Resolute Confirms Downtime at Bowater Mersey

Poor market conditions have forced the parent company of the Bowater Mersey paper mill to schedule two more shutdowns. Resolute Forest Products announced today their paper machines will shutdown from May 6th to 21st and between June 17th to July 2nd. Spokesman Pierre Choquette says the global demand for paper remains weak and is the reason behind the decision. He says the paper market has been struggling for years and it's difficult to predict when it may turn around.

"You know, we've faced, since the past few years sort of a decrease on average of ten percent per year, so we can't predict that this will likely continue although it's hard to say until when and by how much."

It will be the third and fourth time the company has called for downtime since December because of poor market conditions.

More Downtime Expected at Bowater Mersey

Poor market conditions have forced officials at Bowater Mersey to schedule two more temporary shutdowns. The first will take place from May 6th to the 21st while another shutdown is planned between June 17th to July 2nd. It's the fourth time since December the company has called for downtime because global paper markets are saturated. The most recent shutdown was held over a two week stretch in March due to similar market conditions.

NDP Leader Mulcair Coming to South Shore

Federal NDP Leader Tom Mulcair

The federal leader of the NDP will be on the South Shore this June. Tom Mulcair is the keynote speaker at the Nova Scotia NDP convention at Oak Island in Western Shore. Provincial and federal members are expected to attend the event. Nova Scotia NDP Party President David Walbridge says Mulcair should receive a rousing applause by members.

"I think that they have been, for the most part, quite impressed with his performance since he was elected leader. I think they really see him as a real strong opposition to Stephen Harper as prime minister, and also, as carrying on a lot of the work that Jack Layton did around the environment and the economy."

The conference will allow members to approve a new party constitution, elect a new provincial executive and participate in a pre-election strategy session. The convention will be held June 8-10.

Leashed Dogs Only at Miller Point: Committee Chair

The chair of the Miller Point Peace Park committee is reminding residents the park is not a spot to let your dogs roam off-leash. Carmen Fraser says the committee has created new signage encouraging owners to have their dogs under control while walking in the park. One resident was allegedly bitten by a dog off-leash recently. Fraser says he doesn't want people to be afraid to go to the park.

"We don't want to intimidate and make the users of the park fearful of going to the park, whether they are with their children or adults and with dogs off leash, that is the case."

The new bright yellow sign is expected to be displayed where people won't miss it. If a person is found to have a dog off-leash in the park, they could be charged under the municipality's dog by-law and face up to a $1,000 fine, if convicted.

Lunenburg: Town Projects Hold The Line Budget

The town of Lunenburg is projecting a hold the line budget with no tax increases for residents or commercial tax payers. Council has proposed to cut just over $218-thousand from its operating budget in order to balance the books. The reductions are necessary in order to maintain the tax rate because the town has taken possession of Lunenburg Academy. Mayor Laurence Mawhinney says it took some creative work on behalf on staff to make it work.

"The academy is projected to cost $177,000 during this fiscal year - between now and the end of next March - and that equates to around seven cents on the tax rate. Even with that additional responsibility, the projected budget would still bring us in with tax rates comparable to last year,"

The town seen considerable savings of $42,000 from its snow removal budget which provided a significant boost to their bottom line. Council will hold three public meetings on the budget next month and still need to approve.

Public budget meetings will be held May 1st at 5:15PM, May 8th at Noon and May 15th at 7:00PM

Politics Driving Premier's Ferry Study: Mayor John Leefe

District of Queens Mayor John Leefe

Determining how to make a ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine work financially is perhaps a good idea, according to the Mayor of the District of Queens.  However, John Leefe agrees with many others who say the setting up of a Blue Ribbon panel ... now ...by the premier smacks of politics.

"There may be an election as early as this fall. So, if this is the case, then it would seem there is a political dimension to this quite apart from the financial dimension that we are all interested in."

Mayor Leefe says Queens County is like most areas in this region.  It has taken a big hit financially since the ferry service ended more than two years ago.  He feels putting political motives for studying the ferry issue ahead of the immediate needs of business and tourism in the area is not a good move!

Lunenburg: Interest Rate Hike on Overdue Tax Bills

A stern message for those who live in Lunenburg and are behind on their tax bill. Town council has approved a motion to increase the annual interest rate on overdue accounts to 24 percent. The rate had been set at 18 percent. Councillor Peter Zwicker says the town is trying to crack down on chronic cases of tardy payment.

"You know, I think there are some taxpayers out there that have the thought that they pay the interest rate and that's OK. Well, we're not a bank, we don't run big profits so if you're not paying your taxes...we have to find that money somewhere else,"

The motion passed by a 4-3 margin. The new interest rate will be applied beginning October 1st.

MODL Acquires Fire Brook Falls in Lower Branch

Councillor Arthur Young describes it as a "jewel in the crown of the municipality's recreational properties." The District of Lunenburg has purchased 38 acres of land known as Fire Brook Falls in Lower Branch. Mayor Don Downe says its a beautiful piece of land.

"It has natural walking trails through it. It is a bit of a hike because it leaves the road and goes up fairly high, it's a good walk, it's a beautiful walk, the falls themselves run about 500 feet long that are absolutely beautiful certainly in the spring and different seasons of the year."

Downe says the municipality purchased the land from the Mailman family for $69,000. He says they have plans to develop a passive, natural park that could be walked and hiked by residents and visitors to the area.

Holy Trinity Church in Dire Need of Repairs

A Bridgewater heritage property is in desperate need of repairs. Town council heard Monday night the Holy Trinity Anglican Church could be in need of more than $250,000 to fix interior and exterior problems with the building. Some of the repairs needed include visible rot in the siding, a rotting beam in the bell tower, a deteriorating foundation wall and many electrical issues. The church has a $3600 grant request into council. Mayor Carroll Publicover says the condition of the heritage property is surprising to learn.

"It goes to show you that you cannot go by the surface veneer when you look at a building, it can look solid, it's a great looking building, who would have ever guessed it had that kind of trouble. I feel badly for them, I do."

Council will take the church's request under consideration during its budget process.

Public Transit Group Exploring Pilot Project for Bus Service

A group advocating for a bus service through Lunenburg County is proposing a three-year pilot project with local municipalities. Barbara Carthew and Jack Schoon with the Citizens for Public Transit presented the option to Bridgewater council Monday night. They spoke about setting up a bus service that would travel through Bridgewater, Municipality of Lunenburg, the town of Lunenburg and Mahone Bay. Carthew says having buses available would be a positive for people in Lunenburg County including seniors.

"That would be a great boon to them because often they have to cancel hospital appointments, etc, etc. Some of the people would be people who are now wanting to go to the community college for upgrading their skills, so they can join the job market. Some of the people are people who are on social assistance or have court appointments and have no means of transportation."

The group is looking at running two 26-passenger buses, with a third as a spare, running fixed routes and schedules around the county. They are hoping to receive 50% funding from the province while the other 50% would be divided between the four municipalities. Bridgewater council referred the matter to senior management staff.

Ferry Issue Studied To Death - Time for Action: MLA Churchill



Former Yarmouth Ferry: The Cat

 There's lots of reaction to Premier Darrell Dexter's plan to study the need for a revised ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine.  The premier has announced a panel of tourism, ferry and business experts will examine whats needed to make the service economically viable.  Yarmouth Liberal MLA Zach Churchill says the issue's been studied to death already.  He says a restored, ferry service is badly needed for the region and the province.  He says: "A ferry is not only viable ... its needed for the economy of southwestern Nova Scotia and the tourism sector across the province. What I would hope is the premier would take immediate action and provide the necessary resources in the economic, rural development and tourism (department) to start restoring the service instead of pushing this off for more people to look at."  Churchill says the Dexter government is simply trying to make itself look good after dropping the ball more than two years ago when it cancelled a subsidy to keep the service operating without first determining the potential impact.

VIDEO: Streetscape Plan Has Support in Chester

Residents of Chester were able to have their say during a public hearing Monday night on a streetscape plan for the Highway 3 corridor. Approximately 30 people attended the meeting to hear details on the plan which encompasses a stretch from Robinson's Corner to Stevens Road. Some of the main concerns centred around density, roof pitches and the exclusion of mobile and mini homes from the central village core area.  Warden Allen Webber thought the meeting went well and says council is much closer to approving the strategy. "Actually, I think we are closer to making a decision on how to move forward then I may have anticipated. I think the four or five meetings our planning staff conducted has really helped make people understand where we are at with this plan. It probably saved us quite a bit of time here this evening," The visionary document has been in the development stage for the past two years and is designed to encourage development but maintain the unique landscape in Chester. Council is expected to get some clarity on a few items before voting on the streetscape plan later this week.

(From left to right: Councillors Cheryl Scott, Brad Armstrong, Sharon Church-Cornelius and Warden Allen Webber)

Bridgewater Councillors Discuss 2012-13 Proposed Budget

It could be a sign of things to come in Bridgewater. Town councillors went over the proposed 2012-13 budget during their meeting Monday night. The figures indicate an operating budget of almost $19.3-million, an increase of over $850,000 from 2011-12. The capital budget would be $2.6-million with the tax rate holding steady at 1.669 per hundred of assessment. Mayor Carroll Publicover says he is pleased with how it looks so far.

"I think its a responsible budget. It doesn't call for a tax increase in either commercial or residential. Fortunately, we did receive some increased revenue from our increased assessment and we will use that wisely and in mostly areas for capital."

Council will hold three more budget meetings with the next one scheduled for April 30 at 6pm. Other meetings will be held May 7 at 6pm and the final debate is scheduled for May 14 at 7pm.

Bird Construction Preparing to Start LCLC Build

Proponents of the LCLC could soon see the fruits of their labour. Workers with Bird Construction have started bringing supplies onto the Wentzell Drive site, gearing up to start building the highly anticipated project. Chair Paul Belliveau says Dexter and Brewster workers are finishing up site preparation. He says work is almost ready to begin.

"It feels pretty good because basically this is what we have been working to get to, you know, we still have some things to iron out; we have to get some slate off the site but the day we see some cement poured and some steel going up is going to be a great day because its, you know, we've finally have gotten there."

Plans for the facility include an NHL-size ice surface, a six lane 25 metre pool and library. Belliveau remains optimistic the LCLC will be built before the end of next April.

NS Gov't Wants Yarmouth Ferry Service Restored

The Nova Scotia government is reopening the Yarmouth ferry debate more than two years after it stopped subsidizing the money-losing crossing to Maine. Premier Darrell Dexter says it has appointed a panel of tourism, ferry and business experts to determine what is needed for an economically viable service. A high-speed ferry link between Yarmouth and Maine was discontinued in December 2009 after the NDP said it would no longer subsidize the Bay Ferries Limited operation. The government says the arms-length, independent panel will review existing studies on the crossing and give advice. It says that will help the government make a ``definitive recommendation'' on a ferry service. Dexter says the government wants to see a ferry service return to southwestern Nova Scotia.

Annual Bad Roads Campaign On the Final Few Miles

Its your chance to make a point about that bumpy, pot-filled road in your area that's been driving you crazy for months.  The Canadian Automobile Association's annual Worst Roads campaign for the Atlantic region is underway and you can vote for the nasty road in your area on-line.  Here on the South Shore, the Woodstock Road in Mahone Bay is among the leaders in voting so far.  Gary Howard of CAA says governments tend to watch and listen to whats being said by the campaign.  "Our research keeps telling us the safety of roads, condition of roads, is a top priority of Canadians year after year. So, this allows us to really get the government to listen and they have responded quite well I must say. Most levels of government have very attentive to this."  Voting ends tomorrow. You can cast yours for your favourite or least favorite bad road at www.atlantic.caa.ca/worstroads.

Provincial Money For Tri-Star

A Yarmouth-based company that designs and builds ambulances, mobile clinics and specialty vehicles will receive additional government funding.  Nova Scotia premier Darrell Dexter is expected to announce a provincial funding to Tri-Star Industries during a tour of the facility this afternoon.  Last week, the federal government provided a 195-thousand dollar repayable loan to the company.  Its geared for marketing and promotional development as Tri-Star expands its international markets.  The province is expected to provide a similar amount today.  The money will assist in preparing promotional materials, website development, prototype marketing, trade shows and product demonstrations.

South Shore Teachers Receive Education Week Awards

Warren Dobson

Two local teachers are being recognized for their work in the classroom. Warren Dobson of South Queens Junior High and Greg Millman of Chester Area Middle School were both nominated for awards to celebrate Education Week in Nova Scotia. Dobson says he's flattered by the award, but doesn't know why he was chosen.

"I thought at first they made a mistake, maybe they had it mixed up with somebody else. I'm not an exceptional teacher in my view, I just show up everyday and try and do the best I can like 99% of the rest of the teachers in our school board."

Nominations show people believe both teachers spend countless hours helping students. The two teachers are expected to receive their awards during a ceremony Monday in Halifax.

CUPE Hosts Annual Convention in Yarmouth

CUPE Nova Scotia will host its 49th annual convention beginning today in Yarmouth. The two day convention kicks off this morning with a speech from Premier Darrell Dexter. Among the issues being discussed include pension reform and the latest federal and provincial budgets. Other speakers include CUPE National President Paul Moist and Rick Clarke of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.

VIDEO: South Shore Residents Protest Education Cuts

Members of the general public were out Friday afternoon to protest education cuts on the South Shore and across the province. NSTU President Alexis Allen urged parents, teachers and students to protest in front of NDP constituency offices to try and evoke change. These people began their protest on King Street in Bridgewater towards NDP member Gary Ramey's office.