Chair of 1688 Lobster Association calls for Solidarity

Lobster fishermen in southwestern Nova Scotia will be formally recognized under a new group called the "1688 Professional Lobster Fishermen's Association". The group was formed last week in Barington and their main goal is to fight for better lobster prices at the wharf.  PLFA chair James Mood is calling on lobster fishermen in the area to support the association by purchasing memberships. Mood is hoping at least 80 percent of lobster fishermen who hold a license in LFA's 33 and 34 to join the association as a sign of solidarity."The point is and it's like this...they got to unite...they just have to...we have to do something about these prices," Memberships will cost $250 for license holders and $25 dollars for crew members. Mood says the association will hire two staff members and set up a regional office in Woods Harbour. The group is holding a sign-up meeting today in Yarmouth at 1:30PM and tomorrow at the Fire Hall in Shelburne - they will also discuss lobster prices and industry concerns.

Mawhinney: Town of Lunenburg Looking for Fixed Power Costs

The town of Lunenburg's mayor says the entire province is feeling the same pain when discussing power rates. The cost of electricity went up across the province on January 1st and Laurence Mawhinney explains its something everyone has to deal with. The town is able to offer residents a lower cost for power because it buys electricity in bulk from Nova Scotia Power and operates its own utility. However, Mawhinney says that doesn't mean the town isn't searching for lower costs from alternate energy suppliers. "What we said in our strategic plan is that we wanted to get a new source of energy that was greener and more efficient and was more in line with fixed costs - I do believe we are moving in that direction and I'm optimistic in the not too distant future, we'll be able to put the plank down for the public," The town is one of five municipal units in the province who operate their own utility. Mahone Bay, Riverport, Berwick and Antigonish are the others. The town of Canso also operates it's own utility but is in the midst of amalgamating with the Municipality of Guysborough.

BREAKING: Councillor Mitchell to seek nomination for PC Party

David Mitchell

A Bridgewater Councillor is looking to make the switch from municipal to provincial politics. David Mitchell has announced his intent to seek nomination for the Progressive Conservative party in the Lunenburg West riding. Mitchell has spent seven years as a town councillor and says he's ready to take his style of politics to the next level.

"I love municipal politics but the issues that we face in the town are not unique to the town, they're province-wide and I believe that the hard work and common sense approach I use on council, I could use to serve more people at a provincial level."

Mitchell says the decision to run came after lengthy talks with his wife and three children. He says he's a 'tell it like it is' kind of guy who works hard and gets things done. Mitchell says the timing is right to take on the NDP government.

"The last two-and-a-half years I think we've gone backwards, whether it's increasing the HST or cancelling the ferry or simply throwing money at problems without looking for lasting solutions. The Tories will be the party I think that helps Nova Scotia get itself out of the hole its been dug into."

Mitchell says he's a firm believer in the initiatives Leader Jamie Baillie is introducing to the party. But, he says he still plans on re-offering for Bridgewater council in the fall in case his venture into provincial politics doesn't go as planned. A date for a nomination meeting has yet to be selected.

VIDEO: More Bike Lanes coming to Bridgewater

Bike enthusiasts are getting a bit more room on some Bridgewater roads. Town council voted 6-1 in favour of installing shared bike lanes on North Park Street, York Street and Alexandra Avenue. The project is expected to cost the town $33,170, which is gas tax eligible. The Lunenburg County Community Health Board, Michelin and the province's Department of Health and Wellness have each contributed funding towards the project, totalling $6,200. The director of planning with the town of Bridgewater, Eric Shaw, says they are proposing the new shared bike lanes be three kilometres long on North Park, York and Alexandra. Roughly 1.5 kilometres of shared bike lanes were implemented on Glen Allan Drive in 2010. The new shared bike lanes are expected to take effect around June or July.

Lumberjacks quiet on trade deadline day

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks were quiet as the MHL's trade deadline passed at 10pm Tuesday night. The club didn't budge on moving day but took several calls inquiring about Captain Jake Bullen. Head Coach Terry Rhindress says Bullen is staying put.

"He made the decision that he'd like to stay and finish his year out here and, you know, I took some phone calls on Jake today (Tuesday), but it was just nothing worth wild to move the young man against his request."

Rhindress wouldn't say what teams were after Bullen, but did mention they were Bent Division squads. It was a relatively quiet trade deadline day as only 10 trades were reported to the MHL website as of 10pm Tuesday night. Rhindress says he's not surprised by the lack of movement.

"If you look at our side, our division, it's pretty tight, right. So, not a lot of teams are going to give anything up or they're all looking but nobody wants to give a whole lot up because we're pretty stockpiled on this side, right."

Only eight points separates the top five teams in the Bent Division. The Lumberjacks get back on the ice Thursday night at 7pm in Bridgewater against the Metro Marauders. If you can't make it to the game, you can tune into Nick Yorston and Eric Whynot, beginning at 6:50pm at www.lumberjackslive.ca .

MODL selects Cobequid Trail Consulting to build Osprey Village Connection

Cobequid Trail Consulting has been selected to design and build the Osprey Village Trail Connection. The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg awarded the contract to the group after recommendations from its review committee. A member of the committee, Trudy Payne, says it was a unanimous decision to choose Cobequid Trail Consulting.

"Probably the two major factors was they had a lot of experience and they fit within the 'level of effort' that was put in the request for proposal."

The multi-use trail is expected to be constructed between the rail-trail along the LaHave River to the Osprey Village site in Cookville. Cobequid Trail Consulting is expected to begin work immediately after receiving the budgeted $65,000 for the project.

No Charges Following Fatal Accident in Waterloo

No charges will be laid following a fatal accident in Lunenburg County last week. RCMP attribute the accident to poor road conditions and speed was not a factor in the crash involving a car and a snow plow. A 29 year-old Chelsea woman was killed in the collision while a 31 year-old male was taken hospital. The crash occurred last Thursday on Highway 210 in Waterloo.

Kinsmen Outdoor Rinks waiting on weather: Councillor Mitchell

A pair of outdoor rinks are waiting on the weather before they can be used. Councillor David Mitchell says workers spent last Saturday constructing the rinks.

"Two outdoor rinks were assembled by about 15-16 men from about 8:30am to just after 12pm and they had both up and ready to go, we just need cold weather so we can flood them."

Two ice surfaces have been built at the Kinsmen ball field; one to accomodate ice hockey and the other for family skating. Mitchell is hopeful the rinks will both have ice by next week.

Former Bridgewater Town Manager passes away at 69

Charles Sinclair "Chuck" Shannon

A former town manager of Bridgewater has passed away. Charles Sinclair "Chuck" Shannon died at age 69 at South Shore Regional Hospital last Thursday. Mayor Carroll Publicover says he had a chance to work with Shannon while in Bridgewater.

"He was a very fine gentleman, very fine gentleman. Very capable. And he had been a CAO in Kings County at one time and then came to us from there and performed admirably in his position and I was pleased to have known him."

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Loretta ; daughters, Dr. Charlene Shannon and Carletta Shannon. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home in Bridgewater. Online condolences may be made at www.sweenysfuneralhome.com

Bridgewater's Prest wins juvenile under-18 curling championship

A Bridgewater curling team will represent Nova Scotia after winning the boys final at the juvenile under-18 championships in New Glasgow. Daniel Prest defeated Chester's Daniel Jessome 11-4 in Monday afternoon's championship game. Prest's squad scored five in the sixth end to close out the match. Elsewhere, Chester's Mary Fay fell 4-3 to Lakeshore's Hayley McCabe in the girls final. The winners now head to the Under-18 Atlantic Championship also in New Glasgow on Easter weekend.

VIDEO: Ottawa Supports those with Disability

The federal government is helping people with disabilities in Bridgewater find jobs. South Shore-St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy announced over $144,000 in funding that is expected to help 25 people with disabilities develop skills and experience to find work in Lunenburg and Queens Counties. The chairperson of Employment Solutions Society's board of directors, Dawn Huskins-Townsend, says the money is a big help.

"It is our bread and butter to be able to access federal dollars for our clients to be able to continue to support the local community and as I spoke about, the rural community in particular, to find viable job opportunities within the local community for persons with disabilities is critical."

Keddy says the money is an important step for persons with disabilities.

"By supporting this project, our government is helping Canadians with disabilities maximize their potential and independence."

Executive Director Margaret Matthews says people who apply will go through a process and if approved, money would be doled out on an as needed basis. The federal funding is being provided through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.



South Shore-St. Margaret's MP Gerald Keddy looks on as the chairperson for Employment Solutions Society's board of directors , Dawn Huskins-Townsend, speaks about the government's funding for people with disabilities. 

 

Municipality of Barrington reviewing council size

A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon to discuss polling districts in the Municipality of Barrington. The Municipality has applied to the province's Utility and Review Board to reduce the number of districts and councillors from seven to five. The application also looks at amending the polling boundaries. The meeting will be held Tuesday at 1pm at municipal council chambers in Barrington.

Price Wars: South Shore & Area Lobster Fishermen's Association

A new association consisting of South Shore and area fishermen is picking up steam and looking for support. The group - consisting of approximately 150 fishermen - formed earlier this month in a bid to get better prices for lobster. Retired fisherman James Mood is leading the charge for new association. Mood says the group will hold meetings this week in Yarmouth and Shelburne. He says the meetings are open to everyone and is encouraging area residents to rally behind the new association. Mood says beginning midnight on Tuesday, fishermen will hold their catch until they get at least $5.50 per pound of lobster. The association has yet to officially select a name.

CKBW/HANK FM Poll: Results

More than half the residents along the South Shore are not very confident about their personal finances as we start 2012. Our latest CKBW/Hank FM poll, asked the question: Are you confident about your finances? Fifty-four percent of respondents are saying "Not at all" while 24 percent said they ARE confident. Twenty-two percent say they are slightly confident with their finances. Canadian Taxpayers Federation Atlantic President Kevin Lacey says there's no surprise in those numbers. "Not surprised at all, particularly in the South Shore, where your seeing places like Bowater lose jobs, employment is down year after year, so its getting worse before its getting better," A total of 79 people voted in our on-line survey over the weekend.

New Deputy Chief of Bridgewater Police Service

A long time member of the Bridgewater Police Service has been promoted. Scott Freener has been appointed Deputy Chief of the local police service. Feener began his policing career with the Toronto Police Service where he served 5 years in Patrol and Traffic. He's been serving the Bridgewater community since in 1993 and in his new role, Freener will be officer in charge of operations. The Bridgewater Board of Police Commissioners and Chief John Collyer announced the appointment over the weekend.

Mustangs Taken Down at Kiwanis

The South Shore Canadian Tire Mustangs have been eliminated from play in Gatineau, Quebec. The local major midget club lost 5-2 to the Toronto Titans in a penalty-filled game last night in the Kiwanis International hockey tournament. A total of 19 penalties were called. Jamie McIntyre and Alex Mann scored for the Mustangs while Cole Skinner stopped 29 shots in the loss.

Busy Night for South Shore Firefighters

A pair of fires last night on different ends of the South Shore. The first one was a house fire in Shelburne County around 9PM.  Barrington Firefighters were first to respond to the blaze on Villagedale road. Island & Barrington Passage, Port Clyde and Port Latour Fire Departments also responded to the scene to assist. EHS was also dispatched to standby at the scene. It's not known at this time if there were any injuries Meanwhile, a chimney fire broke out at a home on Highway 3 in Chester around 10:40PM.  Fire crews responded to the scene and took care of the blaze with little problem.

Walker steps down as 'Jacks Govenor

The Governor of the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks has stepped down. David Walker decided to leave the position and vacate his seat on the team's board of directors to focus more on municipal politics. He says he expects to be busy over the next year as he makes a run at the mayors seat. Walker says he also stepped down to dispel any notions that his role with Bridgewater council meant the Lumberjacks received whatever they wanted. He says he expects owner Ken Petrie to fill the position for the remainder of the year. Municipal and School Board elections will he held in Nova Scotia in October.

Woodstock Slam Lumberjacks

A spirited fight by the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks but not enough to take down the Woodstock Slammers. A three goal first period was enough to give the visiting team a 5-2 win over the Jacks last night. Head Coach Terry Rhindress says a couple turnovers in their own zone was the difference on the scoreboard. Michael Crawley and Nick Gouthro scored for the Jacks while Billy Clarke made 23 saves in the loss. The Jacks will try and halt their seven game losing skid tonight when they head to Amherst to play the Ramblers.

Province/Bowater Mersey Reach $23.7 M Land Deal

The Nova Scotia Government has reached an agreement to buy just over 10,000 hectares of land from Bowater Mersey. The $23.7 million dollar land deal involves various parcels of land from five counties in western Nova Scotia The largest parcel is 5,665 hectares and located is in Annapolis County. Almost 5,500 acres from Queens and 230 from Lunenburg County was also purchased by the province. The land includes forests, old-growth timber stands, ocean and lake frontage, wetlands and some land of cultural significance to the Mi'kmaq. The purchase is part of the government's $50 million bailout package for Bowater's Brooklyn-based paper mill.