BREAKING NEWS: Unionized Workers at Bowater Mersey Accept Contract Concessions by Slimmest of Margins

Members of CEP Union Local 141 and 259 at Bowater Mersey have narrowly voted to accept a proposal from Resolute Forest Products - formally Abitibi Bowater - which includes massive job cuts. In total, 51.7 percent of those who cast a ballot, voted in favor of negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the company. It means 110 employees at the mill are going to lose their job. That includes 80 full time and 30 casual positions. The reduction in the workforce represents almost half of the union's membership and will leave 128 employees left to operate the mill. Union President Courtney Wentzell was clearly dejected as he delivered the news to a handful of his co-workers at the union hall in Brooklyn on Wednesday night. No word on when negotiations between the company and union will commence. Wentzell didn't reveal how many of the union's 228 members voted.

Voting on Company Proposal Underway in Brooklyn

Unionized members at Bowater Mersey are voting on a critical proposal that could wipe out nearly half their membership. Resolute Forest Products - formally Abitibi Bowater - is looking to cut 80 full time and 30 casual positions at the mill in an effort to reduce costs. Union President Courtney Wentzell says the company is looking for concessions in almost every area of their collective agreement. He says even if workers accept the proposal - there's no guarantee it will save the mill. More than 200 members with CEP Local 141 have been dropping by the union hall in Brooklyn to cast their ballot. Voting began early this morning and will take place until 8 PM. The company is threatening to close the mill if they can't find a way to cut costs. CKBW/HANK FM News will have more on this story later tonight.

Park View Boys Host Home Openers

Park View boys open their basketball season Wednesday night on two fronts. The JV team hosts Forest Heights at 5:30 before the Division one squad welcomes their cross town rivals from Bridgewater to play at 7:30. Division one Head Coach Eric Whynot says its a great game to start their season.

"It's that town rivalry that's been around for many years and you always wanna get off, any game you play, you want to play to win and it's more so important because all your friends and your family for both schools are in the gym and you want to start on the right foot."

Both games will be played in the Park View gym and are open to the public. Park View's Division one girls game, originally scheduled for Wednesday night, has been cancelled.

Collyer Moves Into New Role - Police Chief

There's a new Chief of Police serving the Town of Bridgewater. Veteran officer John Collyer was recently promoted from within the local detachment and officially sworn in during a ceremony Monday night in council chambers. Collyer says he's looking forward to his new role and serving residents of Bridgewater. Collyer is originally from Dartmouth and moved to the area in 1990.  He takes over for Brent Crowhurst who has accepted a job with the Criminal Intelligence Service of Nova Scotia.

Mounties Charge South Shore Woman with Fraud

A Lunenburg County woman is facing numerous fraud charges totalling more than $80,000 dollars following a month long investigation. Forty-seven year-old Sandra Skinner is facing five counts of fraud over $5000 and is set to make her first appearance in Bridgewater on January 18th. Police launched the probe following a complaint from the province's Department of Health and Wellness in September. During the investigation, Mounties discovered that Harbour View Haven Nursing Home submitted claims requesting reimbursement for capital projects. In each instance, the work was either not completed, the goods not purchased or the goods not approved. Harbour View Haven is located in Lunenburg and has been serving the community since the 70's.

Crucial Union Meeting in Liverpool Tonight

Unionized workers at Bowater Mersey's Brooklyn paper mill have a lot to consider before voting tonight (Wednesday) on a company proposal to keep the operation going. Members of CEP Local 141 packed a hall on Monday night to hear details of what union officials are calling a ``take it or leave it'' proposal. The mill's owners want to trim 80 full-time and 30 casual positions from the workforce to reduce costs. Union president Courtney Wentzell says the concessions being demanded are too much. He says even if the membership accepts the latest proposal, there's no guarantee the mill will remain open.

SSRSB Tables Motion to Censure Karen Reinhardt

The South Shore Regional School Board has decided to table a motion to remove one of its board members from their position. Karen Reinhardt breached 11 sections of the board's code of ethics but will get a chance to state her case when members hold another meeting next Monday. The board passed a motion to table the censure motion by a 6-4 margin, with Reinhardt and board member Clifford MacLeod not present. School Board Chair Elliott Payzant says he believes board members want to make a decision with Reinhardt available. Reinhardt is overseas but was expected back November 10. She was unable to make the meeting after missing flights in Ghana and Frankfurt. The School Board will hold another meeting at 7pm Monday November 21.

Bridgewater Councillor Praises GAP Draft Plan

David Mitchell

The draft plan for Generations Active Park is getting a lot of praise from a member of Bridgewater town council. David Mitchell says Ekistics Planning and Design has put together a solid plan, that appeases to all residents and stakeholders. He says the plan took him by surprise.

"It surpassed my expectations. You know, I had in my head the way I thought that the dog park should look or splash pad should look and I'm not a designer and I'm sure everyone had their pre-conceived notions of what it would look like. It just blew me out of the water. It is stunning."

Mitchell says the $2.4-million dollar project would be phased-in over the next 10 years if the final plan is approved. The final version is expected to be presented to Bridgewater town council December 12. People can still have their say on the plan by visiting http://www.bridgewater.ca/.

Police Seek Driver

Bridgewater Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a male driver who approached a teenaged female earlier this week. The incident is alleged to have happened around 11:30 Monday morning (November 14th) in the area of Dominion Street.  The man is described as in his mid-40's with a slight build. He was wearing a baseball cap with a white top and a blue brim, and a white t-shirt. The man was driving a blue teal coloured Chevrolet truck with no license plate and asked the girl to get in his vehicle. When she decliend, the man left the area.

'Canada Day on the LaHave' Holds Annual General Meeting

Treasurer David Walker

It may be early, but Canada Day will be on the minds of many Tuesday night in Bridgewater. The 'Canada Day on the LaHave' committee is holding its annual general meeting. The meeting will focus on electing new officers and deliver the annual financial report. But Treasurer David Walker says, the meeting will also talk about improving future Canada Day's in Bridgewater. The public meeting gets underway at 7pm Tuesday night at Bridgewater High School.

SSRSB Hold Censure Meeting

The South Shore Regional School Board is holding a special meeting Tuesday night, to vote on a motion to censure a member or members of the board. The Board will raise a motion on the matter, followed by an in-camera debate and a public vote. No details have been released on why a member or members could be censured. The South Shore Regional School Board has never censured a member. The meeting will be held at 7pm Tuesday night at the School Board office.

End of the Line for "The Village at Glen Allan Project"

The Town of Bridgewater has nixed a development agreement with a local developer for a proposed condo project. Council voted unanimously to cancel their development agreement with Bridgewater based Jo-Lo development and "The Village at Glen Allan Project" at their regular meeting on Monday. The parcel of land on Roundhouse Drive has been a hot button issue around the council table over the past year with a number of councillors expressing their frustrations on Monday. Mayor Carroll Publicover told reporters last night he's relieved by the decision and adds the land now reverts back to more of a predictable development pattern. Councillor David Mitchell says they had no other option but to discharge the agreement following numerous extensions and second chances. Jo-Lo development has indicated they are still interested in building single family housing on the property.

Decision Day Looms for Workers at Bowater Mersey

Members of CEP Union Local 141 at Bowater Mersey packed a union hall in Liverpool Monday night to hear the devastating details of what's being billed as a "take it or leave it" proposal. Abitibi Bowater wants to trim 80 full time and 30 casual positions from the workforce at the mill in order to reduce costs. In an interview with CKBW/HANK FM News this morning, Union President Courtney Wentzell slammed their employer and called the concessions "huge" and simply "too much". Even if the membership accepts the latest proposal - Wentzell says there's no guarantee the mill will remain open. "Most of us agreed last night after much discussion that the four and half years that Abitibi's been here and merged...taken over the Bowater company basically...they've done more damage to our community, to our membership, to our mill then Bowater ever did in 80 years it was here," He says the proposed cuts would be felt province wide and create a ripple effect in the industry. The membership will vote on the proposal at a meeting tomorrow night (Wednesday) in Liverpool.

Fire at White Point Deemed Not Suspicious

The fire at White Point has been deemed not suspicious. The Fire Marshall's office and Queens County RCMP say they came to that conclusion after examining the remains of the popular resort. They also say the blaze started in the basement of the main lodge. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Queens MLA Reacts to White Point Fire

The MLA for Queens County says the loss of the White Point Beach Resort is devastating to the area. Vicki Conrad says the community is experiencing a run of bad luck with issues including the potential closure of the Bowater Mersey mill in Brooklyn. Conrad says she's very sad and feels a total sense of loss for the community. She says between 100-200 people work at the resort, depending on the time of year. The resort is due to undergo renovations in January. Conrad says she's optimistic, the lodge will be rebuilt better than ever.

Western Hurricanes Move Into First Place in NSBHL

The BMO Western Hurricanes have vaulted into first place in the Nova Scotia Major Bantam Hockey League. The South Shore club defeated the Truro Bearcats 5-2 Saturday night and scored a 4-0 victory over Newbridge Academy Sunday afternoon to move into top spot. The Hurricanes have now won eight straight games and lead the league with a 12-2 record.

Bridgewater Police Looking for Home Invasion Suspects

Bridgewater Police are looking for suspects involved in a Remembrance Day home invasion. Police say two masked men entered a home on Aberdeen Road sometime around 6:40pm November 11. A struggle happened between the suspects and the resident before the two men fled on foot. The victim was taken to South Shore Regional Hospital to get checked out and released. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bridgewater Police.

White Point Beach Resort GM Overwhelmed by Community Support

The General Manager of White Point Beach Resort says he's energized by an outpouring of community support following this weekend's devastating fire. The fire began in the basement of the popular Liverpool resort and spread quickly, ultimately consuming the main portion of the lodge. Danny Morton says he knew White Point was a special visiting place but not to the degree he's witnessed over the past few days. "I think about a situation on Sunday morning right after the fire where we still had a number of guests staying at the hotel, we were hosting a breakfast for those still staying at the resort and instead of having less food at the end of the breakfast, I think there was more. People in the community were stopping by with baked goods for people they didn't even know," Three investigators remain at the site as they try to determine how the fire began. Morton says it will be hard to pin-point the fire's exact cause but foul play isn't suspected.

Province Offers Support & Encouragement to Staff of White Point Lodge

Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris offered support and encouragement to the staff of White Point Lodge and the surrounding community today,
(Monday, Nov. 14). The main lodge was destroyed by fire over the weekend. Paris applauded the management and staff of the resort, fire departments and volunteer firefighters and community members saying their efforts reflect the feelings people have for the lodge. He says it's an important piece of the tourism industry to the southwestern region of Nova Scotia.  Paris spoke with management and staff after touring the site with owner Robert Risley, general manager Danny Morton and MLA Vicki Conrad. He says he's encouraged by the optimism to rebuild and move on from what is a devastating loss.

Sugar & Spice

Just like a scene from a storybook, there will be over 100 decorated gingerbread men running around the village of Chester. From November 19th until Christmas Chester will once again be filled with Gingerbread houses. It's the annual Gingerbread House Competition and this year gingerbread men will complement the houses on display at various merchants and businesses throughout the Village. Festivities start with the presentation of The Gingerbread Man; The Story of “John Dough” at the Chester Playhouse, noon on Saturday, November 19th. The Grande Finale will be a Family Christmas Party hosted by St. Stephen's Church in the Parish Hall, on Sunday, December 18th, 2-4 pm, at which time the awards for the Gingerbread House Competition will be presented.  Other activities during the Festival will be a Gingerbread Bonspiel November 19th, a Tree Lighting Ceremony November 25th, children's Gingerbread House workshop December 4th and a candle or ornament-making workshop on November 20th. From November 24th through to the 27th, from 10 until 5 pm each day, there will be a Victorian Christmas Craft Sale hosted by the Heritage Society at the newly restored Lordly House.
     For additional information on Chester's Gingerbread Festival please visit the Chester Art Centre's website http://www.chesterartcentre.ca/