Halifax Company Remains Quiet On Appeal Decision

A Halifax company won't comment on a recent decision by the Municipality of Lunenburg. Council rejected a development agreement for a proposed construction and demolition diversion facility in Blockhouse. In a brief email exchange, Halifax C and D President Dan Chassie wouldn't comment if the company would appeal the matter. The company has the right to appeal council's decision with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.

Committee Identifies Carding Mill As Potential Heritage Property

The chair of Bridgewater's Heritage Advisory Committee says the Wile Carding Mill has been identified as a possible heritage property. Patrick Hirtle says the mill underwent an initial assessment on its heritage value and architectural significance and ranked high enough to meet criteria. Hirtle says they hope to recognize the mill later this year.



From 1860 to 1968, the water-powered mill lightened the workload for farm families by carding a week’s worth of wool in an hour. It ceased operation around 1968 and was sold to the province in 1973. A year later, the mill was restored and reopened as a museum.

New Liverpool School Could Be Delayed

The new school in Liverpool may not be ready to open for classes in September. Sod was turned on the $15 million South Queens Junior High School in November with plans for the school to open in time for the upcoming school year. However, interim superintendent Jim Gunn revealed last night the building may not be finished in time. In his report, Gunn says the school board will make a decision on when the school will be ready in the coming days. The new middle school would be home to students in grades 6-8. Board spokesperson, Trish Smith confirmed they will issue a media release on the status of the school and what it will mean for parents and students next week.

School Board Balances Tough Budget

The South Shore Regional School Board has passed another difficult budget. The $73.4 million (revenue/expenditures) document was approved in a 7-1 vote last night. African Nova Scotia member Vernon Simms was the lone member to oppose the document. Simms felt the board wasn't involved in the budget process as much as he would have liked. Provincial funding was slashed again this year by nearly $1 million. However, staff were able to juggle the numbers to balance the books. The board saw its biggest savings in staff reductions, school closures and nearly $300,000 through a reduction of pension expenditures. The board was able to increase funding in the key area of skilled trades to the tune of $180,000.

How SSRSB balanced its 2013-14 budget:

• Reduced 17 school based teaching positions
• Reduced 2.5 non-teaching support staff due to school closures and realignment
• Reduced 2.2 regional office positions
• Reduced operating capital maintenance expenditures
• Reduced transportation expenditures
• Reduced telecommunications expenditures
• Increased 2.55 school-based externally funded positions
• Increased two school-based specialists to meet student services standards
• Revenue received from the Province of Nova Scotia for targeted initiatives
• Cost savings from defined benefit pension plan (non-teaching staff)
• Operational cost savings from school closures
• Cost savings from staffing cuts made in 2012-13 budget – August 2012 to July 2013 savings.

Queens County Park Prepped For Summer

Pine Grove Park is the Region of Queens' latest swath of parkland that was once among Bowater Mersey's prized holdings. The 57-acre site on Route 8 near Liverpool was aquired by the province last year when the paper mill closed. The former owner, Resolute Forest Products, also provided a quarter million dollars ($250,000.) to help with upkeep on the park over the next decade. District of Queens Mayor Christopher Clarke says crews have been busy this spring getting Pine Grove ready for use after years of neglect.



The park was developed in the 1980's and '90's with the help of Captn Richard Steele, Q.C., one of eastern North America's most noted plantsmen. There are extensive rhododendron and azalea plantings throughout the site. More than three kilometers of walking, hiking and biking trails wind their way through the woodland garden that is, Pine Grove Park. The mayor says its a natural resource like no other in the region.

Fresh Air Films Looking For Volunteers

A group of people helping to bring outdoor movies in Bridgewater are looking for volunteers. The group, known as Fresh Air Films, will begin showing movies later this month at Shipyards Landing. They're hosting a volunteer information session for people to learn about the group's plans and how they can get involved with the project. The meeting will be held Thursday night at 7pm at Town Hall.

Crawley Named Lumberjacks Top Scorer And MVP

After four years in the Maritime Hockey League, including three in Bridgewater, Michael Crawley says he's proud of his accomplishments. The 20-year-old captain for the CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks took home the top scorer and MVP awards at the team's player awards banquet Wednesday night. Crawley scored 34 goals and 28 assists in 52 games. He was also recognized this season as the Lumberjacks all-time leading scorer. Crawley says he's proud of what he did in his final year of junior hockey.



He says his favorite moment remains the memorable mini-series against Metro in 2011. Crawley will now attend Saint Mary's University in the fall. Other award winners Wednesday night include Jeremy Butterworth as top rookie, Mitch Hennebury as top defenceman, most improved went to Zac Zakas and the 100 percent award was won by Luc Ramey.

Updated: Lumberjacks Sign Five Year Agreement With LCLC

The CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks will officially take the ice at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre in the fall. LCLC General Manager Kevin Benjamin confirmed the news during the team's player awards banquet at the Michelin Social Club Wednesday night. Benjamin says the two sides reached a five-year agreement to play at the new Clearwater Seafood Arena. He says its a fair deal for both sides.



Meanwhile, Owner Ken Petrie says five years is the right amount of time.



The two sides were back and forth at the negotiation table for months trying to come to an agreement. Petrie says he's excited about the upcoming season and looks forward to playing in the new facility.

MODL Approves Development Agreement For Proposed Pub

A proposed pub in Riverport has cleared another hurdle on its way to being established. The Municipality of Lunenburg unanimously approved a development agreement for the Heron Pub and Marina. The proposed facility would be located on Lower LaHave Road in a former fish processing facility with nearly 3,000 square feet of space. Mayor Don Downe says things are moving ahead.



A public hearing for community members will be held July 4.

Province Renames Highway 103 After Lost Fishermen

The province is paying tribute to fishermen who have lost their lives in the fishing industry. Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau announced today that Highway 103 will be known as the Fishermen's Memorial Highway. Belliveau unveiled a new commemorative highway sign in Shelburne. In a release, he says the designation acknowledges the debt to the hundreds who have lost their lives at sea. Highway 103 runs from Halifax to Yarmouth and links a number of fishing communities. (Photo Courtesy : Facebook)

South West Health Welcomes 11 New Docs

Eleven new doctors will be working in Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby over the next eight months. Seven are family physicians and four are specialists who will begin providing consultant services to the residents of South West Health before fall 2013. The health authority indicates four doctors will move to Yarmouth, one in Shelburne and two for Digby county. Chief of Medical Staff, Alenia Kysela says improving access to primary care is a top priority for the health authority. She says officials will continue to attract doctors to help under-serviced areas. Nine of the physicians completed a major portion of their medical education in Canada or the USA.  

Committee Seeks Town's Help For Cemetery Street Names

More than 30 names have been gathered by Bridgewater's Heritage Advisory Committee for streets inside Brookside Cemetery. The committee asked the public to submit road names to them in April for the upcoming project. The names were requested because the committee felt they would help provide direction to visitors, help locate headstones and improve emergency response times. Mayor David Walker says the matter will go back to staff.



The committee is looking at a cost of roughly $5,000 for posts and sign blades to be installed. Some of the street names received include Glory Bend, Brookside Way, Memory Loop, Edgewood Path, Sawmill Arch, Veterans Bend, Wondering Loop and Pondside Path.

Lengthy Sentence Expected For Sex Offender In Confinement Case

It could be a lengthy prison term for a 48 year-old man who kidnapped and sexually assaulted a teenage boy in Lunenburg County. David Leblanc will be sentenced Friday for his role in the disturbing incident which began in Halifax last fall and ended when the boy escaped a run down cabin in Upper Chelsea after being held captive for ten days. The Crown has indicated they will see a prison term in the range of 11 years. Leblanc pleaded guilty last month to most of the charges related to the case, including kidnapping, forcible confinement and sexual assault. His co-accused, Wayne Cunningham died while on the run from police in Northern Ontario. A third man connected to the case will have a preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing will be held for Leonard McKeen on July 25. He is charged with sexual assault and a prostitution related offence.

NSCC Lunenburg Campus Holds Convocation

The Nova Scotia Community College Lunenburg Campus marks its class of 2013 Wednesday morning. Convocation will be held at 10am in the campus gymnasium. Two hundred and six people are graduating. Awards will be handed out including the Governor General's academic medal, President award and the NSCC's Board of Directors award. This year's class Valedictorian is Lunenburg County's Tracy Pagan Hardt from the Natural Resources-Environmental Technology program.

Fisheries Minister To Unveil New Highway Sign

A new sign will be unveiled today in memory of fishermen lost at sea. Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau will join members of the fishing community including families and friends to showcase the sign. The unveiling will take place at 1pm at the Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club and Marina.

Martin Finishes Fourth At NTL Toronto Event

It was a fourth place finish for Bridgewater's Jenna Martin at the second National Track League stop in Toronto. Martin ran the women's 400 metre event in 53.65 seconds. The 25-year-old finished almost two seconds behind winner Mary Wineberg of the United States. Martin was coming off a second place finish at the first NTL stop in Halifax earlier this week.

School Board: Chair Attends Review Meeting In Berwick

School Board members from across the province met in Berwick recently to continue the discussion of trying to improve the school review process. The province's education minister is looking for suggestions to move forward, what worked within the process and ideas for surplus schools. Board chair Jennifer Naugler attended the meeting and says shorter timelines for review, more collaboration and long-range planning were some of themes being presented. Naugler believes minor tweaks are needed.



Naugler says it was a valuable experience to exchange ideas with other board officials. She has sent correspondence to other board members on what was discussed at the meeting. Meanwhile, the education department will gather the suggestions and put them into a discussion paper by September. Parents, school boards and communities will then be asked for feedback before a new policy is put in place by next spring. Another review process meeting is planned for June 19 in Halifax.

Updated: Dog Owner Turns Himself In, Faces Charges

The owner of a dog that caused a serious bite to a female jogger last night in Bridgewater has turned himself into police. Constable Will Creamer says a 49-year-old man went to the station after hearing media reports about the incident. He adds, charges have been laid under the town's Dog By-laws. The incident happened around 8:15 last night on the Centennial Trail off LaHave Street. The jogger was sent to South Shore Regional Hospital for treatment of the bite. At the time, the dog's owner gave a false name and contact information.

Information Session Being Held On Former Blockhouse School

The former Blockhouse school will be the topic for discussion tonight during a public information session. Staff with the Municipality of Lunenburg will present details to residents on the proposed sale of the property. The former school has been leased by the South Shore Ventures Co-op since last year. The group is now trying to buy the property for less than market value. The co-op is working to transform the property into a sustainability and permaculture training centre. A meeting will be held tonight at the former Blockhouse school at 7pm.

MODL: Council Rejects Proposed Blockhouse Facility

The Municipality of Lunenburg has refused an application for a proposed construction and demolition debris facility in Blockhouse. Council rejected the matter by a 10-3 vote during Tuesday morning's council meeting. Halifax C and D was applying for a development agreement for the proposed facility along the Cornwall Road. The company now has the right to appeal the decision to the province's Utility and Review Board. Residents' spokesman Paul Young expects an appeal in the near future.



Halifax C & D hasn't indicated yet if it will appeal the decision.