South Shore: E-Voting Numbers Remain Strong

The latest stats continue to show residents of Chester and Bridgewater have taken a liking to e-voting. In Chester, 1,452 residents have already cast their votes either online or over the phone in advance of this Saturday's municipal and school board election. In total, 987 votes were cast through web voting while 465 were sent in over the phone.  In Bridgewater, 1,248 residents have cast their ballot through e-voting. The number show 1,066 voted online and 182 over the phone. E-voting wraps up in Chester today while residents in Bridgewater can e-vote right up until the time polls close on Saturday at 7 o'clock.

Local School Board Getting Additional Teachers

The South Shore Regional School Board is getting some added help from the province. The board is receiving an additional two-and-a-half teachers to meet the need of oversized classrooms in some of their schools. The help is being provided as part of the government's move to reduce class sizes in primary to grade three. Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says they have 15 classrooms with more than 25 students between those grades. She says at least two schools will benefit from the extra help.



Pynch-Worthylake says it hasn't been determined where the remaining position will be filled. She says the additional help will be in the schools as soon as possible.

Queens Mayor Reflects On His Long Career

Mayor John Leefe

He was elected to the Nova Scotia legislature six consecutive times (1978 to 1999 as a PC) and he was a cabinet minister and deputy speaker and more recently, the Mayor of the District of Queens. Now though, in these final days of John Leefe's 12 years in the mayor's office, he's reflecting on his long career. In an interview, Leefe tells us what's led to his success over all those years has been the loyalty of the residents of Queens County and beyond.



And that job as mayor has included leading the way in infrastructure improvements in sewer and water and tourism promotion. Leefe says another highlight has been the development of Queens Place-Emera Centre. After retirement later this month, Leefe will continue as honorary colonel of the West Nova Scotia reserve regiment.



He may also write another book and he and wife Nancy will likely be travelling quite a bit too.

Gas Prices Here May Drop Tonight!

South Shore gasoline prices may take another drop overnight tonight! In New Brunswick this morning, the price of gas has taken a dip for the second week in a row. Regular self-serve in New Brunswick is down just over two cents, selling for about a-dollar-32-cents a litre. Gas has fallen more than seven cents a litre since October 4th. However, diesel is up this week in New Brunswick by just over two cents, the third consecutive increase. Here on the South Shore, regular self serve gasoline is selling today at $1.37.3 a litre. Diesel is $1.38 a litre.

Bluenose II Masts Returning!

Bluenose II Masts

Over the next day or two, the giant masts that are a major feature of Bluenose II will be raised into place. To kick off the event, there's a ceremony this morning on the Lunenburg waterfront. MLA Pam Birdsall, on behalf of Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leonard Preyra, will be joining Bluenose II Captain Phil Watson. Known as stepping the masts, the process begins with the placement of two coins under the base of both masts. After the placement of the coins, the masts will be raised into place by a crane, a process that will take as long as two days to complete. Bluenose II is nearing the end of a major rebuild costing about 16-million dollars.

Mustangs Lose Heartbreaker To Cole Harbour

The South Shore Mustangs put together 58 minutes of hockey Wednesday night, it was the last two that hurt the most. The Mustangs led 6-4 before the Cole Harbour Wolfpack scored twice in the final minute and 36 seconds of play and eventually beat the local club 7-6 in overtime. The loss is the club's sixth in a row. Alex Nauss had two goals while Christian Tufts, Jordan Messenger, Jamie Arsenault and MacKenzie Woodman also tallied. Cole Skinner allowed seven goals on 25 shots. The Mustangs will try and break their losing streak when they head to Pictou County this weekend for a pair of games against the Weeks Major Midgets.

Lone School Board Member Wraps Up Term

The lone member of the South Shore Regional School Board has wrapped up her term after 10 months on the job. Judith Sullivan-Corney attended her final meeting Wednesday night before a newly elected board takes her place after this Saturday's election. She was brought in by the Education Minister after the previous school board was fired following a scathing report by Deloitte Inc. Sullivan-Corney says all the recommendations put forward by the report last November have been implemented.



Sullivan-Corney says she enjoyed her time working with staff and the community. She hopes to become a consultant, now that her role with the board is finished.

Mustangs Look To Break Losing Skid In Cole Harbour

The South Shore Mustangs look to break a five-game winless skid when they travel to Cole Harbour tonight to play the Wolfpack. Cole Harbour skated away to a 4-0 win over the Mustangs when the two teams met last weekend in Bridgewater. Tonight's game gets going at 7:30.

RCMP Arrest Man For 2010 Fire At Yarmouth Golf Club

RCMP in Yarmouth have finally got the man they believe is responsible for a fire two years ago at the Pubnico Golf and Country Club. The incident occurred on August 5, 2010. Several golf carts were destroyed by fire causing over $140,000 in damages.  RCMP arrested a 33-year-old man from Shelburne County without incident after receiving new information. The man faces 14 counts of mischief over $5,000. He has been released on a promise to appear in Yarmouth Provincial Court November 27th.

Shelburne: Awards Dinner Celebrates Local Business

Twelve businesses have been nominated for awards this year in Eastern Shelburne County. The 2012 Business Excellence Awards in Shelburne will be held on Thursday night at the Osprey Arts Centre. Five major awards will be handed out in various categories ranging from Export Achievement to Business of the Year. The evening's guest speaker will feature Deborah Hashey of Irving Shipbuilding. The Shelburne and Area Chamber of Commerce and the Community Business Development Corporation is hosting the awards dinner. The event is completely sold out.

Nominees include:

Export Achievement Award:

Cotter's Ocean Products Inc., Mike Cotter

Ven-Rez Products Limited

Green Award:

Shelburne Farmers and Artisans Co-op Ltd.

Consumer Service Excellence Award:

Jamie Cotter, Manager, Lockeport Cottages & Campground Ltd

Kevin Williams, Woodworkers Home Hardware

Rhonda Steele-O'Callaghan, CIBC Home Loans

Entrepreneur of the Year:

Anthony Gosbee, Gosbee's Sporting Goods Ltd

Timothy Gillespie, Best of Nova Scotia

Ulrich Johanns, Seeblick Printing & Cottage

Business of the Year:

Harlow Consturction Ltd, Rob and Jeff Harlow

Kenney & Ross Limited

TLC Pharmacy, Tami Crosby

VIDEO: Sod Turned For New Middle School

The sod has officially been turned at the site of the new South Queens Middle School. Premier Darrell Dexter along with grade seven student Shanyn Whynot plunged their shovels into the ground, marking the start of the project. Dexter went to the current school as a high school student, along with other members of his family. He says it's a day of mixed emotions.



Dexter says the new school will be the first of its kind in the province designed to support project-based learning. MLA for Queens,Vicki Conrad, echoed the premier's thoughts, saying the new school will be a great benefit for the community.



She says the new school will encourage good learning opportunities and attract families to the area. The school will be home to students in grades 6 to 8, with grade 9 students moving to Liverpool Regional High School. The new middle school is scheduled to open in September 2013.

South Shore Health Offers Free Flu Shots

It's almost time to roll up your sleeve and get a flu shot. South Shore Health is offering free vaccination clinics across the region beginning on October 23rd in New Germany and Caledonia. People at high risk of complications due to the flu are those 65 and older, young children, pregnant women and anyone with chronic medical conditions. The health authority is encouraging anyone who falls under those categories to get a flu shot and lower their risk.

A complete list of South Shore clinics is listed below: Remember to bring your health card

October 23rd, 25th: Caledonia from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm  at North Queen's Health Center

October 23rd: New Germany from 9:30am-7:00pm at New Germany Medical Center By appointment only. Call 644-2361

October 24th: Chester from 9:00am-12:00pm at Chester Community Clinic. By appointment only. Call 275-5268

October 24th: New Ross 29th from 6:00 pm-8:30 pm at New Ross Consolidated School

October 25th: New Germany from 9:30am-4:00pm at New Germany Medical Center By appointment only. Call 644-2361

October 29th: Tancook from 11:30 am-1:00 pm at Recreation Center

November 5th and 26th: Bridgewater from 2:00 pm-7:00 pm at Holy Trinity Anglican Church

November 6th: New Ross from 9:00 am-12:00 pm at New Ross Family Resource Center

November 6th, 8th: Caledonia from 1:00pm-4:00pm at North Queens Health Center

November 19th: Liverpool beginning at 2:00pm at Liverpool Family Resource Center. By appointment only. Call 354-1305

November 22nd: Lunenburg from 3:00pm-7:00pm at United Church Hall

December 6th: Caledonia from 1:00pm-4:00pm at North Queens Health Center

Retiring Yarmouth Mayor Happy With Term In Office

GG David Johnston & Mayor Phil Mooney

He's been Mayor for only one term. However, Phil Mooney believes he's helped his town accomplish a lot.
The Yarmouth Mayor is not running again for the job. He says the highlight of his tenure was the provincial funding announcement recently to help in re-establishment of the ferry to Maine.



Mooney says troubles surrounding the SouthWest Development Authority and town finances were areas he and council worked their way through over the past 4 years. While he's retiring from the Mayor's chair, Mooney "is" running for a town council seat in Saturday's elections.



Mooney will leave office as Mayor at the end of the month.

School Board: District Four Candidates Forum

School review, future challenges and agreeing or disagreeing with the decision to fire the previous board were among the topics discussed during Tuesday night's candidates forum at Hebbville Academy. The four people running for school board in district four each voiced their opinions in front of about 50 people. Candidate Brian Eisener says there has to be change to make students more successful in learning.



Meanwhile, another candidate, Karen Reinhardt, says it all starts with the younger children.



On another issue, candidate Fred Daugherty says it was a good choice to reduce the amount of school board seats.



Another candidate, Jennifer Naugler, agrees.



School Board elections for district four will be held Saturday until 7pm.

Sod Turning For South Queens School In Liverpool

The sod will be turned for the new South Queens School project tomorrow in Liverpool. Premier Darrell Dexter will join MLA Vicki Conrad for the ground breaking ceremony. The province has committed $16 million dollars towards the project. The South Queens School will be home to grades 6 to 8, with grade 9 students moving to Liverpool Regional High School. It's expected to be ready for classes in September 2013. The ceremony begins at 11AM at the school construction site on Waterloo Street.

School Board Candidates Forum At Hebbville Academy

School Board candidates from district four will take part in a forum tonight at Hebbville Academy. The school advisory councils from Hebbville, Pentz, Petite and Newcombville are hosting the event. The candidates in that area include are Brian Eisener, Karen Reinhardt, Jennifer Naugler and Fred Daugherty. The forum gets underway at 7pm.

MODL Mothballs Riverport School

Steps are starting to be taken to demolish the former Riverport School. The Municipality of Lunenburg has decided to mothball the school and continue to lobby the province to take responsibility of the building. Councillor for the area, Don Zwicker, says it's time to cut their losses on the school. He says they have to do what's right for the municipality and the community.



Zwicker says the common theme with residents is to get rid of the building. A recent assessment revealed the municipality could spend roughly $300,000 to demolish the school.

Second Day Of Advance Polls Open

Today is the second and final day for advanced polling in several communities around the South Shore. Advance polls opened at noon for residents living within the Municipality of Lunenburg, Town of Lunenburg, Region of Queens, Mahone Bay, Town of Shelburne and Municipality of Shelburne. Residents will be able to vote via the paper ballot at their designated polling stations. Voting will take place until 8PM. E-voting continues in Bridgewater and Chester in advance of election day on Saturday. Election day is October 20th.

Jordan Bay Family Provides Boston Christmas Tree

A Shelburne County family has been selected to donate this year's Nova Scotia Christmas tree to Boston. The province chose Paul and Jan Hicks of Jordan Bay. This year's tree is about 70 years old and stands close to the road on the Hicks' front yard. Each year since 1971, the province has sent Boston a large Christmas tree for the help provided after the devastating Halifax Explosion of Dec. 6, 1917. Close to 2,000 people were killed and hundreds were left hurt and homeless. A crew from Natural Resources will cut the tree on the Hicks' property during a public ceremony November 13. The province will truck the 50 foot white spruce to Boston as part of the annual tradition. The tree lighting will take place on the Boston Common on November 29.

Lunenburg Mayoralty Candidate Seeks More Openess & Public Consultation



Ron Stockton

He wants to be mayor of the Town of Lunenburg and Ron Stockton believes he's got a good shot of winning in this Saturday's municipal election. The former labour lawyer says there are a lot of residents willing to help him move things forward while keeping the town's heritage intact. Stockton is promising openess of government and greater public consultation if elected. He says in this day and age, its a must that government is managed that way.



Stockton says he'd also like to have more co-operation with neighboring municipalities. He and former Lunenburg deputy mayor and councillor Rachel Bailey are seeking the mayor's office, being vacated by the retiring Laurence Mawhinney.