with a free shuttle to take people to the waterfront.



On Thursday, Scott suggests parking at High Liner instead of the community centre. The two days festival will be filled with entertainment, music, food and story's about the ships.

Identity of 103 Accident Victim

Near Hubbards, NS

A woman killed in a car crash on Highway 103 near Tantallon on Saturday has been identified. 65 year old Jo-Ann Constance Hubley of Tantallon died when the vehicle she was driving collided with two other vehicles between exits 5 and 6. Several people received minor injuries. Police say the cause is still under investigation.