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** "News Headlines" **
Page updated .. As of: December 1st,2009.
1.) "1st turbine lowered into Bay of Fundy"
November, 2009.
A turbine that will test the potential of tidal power was installed in the Bay of Fundy off the Nova Scotia coast on Thursday afternoon.
It was placed in the Minas Passage, about 10 kilometres west of Parrsboro, N.S.
on: November 12th, 2009.
"Today is a great day in the history of Nova Scotia," Energy Minister Bill Estabrooks said in a statement.
"Tidal energy offers Nova Scotians many opportunities — new jobs, cleaner energy and the use of resources we have in our own backyard. That's the dream, and the tidal project team have dedicated themselves to help make it a reality."
The provincial government has contributed $9 million to the tidal power project.
The 400-tonne device was installed on the seabed by Nova Scotia Power and its partner, OpenHydro.
It took about 10 minutes to lower the six-storey-high device, which has a base built by Cherubini Metal Works in Dartmouth.
"Working with OpenHydro, we are proud to be the first to deploy and test a commercial-scale tidal turbine in the Bay of Fundy and look forward to the learnings ahead," said Rob Bennett, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Power.
The province has set a target of producing 25 per cent of its electricity from renewable resources by 2015.
Research suggests that tidal power in the Minas Passage could create up to 300 megawatts, enough to power 100,000 homes. If Thursday's turbine survives the winter storms, it has the potential to generate electricity for up to 500 homes once it's connected to the power grid.
Minas Basin Pulp and Power and B.C.-based Clean Current have also been chosen to test turbines in the Bay of Fundy. They are aiming to deploy their devices next year.
2.) "All the Nominations are now in for Parrsboro Mayor & the Nominations are in for the one Parrsboro Coucilor Seat"
Nov.2009.
(see below)
The Mayor Nominees are listed below:
Lois Smith
Joel Smith
Stanford Blenkhorn
Ron Levy
The councillor nominees are listed below:
Ralph Foster
Lisa Ward
Glennida Canning
Loyd Smith
Troy Melanson
The Municipal Special Election Day will be on:
Saturday Dec.5th, 2009 at the Parrsboro Fire Hall on Willow Street.
Advance polls are on Saturday Nov.28th, 2009 and on Tuesday Dec.1st, 2009 at the Parrsboro Fire Hall on Willow Street.
** The Board of Trade held a hosting "Mayor and Council Candidate Debate" on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 7 pm at the Parrsboro Fire Hall.
There was a great turn-out for this event by the public & great questions asked and answered.
3.) "Gas & Diesel Prices have remained the same price this week here in Parrsboro & across Nova Scotia."
-- Gas & Diesel Prices at Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S are listed below:
These prices are as of: Deceber 1st, 2009.
** Regular is: $110.8 a litre (Full Serve)
Plus is: $114.2 a litre (Full serve)
Supreme is: $117.6 a litre (Full serve)
Diesel Fuel is: $104.0 a litre (full serve)
-----------------------------------------------------
Regular is: $106.8 a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: $110.2 a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: $113.6 a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: $104.0 a litre (full serve Only)
4.) "N.S. government approves Fundy tidal project -
Firms hurry to get test projects in water"
October, 2009.
A tidal power turbine up to 10 metres in diameter will be installed in the Bay of Fundy this fall, as companies begin testing methods of harnessing some of the earth's mightiest water flows.
The Nova Scotia government and the federal Fisheries Department announced environmental approval Tuesday for test projects for three companies to place their turbines in the inner bay, where the world's highest tides rush in and out each day.
There is one small existing tidal power station at the mouth of the Annapolis River, providing sufficient power for 6,000 homes.
However, the test projects would be the first step towards installing multiple, undersea turbines in the bay, with the goal of eventually creating an array of generators to collect a portion of the tidal energy in the inner bay, along the Minas Passage.
The Nova Scotia Power turbine — which looks somewhat like an underwater jet-engine turbine set on a large tripod — will be the first to go in the waters off Parrsboro, with installation plans set for late October.
That will be followed by the installation of a turbine by Clean Current Power Systems Inc., a British Columbia-based firm.
Scott Travers, the president of Minas Basin Pulp and Power Co. Ltd., said during a speech in Saint John, N.B., that his firm's turbine is expected to go in the water next summer.
He told the audience, which included the premiers of Canada's eastern provinces and New England governors, that the potential source of energy is immense in an area where the tides fall so dramatically twice a day that vessels are left perched on the mud.
``The shift of the current, and its predictability, you can bank on it,'' he said.
The three companies are spending a total of $60 million to $70 million to build the test system.
Nova Scotia's Energy Department said the test system will be linked together next year, with the possibility of creating enough energy to power 4,000 homes, or about 3.5 megawatts. Nova Scotia Power said the test system will not be hooked up to province's electrical grid.
Travers said the tidal projects are currently at the ``Kitty Hawk stage'' of development, comparing them to the earliest days of flying machines, and it will be several years before commercial scale production is achieved — estimated to be enough power for 100,000 homes.
He said results of the test phase would take one year to 18 months, and at that point proposals could go forward for commercial developments, and a new round of environmental assessments.
``The first multi-unit system will be right in our backyard. It's going to put us on the map, and from there it will grow ... and then we target Newfoundland's coast, Prince Edward Island,'' Travers said.
Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau said the reduction in greenhouse gases would benefit Nova Scotia, which is heavily dependent on coal-fired generators.
But he said the province could close down the test system quickly if there are signs it is damaging the endangered Atlantic salmon or the lobster fishery.
``I have the authority to stop that (project) as simply as walking over and turning off that light switch, and I wouldn't hesitate if the science and adverse effects are there,'' said Belliveau.
The studies will also include a look at potential impact on plankton, the microscopic plant life that flows through the bay.
In its July submission to the province's Environment Department, the Ecology Action Centre said the impact of undersea tidal projects ``have been consistently underestimated, and in some cases, ignored.''
A group of inshore fishermen also sent in their concerns to the department, saying plans to eventually put hundreds of turbines in the bay must not proceed.
``To consider putting hundreds of these units out into the Bay of Fundy doesn't make sense to us. It will ruin the fisheries of not only this area, but many others as well,'' wrote the Heavy Current Fishers Association in a July 17 submission.
``Millions upon millions of fish, of different species, migrate through the northern shore of the Minas Channel and Passage on their way to spawning grounds all around the basin.''
Canada has enough tidal energy to power most of the country's homes and the lion's share of it lies in this bay, according to Natural Resources Canada.
Nova Scotia wants 25 per cent of its energy to come from renewable sources by 2020, and it sees tidal power as a means to get there.
5.) "Turbine safe for all in sea - Technology won’t harm marine environment, Irish company insists"
October, 2009.
THE DEVELOPERS of a demonstration tidal turbine to be launched in the Bay of Fundy next month are fiercely defending the technology against accusations it may harm the marine environment.
For the past three years, OpenHydro of Ireland has been testing a similar turbine in the waters off northern Scotland, and underwater video has shown no marine mammals or fish have been harmed, company CEO James Ives told reporters Wednesday in Dartmouth.
"Environmentally, it’s very important to design something that has no impact on the marine environment," said Mr. Ives at a fabrication yard where the turbine is being attached to a 400-tonne tripod-shaped subsea base.
OpenHydro and its partner, Nova Scotia Power, unveiled the open-centred turbine before it makes a journey to the Bay of Fundy, where it will be launched in late October. Testing will last up to two years.
Mr. Ives was responding to criticisms by Acadia University biology professor Michael Dadswell, who argues that a large-scale development of tidal power in the Bay of Fundy will do "immense damage" to the fisheries and whale watching business in the Maritimes.
Mr. Dadswell wrote an opinion article Wednesday in The Chronicle Herald stating the blades of the turbine, which will rotate in both directions, will harm marine mammals, including seals and whales.
Mr. Ives said the large centre of the turbine allows marine life to pass through safely and most animals do not go near the turbine. Also, there are no oils, greases or lubricants used.
"We’ve never seen a marine mammal pass through the device, never seen fish pass through the device," said Mr. Ives. "There’s been absolutely no recorded incident of marine mammals in three years."
Mr. Ives said tidal power is the next generation of renewable power.
"I think there is no question in our mind that tidal can generate power. . . . We have to tread carefully into each site we go into."
The demonstration turbine and subsea base are 16 metres in diameter, almost as high as a six-storey building. As proposed, it could produce one megawatt of electricity, enough to power 300 households.
NSP president Rob Bennett said harnessing the immense power of the Bay of Fundy tides for electricity is important for the utility.
"It’s a big step forward for tidal energy development in Nova Scotia," said Mr. Bennett at the Cherubini Metal Works Ltd. yard, which was awarded a $1.7-million contract in April to provide fabrication and support services to the project.
"For Nova Scotia Power, it’s another component of solving the energy needs of Nova Scotians — the renewable energy needs — and that’s what we’ve been focused on and that’s what this project is all about."
The turbine cost $10 million, with NSP investing the lion’s share and $4.6 million coming from Sustainable Development Technology Canada, a non-profit green energy foundation.
Next spring, two other turbines will be deployed in the bay.
The other two developers — Clean Current Power Systems Inc., of British Columbia, and Minas Basin Pulp and Power Co. Ltd., of Hantsport — are planning to install their underwater devices after a cable is in place to carry the electricity to shore.
Patrice Breton, Sustainable Development Technology Canada spokesman, said the agency has also given $5.5 million to Clean Current’s project, but has not given any funding to Minas Basin’s project.
"We’re not involved in that (Minas Basin) project and I’m not aware whether they’ve applied or not. We’re not a participant in that one," said Mr. Breton.
NSP vice-president Mark Savoury said the Bay of Fundy project could be commercially viable in five years, depending on the turbine test results over the next two years.
NSP currently operates one small tidal power station at the mouth of the Annapolis River, providing power sufficient for 6,000 homes.
6.) "Parrsboro to have byelection to fill seat of long-time mayor now battling acute leukemia as Robinson steps down"
October, 2009.
PARRSBORO – After 12 years serving as Mayor of Parrsboro, Doug Robinson stepped down as the head of the town due to health reasons.
Robinson submitted a letter of resignation during Tuesday’s council meeting.
After being diagnosed with acute leukemia last spring, Robinson decided that it was time to step down passing over the reigns to deputy mayor David Harrison until a by-election is held.
“I feel good, however, I do get tired easily which is the main reason why I have decided to step down,” Robinson said, adding that he didn’t want to be in a position where he was making decisions for the town while being tired.
“Another reason I decided to step down now rather than wait is if my condition became worse I didn’t want to put people in a position where an election would be called this winter,” Robinson said.
Parrsboro’s CAO, Ray Hickey, said council has four weeks to decide when the by-election will occur.
“With council’s goal to hold the election as soon as possible they will probably decide before the four-week deadline when to hold the election,” Hickey said.
Explaining the by-election has to be held 11 weeks following the announcement, with deadlines for mayor candidates being the fifth Thursday before the election.
“If a councilor should choose to run for mayor they would have to step down as councillor when submitting as a candidate for the mayoral position at which time making a council seat open for anyone choosing to run for the position of councillor.
The deadline for candidates for a council position is the fourth Tuesday before the election date,” Hickey explained.
Having four weeks to decide when the by-election will be held, Hickey anticipates council will hold a special council meeting before the four-week deadline which the CAO said will be announced to the public for anyone wishing to attend this meeting.
During Tuesday’s council meeting he added thanks to past and present councils along with staff at the town hall, staff of the public works department, present CAO Ray Hickey and to past CAO Ashley Brown for the many years he dedicated to the town.
As his last act as mayor Robinson thanked the residents of Parrsboro for allowing him the opportunity to serve them along with the many generous offerings in the form of cards, letters, gifts and visits which Robinson said means a great deal to himself, his wife Shirley and family.
7.) "Paving of Parrsboro's Streets has started today"
November, 2009.
With the much needed Beaverdam Road being the first and King Street being worked on today as well soon to follow.
The streets here in Parrsboro have been in such despair this is a welcome site!!!!
8.) "Flu Vaccine Clinics in Parrsboro"
November, 2009.
They will be at the fire hall on Willow Street
The Clinics start on: Saturday November 7th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and they will follow on Tuesdays throughout November (10th, 17th, 24th) from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
All Nova Scotia H1N1 Flu & Regular Flu Clinics -- You can view where & when the clinics will be available in this area by clicking on this link: http://www.cha.nshealth.ca/pdf_files/swine/clinic_schedule.pdf
For Gov't Info on the H1N1 program and latest news go to: http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/h1n1/h1n1-clinics.asp
This Additional News Information below is compliments of: Crystal J.A. Melanson.
It was updated On: Dec. 2nd, 2009.
Crystal's Corner News - Weekly Column that is in the local Record Newspaper every Wednesday...
By: Crystal J.A. Melanson
For the week of: December 2nd, 2009 Is Below:
Greetings readers, hope you all had a super week. Parrsboro's Christmas Parade was this past Friday night, and from what I've heard, the entrants and The Parrsboro and District Board of Trade did a formidable job of making this year's parade a success. The rain even let up for a time while the parade snaked through its scheduled route. Hats off to all who participated and to those who organized the event.
Unfortunately, I had to be out of town at the time (work), and even my husband who was armed with the digital camera, couldn't get near the parade (work also).
I have to send out a big: Oopsy, to the readers for my listing of events for the past couple of columns. It would seem that I had November stuck on the brain when dating certain events that, in fact, fall in December. Now how did that happen?
My birthday is in November and I didn't want the month to end so I wouldn't become a year older? I'm really trying to slow down the counting off of the days until Christmas? My calendar doesn't have a month for December?
Do you believe any of that? Hopefully not.
Actually, December is on my calendar and by the time you read this, we will all have flipped over to it. Flippantly so for some; jerkily, for others.
Really, I have no good explanation for my goof-up, outside of, it's just me. If you knew me really well, you'd know that occasionally I get stuck a month or day (sometimes more) behind. You know where your thinking all day that it's Friday and at some point during the day, someone blows your mind and informs you that it's only Thursday. Or Wednesday. Well, that's how I get from time to time with the months. I know, silly right? And, since I'm already airing out my absent-mindedness when it comes to the months of the year, I might as well take it a step further and come clean on what is going to happen at the end of next month.
The year changes. Egad. Look out then. I am notorious for staying stuck back in the previous year by a solid three months. Yup, I'll be filling out the date of the year on every form, cheque, and whatever, as 2009, until at least March of 2010. (One year, I caught myself doing this well into the month of June.)
I would like to thank all the readers, as well as my husband, for pointing out my blip, and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. (Not that I've heard any notion to this; just helpful readers trying to keep me on track.) Thank you readers.
Darn, I just thought that I could have said that my blip was a just a test. You know - to keep you on your toes.
Oh well, maybe next time. (Trust me: there will be a next time, because as I said, I am notorious for this kind of thing. In fact, I could produce a very long list of friends who could back me up on this, if need be.)
Have a great week everyone and welcome to the month of DECEMBER.
Upcoming Events for December:
Billy G at the Glooscap Restaurant and Lounge on Fri, Dec. 4 from 10 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.
Seniors Christmas Party will be held on Fri, Dec. 4 from 2 - 5 p.m. at the legion on Moore Street. Entertainment, prizes, turkey dinner. This event is sponsored by Healthy Parrsboro and Area.
Holiday House Tour in Parrsboro on Sat, Dec. 5 from 3 - 8 p.m. Tour three beautiful homes and one church, all which can be easily identified by a wreath adorned with snowflakes and a hockey stick. The event is in support of the Parrsboro Midget Girl's Hockey. The tours are of the homes of Ron and Sally Levy at 370 Willow Street, Jennifer Smith at 378 Two Island Road, Rod and Helen Tyson at 114 Lamb's Hill Road, and the Trinity United Church on Queen Street. For information or tickets, phone Heather Winters at 254 - 2768 or Julie MacMillan at 254 - 2772.
Christmas Concert at The Hall on Mon, Dec. 7 from 7:30 - 10 p.m. Music by the Parrsboro Citizens' Band and Sackville (NB) Band.
Living Christmas Tree at the Grace United Church in Port Greville on Sat, Dec. 12 and Sun, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Crystal's Quick Notes:
Legion Elections at 3 p.m. on Sun, Dec. 6.
Polls for Special Election for Mayor and Council at the fire hall on Willow Street are as follows: Advance Polls are Sat, Nov. 28 and Tues, Dec. 1 from 12 - 8 p.m. Regular Poll on Sat, Dec. 5 from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Tune in to CICR 99.1 FM to hear the latest news and events in the Parrsboro area.
Games Nights every Friday at St. George's Hall from 7 - 9 p.m. All are welcome.
Fun Darts on Fridays at the legion. Karaoke and shuffleboard every Saturday night at 8:30 p.m.
Contact Crystal either by phone 254-2947 or email at crystalscornernews@yahoo.ca
** This is Last Weeks Gas & Diesel Prices. **
These prices are as of: November 18th, 2009.
** Regular is: $110.8 a litre (Full Serve)
Plus is: $114.2 a litre (Full serve)
Supreme is: $117.6 a litre (Full serve)
Diesel Fuel is: $104.0 a litre (full serve)
-----------------------------------------------------
Regular is: $106.8 a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: $110.2 a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: $113.6 a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: $104.0 a litre (full serve Only)
More News Below "All" the way to the bottom of this page... "Newest News is in the headlines above or at the bottom of this news page!!!
Enjoy!!!
All news on this page is brought to you by myself or:
1.) Crystals Corner News Column that is in the Record Newspaper.
2.) The Chronicle Hearald Newspaper.
3.) The Record Newspaper.
4.) The Amherst Daily News.
5.) The Citizen Newspaper.
6.) Via the internet or you the viewers.
7.) CBC News & CTV News.
New federal impaired driving law and sober messaging for Canadians
New federal impaired driving law and sober messaging for Canada Day holiday weekend - July 1st,2008.
If you see an impaired driver, call 911 urges MADD Canada
July 1st,2008 -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) is urging Canadians to make safe and sober travel plans for the holiday parties, family celebrations and cottage runs over this Canada Day Weekend.
MADD Canada is wishing for a fatality-free long weekend so the organization’s volunteers are broadcasting this simple reminder: Don't drive when you are impaired by alcohol or drugs. Don't get into a vehicle - car, boat or ATV - with a person who is impaired.
MADD Canada also is reminding Canadians that: If you see an impaired driver on the road, trail or waterway, call 911 and report the incident to the police.
This Friday morning, MADD Canada will join with the federal Justice Minister Robert Nicholson and Toronto Police Service’s marine unit police at their headquarters at the John Quay to announce the fact that, on July 2, new federal laws will make it easier for police to apprehend and charge impaired drivers, in particular drug impaired drivers.
"With new federal impaired driving laws coming into effect this weekend, we hope more Canadians will take care to separate their drinking occasions from their driving,” says Margaret Miller, MADD Canada's National President.
“The new federal laws will help make our roads a safer place and will save lives,” and, Mrs. Miller adds, “These laws apply to the safety of Canadians on roads and waterways.”
"Canadians need to be reminded that they should not drink or do drugs and then drive. Unfortunately, the summer season is the most dangerous time of the year for impaired driving fatalities, so MADD Canada is delivering our message in as many ways possible through the long weekend holidays,” say Mrs. Miller.
"Our hope is that we can all enjoy the long summer weekends on the roads and waterways without any needless death or injury as a result of impaired driving," says the MADD Canada president.
Throughout the summer months MADD Canada volunteers across the country attempt to heighten impaired driving awareness in communities and in cottage country. The volunteers promote a 'Call 911' campaign, and they join police efforts at roadside and waterway checkstops to encourage sober and safe driving. They also distribute their anti-impaired driving messages in posters, ads and public service announcements.
"Critically-ill patients to be shipped to Moncton, Halifax"
Third disruption to ICU services runs until Jan. 1
The Amherst Daily News
AMHERST - Cumberland County is facing another disruption in intensive care coverage at the region’s largest hospital - this time over the holidays.
The Cumberland Health Authority will have no specialist coverage for critically ill patients from Dec. 24 until Tuesday, Jan. 1 at 7 a.m.
The disruption is the third in just over a month. It is due to the CHA being unable to secure the services of a locum (part-time) physician to provide coverage in the absence of the three local specialists who normally provide internal medicine coverage.
Officials with the health authority say arrangements have been made with hospitals in Moncton and Halifax and with EHS (ambulance service) to transfer any acutely ill patients who may require the services provided by internal medicine specialists.
In a statement issued this week, spokeswoman Anne Keddy said the ICU at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre would remain open as other physicians, including surgeons, can assume responsibility for the care of patients requiring certain types of specialized medical treatment.
"Marijuana grow operation busted"
The Amherst Daily News
SPRINGHILL - A residential marijuana grow operation has been busted after members of the North Cumberland Street Crime Unit conducted a search of a Church Street, home on Friday.
During Friday’s investigation, a quantity of marijuana plants, several pounds of cultivated marijuana and equipment used for the grow operation were seized.
A Springhill man was taken into custody and later released with conditions. He will appear in provincial court in the near future.
Friday’s incident and another seizure on Nov. 23, were both located in close proximity to schools in Springhill. The latest incident occurred near the junior and senior high school, while the November incident was on Queen Street, near the Junction Road Elementary School.
Pakistan's former prime minister Benazir Bhutto leaves after addressing her last public rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on Thursday. Bhutto was assassinated in a suicide attack as she drove away from a the rally, aides said, just minutes after addressing thousands of supporters.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto adjusts her scarf at a campaign rally in Pabbi, 120 kilometers west of Islamabad, Pakistan, in this Dec. 12, 2007 file photo. Opposition leader Bhutto died Thursday from injuries sustained in a suicide attack, a party aide said.
"Benazir Bhutto assassinated"
At least 20 others dead in suicide bomb attack
By SADAQAT JAN and ZARAR KHAN - The Associated Press
Thursday December 27th,2007.
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan — Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was killed Thursday in a suicide attack as she drove away from a campaign rally just minutes after addressing thousands of supporters, aides said.
The attack occurred shortly after Bhutto addressed the rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. There were conflicting accounts over the sequence of events.
Rehman Malik, Bhutto's security adviser, said Bhutto was shot in the neck and chest by the attacker, who then blew himself up..
Party supporter Chaudry Mohammed Nazir said that two gunshots rang out when Bhutto's vehicle pulled into the main street and then there was a big blast next to her car.
But Javed Iqbal Cheema, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, told state-run Pakistan Television that Bhutto died when a suicide bomber struck her vehicle.
At least 20 others were killed in the blast, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.
Bhutto was rushed to the hospital and taken into emergency surgery.
``At 6:16 p.m. she expired,'' said Wasif Ali Khan, a member of Bhutto's party who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital.
The death of the charismatic former prime minister threw the campaign for the Jan. 8 election into chaos and created fears of mass protests and an eruption of violence across the volatile South Asian nation.
Next to President Pervez Musharraf, Bhutto, 54, was the best known political figure in the country. She had served two terms as prime minister between 1988 and 1996. She was respected in the West for her liberal outlook and determination to combat the spread of Islamic extremism, a theme she returned to often in her campaign speeches.
Her death will leave a void at the top of her Pakistan People's party, the largest political group in the country.
As news of her death spread, supporters at the hospital in Rawalpindi smashed glass doors and stoned cars. Many chanted slogans against Musharraf, accusing the president of complicity in her killing.
Angry supporters took to the streets in the northwestern city of Peshawar as well other areas, chanting slogans against Musharraf. In Rawalpindi, the site of the attack, Bhutto's supporters burned election posters from the ruling party and attacked police, who fled from the scene.
In Karachi, shop owners quickly closed their businesses as supporters from Bhutto's party burned tires on the roads.
Nawaz Sharif, another former prime minister and leader of a rival opposition party, rushed to the hospital and addressed the crowd.
``Benazir Bhutto was also my sister, and I will be with you to take the revenge for her death,'' Sharif said. ``Don't feel alone. I am with you. We will take the revenge on the rulers.''
Senator Babar Awan, Bhutto's lawyer, said, ``The surgeons confirmed that she has been martyred.''
Bhutto's supporters at the hospital exploded in anger, smashing the glass door at the main entrance of the emergency unit. Others burst into tears. One man with a flag of Pakistan People's party tied around his head was beating his chest.
``I saw her with my own eyes sitting in a vehicle after addressing the rally. Then, I heard an explosion,'' said Tahir Mahmood, 55, as she sobbed. ``I am in shock. I cannot believe that she is dead,'' he said.
Some at the hospital began chanting, ``Killer, Killer, Musharraf,'' referring to Musharraf, Bhutto's main political opponent.
``We repeatedly informed the government to provide her proper security and appropriate equipment including jammers, but they paid no heed to our requests,'' Malik said.
In Washington, deputy State Department spokesman Tom Casey said: ``Certainly, we condemn the attack on this rally. It demonstrates that there are still those in Pakistan who want to subvert reconciliation and efforts to advance democracy.''
The United States has for months been encouraging Musharraf to reach some kind of political accommodation with the opposition, particular Bhutto, who is seen as having a wide base of support.
Bhutto had returned to Pakistan from an eight-year exile on Oct. 18. Her homecoming parade in Karachi was also targeted by a suicide attacker, killing more than 140 people. On that occasion she narrowly escaped injury.
Bhutto was killed just a few kilometres from the scene of her father's violent death 28 years earlier.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a former prime minister and the founder of the party that his daughter would later lead, was executed by hanging in 1979 in Rawalpindi on charges of conspiracy to murder that supporters said was politically motivated by the then-military regime. His killing led to violent protests across the country.
As Bhutto addressed the rally Thursday, she was flanked by a massive picture of her father.
Minutes later, the area was awash in blood.
An Associated Press reporter at the scene could see body parts and flesh scattered at the back gate of the Liaqat Bagh park where Bhutto had spoken. He counted about 20 bodies, including police, and could see many other wounded people.
Police cordoned off the street with white and red tape, and rescue workers rushed to put victims in ambulances as people wailed nearby.
The clothing of some of the victims was shredded and people put party flags over their bodies. Police caps and shoes littered the asphalt.
On Thursday, hundreds of riot police had manned security checkpoints to guard the venue. It was Bhutto's first public meeting in Rawalpindi since she came back to the country.
In November, Bhutto had also planned a rally in the city, but Musharraf forced her to cancel it, citing security fears.
In recent weeks, suicide bombers have repeatedly targeted security forces in Rawalpindi, a city near the capital where Musharraf stays and the Pakistan army has its headquarters.
"Nova Scotia & Parrsboro to get tidal energy centre"
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 16th, 2008.
Premier Rodney MacDonald made the announcement Tuesday January 8th, 2008 in Parrsboro.
Nova Scotia is setting up a $10-million research facility to test underwater turbines to convert tidal energy into electricity.
Three Canadian companies have been selected to field test their experimental technologies in the Bay of Fundy, home of the highest tides in the world.
"It's said that harnessing this made-in-Nova Scotia green energy source could power a minimum of 100,000 homes," he said.
That's about 10 per cent of the electrical grid. However, that vision will only become a reality if these demonstration projects are followed by a commercial development of 200 turbines.
The first step — a strategic environmental assessment of the Minas Channel — is underway.
Energy Minister Richard Hurlburt said ice, fishing activity and sediment could all affect companies investing in underwater turbines.
"We need to understand the possible effects these machines may have on the environment. We may not find the best design for some time, but we must move quickly to meet the challenges of climate change," Hurlburt said.
The three companies chosen for the project are Minas Basin Pulp and Power, Nova Scotia Power and B.C.-based Clean Current.
Minas Basin Pulp and Paper is partnering with UEK Hydrokinetic Turbine, while Nova Scotia Power is aligned with OpenHydro Turbine of Ireland.
The companies will spend between $10 million and $15 million on their test turbines, the first three of which are expected to hit the water in the fall of 2009.
Positive results from one design could create jobs in Cumberland County in maintaining and even manufacturing components of underwater turbines.
The province has earmarked $4.7 million for the tidal energy centre, while EnCana is putting forward a $3-million interest-free loan.
"Minas Basin Pulp and Power embraces tidal energy"
Last updated on: Jan.17th/08.
Premier Rodney MacDonald’s January 8 tidal energy announcement in Parrsboro has generated lots of excitement. Hantsport’s Minas Basin Pulp and Power’s success in winning not just one of three spots for testing tidal power but the contract to build and manage the onshore part of the project is a big part of local enthusiasm.
Nova Scotia will provide $5 million for the project and Encana Corporation will contribute $3 million in a no-interest loan from its Environmental Innovation fund. Each of the three companies will be investing millions of their own dollars to put their test devices in action by 2010. Minas Basin Pulp and Power will test its chosen turbine alongside those of Nova Scotia Power and British Columbia’s Clean Current. Onshore, Minas Basin will manage the Fundy Institute for Tidal Energy on behalf of an independent body.
Founded in Hantsport by Roy Jodrey in 1927, Minas Basin Pulp and Power has been involved in power generation since 1938. Already an environmental leader with its recycled paper operations, Minas Basin already uses hydroelectricity generated on the St. Croix River to power its operations.
Minas Basin’s proposal is a joint venture with UEK, an American company. UEK’s turbine design is different in a number of ways from the other two to be tested. Most importantly, it does not need to be directly connected to the ocean floor, but is tethered to two mooring lines. Called the ‘Underwater Electric Kite,’ it can move to different depths to catch the best tidal current. If the mooring lines are released, it floats to the surface for retrieval.
The design obviously impressed the experts. Provincial Energy Department communications advisor Matt Lumley said, “the final decisions were made by a technical review panel that involved experts both near and far. For this project they were looking for the devices that were most suitable for the Bay of Fundy, with most appropriate technology and most suitable proposals for the first go around. We were looking for devices that had some degree of commercial readiness.”
Minas Basin’s vice president for Energy Development John Woods credits a “great scientific and engineering team” for the company’s successful bid. Plans for the on-shore facility -- where the turbines will be monitored and their electricity gathered, measured, evaluated and sold to Nova Scotia Power Inc -- will also be a venue for education.
“It will be visited from around the world, any country with ocean frontage will be interested,” Woods said. Nova Scotian students -- from elementary to university -- will also be visitors. Although the project won’t be generating commercial energy, nothing will go to waste. “The energy that comes in will be sold to NSPI and the revenue will go back to defer operating costs of the institute.”
Although there are three companies involved, Minas Basin’s host role gives them a long-term advantage, Woods said. “Building the demonstration facility and later operating the institute will provide Minas Basin Pulp and Power with first hand experience in extracting in-stream energy from the most impressive tidal resource in the world. In the event tidal energy evolves to a commercial state, we will be better prepared to participate in the industry. If it’s at all possible, which we think it is.”
Local employment is important to the project, Woods noted. Not only will turbine equipment be built in Nova Scotia, he hopes to employ many local scientists and engineers. In the longer term, the expansion into tidal energy should keep Minas Basin employing local residents for years to come.
A Strategic Environmental Assessment, to be completed by this spring, will determine a general location for the under water site. Site selection and further environmental assessments will proceed from there. Then, a location for the institute will be selected, most likely in Cumberland County. Woods said that Minas Basin hopes to submit a site for approval by August 2008.
Hantsport Mayor Wayne Folker is “very pleased that a hometown industry was awarded this phase of the project. “I was very honoured to be invited with the Minas Basin to go to Parrsboro and take part in the announcement. It is an honour for me to be part of history,” the mayor noted. “There was a big turnout in Parrsboro and people were very receptive and warm. They’re very excited as well.” Folker pointed out that Parrsboro and Hantsport have historic ties because of shipping routes.
Hants West Warden Richard Dauphinee is equally thrilled. “It’s a fantastic project. Anything that we can do that we’re not burning fossil fuels and putting pollution in the air is good news. I can’t say enough good about the company,” Dauphinee said. “They have always been part of our community and employed our residents. Everything like (this development) creates employment and is an attraction for industry.
"Parrsboro mayor hopes to turn tide in Parrsboro"
**Area may host trial tidal power project**
January 17th,2008.
PARRSBORO — Mayor Doug Robinson hopes Premier Rodney MacDonald will be in Parrsboro today to announce that the Cape Sharp area has been selected as the site for a trial tidal power project.
"What I’m hearing is that the premier and (Energy Minister Richard) Hurlburt won’t be here to announce which company will be doing the project but that they will be announcing the project site," the mayor said Monday.
"Since they’re holding the meeting, I’m assuming and hoping they’ll be telling us that the site we’ve been supporting for about two years, which is just off Cape Sharp, has been selected."
Cape Sharp is a spit of land that juts out into the Minas Channel 10 to 20 kilometres west of Parrsboro opposite Cape Split at the narrowest part of the Bay of Fundy.
"I certainly hope it is being located at Cape Sharp because having it there would mean more activity for our harbour," the mayor said.
"The town could also benefit because the location for where the electricity comes ashore could be built here, as well as buildings required to support the operation of the project."
The president of the Heavy Current Fishing Association of Halls Harbour, which represents about 30 fishermen, wasn’t quite as enthused.
"Cape Sharp is a very important fishing area for us," Mark Taylor said. "I’ve fished lobster there for 30 years. It’s an important migratory route for them as well. We just don’t know what impact having these (tidal energy) machines in the water will have on that fishery.
"If it is there, we will lose some important fishing area that can’t be replaced unless you moved in on someone else’s territory, which wouldn’t be a good idea."
Mr. Taylor’s association has had three of six promised meetings with proponents of the project, which he said include the province and Nova Scotia Power. But many questions still have to be answered, he said.
"We’d like to see the science for it. We’d like to know what impact it will have on the migration of lobster. We’d even like to know how close we can set our pots to these machines. Until they can answer questions like those, we really don’t know what we could lose."
Mr. Taylor admitted the answers may not be known until the test site is built. But if the tests prove the project is viable, then "200 machines in that area could mean that fishery is lost to us," he said. "And if it isn’t viable, we wonder if they will be required to clean up the site so that it remains a good spot to fish."
An American group, the Electric Power Research Institute, has indicated that the Bay of Fundy in the Cape Split area has the potential to be the best site in North America for large-scale, grid-connected tidal energy generation.
Last year, the province called for a pilot tidal power project for the Bay of Fundy, and in November the government shortlisted seven bidders. They include Maritime Tidal Energy Corp. of Halifax and partner Marine Current Turbines of Britain, Arnold Systems LLC of New York, Clean Current Power Systems Inc. of Vancouver, Lucid Energy Technologies of Indiana and Nova Tidal Power Inc. of Tatamagouche.
Minas Basin Pulp and Power Co. of Hantsport and Nova Scotia Power, owned by Emera Inc., have submitted bids to build a tidal energy test facility, a part of the project that includes designing and operating a structure to collect electricity from the turbines and processing scientific data.
No device is expected to go into the bay before next year.
Full-service gas stations a thing of the past?
Full-service gas stations a thing of the past?
Jan.15th,2008.
The day Irving told George Wheaton that it was time to cut back on full-service gas at his Parrsboro station was the day he offered to give back the keys.
That day was several years ago and Wheaton still has the keys to his Irving station and his full-service gas pumps. He hasn’t heard much on the subject from Irving since.
In fact his station didn’t even have self-service gas until about 10 years ago.
“You lose contact with your customers,” said Wheaton.
Many stations in the province don’t share Wheaton’s point of view. Many who once offered the service have done away with it to cut costs.
This poses a huge inconvenience for seniors, said Bernie LaRusic President of the Nova Scotia Government Retired Employees Association.
“A vehicle is a necessity for many seniors. So they need to be mindful of where these services are,” he said.
In the past he has inquired to stations as to what seniors with difficulties with mobility are supposed to do. He was told that when staff are able someone will be out to assist them.
“But I haven’t heard great praise for this,” he said.
LaRusic suggested that next time a consumer is pumping their gas on a cold winter day, they imagine adding 30 or 40 years to their age and bad arthritis to the activity.
Mainly it’s the seniors who take advantage of the full service, said Wheaton. Though many other people use the service as well. There are even a few businesses that stop at his station just because he has the full service, he said.
Though he can see why some stations have done away with the service, it is an added cost. And the few cents that’s charged extra doesn’t always cover the expense.
But he finds looking over the car while you’re out there, you have the opportunity to sell other things like windshield wiper blades, oil and inspections.
It all comes back to something Arthur Irving once told him 25 years ago.
“You don’t try to gouge the customer, but you can suggest,” he said.
"Winter is back.. Another big winter storm ready to grip the maritimes"
Cumberland County - Minas Shore
10:34 AM AST Monday 14th January 2008
**Winter storm warning for Cumberland County
& Minas Shore continued..
Snowfall amounts near 20 centimetres and poor visibilities in blowing snow late this afternoon and tonight.
*** This is a warning that dangerous winter weather conditions are expected in these regions.
- Monitor weather conditions..
- Listen for updated statements.
A low pressure system near Cape Cod will move to lie east of Cape Breton Tuesday morning. Snow has begun in western areas and will spread eastward to the rest of the province late this afternoon or early this evening. Snow will continue tonight and periods of snow or flurries are forecast to continue on Tuesday. Snowfall amounts of 15 to 20 centimetres are expected for the northern half of mainland Nova Scotia by Tuesday morning. Some further snowfall accumulation is expected throughout the day Tuesday over eastern areas with just flurries expected over western areas.
Strong northeast winds will give poor visibilities in blowing snow over exposed areas.
" No snow tires on van carrying N.B. school team on deadly trip"
Department of Education, board review winter travel policies
Last Updated: Monday, January 14, 2008.
Police at the scene of a weekend accident that killed seven teenage athletes and an elementary school teacher in northern New Brunswick said the van they were in may have lost control after hitting the shoulder of the road.
The Bathurst High School boys' basketball team was returning home from a game in Moncton on Saturday when the 15-seat Ford Club Wagon van fishtailed and collided with an oncoming transport truck. There were 12 passengers in the van.
Highway 8 was covered with snow early Saturday, said RCMP Cpl. Daniel Melanson. The snow would have obscured where the road and shoulder dividers were, he said.
"It would have been very difficult to know where the actual vehicle lane would have been," he said.
Police have been on the scene since the accident occurred and now say the vehicle appears to have touched the shoulder of the road before spinning into the path of the truck travelling in the opposite lane.
At the time of the accident, the van was fitted wtih all-season tires, not snow tires, officials say.
The investigation is continuing.
A mechanical inspection of the van is also being conducted by RCMP to determine if it had any mechanical problems, said RCMP Sgt. Derek Strong.
Transport Canada has brought in its own three-person collision team to investigate the fatal crash. The team will attempt to match the damage to the vehicle with the injuries to the passengers.
"Transportation policy to be reviewed"
Travelling in the winter with school sports teams is part of high school life in northern New Brunswick, said Supt. John McLaughlin, but the school board will review its winter transportation policies in light of this tragedy.
In the meantime, all extracurricular activities at the high school have been put on hold and the vans are not being used to transport students.
The Department of Education may also be conducting its own review of policy regarding travel for extracurricular events, said Minister Kelly Lamrock.
"I think any time you have something happen that has an unacceptable result, you review," Lamrock told CBC News. "But at this point in time, you also need facts."
Department guidelines indicate that wherever possible, students should be taken to activities in school buses and not smaller passenger vehicles.
It also indicates that principals should not authorize overnight travel to any off-site activities. But in what several officials have described as a grey area, the guidelines define the transport as consistent travel throughout the night.
Experts will be brought in to conduct the investigation, Lamrock said, and after the factors that caused the crash are determined, the government will move forward.
"Then our job is to learn from that and now knowing the factors that led to this result, see if there's anything in terms of policy or resources that would've changed the outcome," he said.
"Safety of vans questioned"
In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued three separate warnings about similar transport vans between 2001 and 2005, citing worries about the vehicle's stability.
Kennebecasis Valley High School in Rothesay, N.B., previously used a 15-passenger van but halted its use, said principal Robert Munro.
"The cost of maintaining it and the safety issue and the liability with having a van is significant," Munro said.
Some school boards in Saskatchewan and all of Nova Scotia have also banned the use of the vehicles.
Nova Scotia is the only province in Canada to have a complete ban on the use of large passenger vans in schools.
"It's known in the industry as the non-conforming school bus," said David White, spokesperson with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board. "In other words, it does not meet the same construction or equipment as your standard school bus."
The vehicle does well in bumper-to-bumper crashes but has stability issues, White said.
In Nova Scotia, volunteers can still drive students in smaller passenger vehicles but must have liability insurance, a motor vehicle inspection, a valid drivers licence and enough seatbelts for all the passengers.
A public funeral service will be held Wednesday for the seven teenagers killed in the accident. It starts at 2 p.m. AT (1 p.m. ET). CBCNews.ca will be carrying the event on a live video stream.
A separate funeral is planned Thursday for elementary school teacher Elizabeth Lord, 51, who also died in the crash. Her husband, the basketball team's coach, was driving the van when it went off the road.
Link to post your condolences: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8714397034
or
A guest book worldwide has been set to offer condolances to the families of the crash victims in Bathurst at: http://www.legacy.com/can/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=101100900
"Letterman turns down N.S. hospitality"
Last Updated: Friday, January 13th, 2008.
A fiddling demonstration from Premier Rodney MacDonald was not enough to lure David Letterman to Nova Scotia.
The invitation was sent after Letterman expressed a wish to see Nova Scotia during an appearance by Halifax actress Ellen Page on his late-night talk show.
A spokesman for Worldwide Pants, the production company behind the Late Show with David Letterman, turned down the invitation on Friday.
"We have seen it," Worldwide Pants spokesman Tom Keaney said, referring to MacDonald's video showing his top 10 reasons and demonstrating his fiddling prowess.
"We're honoured and flattered to be invited to Nova Scotia, but we have no travel plans for the show at this time."
"More Enforcement, rehab & smarter laws are needed to combat impaired driving."
Jan.14th,2008.
It’s a simple enough message trumpeted in awareness campaigns and reinforced at sobriety checkpoints, particularly during the holiday season: don’t drink and drive.
Yet without fail, stories of individuals stepping behind the wheel impaired continue to emerge in the headlines.
mpaired driving remains the leading criminal cause of death in the country, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada. More than 70,000 men, women and children are killed or seriously injured in impaired driving crashes in Canada each year.
"CIBC sees oil supply problems pushing gasoline to $1.50 a litre or above in the very near future"
January 12, 2008 - Gasoline at $1.50 a litre or above in the very near future will not be a fantasy for Canadians, economists at CIBC World Markets are warning.
The investment bank said Thursday that global oil supply will increasingly have trouble keeping pace with demand.
So Canadian drivers should brace themselves for record gasoline prices this spring if crude oil stays in the $90 to $100+ a barrel range, experts say.
"They could be getting into the $1.30, $1.40, even above the $1.50 range per litre in the very near future," said Jason Toews, one of the founders of GasBuddy.com, a website designed to help motorists find the best deals at the pump.
Gas prices for this time of year should be around 90 cents per litre, but the national average was $1.07 last Friday. That's because of recent high crude prices, Toews said in an interview.
" Memorials mark team tragedy "
January 16th,2008.
BATHURST, N.B. — A unique memorial has transformed the site where seven young basketball players were killed into an evocative representation of the game the boys loved.
Two basketball nets were erected Sunday in the snow where a passenger van from Bathurst High School crashed after colliding with a transport truck late early Saturday morning, killing the seven teenage boys and the wife of the team’s coach.
A steady stream of cars drove by the site of the accident on Sunday on a highway leading into the northern New Brunswick city. People stopped to lay flowers and light candles in the snow, still littered with debris from the crash.
One teenage boy stared at the makeshift basketball court in the snow, tears streaming down his cheeks. He was too upset to speak.
Several bouquets of flowers were stuffed into one of the basketball nets.
‘‘Being here and seeing the accident scene is surprising,’’ said Norman Gallant, a retired teacher from the city’s French high school who knew one of the young victims.
‘‘The road is so straight and so close to Bathurst.’’
Gallant said he had assumed the accident must have happened on a curve.
In fact, the extended, 15-seat passenger van fish-tailed and lost control on a straight part of the highway, and swerved into an oncoming tractor-trailer.
Four people survived the violent crash, which tore their van apart and ejected the victims.
Three team members did not make the trip to Moncton for Friday night’s game. Vice-principal Don McKay said they stayed home because of sickness.
Police are still investigating the accident, but they have said they believe it was caused by poor road conditions. Snow and freezing rain made roads hazardous in the Bathurst area.
The eight victims died at the scene.
Before the start of their NBA game against the Portland Trailblazers on Sunday, the Toronto Raptors paid silent tribute to the crash victims at the Air Canada Centre.
The accident happened only minutes away from Bathurst where moms and dads had gathered at a local fast-food restaurant to wait for the boys to come home.
The Bathurst High Phantoms, a senior varsity team, was returning from a game against Moncton High, about 220 kilometres to the south. The Phantoms had lost the game.
The team coach was driving the van. In addition to his 51-year-old wife, Elizabeth Lord, who was killed, his daughter was in the van and was among the four injured survivors.
The coach himself was slightly hurt and has been released from hospital.
Five of those who died — Nathan Cleland, Justin Cormier, Daniel Hains, Javier Acevedo and Codey Branch — were 17 years old. The other two students were Nickolas Quinn, 16, and Nicholas Kelly, 15.
School superintendent John McLaughlin said at some time in the future, school officials will look at the policies and practices surrounding travel by school sports teams.
‘‘But it’s too early for that now,’’ he said
Makeshift memorials also appeared on Sunday at the Bathurst High School, where about 800 students attend classes.
‘‘Rest in peace, boys,’’ read a card on one of the bouquets of flowers at the entrance to Bathurst High School.
‘‘We will have you in our hearts forever.’’
Classes are scheduled to resume Monday, but McLaughlin said the emphasis will be on providing a place for students to find support.
A public wake is planned on Tuesday followed by a public funeral for the victims of the crash on Wednesday.
"Bathurst N.B. collision kills 8, including 7 teammates"
Updated Sat. Jan. 12 2008.
Seven teammates from a Bathurst, N.B., high school basketball team and one adult were killed late Friday when their van collided with a transport truck, just five to 10 minutes away from where their families waited.
Cpl. Daniel Melanson told CTV Newsnet that seven male students, between the ages of 15 and 18 years old, and one adult woman were killed around midnight Friday local time. All eight were pronounced dead at the scene.
The team was on its way to a fast-food restaurant, where parents had gathered to meet them.
"They were about 10 minutes away from reaching the McDonald's," reported Stephanie Brennan of local radio station CKBC-FM.
"The police did go to the McDonald's parking lot, asked the parents to come with them to the hospital and that's where they gave them the names of the students and teacher that had died, and the students and the teacher that had survived."
The Bathurst High Phantoms were returning from a game in Moncton at the time of the crash.
"They were travelling back on Route 11 heading towards Bathurst. Just before the Miramichi Avenue exit, which is literally not five minutes outside of city limits, the driver of the vehicle lost control and collided with a truck," Brennan told Newsnet.
The transport truck was heading southbound while the passenger van, which had 12 occupants, was northbound, Melanson said.
Three students and the team's coach, who is also a teacher at the local high school, were brought to the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst with non-life threatening injuries. Police say the driver of the transport truck was not injured in the crash.
Lydia Dupere from the Acadie Bathurst Health Authority said one of the survivors has been released from hospital, while one of the victims remains in critical condition and two others are said to be in stable condition.
The names of the victims and the transport driver have not yet been released.
RCMP Sgt. Derek Strong said the woman killed in the crash was the wife of the driver. Colleagues told CTV.ca that she was a teacher at a local elementary school.
"Police officers go to lots of difficult scenes, but this one was above and beyond anything that any of us are use to," Strong told reporters at a press conference.
Strong said there is no indication that any illegal activity led to the fatal accident.
Tragic scene
A police officer travelling toward Bathurst from the Tracadie-Sheila area discovered the transport truck off the road and called for a tow truck, Brennan said.
"As he walked closer, he saw the bodies of the students. Literally three rows from the passenger van were thrown, seat belts were ripped off, it was quite a scene up there this morning," she said.
Road conditions were said to be slippery overnight as snow started to fall in the Bathurst area on Friday afternoon.
"It changed to freezing rain and ice pellets yesterday evening. I was travelling myself on the roads last night and they were very treacherous," Brennan said.
"RCMP officers even took a longer time to get to the accident scene because road conditions were very slippery at the time."
Melanson said while a number of traffic fatalities have occurred on Route 11 in recent years, the weather conditions are likely to blame for this accident.
"We've had some fatalities, some serious accidents over the past couple of years but it was always different factors. I don't think the actual roads can be blamed at this point," he said.
The scene is currently being cleared and RCMP expects the stretch of highway to reopen within the next hour.
"Traffic analysts are still on the scene finishing up and road crews are cleaning up the debris as well," Melanson said.
Province grieves
New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham said he was informed of the crash early this morning.
"This is a very big tragedy for the affected community of Bathurst," Graham told CTV Newsnet from Ottawa on Saturday.
"Our government and the people of New Brunswick want to extend our thoughts and prayers to the families at this very difficult time."
Bathurst High School Superintendent John McLaughlin said students and the entire community is in a state of shock.
"I would say that (for) most students of high-school age, this is the first time they have dealt with loss and death and to think that it's of this magnitude, it's almost unspeakable," he told CTV Newsnet from Bathurst on Saturday.
Department of education officials, community leaders and grief counsellors gathered in the school gymnasium around 4 a.m. to set up a makeshift support centre for students and parents.
"We have a lot of teams that participate in school sports and if they are going to do that, then they are going to travel around the province. This is just absolutely everybody's worst nightmare," McLaughlin said.
Bathurst Mayor Stephen Brunet said the city and the entire region is in mourning.
"I'm at a loss for words. I was at the hospital last night with some of the parents and it was just terrible," he said.
"Many of the parents I taught when I was teaching at Bathurst High School as well as worked with some of the teachers who had their children on this team. So, it's a real tragedy for our community."
'Seven future leaders lost" - Says: Bathurst mayor
January 16th,2008.
Hundreds of people attending the funeral service for seven Bathurst, N.B., teens killed last week in a highway crash remembered the boys as compassionate, strong-willed, and devoted to their friends, family, and community.
"You have lost your precious sons. We have lost seven future leaders," Mayor Stephen Brunet told the boys' parents in his opening remarks on Wednesday.
"For a moment, just imagine in your mind what they could have done."
The boys -- all members of the Bathurst High Phantoms basketball team -- died when the van they were in hit a truck on an icy highway following a game Friday night. They had their photos and team number on their coffins, along with flowers.
Five of those killed -- Nathan Cleland, Justin Cormier, Daniel Hains, Javier Acevedo and Codey Branch -- were 17 years old. The other two students were Nick Quinn, 16, and Nicholas Kelly, 15.
Emily Cleland says she'll remember her brother for his compassion.
"He was one of those people who would listen to you even if he didn't understand what you were going through," she said. "He actually preferred to listen. My brother was the strong, silent type. But when he had something to say, it was always something meaningful and witty."
Dale Branch remembered his son Codey as strong-willed.
"Codey was definitely a young man who had thoughts and ideas of what he wanted to do from a very young age," he said.
Alex Proctor, who coached Nick Quinn in soccer, said the young athlete was always cheerful.
"Nicky led a full life -- even though it was short, it was a life full of laughter and love," Proctor said.
In addition to those killed, four others were injured when the 15-seater van collided head on with a tractor trailer in an accident that has been blamed on poor road conditions.
Wayne Lord, the coach of the team, was driving when the accident occurred. He and his daughter were among the survivors. His wife, 51-year-old teacher Beth Lord, was killed in the accident.
Her funeral will be held in Bathurst on Thursday.
About 4,800 attended in the main arena of the K.C. Irving Regional Centre, with another 700 in a secondary rink. New Brunswick's Premier Shawn Graham and Lt.-Gov. Hermenegilde Chiasson are among the dignitaries in attendance.
Brunet acknowledged the local emergency workers who responded to the early Saturday tragedy, which he described as "our worst nightmare," and thanked the thousands of Canadians who passed on their condolences to his community.
"In the last few days, we have really come together as a community to support these families with their loss. ...," he said. "We have to realize that this support must continue not only this week but in the days, the weeks and the months ahead. We have to be there together and be strong.''
Those attending had been asked to wear red, the team colour of the Phantoms. Across the province, thousands of students showed up for class this morning, wearing red, the team colour of the Bathurst High Phantoms, to honour the victims.
Pope Benedict sent a message of sympathy to the community, as did Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean. Jean's message, which was read at the service, said, "While words do little to heal these wounds, know this: our nation grieves with you."
A second ice surface at the arena was opened up and the service was broadcast on a large screen for those who don't get into the arena. It was also televised.
The arena was decorated overnight Monday with black curtains, the glass around the ice was removed and carpet was put down over the ice surface to accommodate the large number of mourners that attended a wake on Tuesday.
Investigation into the crash
One of the investigators looking into the crash says he doesn't believe that the type of van involved in the accident led to the accident. Frank Wilson said the Transport Canada investigation is still in its early stages, but he doesn't believe flaws that may be associated with the van were likely behind the crash. Wilson, who is a civil engineer at the University of New Brunswick, said road conditions - which police have said were icy -- may have been a greater factor.
The 15-seat passenger van that was transporting the basketball team has come under scrutiny since the crash. One Canadian province and schools in the U.S. had already prohibited its use before the accident. But Wilson said he doubts the vans are more unstable than SUV's.
Donations
A trust fund has been set up in the wake of the tragedy. Donations can be made at any CIBC Branch in Canada as follows:
Trust Fund: Boys in Red
Transit # 742220032
Scotia Bank is also accepting donations to its "BHS Tragedy Fund". All money from this trust account will be forwarded to the CIBC trust Fund, "Boys in Red."
The Bathurst, N.B. crash victims are seen in these undated handout photos. Left to right, top to bottom, Nicholas Kelly, Codey Branch, Nickolas Quinn, Javier Acevedo, Daniel Hains, Justin Cormier, Nathan Cleland.
About 4,800 attended in the main arena of the K.C. Irving Regional Centre, with another 700 in a secondary rink
"Respected teacher killed in N.B.crash remembered"
Thursday, January 17, 2008.
BATHURST, N.B. - The sweet singing of children filled a Bathurst church on Thursday as family and friends gathered for the funeral of a much-loved music teacher who died with seven high school students in a tragic highway accident.
Beth Lord, 51, was the only adult killed in the crash last weekend when a van driven by her husband, Wayne Lord, went out of control on a highway on the outskirts of Bathurst and slid into an oncoming transport truck.
Lord and the seven students, all members of the Bathurst High School senior varsity basketball team, died instantly at the scene - a blow that has devastated this small industrial city of about 12,000.
Lord's sister, Shawn Silliker, told more than 700 mourners who filled the United Church and its adjacent hall that the role her sister cherished the most was mother to her two children, Lindsay and Kaitlyn.
"There is nothing she wouldn't have done for you," Silliker said in a touching eulogy.
"She will live on through you. ... Goodbye, dear sister. We love you and we will miss you."
Kaitlyn, who was injured in the crash, attended her mother's funeral.
Lord's funeral marked another chapter in an extraordinary week of mourning for the city.
Bathurst High reopened on Monday as students gathered to remember their classmates. On Tuesday, thousands passed through the city's arena to pay their respects to the seven boys.
The same arena was filled with mourners again on Wednesday as a funeral was held for all of the boys, which was broadcast on national television.
Wayne Lord, the coach of the basketball team, was shaken up but not injured in the accident.
A children's choir from elementary schools where Beth Lord taught music sang during a service filled with songs and poetry.
"No person is an island and every person's death diminishes me," said Rev. Keith Adams, quoting poet John Donne.
"That's how we feel here today - diminished."
The large turnout at the funeral underscored both the affection people felt for Beth Lord and the support people are giving her husband.
Among the many expressions of grief this week was a note left at Bathurst High School that says simply, "Thank you Beth for bringing our boys home."
Lord's funeral was the last service for the eight victims. The funeral for the seven boys - aged 15 to 17 - drew more than 5,500 mourners.
"Bad news for county hospitals? - Health network predicting ER closures or reductions"
January 17th,2008.
Three Cumberland County emergency rooms could be closed or find themselves with reduced hours, says an official with the Nova Scotia Citizens Health Care Network.
Reponding to a consultant's report on the future of health care in Nova Scotia, network co-ordinator Kyle Buott said 26 emergency departments in Nova Scotia - including ones at All Saints Hospital in Springhill, North Cumberland Memorial in Pugwash and South Cumberland Community Care Centre in Parrsboro - are under threat.
"At this point the government is swearing up and down that they are not going to close ERs, but it's extremely less open to reducing the number of hours and services provided," Buott said following the release of the provincial health services operational review on Thursday. "In the recommendations it calls for rural hospitals to be redefined as either regional sites or community health centres and they're going to try to determine if a service is core or non-core."
From this, he feels the province is going to say certain rural centres will not require 24/7 emergency service.
"It's going to devastate rural people's health care," Buott said. "If your child breaks an arm how far are you going to have to drive to find an ER? In Cumberland County, where the communities are isolated, if they close the ERs for the evening it's going to be devastating."
His organization feels such changes will be contradictory to the Canada Health Act.
In his reaction to the report, Cumberland Health Authority chair Bruce Saunders said there will be no reduction in ER services at any county hospital until the board is assured patients' needs will be met.
At the same time, Buott's organization feels there could be a potential reduction of services at several county hospitals including the loss of laboratory services in both Springhill and at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre and the loss of some diagnistic services at both hospitals.
The network also suggests there could be a change to what surgical services are available at the regional hospital in Upper Nappan.
Buott's organization wants the province to shelve the report in favour of extensive public consultations an alternate measures such as travelling physician teams to cover rural ERs and hospitals, increased use of nurse practitioners and new quene management techniques.
"Burning need for change"
Health-care system can't support status quo
Jan.17th/08.
There will be no changes to the emergency departments at Cumberland County's five hospitals unless the Cumberland Health Authority's board receives assurances residents will be cared for around the clock.
Responding to recommendations made by consultants Corpus Sanchez International on transforming the province's health care system, CHA board chair Bruce Saunders said his organization wholeheartedly supports the process and the report's findings, but has questions about how it will be implemented.
"When our board met there was unanimous consent to adopt the recommendations subject to qualifications and questions we may have," Saunders said following the public release of the report on Thursday. "They made clear today there would be no ER closures, but does that mean there will be no closures, but you may be closing down so many hours a day or a week? That is an issue that has to be dealt with. We have made it absolutely clear there will be no ER closures until we are satisfied that a proven method could be put in place to replace the existing status quo of these ERs."
If the province and the health authority feel a hospital's emergency department can't be maintained 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Saunders said, there has to be alternate measures in place.
The report, Changing Nova Scotia's Health Care System: Creating Sustainability Through Transformation, makes 103 recommendations provincially along with 43 Cumberland County specific recommendations.
"I think the report sets out very clearly the burning platform for change that's required. Transformation is a good way of describing it," authority CEO Bruce Quigley said, adding he appreciates the fact the province is going to involve the public in the decision-making process. "When it's placed in a binder in front of you, the evidence presented is striking. It very clearly says we have to make substantial change."
Among the local recommendations is revisiting physician coverage at the emergency department at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre with the aim of increased staffing during peak times.
The report found there to be long waits at the hospital's ER with most patients presenting with non-emergency conditions.
"We will be entering into discussions with our own medical and nursing staff about and quite frankly it will be part and parcel of this rural health care strategy discussion," Quigley said.
Among other recommendations are expanding the rural practices network to cover the Pugwash area, expanding the adult day care program at the South Cumberland Community Care Centre, reviewing the emergency department's hours at All Saints Hospital in Springhill and considering additional support from EHS during non-peak hours at that hospital.
"Hospital's ORs closed due to a water leak Elective surgeries cancelled."
Jan.17th,2008.
A small water leak in a room adjacent to the surgical suites as resulted in the cancellation of all elective surgeries at the Cumberland Regional Hospital at least until Sunday.
Hospital staff discovered water leaking from an overhead pipe in a room where sterilized surgical instruments are stored.
"Staff immediately began the repair and cleanup process, but it will take a couple of days to ensure that each and every piece of equipment has been properly cleaned and re-sterilized prior to use," Cumberland Health Authority CEO Bruce Quigley.
Special measures are being taken to ensure that one operating room and the required equipment were immediately checked and made available for any emergencies that may arise.
"Ensuring patient safety was of the utmost concern so much of the focus of today's efforts was to have that one room ready as quickly as possible," Quigley said.
As cleaning procedures continue, humidity levels will also be monitored to ensure a sterile, safe environment is maintained.
A decision will be made on Sunday on whether to return to normal scheduling on Monday.
Patients who may have their surgery cancelled will be contacted directly and procedures will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
It's not known how many surgical cases are affected by the shutdown.
"Man arrested for growing marijuana"
January 17th,2008.
PARRSBORO - A 50-year-old Parrsboro male was arrested at his home on Tuesday following a search conducted under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Law enforcement agencies conducted a search where 30 marijuana plants in various stages of growth were seized along with a large amount of loose material and a considerable quantity of grow equipment. This involved both the growing of marijuana and the preparation of oil.
The subject has since been released and will appear in provincial court at a later date to answer to charges of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and illegal production of a controlled substance.
The matter remains under investigation.
" Rural hospitals in danger"
January 22nd/08.
Following the province’s recommendation for rural hospitals like All Saints Hospital in Springhill, North Cumberland Memorial in Pugwash and South Cumberland Community Care Centre in Parrsboro to restructure and reduce emergency room hours.
The Nova Scotia Citizens Health Care Network is warning the next step could see the doors to the ER close forever.
Reponding to a consultant's report on the future of health care in Nova Scotia, network co-coordinator Kyle Buott said 26 emergency departments in Nova Scotia
- including ones at All Saints Hospital in Springhill, North Cumberland Memorial in Pugwash and South Cumberland Community Care Centre in Parrsboro - are all under threat.
"At this point the government is swearing up and down that they are not going to close ERs, but it's extremely less open to reducing the number of hours and services provided," Buott said following the release of the provincial health services operational review on Thursday. "In the recommendations it calls for rural hospitals to be redefined as either regional sites or community health centres and they're going to try to determine if a service is core or non-core."
From this, he feels the province is going to say certain rural centres will not require 24/7 emergency service.
"It's going to devastate rural people's health care," Buott said. "If your child breaks an arm how far are you going to have to drive to find an ER? In Cumberland County, where the communities are isolated, if they close the ERs for the evening it's going to be devastating."
His organization feels such changes will be contradictory to the Canada Health Act.
In his reaction to the report, Cumberland Health Authority chair Bruce Saunders said there will be no reduction in ER services at any county hospital until the board is assured patients' needs will be met.
At the same time, Buott's organization feels there could be a potential reduction of services at several county hospitals including the loss of laboratory services in both Springhill and at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre and the loss of some diagnistic services at both hospitals.
The network also suggests there could be a change to what surgical services are available at the regional hospital in Upper Nappan.
Buott's organization wants the province to shelve the report in favour of extensive public consultations an alternate measures such as travelling physician teams to cover rural ERs and hospitals, increased use of nurse practitioners and new quene management techniques.
"Municipality calls new recycling legislation a money grab - Cost of electronics will go up at the counters"
January 22nd,2008.
PARRSBORO: Municipalities within the Northern Region are voicing their displeasure with e-waste recycling; a provincial agenda they say was set by industry.
“The program is driven by industry rather than the municipalities and there are concerns about the implementation of the whole thing,” Parrsboro’s CAO Ashley Brown said.
After attending a Northern Region Committee meeting Parrsboro’s CAO Ashley Brown said that the municipalities are not pleased with the way the program has been set up.
Brown also explained that when you purchase the items banned from regular garbage pickup additional costs on these items will be charged at the time of purchase.
The initial proposed fee structure for phase one of the program is; when purchasing an 18-inch television or less there will be a $15, 19-inch to 29-inch will cost $25, 30 inch to 45 inch will cost $30 and 46 inches or more will cost $45. Desktop computer including the central processing unit and all other parts contained in the computer will cost a fee of $10 and other electronic items included in the phase one of the program all have set environmental fees.
“This money will be going directly into industries,” Brown said.
Another concern Brown said the municipalities have is the potential for increased illegal dumping which Brown said has been a problem in rural areas on items that already cannot be picked up at curbside garbage collect ion.
“Cumberland County will have two drop off depots which we’ve heard without confirmation will be Amherst and Pugwash. The problem is a lot of people are simply not going to drive to Amherst or Pugwash to deliver these items. They’re just going to dump them in rural areas.”
As of Feb.1, 2008 the banned items will not be accepted at the Little Forks dump site Solid Waste Manager Stephen Whayworth said.
“More alarming,” he says, “there is a concern of the lack of education on the e-waste recycling.”
“I was told on January 7 an information brochure was going to be printed and distributed and there has been nothing yet,” Whayworth said.
Whayworth also said he plans to meet with each of the haulers and give them rejection stickers for the banned items that they come across during their garbage collection.
Nova Scotia Environment and Labour (NSEL) announced its Electronic Stewardship Program coming into effect February 1, 2008. This regulation requires brand owners of designated materials to ensure the safe and environmentally responsible management of certain end-of-life electronic products that will be introduced to the program in two phases.
Electronics Products Stewardship Canada is a not-for-profit industry led organization created through the joint efforts of the Information Technology Association of Canada and Electro-Federation Canada whose membership includes twenty-two of the leading Canadian electronics manufacturers.
The first phase effective February 1, 2008 will include televisions; desktop, laptop and notebook computers, including CPUs, keyboards, mice, cables and other components in the computer; computer monitors and computer printers including printers that have scanning or fax capabilities or both.
The second phase of the program, effective February 1, 2009 will include the following products; computer scanners, audio and video playback and recording systems, telephones and fax machines, cell phones and other wireless devices.
"Relay for Life comes to Parrsboro"
Jan.21st/08.
The Relay for Life has been close to people’s hearts in this area for years, but it will soon be even closer.
The popular cancer society fundraising event will be held in Parrsboro for the first time in June, and local organizers are hoping for even greater support.
“Parrsboro was chosen (as a site) because there are a lot of cancer survivors here, and there seems to be a lot of support for the cancer society in the area,” explained Pat Welton, who is handling media relations on the event planning committee.
The outdoor event will take place on June 13 on the grounds of the Lions Recreation Centre, which should be a lively spot with tents, musical entertainment and educational activities.
For several years people in this area have known about the Relay for Life, an all-night walk for volunteer teams that raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society through donations and the sale of luminaries in memory of cancer victims or in honour of cancer survivors. Norma Wasson was the first to collect funds and enter a team in the event.
As the years went by participation grew and several teams from the area were formed and entered the annual event in Amherst.
Two years ago, Parrsboro was able to hold its own luminary lighting ceremony, while local teams still participated in the actual relay in Amherst. This year, however, an entire relay will take place here.
“There are 22 communities throughout Nova Scotia doing a Relay for Life, and each year they always try to add more,” explained Welton. “That’s why they are adding Parrsboro.”
The local planning committee met for its first official meeting on Jan. 7, with Karen Dickinson and Frank Hartman serving as co-chairs. Other members include treasurer Leisa Babineau, Brenda Foley, Rose MacAloney, Karna Blenkhorn, Phyllis Storm, Norma Wasson, Margaret Ling, Zena Foster and district coordinator Sharon Bristol.
Opening an event in Parrsboro will allow local survivors, participants and volunteers who may not go to other communities to become a part of this amazing event, according to Bristol.
“While some people may choose to relay at other events around Nova Scotia or support those who do, the Parrsboro organizing committee is looking forward to celebrating the survival of Parrsboro and area cancer survivors, remembering those who have lost their battle to cancer and joining together in the fight against this disease,” she said.
In 2007, throughout Nova Scotia and its 23 participating communities the relay raised over $2.04 million.
Welton was pleased to be invited to join the group, and said she looks forward to the months ahead.
“I often thought about taking part in the Relay for Life anyway, but never did,” she said. “I think we’re going to have fun doing it.”
She and her co-workers at Fundy Geological Museum are planning to enter a team, as many of the staff members been affected by or have lost family members to the disease, and the museum also continues to feel the loss of Marilyn Smith to cancer a few years ago.
The committee is hoping to see 20 local teams enter the relay, and at least 75 cancer survivors participating.
“Our goal is to raise $36,000, but we’re hoping to surpass that,” said Welton.
The event will begin with the survivors’ victory lap at 6 p.m., followed by the actual relay at 7 p.m., which will run all night long until 7 a.m.
All local cancer survivors are invited to participate, and can contact Rose MacAloney at 728-3001 to register.
The committee is also looking for volunteers to help out at the event. Those interested in getting involved can contact Zena Foster at 254-3180.
Meanwhile, teams interested in registering can call Phyllis Storm at 254-2317.
The Relay For Life is the signature fundraising event of the Canadian Cancer Society. Each year the CCS opens the relay to new communities to create awareness for the programs of the Canadian Cancer Society and raise money to help with the fight against cancer.
Funds raised at Relay For Life support the Canadian Cancer Society’s mission to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer.
"Tide turns on turbine timing"
January 21st,2008.
** The Group: Environmental review should be completed before tidal power projects get government go-ahead. **
No pilot tidal projects should be set up in the Bay of Fundy until a strategic environmental assessment is completed, the head of the association conducting the environmental review said Friday.
Lesley Griffiths, with the Offshore Energy Environmental Research Association, said she is concerned about the provincial government’s announcement Jan. 8 in Parrsboro about creating a tidal centre and giving the green light to two pilot projects.
"I think we were surprised that they chose to make it a fairly large event," said Ms. Griffiths, an environmental planner. "We were not surprised they were going to announce what they announced. . . . I am guessing some people probably thought it was a done deal."
Since the announcement, the government has "repeatedly" assured the association no "irreversible decisions" are going to be made about the demonstration projects until the environmental report is completed.
Energy Department spokesman Matt Lumley said the announcement of the tidal test projects will be helpful to the environmental assessment.
"It gives people a clearer picture of what we are talking about," Mr. Lumley said. "What we are doing is clarifying the potential technology."
Ms. Griffiths said the government had to make an announcement because several of the developers were lobbying the MacDonald government to move ahead on tidal power.
"They were under pressure and they decided this would be an efficient use of time to move ahead in some ways," she said. "But as for the details as to why they decided to do that, you should speak to them. Nova Scotia Power is very keen to move ahead because they know they’ve got a big task ahead of them to meet those renewable standards."
Nova Scotia Power was one of three companies announced by the government to push ahead with harnessing the tides of the Bay of Fundy and turn the energy into electricity.
NSP is teaming up with Ireland’s OpenHydro on its turbine project, while Minas Basin Pulp and Power Co. is joining with UEK Hydrokinetic. The third company to test in the area is Clean Current of British Columbia.
Premier Rodney MacDonald announced the government would provide $4.7 million in funding, and EnCana Corp. gave an interest-free loan of $3 million toward the test centre.
The three companies will spend $10 million to $15 million to put turbines on the floor of the Bay of Fundy. The companies hope to test turbines in the water by early 2009 and one day supply power to the provincial electricity grid.
The not-for-profit Offshore Energy Environmental Research Association received $2.85 million in funding from the Energy Department.
The association’s members are Acadia University, St. Francis Xavier University, Cape Breton University and the Energy Department. Its environmental assessment includes looking at the impact of tidal power. The association expects to release a background report conducted by consultants Jacques Whitford next week on a broad technical overview of the Bay of Fundy.
NSP operates the only tidal power facility in the Bay of Fundy, at the Annapolis Tidal Generating Station at Annapolis Royal. That station produces enough electricity for 3,000 homes and has been in operation for more than 20 years.
"Parrsboro Museum planning gallery overhaul"
Jan.20th/08.
Ken Adams is a believer in the concept of joint regional tourism promotion in this area, and is planning an overhaul of Fundy Geological Museum’s gallery as a step in that direction.
The Fundy Geological Museum curator said he is expecting the UNESCO World Heritage Site application at Joggins to have a significant impact on the entire region, and wants to be able to help ensure the success of that development by supporting activities along the shore between Joggins and Parrsboro.
“It’s more like survival on a regional basis, rather than each one working separately,” he explained. “We really want to complement the activity at Joggins and other attractions along the shore.”
If the geological museum can show its visitors how schooners and barges built along this shore once shipped coal around the world, then it can probably encourage those same visitors to go on to other attractions such as the Springhill Miner’s Museum, Ottawa House museum and the Age of Sail museum in Port Greville.
Adams said he is looking at the storylines the museum now shows in its gallery, and planning a major redesign to better show people how the geological history of the area has had an impact on the formation of the Bay of Fundy as it is known today.
“Quite often visitors come in and their first question is where can they see the highest tides,” he said. “They have no appreciation of how our geological record has had such a significant impact on forming the structure called the Bay of Fundy.
“We’re really trying to clarify our storyline to show indeed that processes that happened millions of years ago continue to impact what we’re seeing today,” he added.
“The Bay of Fundy didn’t just appear magically six or seven thousand years ago,” he continued. “Its roots go way back to continental collision and separation 200 million years ago.”
While details of the gallery renovations have not yet been decided on, Adams said they are looking at “going right back to square one” to show the various geological processes in new exhibits, tidy up the timeline to show where particular fossils and minerals occurred in the geological time periods, and where some of the industrial minerals being mined today were actually laid down millions of years ago.
A number of options are being considered, including the emptying of the “current box” and reconstructing it with something altogether new.
“We want to try to really make the connection with how we interact with our environment today, and how things were formed millions of years ago,” he said. “A lot of people really don’t make that connection.”
The geological museum has long-term plans for expansion, but it has to first prove that it can increase its visitation numbers, and a revamping of the gallery will help towards that end, he said.
While any work will be contingent on available resources from partners such as the Nova Scotia Museum, Adams said they are trying to put the pieces together for a renovated gallery by late 2008 or 2009.
Last updated on: 22/01/08.
"Local area health co-ordinator hired"
PARRSBORO - Dora Fuller and Paul Hill saw a need for the coordination of health activities in this area, so they hired a coordinator.
Linda McPhee will start work on Jan. 28 at the one-year position, which is being funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Health Planning and Promotion, and the SPAR Community Health Board, with the Healthy Parrsboro and Area Committee (HPAC) serving as the sponsor.
“The role is for someone in the area to coordinate healthy activities,” explained Hill, chairman of the SPAR community health board. “It has a much bigger scope than just a recreation coordinator, and is not just for young people or seniors. It’s for the whole gamut of people.”
It is also not just for people in the Town of Parrsboro, but for the entire area that SPAR covers, including communities such as Southampton, Five Islands and Advocate.
The mandate of the health coordinator is to identify the recreational and social needs in the area, and to address those needs, according to Hill.
“It doesn’t have to be a physical activity, particularly with seniors, but moreover just something to get them out of their homes and involved with different things to cut down on the isolation of some of these seniors,” he said. “The job description and the objectives of the new position are going to be in ongoing development, but the initial goal is to identify and help bring to the area specific things to make the communities better places to live in.”
For example, McPhee could help arrange computer classes for local seniors, or she could work with the local schools to assist with different programs. She will also be working on a calendar of events for the area.
“A lot of people have told me it would be nice if we had this or that, only to find out it was already here and they didn’t know about it,” said Hill. “So communication about what is available here will also be a big part of the job.”
The position has been funded initially for one year, but Hill and Fuller are hopeful that can be extended if a need is demonstrated.
“We hope it will lead to other things,” said Fuller.
McPhee graduated from Parrsboro Regional High School two years ago, and spent last year studying at Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Bible Hill. She had decided to take this year off from school, and said the timing was right to come upon this job.
“It worked out perfect,” she said. “I’ve lived in Parrsboro my entire life, and this is one thing I see the communities and surrounding area will really benefit from.”
She has also worked for the town’s youth recreation programs for the past four summers, giving her valuable experience in the area of local recreation needs, according to Hill.
In the weeks to come, she will be set up with her own office, telephone and computer, and will be accessible to those interested in making use of the service. Hill said they hope to host some town hall meetings to give the public an opportunity to provide input as to what they would like to see for the area.
“The first few weeks will be just getting the whole position up and running, because it is something not in the area now, nor is there a model for us to really use,” he said. “A lot of it will be learning as we go.”
"Property assessments rise again for northern Nova Scotia - Cost of owning property up 9.7 per cent in Cumberland County."
January 22nd/08.
The cost of owning property in Cumberland County’s five municipal units is once again on the rise.
Assessment notices are in the mail to property owners in the northern district and they indicate the total value of all properties in the region has grown by about 9.7 per cent to approximately $9.2 billion.
“The real estate market continues to be strong and this is reflected in rising property values,” Lloyd MacLellan, senior director of operations and commercial valuation for Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, said on Tuesday. “The residential sector is very strong.”
Parrsboro saw the strongest growth on the residential side with assessments growing by 11.1 per cent to $45,587,300 while Amherst again proved to be the economic engine of the county with its commercial assessment growing by six per cent to $159,774,400.
The Municipality of Cumberland saw its residential assessment grow by 10.9 per cent to just over $1 billion while Amherst’s is up 9.7 per cent to $159,774,400.
Oxford’s residential assessment has grown by 5.1 per cent to $40,677,200 while Springhill’s only grew by 2.1 per cent to $67,320,800.
On the commercial side, Springhill’s assessment jumped by 3.7 per cent to $67,320,000, Cumberland County’s is up 2.3 per cent to $232,988,000, Parrsboro’s jumped 1.3 per cent to $14,230,00 and Oxford’s went up by 0.6 per cent to $33,813,500.
Provincially, residential properties jumped by 11.7 per cent and commercial assessments went up 3.5 per cent over 2007. Overall, property values are up by 9.8 per cent.
Realtor Kathy Morash of Coldwell Banker is not surprised with the residential numbers, based on how busy she has been this year.
“It was easily the busiest year we’ve ever had,” Morash said. “A lot of people from out west, namely Alberta and British Columbia, are buying the higher end homes. They are coming here for our lifestyle and because our real estate is relatively cheap. They’re coming here with $500,000, buying a home for $200,000 and enjoying the remaining $300,000.”
Morash is surprised the commercial assessment has grown, adding she’s already having a difficult time selling commercial properties.
Property owners may appeal their assessment by completing a form on the bottom of their assessment notice before Feb. 11th/08.
"Focus on the items to be discussed, not the negative - Parrsboro mayor"
January 26th,2008.
Towns looking forward to open dialog with county over fire services...
PARRSBORO - The five municipalities of Cumberland County all have the same thing in common - they’re all looking forward to meeting next week on fire protection services and they’ll go into the meeting with an open mind.
“I’ve got good expectations that the meeting on the 30th will be productive,” said Parrsboro mayor Doug Robinson.
“I think one good sign is the motion (county council) made is the committee sitting at the table will be able to negotiate. (The county’s) situation is such that when you’re with them, it’s hard for them to negotiate because they always have to take it back to the county councillors.
“It takes an awful long time to work that way and you’re never really talking to the people that may agree or disagree with you. This way, I hope what it means is, we’ll be able to sit at the table and say, ‘okay, this is how we see things and this is how you see things, now let’s put them together.’”
On Tuesday, the towns of Amherst, Springhill, Parrsboro and Oxford sent a letter to the county inviting them to a meeting to discuss the issues of fire protection services to communities adjacent to the towns. On Wednesday, the county approved a motion to attend the meeting.
Robinson says by sitting all at the same table, the municipalities may be able to focus on the positive issues and those they all agree upon, not just the negatives.
Amherst town manager Greg Herrett is also looking forward to the meeting in hopes of coming to an agreement.
“I’m always hopeful when we get together because if we don’t get together nothing happens,” Herrett said.
“I want to believe we’re all going to there with the intention of negotiating in good faith. Negotiating means give and take on both sides because all along our position was an initial position as was theirs. Somewhere in the middle is a position we can all stand on. That’s what we’re hoping to accomplish.
Amherst Police Department Staff Sergeant Scott White (left) unpacks bags of illegal cigarettes seized during numerous searches while Const. Paul Calder of the Cumberland District RCMP stacks the cigarettes on the table. Over $20,000 worth of illegal cigarettes were seized by Friday afternoon, with the anticipation of double that amount when the operation was concluded. So far, eleven people have been arrested and face more than 50 charges.
"Cops seize 50,000 illegal smokes"
January 26th,2008.
AMHERST — The illegal cigarette trade in Amherst took a massive hit Friday when police arrested 11 people and seized more than 50,000 contraband cigarettes.
Three of those arrested are believed to be "suppliers to street-level dealers in the area," said Const. Paul Calder of Cumberland RCMP. "The others are dealers."
It is expected the eight males and three females arrested will face more than 50 charges under the federal Excise Act and the provincial Revenue Act for possessing illegal tobacco.
"We are still carrying out searches as we speak, and we are just beginning to interview those who were arrested," Const. Calder said. "We have not formally charged them at this point. That’s why we can’t give you their names and it’s why we can’t give you exact figures on what was seized."
Court dates had not yet been set.
The arrests were made Friday afternoon when 25 officers from Cumberland RCMP and Amherst and Springhill town police raided five homes, four in Amherst and one on the outskirts.
"The operation went well," said Staff Sgt. Scott White of Amherst police.
"No one resisted arrest. It went quite smoothly."
Five cars were also seized, as were a quantity of marijuana bud, two marijuana plants, cash and a small amount of what officers believe is moonshine.
At a late afternoon news conference, Staff Sgt. White and Const. Calder stood beside a table piled high with more than four dozen bags, each containing about 200 cigarettes.
"This is only a portion of what we seized," Const. Calder said.
Police say suppliers were buying the cigarettes for $185 to $350 per box, with each box holding about 50 plastic bags, or the equivalent of 50 cartons, as each bag contained 200 cigarettes.
Suppliers were reselling the cigarettes to street-level dealers for $600 to $900 per box.
Individual bags of 200 cigarettes, equivalent to a carton, were selling on the street for $23 to $30. Police also allege dealers were selling bags of five cigarettes to minors.
At least one arrest involved a person in the act of selling cigarettes to a minor.
The tobacco came from Ontario and Quebec and could have come from native reserves, Const. Calder said.
Police began their investigation after receiving complaints and after their own intelligence and street crime units noticed an increase in illegal cigarettes on Amherst streets.
They said the 11 people charged face significant fines if convicted.
"I can tell you that in another case in which 50 boxes were seized, those who were convicted were looking at a minimum of $400,000 in fines," said Cpl. John Currie of the RCMP’s North East Nova customs and excise division.
While Friday’s raids should make a major impact on illegal tobacco sales in Amherst, Cpl. Currie said they would have little effect on the Nova Scotia trade.
In 2006, the last year for which figures are available, Nova Scotia lost more than $18 million in tax revenue due to illegal tobacco sales, Const. Calder said.
"New fire truck ordered, expected later this year"
January 26th,2008.
By: Andrew Wagstaff
PARRSBORO - As the dispute over fire services continues to boil between Cumberland County’s five municipal units, Parrsboro has ordered its new fire truck.
With a price tag of about $240,000, the new truck is being constructed by Metalfab of Centreville, N.B., with an estimated time of delivery between August and October of this year, Coun. Gleneida Canning reported at the Jan. 22 monthly session of town council.
The money had been set aside by the town, and should not require any borrowing, according to Mayor Doug Robinson.
“I can’t say we won’t have to borrow, because when you have money in your pocket sometimes it can be found in other uses, but to my knowledge at this time we won’t have to borrow,” he said. “If we did, it would be through municipal loans.”
While the town had requested funding support from the Municipality of Cumberland County, seeing the Parrsboro fire department serves areas of the county outside of town limits, that request was lost in the breakdown in negotiations between the county and all four towns over fire services.
The towns have threatened to withdraw their fire services from the county if a funding agreement is not reached. Parrsboro has given the end of 2008 as its deadline.
The mayor did not get into details as to how far apart Parrsboro and the county are with their offers.
“It depends on how you look at it,” he said. “If you look at it in the sense of what’s pure operating, then we’re probably well within the ball park, and anybody could move one way or the other. When you look at operations, I think we’re distances apart.”
How the new fire truck will figure into the negotiations remains to be seen, he said.
But Robinson remains adamant that the four towns remain united in dealing with the county as a group, not on a one-on-one basis. In fact, he participated with the other mayors in a Jan. 22 press conference, calling for the county to negotiate a deal.
“We’re not prepared to sit down one-on-one and negotiate in that manner,” he said. “It doesn’t mean everyone will wind up with the same deal, it means it will be a structure on which the issue will be settled on.
“Let’s be honest, the county has very deep pockets, and we don’t,” he continued. “So our strength can only come in numbers.”
But the mayor and council said they are still hopeful that an agreement can be reached before any drastic measures are taken.
“We would truly like to see everybody at the table, figuring this out,” he said.
*** New***
"Local Area Court News"
January 26th,2008.
Jared Howard Morris, 29, Formally of Parrsboro, Now of 4 Prince Arthur St., Amherst, received a total of 15 days consecutive custody after pleading guilty to three criminal charges.
Morris received five days custody, on each count, for pleading guilty to one count of theft under $5,000 and two counts of possession of stolen property.
The incidents occurred Jan. 10, 2008, in Amherst.
"Nova Scotia to get 70 new police officers"
January 26th,2008.
Another 70 police officers will be hitting the streets of Nova Scotia as part of the provincial government's plan to get tougher on crime.
Justice Minister Cecil Clarke said Friday every municipality will benefit from the program.
"These new positions will help us combat crime in those areas identified as high priority in our new strategy," said Clarke, who was in Sydney to provide an update on the plan.
"If we are serious about cracking down on crime, we must put resources behind our words and this is a commitment to do that."
Under the current allotment, Halifax will get 14 new officers, while the Cape Breton Regional Municipality gets four.
The other 52 additions will be spread around the province.
The government said the new officers will combat drugs, proceeds of crime, thefts, assaults and child pornography.
The province has pledged to fund 250 new officers by 2010.
The latest positions announced Friday will be available starting April 1 for the RCMP and municipalities to recruit and fill.
"Local Councils to revisit fire service issue"
February 2nd,2008.
IN SPRINGHILL — Officials were saying little about a closed-door meeting held here Wednesday to try to resolve the thorny issue of a fire-service agreement between Cumberland County and the towns of Amherst, Springhill, Parrsboro and Oxford.
"It was a long exercise," said Amherst Mayor Jerry Hallee. "There was a lot of back and forth and while there is no tentative deal we are taking a proposal back to a special session of council" on Friday.
Mr. Hallee was the only municipal leader to comment on the 3½-hour meeting. The others did not return phone calls.
The mayor declined further comment, but he added the other towns have proposals to take back to their councils.
"We are a little closer together, but personally I don’t think it will pass, but it is council that has the final say."
Wednesday’s meeting was the latest round in a controversy over the provision of fire services by the towns to rural areas just outside their boundaries.
The dispute became public last December when Cumberland County council ended talks with the towns on the issue. At the time the county said it was too far apart with Amherst to make a deal and took steps to create its own fire department on the outskirts of town. However, the county indicated a willingness to discuss deals with the other three towns.
The towns refused to negotiate separately, but appealed to the county for talks last week. The county agreed, but only after it had taken the first concrete steps toward creating new fire departments near Amherst and Oxford.
Prior to the suspension of talks, the towns sent the county a proposal in which Amherst would charge $285,908 for fire service to rural areas around the town, while Springhill wanted $61,380, Oxford $46,663 and Parrsboro $27,984.
The county’s counter offer was $42,999 for Amherst ($55,000 if an aerial ladder was included), $36,000 for both Springhill and Oxford and $27,500 for Parrsboro.
After the suspension of talks, the towns insisted they wouldn’t make separate agreements with the county. They also made it clear they would end fire service to the county on July 1, 2008 (Jan. 1, 2009 in Parrsboro’s case) if an agreement was not reached.
"Shubie Sam predicts early spring"
Sat. Feb 2 - 8:11 AM
SHUBENACADIE - Nova Scotia's furry forecaster, Shubenacadie Sam, has emerged from his heated, custom-built den and is predicting an early spring.
The welcome Groundhog Day prediction comes midway through a punishing winter that has pummelled Canadian communities from coast to coast.
At the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, an hour's drive north of Halifax, Sam the woodchuck apparently failed to see his shadow when he waddled outside in the rain.
According to legend, that means winter will soon release its icy grip. But if the sun had been shining, the resulting shadows would have meant six more weeks of winter.
Dozens of communities across North America have their own weather-predicting rodents _ but Shubenacadie Sam is always the first to weigh in.
"The most famous Groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil"
February 2nd,2008.
"Our Prediction: Phil does not see his shadow - An early spring expected"
Saturday, February 2, marks another Groundhog Day
Mostly for fun and to break up the cold, dark days of winter, folks around the country have been celebrating some form of Groundhog Day since the 1800s.
The most famous Groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil. This Pennsylvania hedgehog has been making predictions since 1887. Phil was the subject of the blockbuster movie, Groundhog Day, which debuted back in 1993. Phil emerges from his custom burrow sunrise Saturday (7:26am) at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, PA and makes his prediction to the Inner Circle. Traditions holds that Phil has never been wrong..
If Phil sees his shadow, tradition suggests there will be 6 more weeks of winter. If Phil does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring. The current forecast for Punxsutawney, PA calls for mainly cloudy skies with a chance for snow Saturday morning.
"Our Prediction: Phil does not see his shadow. An early spring expected"
** In any case, spring officially begins with the Spring Equinox, which occurs this year March 20 at 1:48am.
"Spring is Here says - Wiarton Willie"
Feb.2nd,2008.
Yippee it’s here, it’s finally here the sunshine’s on its way.
"There was not a shadow to be found when Willie emerged today"
Springtime flowers and April showers and Mother Nature’s bounty.
Will soon be seen all throughout Canada...
** "News Headlines" **
Updated: February 25th,2008.
1.) "Seal loses direction, ends up in Lakelands"
February,2008.
PARRSBORO - A large seal ended up a little off route Sunday, turning up in Lakelands about 12 kilometres outside of Parrsboro on Highway 2.
"Const. Corkum was on duty and gave me a call shortly before 11 a.m. saying, 'You're never going to believe what I'm dealing with' at which point I grabbed my camera and my daughter and I headed to Lakelands," Cpl. Dal Hutchinson said.
Parrsboro RCMP and Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) received a call around 8:30 a.m. reporting the seal along side of the highway.
"Normally when dealing with an assailant we use verbal intervention then physical intervention if necessary, under the circumstances we figured verbal intervention was fine," Hutchinson joked.
The corporal was uncertain exactly how the 350 to 400 pound seal made its way through the waterways to Lakelands, near Hanna's Farm, but the large mammal wasn't too friendly.
"DFO had said they have never dealt with a seal of this size this far inland," Hutchinson said.
"Between Mike Hanna who had come along in a tractor and Wanda Devenish, Const. Corkum, a DFO officer and myself we managed to wrap the mammal into a tarp and load it into the bucket of Hanna's tractor and start the precession towards Parrsboro to release the seal into the harbour," Hutchinson said.
The seal was released shortly after lunch into the harbour by the pier in Parrsboro and Hutchinson said the mammal appeared to be healthy while he, his wife and daughter watched it swimming.
Devenish, who resides with tractor operator and appointed seal excavator Hannah, said after years of working on fishing boats in the Pugwash area, she thought she was used to seal sights.
Waking up to one across from her Lakelands home was a personal first.
"It was interesting to say the least," Devenish said. "I've never seen a seal on the road here."
Given the seal's girth and wild ways, Hanna was called on to use his tractor and carry the aquatic mammal back to the Bay of Fundy after volunteers had wrapped it in a blanker to calm the snapping and barking beast down.
"He had a pretty good ride from Lakelands back to the Bay," Devanish said.
2.) "Parrsboro Candy store becomes much more sweeter this month"
February,2008.
What goes better with candy giving as a gift than flowers along with it. As of February 1, Donna Sheehy owner of the Candy Corner at 223 Main Street Parrsboro has expanded to taking ownership of Rosebuds and Pedals at that same location.
Sheehy who had owned her own flower shop in New Mexico for five years has decided to once again tap into her green thumb with Rosesbuds and Pedals just in time for Valentine’s Day.
The flower shop is the latest addition to Sheehy’s wide variety of services offered which include Donna’s Artistic Graphics and Design and Candy Corner.
“When I first brought my business’ into the Main Street location Rose MacAloney operated the flower shop. With Rose working full time it was hard to keep the flower shop running giving me the opportunity to take over the flower shop,” Sheehy said.
“The flower shop I owned in New Mexico “Aztec Brass and Gifts Boutique” serviced a population of around 3,000 people therefore I’m used to dealing with a small business and I am looking forward to this adventure,” the business owner said.
Rosebuds and Pedals Flower Shop and Candy Corner offer a wide variety of floral arrangements, candy arrangements, potted plants, wedding and anniversary gifts and much more.
“We have a variety of dish gardens, which are various plant arrangements in a ceramic dish or basket,” Sheehy said.
Another idea the florist had is to approach businesses in the area to have them preorder floral or candy arrangements for their employees. The employer would fill out an information sheet that the flower shop would keep on record and whenever the date required the could have the arrangement of their choice delivered free of charge to their employee.
“I thought it would be a nice way for employers to show their employees appreciation,” Sheehy said.
“We have 600 roses and 400 carnations on order for Valentine’s Day,” the florist said. “We are red and ready.”
With Valentine’s Day coming up if you make an order by February 10th Rosebuds and Pedals Flower Shop and Candy Corner is offering a discount on your selection.
3.) "New legion branch president calling for more active membership"
February,2008.
** Time for younger members to step up **
The local Parrsboro legion branch has installed a new executive, and its new president said he wants to see the younger members get more involved.
Keith Odlin, said many younger people in the community have answered the call to step in to help fill the void left by the traditional members who have passed away in recent years, but those new members are not coming forward to join committees and provide solid input into the direction of the branch.
“At the monthly meetings I’m always seeing the same faces there,” he said. “I want to remind people that membership in the legion also denotes some responsibility to actively participate for the legion and the branch. It’s not just a social club. The call has gone out, and its time for the younger membership to take over.”
The branch is holding its own as far as membership goes, he said, but there are a number of “good caliber” members, such as younger veterans, who he would like to see come forward and offer their time and services to the legion.
He said he would also like to see more young women stepping forward to work with the branch’s ladies auxiliary, which he said is also in need of younger members.
“Without the ladies auxiliary, we would really be in a hole,” said Odlin.
He speculated that some members may have been turned off in the past by a “supposed old boys’ network,” but that the legion is now a very transparent organization, with national rules to live by, and no dealings behind closed doors.
“Now is the chance for younger members to get in and make positive change,” he said. “I would love to see more people step up and volunteer.”
4.) T&C "M" Taxi Fare Rates Changed as of:
Feb.5th/08.
"Rates Lowered" - In appreciation to our customers for our 3rd year of business on Feb12th/08.. Thank You Everyone for your continued support!!! Chk. it out on the Taxi Rates Page.
Troy & Crystal Melanson
5.) "Legion presents medals to Jeffers family"
February,2008.
PARRSBORO – It has been three years since a fire took the life of George Jeffers but, thanks to the efforts of the local legion branch, a piece of his past will live on.
The legion has been able to reproduce Jeffers’ military medals, which had been either lost or damaged in the fire, and branch members presented the new medals to his son, Anthony, and daughter, Sherry, in a special ceremony recently.
“For a family, fire is tragic when it claims lives, but when fire claims lives and also takes all your memories and memorabilia away, it destroys everything and leaves nothing,” said Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 45 President Keith Odlin. “So I thought it was important for the family to have something back of George’s, and I felt it was a small thing for a deceased comrade that the legion could do.”
Jeffers died in a fire that destroyed his Jenks Ave. home on Feb. 12, 2005. His son, Anthony, was later going through the wreckage of the fire and came across the burnt medallions of his father’s medals.
Having served for 21 years in the Canadian army, which included NATO tours in Germany and two United Nations peacekeeping tours, Jeffers had three medals – the NATO medal, the CD (Canadian Decoration) and the UN peacekeeping medal.
The burnt medallions were passed on by the younger Jeffers to neighbour and legion member David Roberts, who then passed them on to Odlin, who at the time was the branch’s service officer.
Odlin decided to have the medals either refurbished or replaced.
The medals were sent to a refurbishing/mounting place in Halifax. During the process it was discovered that the UN medal that had been in Jeffers’ possession was, in fact, a fake, according to Odlin.
But, through research into the veteran’s records, it was discovered that he was not only entitled to the real UN medal, but to two of them. The new one was ordered, and the other was replaced with the proper medal
The hope of the legion members was to present the medals to the Jeffers family during Remembrance Day ceremonies in November, but the medals were not ready, according to Odlin, who said he “took the bull by the horns” to make it happen this year.
While medals might not be important to some, Odlin said they represented a part of who Jeffers was, and that he thought it would be important for his family to have them.
Neither Anthony nor Sherry could be reached for comment, but both seemed gratified to get the medals back, according to Odlin.
“I think it is important that the family has some tangible evidence of George’s life,” he said. “To me, it’s just a small thing the legion could do for a family who lost everything.”
6.) "Phantoms end tumultuous season with fun afternoon"
February,2008.
PARRSBORO – It was a tough day for the Fundy Phantoms, but you would not know it by the looks on their faces last weekend.
The local Junior C wrapped up its fourth season on Sunday, Feb. 10 at the Lions Arena with a scrimmage game, after stormy weather saw the cancellation of their last scheduled game with the Barrington Ice Dogs. Rather than battling with a scrappy, South Shore squad, they had an afternoon of fun with their bench staff, friends and local minor hockey players donning the skates to play.
Instead of his usual place behind the bench, coach Paul Morris found himself refereeing the game. Needless to say, he was somewhat less critical of the officiating then he had been at other points during the season.
“The officiating today was the best we had all year,” said Morris, grinning ear to ear.
Smiles like that were not easy to come by for Morris or any of the Phantoms this year, starting back in the summer as they were preparing for a new year under a new coach.
“On the first day we were supposed to take dry land training was the morning of the boys’ accident,” recalled general manager Jeannie Morris.
That August day saw the tragic loss of two of the team’s key leadership figures – as captain Cory Bates and Nick Merrill died in a car accident near Amherst. It was a blow the young team never really recovered from.
An experiment that saw the hiring of Paul Atkinson as new head coach, and the splitting of home games between Parrsboro and the Richard Calder Arena in Parrsboro, failed. Atkinson was fired early in the season due to differences with the team management that Ms. Morris described as a “takeover attempt,” and with him went the assistant coaching staff, several board members and several Springhill-area sponsors.
“Financially it affected us, as it tied us up with lawyers for months,” she said. “Now we have a group actively canvassing players to ask for releases from the team. The constant interference has caused a lot of frustration and confusion on and off the ice this year.”
On the ice, the team once again ended the season with a dismal record, but not without some highlights. They were dominant against their nearest rivals, the North Shore Storm, and a 7-3 victory over the South Shore Wild was impressive. The Phantoms were not the worst team in the league this year.
But Mr. Morris, who returned to the bench after Atkinson’s firing, was not impressed.
“We did have some good games, but it was a lot of individual players without a team concept,” he said. “We were either in a game, or we were blown out. Everyone gets blown out, but, discipline-wise we just didn’t have that complete commitment.”
He blamed much of the team’s performance on the off-ice wrangling, and said he looks forward to a fresh start next year. However, it will not be with him as coach, as he and assistants John Tyler and Jim Sproule, as well as trainer Gregg Matthews will be returning in different roles.
“Paul and I still own the team, but we’re actively recruiting for a coach next year,” said Ms. Morris. “Someone with junior experience… either they have coached or played junior hockey before.”
As for the players, the only member of the team who for certain will not be back next year is veteran Chris Dwyer, who will be over-aged. One of only two players on the original Phantoms lineup (along with Richard Morris), Dwyer will take on a role behind the bench next year.
Admitting the Springhill experiment was a failure, Ms. Morris said they will also be playing their entire home schedule in Parrsboro next season.
“It didn’t work out,” she said. “We get a bigger gate in Parrsboro, and Springhill has a Junior B team. That’s where the support is there, and rightfully so.”
Also next year, she said they plan to get the team more involved with the community. Efforts such as the “Score-o” games with minor hockey kids will continue, and talks are on with the local community radio station to broadcast home games.
Looking out at the scrimmage game, and the laughter coming from the ice, Ms. Morris was already seeing next season.
7.) "Gas prices - " Have Again jumped in prices "
In Nova Scotia & also here in Parrsboro..
Prices for Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro for:
February 25th,2008.
** Regular is: $1.24.4 a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: $1.20.6 a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: $1.24.0 a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: $1.27.4 a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: $1.25.9 (full serve avail. only)
Check out: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
8.) "Mourners gather to remember Karissa"
February, 2008.
Mourners packed the chapel of a Nova Scotia funeral home Tuesday to say goodbye to 12-year-old Karissa Boudreau, whose slaying has left the tight-knit community of Bridgewater in shock.
Roses, lilies and heart-shaped wreaths filled the 400-seat chapel at the edge of Barrington Bay. While many were family and friends of the deceased girl, police officers and other members of the community also filled the pews.
Karissa's pink coffin stood at the front of the chapel, where photos of the girl -- who went missing Jan. 27 -- adorned blue pieces of cardboard.
The funeral featured a slide show, a poetry reading and some of Boudreau's favourite songs, including Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly," which features the lyrics: "Wherever you go, I always know, 'cause you make me smile, even just for a while."
The poem, read by her aunt Linda, asked "Karissa, where were you wandering? We've all been pondering. My little girl lost, at such a high cost. We'll never stop loving you. Our love will keep you warm. You can no longer come to harm."
During the service, Rev. Perry Ingersoll praised the girl's friendly personality, "winning smile" and love for animals. He said she was always surrounded with stuffed animals and dreamed of one day becoming a veterinarian.
"No human sense or reason can be found in the fact that such a young, beautiful, energetic life would be snatched so quickly away before its hopes and plans had even begun to be realized," Ingersoll said.
He also spoke of the dark cloud that's been hanging heavily over Bridgewater since Karissa's death, something confirmed by many of her schoolmates who attended the ceremony.
Haley Rafuse, 14, told The Canadian Press her family was "completely wrecked" by the news of Karissa's murder.
"They've just been waiting to hear more news, mostly because it happened in Bridgewater and you don't expect things like that to happen -- and she was just a little girl,'' said Rafuse, a former classmate of Karissa's.
The mayor of Clark's Harbour, where she grew up, told CTV Atlantic his whole community was grieving over Karissa's death.
"We all have a deep sense of loss when a young child doesn't get to live her life like she should," he said.
Meanwhile, police spent much of the day at the site where her body was found, near the bank of the LaHave River just outside of Bridgewater.
Karissa's mother reported her disappearance Jan. 27, saying she argued with her daughter before going into the grocery store, leaving the young girl behind in a car. She told police Karissa was gone when she returned.
Police have not released details on how she was killed, saying it could undermine the investigation. However, they have assured the public it was an "isolated incident."
Two people known to Karissa were questioned by police late last week but released without charges.
9.) "Ship’s Company Theatre ready for a new season"
February,2008.
PARRSBORO: Ship’s Company Theatre remains a hub of activity throughout winter months in addition to their busy summer schedule.
“Fundraisers are a necessary and constant aspect of Ship’s Company even throughout the winter. We have three major events in the winter months that keep us busy in the winter,” Rena Kossatz Ship’s Company Publicist said.
Also More Past News...
"Police arrest 2 people in N.S. girl's homicide"
February 15th,2008.
Two people are being held in custody in connection with the slaying of a 12-year-old Nova Scotia girl, RMCP Sgt. Mark Gallagher told CBC News on Friday.
He would not reveal anything about the identity of the people being held, except to say that they knew Karissa Boudreau, whose body was found Saturday near the LaHave River in the outskirts of the town of Bridgewater, 100 kilometres west of Halifax.
Gallagher said three people were brought into custody Thursday night for questioning, but one has since been released. He said police still have more questions for the two people under arrest.
"We consider them to be people who would have a lot more information than what they are saying," he said. "We can't say anything else except that we feel very strongly about these people."
He said police are still looking to speak to one more "person of interest."
He said police have brought in a criminal profiler from Newfoundland, who examined the scene and evidence and told police they are heading in the right direction with their investigation.
Boudreau disappeared from a grocery store parking lot on Jan. 27 after having a fight with her mom, Penny. When her mother returned to her car after shopping, the girl was gone.
On Thursday, police identified a body found Saturday as Karissa's. They will not say how or when she died, but confirmed the death is being investigated as a homicide.
The spot where she was found is within walking distance of the Boudreau home.
"Police release two suspects in N.S. murder probe"
Updated - Fri. Feb.15th 2008.
Two people described as suspects by police probing the murder of a 12-year-old Nova Scotia girl have been released from custody due to a lack of evidence.
"Sixth victim dies in Illinois college shooting"
Feb.15th,2008.
A sixth student from Northern Illinois University has died after a 27-year-old gunman went on an afternoon shooting rampage Thursday.
The man, armed with a shotgun and two handguns, opened fire in a classroom filled with more than 100 students yesterday afternoon.
He wounded at least 15 others before committing suicide.
"U.S. will use missile to shoot down spy satellite"
Feb.15th,2008.
It sounds like a plan out of a James Bond thriller. The U.S. has decided to use a missile to shoot down a disabled American spy satellite.
There's no word yet on when the shoot down attempt may come, but when it occurs, it will be an historical first. According to Gen. James Cartwright of the U.S. Joint chiefs of Staff, the missile will probably be launched from a Navy ship sometime before the satellite's expected descent to earth in early March.
Grey seal stops traffic on road near Parrsboro
Wed. Feb 13th,2008.
PARRSBORO — Sometimes when you’re out for a stroll, you can make traffic come to a halt without even trying.
That was the case Sunday when a grey seal decided to take a hike along Highway 2 in search of what life’s like away from the water. Exhausted from its journey, it came to rest on the side of the highway near the crest of a steep hill about 10 kilometres from Parrsboro and the Minas Basin, its normal saltwater home.
While it was resting, several cars slowed down or stopped to take a look at the mammal, estimated to be more than six feet long and weighing 350 to 400 pounds. At least one of the drivers decided it was a traffic hazard and called the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and RCMP at about 8:30 a.m.
"It was in a blind spot for those drivers coming over the top of the hill," DFO officer Vince Smith said Tuesday. "If it had wandered onto the road, a car coming over the hill wouldn’t have been able to stop. The seal certainly was big enough that I don’t think a car or its driver would have fared well in a collision with it."
The seal was headed for Amherst and travelling with the flow of traffic.
"Despite the fact it was on the wrong side, we didn’t give it a ticket," joked RCMP Const. Dal Hutchinson, who was off duty Sunday morning but stopped to help capture the seal.
The first rescuer on the scene was RCMP Const. Bill Corkum, who watched over the animal for about 2½ hours while waiting for Mr. Smith and another fisheries officer, Dale Richards, to arrive from Truro.
"The first thing we learned was that the capture net we brought was totally useless," Mr. Smith said. "It was way too small for the size of seal we found."
Parrsboro fisherman Croyden Wood came to their aid, supplying a canvas tarp that was large enough to trap the seal in without causing harm. The problem was, the exhausted seal didn’t want its walk interrupted.
"It snapped at us a number of times, but then no seal really likes to be approached by humans," Mr. Smith said.
Careful not to get in the way of its flashing teeth, the rescuers spread the tarp out near the seal, then set about prodding it with the poles from the useless capture net in a bid to get it onto the tarp.
"It sure didn’t want to get on that tarp," Const. Hutchinson said. "It took about an hour of convincing before it got onto it."
After the four rescuers wrapped the tarp around the animal and sealed the ends "so the seal couldn’t bite us," they faced another dilemma.
"It was way too big and heavy for us to carry," Mr. Smith said.
Enter local farmer Michael Hanna and his tractor with a front loading bucket.
"We rolled it into the bucket and Mr. Hanna drove him to the beach near the wharf in Parrsboro," Mr. Smith said.
Mr. Hanna was escorted by the police and fisheries officers, and more than a dozen cars loaded with people with cameras joined the procession.
Once at the beach, the rescuers released the seal from the bucket and the tarp.
"It didn’t take him long to find the water," Mr. Smith said.
"He was exhausted when we found him, but he looked good when he headed into the water," added Const. Hutchinson. "He swam for about 15 minutes in the inner harbour before heading out into the basin."
What the seal was doing so far inland is anyone’s guess but it’s not uncommon for seals to go for hikes, said Mr. Smith, who once found a roaming seal near the Halifax airport.
"We found tracks coming up from a nearby lake that was about 500 metres away from the road," Mr. Smith said. "Now why the seal left the ocean and ended up in the lake is a mystery."
The lake is connected to the Bay of Fundy by a system of rivers and small lakes that ends in Parrsboro and River Hebert.
"February flooding closes highway"
PARRSBORO - Getting out of Parrsboro was quite an ordeal on the morning of Feb. 19 due to flood damage to roads outside of the town limits due to heavy rainfall and melting snow.
Flooding damaged roads on Highway 2, Neville Road, Harrison Settlement Road and Canaan Road.
“I expect the roads to be in this condition here at the intersection of Harrison Settlement Road, Canaan Road and Highway 2 to be the same for the next 12 to 14 hours,” said Greg Frail, operation supervisor with the Department of Transportation.
“Until the temperature falls I expect the flooding to continue. There’s not much we can do except let the water run off, but with the snow melting that won’t happen,” Frail said.
The supervisor said he expected there to be a high amount of flooding throughout Cumberland County, but advised one individual stopped along the highway, if it was necessary to get through, to take Lynn Mountain Road.
1.) "Gas prices - " Have Jumped Once Again "
In Nova Scotia & also here in Parrsboro..
Prices for Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro for:
February 25th,2008.
** Regular is: $1.24.4 a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: $1.20.6 a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: $1.24.0 a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: $1.27.4 a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: $1.25.9 (full serve avail. only)
Check out: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
2.) "Young girl's death cost small N.S. community its innocence.. Say church leaders"
Feb.25th/08.
BRIDGEWATER, N.S. - The death of 12-year-old Karissa Boudreau has cost the town of Bridgewater its innocence, local church leaders told a packed memorial service in this quiet coastal community Saturday.
Boudreau's body was found dumped near the LaHave River just outside Bridgewater on Feb. 9, nearly two weeks after she disappeared. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.
She was buried last Tuesday in Barrington, about 140 kilometres away, but Saturday's inter-denominational service at a packed Bridgewater church was the first chance for some in the town to come together and grieve.
A photo of Karissa was placed next to stuffed animals, flowers and drawings from her friends as speakers from various churches talked about who Karissa was and how her death has affected the community.
Rev. Judy Norton of the United Church said Karissa's killing has devastated the town of about 8,000 people, which hadn't seen a homicide in 15 years.
We want to think of our community as a safe place for every child, Norton said.
Today we acknowledge our brokenness that the life of this child should come to an end so tragically in our midst. Help us to deal with this loss of innocence.
People in the south shore community say they have been devastated by the death and have left dozens of stuffed animals, poems and notes near the spot where her body was found.
Police haven't made any arrests in the case, but have said they believe whoever killed the girl was known to her.
Karissa was reported missing on Jan. 27, after her mother told police she disappeared from a supermarket parking lot in Bridgewater.
Her mother has said she argued with her daughter and then went into the grocery store, leaving the young girl behind in a car. When she returned, Karissa was gone.
Ground searchers were mobilized, helicopters were used to survey the area and RCMP divers entered the icy waters of the LaHave River, which runs behind the grocery store, but found nothing.
Karissa's mother, Penny Boudreau, made two tearful pleas for her daughter to come home or for anyone with information about her whereabouts to come forward.
Two weeks after she vanished, a passerby spotted what appeared to be human remains partially concealed beneath snow on a steep bank of the LaHave River just outside town.
Days later, police confirmed the body was Karissa's and they were investigating a homicide. They didn't reveal how she died.
Police have said little about the investigation. They have insisted they are making progress and that Karissa's death was an isolated incident.
Two people known to Karissa were questioned by police shortly after an autopsy confirmed the body was hers, but they were later released without charges.
Search warrants issued to the police in their investigation have been sealed by a court.
3.) "Amherst couple wins dream wedding"
Feb.25th/08.
AMHERST - As soon as Michelle LeBlanc saw the number come up on her phone, her heart went up in her throat.
"I knew that we would find out one way or another if we won the contest," LeBlanc said in regards to Wednesday's call about the Marry Me, Halifax contest.
"As soon as Jane said we won the contest, I could barely even say anything. We were really surprised. It was quite a big deal to hear that."
The Amherst couple was one of 10 finalists in the Marry Me, Halifax contest for a $20,000 dream wedding and it was thanks to Wood's entry letter that the couple received 38 per cent of the 6,000 votes.
"I really appreciate the lengths that Tony has gone to to get this for us. It was a very brave thing for him to do...he did something really great for us," LeBlanc said, adding the voters should be thanked as well.
"All of this really is amazing."
1.) "Gas prices & Diesel fuel has once again gone way up"
In Nova Scotia & In Parrsboro..
Prices for Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro is:
These prices are as of: March 18th,2008...
** Regular is: $1.26.2 a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: $1.22.4 a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: $1.25.8 a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: $1.28.2 a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: $1.37.5 (full serve avail. only)
Check it out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
2.) "Parrsboro Community Radio 99.1FM - Is back on the air for the month of March & hopefully forever after"
They will be as always playing all your favorite music if you call in and tell them what ya like and cover our local news and also coverage of all our local events too.
The Parrsboro Community Radio 99.1FM will also be introducing for the first time in March 2008 for Parrsboro & Area their "New Local Radio Bingo" on Thursdays.. Tune in to 99.1fm for all the details.. This supports the radio station to be able to give us year round radio in our area.. This is so special as most areas do not have a local radio station.. So please support them by playing Radio Bingo & just tuning into them and supporting them if you are a business or not.
*** T&C "M" Taxi is also selling tickets right out of the taxi's for Radio Bingo for your convienience.. So get yours today!!! ***
3.) "Grand Opening of: " Bare Bones Cafe & Bistro"
Sunday, May 25th, 2008
Time: 10:30am - 10:00pm
Location: 151 Main Street
Town: Parrsboro, NS
Contact Info Phone: 1-902-254-4381
Email: glenn.wheaton@gmail.com
Description:
Bare Bones Cafe & Bistro will be opening in May with a healthy style of food, "NO DEEPFRYER". The lunch menu will be served with take out orders until 5:00 the we will be switching to our evening menu which will be served from 5:pm until 10:00pm
It will be open from 10:30 am until 10:pm daily
Lunch menu to be served from 10:30 until 5:00 with take out.
Dinner menu from 5:00 until 10:00pm
Reservations recomended!
Check them out at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=9225542859
for more details and menue info..
4.) "Hey!!! Wally is Back"
March 18th/08.
L'Amore Pizza on Main Street in Parrsboro is now open again..
So Very Glad to have ya back Wally..
Please everyone support wally and lets show him this is home for him in Parrsboro & to keep his business alive and going as it is such a asset to our community..
Wally we can't wait for our special donairs you make us..
5.) "Taking the lead on the Race Against Drugs"
March, 2008.
PARRSBORO: The race was on at the Parrsboro Regional High School gymnasium for Grades 4 through 6 on Feb. 26.
Race Against Drugs, an initiative of the Parrsboro and Area Drug Awareness Committee to help support youth education regarding safety in many areas of life including drugs was in full affect.
The program included a number of activities for the kids to participate in to show how drugs and alcohol can affect motor skills.
One of the activities included an interactive dance mat where the kids had to follow along with dance steps, another included stacking cups, two other activities included tracks set up for race cars. These activities were designed to show how the influence of drugs or alcohol could impair a person’s reaction.
The man behind the race was Cpl. Gary Frail from Halifax RCMP Drug Awareness who travels bringing this interactive way of learning to various communities but Parrsboro officers played a role in capturing his attention.
“Cpl. Dal Hutchinson and retired Sgt. Bob Foley were the ones who brought the Race Against Drugs to Parrsboro,” Frail said.
“It’s a great way for the kids to have fun while they’re learning how certain motor skills couldn’t be carried out if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” Frail said.
“There were a number of other volunteers who came in and helped us carry in all the equipment and set up, things wouldn’t have been organized if it weren’t for all of the volunteers.”
The kids spent an allotted amount of time at each station which also included talking with a conservation officer with natural resources about four-wheeler safety; Cpl. Dal Hutchinson on peer pressure, gangs, etc., Cpl. John James on bullying and EHS about what affects alcohol and drugs can have on a person.
Grades 4 through 6 from Parrsboro Regional Elementary spent the morning with these activities while Springhill students spent the afternoon in Parrsboro taking part in this event.
6.) "Parrsboro & Area Fire department struggles for recruits as it's aging population & lack of volunteers making for thin ranks"
March, 2008.
PARRSBORO - Fire departments need a lot of things to do their job - equipment, funding and training, to name a few.
But, for four local departments, the biggest challenge seems to be drawing enough active volunteers to meet the demands of the job.
“It’s serious,” said Parrsboro Fire Chief Jim Atkinson. “Especially because, typically, all the people we have in the fire department are working so it’s difficult to get everyone through the day. You don’t know how many you’ll get to show up (at calls) because some guys work out of town.”
The Parrsboro department now carries a roster of 14 active members and two auxiliary members, and is down eight active members, according to a report given to town council at its monthly session in February.
The department is not alone. Neighbouring fire departments in Port Greville, Advocate and Southampton are also suffering from the same situation, according to their chiefs.
“The day of the volunteer has gone by the wayside,” said Atkinson. “Everyone is too busy. People don’t get involved in something that they have to put a lot of time into.”
The FPW Volunteer Fire Department in Port Greville has been carrying a membership of about 14 for the past few years, but is lucky to get half of those members out to weekly meeting nights, according to chief Rick Harvey.
Canada’s population is aging, and that trend is particularly evident on the Parrsboro shore, according to Harvey.
“The young folks who would be coming along to take over from retirees are too busy trying to make a living elsewhere,” he said. “They may live here on the weekends, but a lot are either working in major centres and commuting back and forth to work a couple hours a day, or they’ve packed their bags and headed to the oil patch out west.”
The lack of available young volunteers is one of the biggest problems facing the Southampton Volunteer Fire Department, according to chief Glen Atkinson, who said most of the younger members they do have are not always available because they are working long hours in shift work outside the community.
“During the day we’re stressed,” he said. “We have no young ones, and that’s a big problem in this community. The ones that are (young) don’t seem interested in putting their shoulder to the wheel.”
The Advocate Volunteer Fire Department has 19 regular members, but only about 30 per cent of those members are active and available, according to chief John Melanson, who said the seriousness of the situation was evident at a recent structure fire in the area.
“At that house fire we only had three firefighters there for quite a long time,” he said. “It was pretty scary.”
While there are many people willing to help out when called upon, there are few willing to commit the time for regular meetings and the increasing training demands being placed on firefighters, according to Melanson, who said some also fish and have jobs that require them to be away frequently.
“It is a serious commitment,” he said. “When you put that pager on your hip, you’re on call 24/7.”
Although he has never budgeted for recruiting and promotion before, he did it for the first time this year. Meanwhile, he said governments need to consider creating incentives to encourage people to volunteer for fire departments, with free vehicle registration and the new $250 tax credit steps in the right direction, but not enough.
He also called on his own municipality, the Municipality of Cumberland County, to take a lead role.
“They need to take their thinking away from purchasing new vehicles for us at this point in time, and focus more on recruiting,” said Melanson.
In Port Greville, the fire department has switched its weekly meeting night to Thursdays in hopes of combining some training activities with the Parrsboro department, and hopes to pursue a similar relationship with the Advocate department, according to Harvey.
“I’m not sure that there is any other remedy, because the numbers just aren’t here on the Parrsboro shore,” said Harvey, who added that the average age of his firefighters is about 50. “Fire brigades and other volunteer organizations are being challenged by this demographic of an aging population. Churches are being challenged by this, and the fact that young folks have to leave the area to make a living.”
7.) Important...
** " Get ready for drive-and-dial ban on Cell Phones" **
March,2008.
Nova Scotia RCMP are telling motorists now to consider putting down their cellphones now, so they're prepared for the ban that comes into force in several weeks.
The new law banning the use of hand-held cellphones while driving was passed by the province last December and takes effect on April 1st,2008.Drivers who violate the new legislation will face a $164.50 fine for a first offence.
The penalty rises to $222 for a second violation and $337 for any subsequent offences.
8.) "Fundy Phantoms Hockey"
Please support our local hockey that took so long to get here in Parrsboro.. So lets keep it going for our younger generations... Check out their group on Facebook.com for all their home game dates & times & all their other important info at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5861083796
or go to their website at: http://www.sportzone.ca/sites/9982/page.asp?Site=9982&page=Teams&LeagueID=9982&SeasonID=13&DivisionID=15&TeamID=51&Section=Home
9.) "Parrsboro Turn on & tune in to 99.1FM Radio Bingo"
March/08.
PARRSBORO: Grab your Bingo dabber and tune into 99.1FM, Parrsboro’s community radio. The Radio Society is hosting radio bingo every Thursday this month.
“Radio Bingo is an idea the radio society has been working on for three years,” Society Chair Ross Robinson said.
“Having radio bingo is a great fundraiser that will help the small radio station survive rather than canvassing local businesses for sponsorship.”
The radio station has acquired a license for the bingo that is good for three years along with a professional bingo machine that used to be used at Parrsboro’s curling club.
“We have up to date computer equipment that will be used in verifying bingo winners,” Robinson said.
To date bingo cards are available at Durant’s Recycling, Rosebuds and Pedals, T & C Taxi and Dennis Babineau will be at the Co-op in Parrsboro selling radio bingo cards.
“Radio bingo is great for those who don’t have cable and aren’t able to get out to the Lions Den on TV bingo nights. Anyone with a radio can tune into 99.1 FM and play along,” the radio society chair said.
The radio station that has been broadcasting community events for 10 years plays a variety of music starting off with 50’s and 60’s in the morning then moving into country with classic rock and roll following, ending off the evenings broadcast with modern music. Tune into Parrsboro’s Community radio on Sunday’s with Frank Hartman for gospel.
Many old familiars will return to the radio station along with a few new voices to be heard over the air waves including Nathan Tupper who Robinson said they were happy to have join the ranks at Parrsboro’s Community Radio.
Robinson also said that anyone wishing to become a part of the station is welcome whether it be on the air or behind the scenes.
10.) "Local Court News"
As of March,2008.
1.) Robert Bruce Forbes, 42, of 2461 New Prospect, Parrsboro, was fined over $200 after pleading guilty to one count of theft under $5,000.
Forbes was given a $200 fine and $30 victim fine surcharge, or four days in jail, payable by April 25, 2008.
The incident occurred Dec. 21, 2007, in Amherst.
2.) Shawn Robie Pigden, 32, of 2045 Cannan Road, Southampton, was fined over $900 after entering a guilty plea to one count of failing the breathalyser.
Pigden was given a fine of $800, a $50 cost and $120 victim fine surcharge, or 16 days, payable by Nov. 25, 2008.
He was also given a 12-month driving prohibition.
Pigden entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of tobacco with unpaid tax, under the Revenue Act, and was fined $599.12, or 10 days in jail. He has until Nov. 25, 2008, to pay the fine.
Both incidents occurred Jan. 22, 2008, in Amherst.
3.) Michael John Patrick Yorke, 27, of 1328 Maple Court, Parrsboro, was fined more than $900 total after pleading guilty to one count of failing the breathalyser.
Yorke was given an $800 fine, $50 cost and $120 victim fine surcharge, or 16 days in jail, payable by Aug. 25, 2008. He was also given a 12-month driving prohibition.
The incident occurred Aug. 28, 2007, in Amherst.
__________________________________________________
Parrsboro Lion's Old Home Week 2008.
This Information was on what happened during the week of July 9th - 12th,2008.
Also here are the Queen Contestants 2008.
Congradulations to Kayla Rector as she was crowned this years Queen.
News Headlines...
"New Firetruck arrived this weekend"
July,2008.
Parrsboro Fire Department finally to see long awaited New Firetruck that arrived in Parrsboro the weekend of Saturday July 26th,2008.
"Cumberland County Paving Project"
August,2008.
Drivers enjoying the unique attractions of the Glooscap Trail will soon be getting a smoother ride thanks to a road-paving tender announced by the province.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal has called for tenders to repave Trunk 2 from the Parrsboro town line north for 6.1 kilometres to the intersection of Lakelands Road.
"This route is part of an important connection between Parrsboro and Springhill," said Murray Scott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "It's also a popular route for visitors to Nova Scotia."
The project is part of government's commitment to better roads and infrastructure.
"Parrsboro ends fiscal year with large surplus"
July,2008.
PARRSBORO: Taxes in Parrsboro will remain the same this year, council decided at its monthly session on June 24.
Following glowing reviews from auditor George Jorgensen in his presentation of the town’s audited statements, council passed a motion to keep the residential tax rate at $2.03 per $100 of assessment, while commercial property owners will continue to pay $3.77 per $100 of assessment.
The town ended its fiscal year with a $288,397 surplus, $286,265 of which it moved into its growing reserve account.
Jorgensen also reported a $36,748 surplus from the town’s water utility for the past year.
“The town is in excellent financial position, having no capital debt outstanding, and has in excess of $850,000 in reserve funds,” said Jorgensen. “This is good planning by management and council for upcoming planned capital expenditures.”
Revenues for the year totaled $1,924,117, compared to budgeted revenue of $1,815,734, while expenditures totaled $1,921,985, compared to the budgeted amount of $1,815,734.
Both the revenue and expenditures were assisted by transfers from the town’s operating reserve account, which still managed to increase by $622,322 during the year thanks to $45,476 collected in gas tax revenue, a $30,000 donation from the fire department auxiliary towards the new truck, as well as grants for the sewer project.
The town also saved nearly $80,000 in protective services after only being billed $200,533 for its contracted services with the RCMP, despite having budgeted $280,296 for the expense. Council could not explain this savings, and were not complaining about it.
During the year the town spent $253,681 on capital expenditures, most of which was covered from reserve funds.
The water utility garnered revenue of $262,876 on the year, compared with operating expenditures of $219,891.
Jorgensen credited town staff members, particularly Betty Anne Paris, for keeping on top of the collection of taxes and water receivables, noting that for several years the town’s prepaid taxes have exceeded the outstanding balances at year end.
“The accounting records are very well maintained with timely reports to council,” he said. “Expenditures are generally kept within the amounts budgeted.”
Deputy Mayor Lois Smith thanked Jorgensen for his loyal service, and also thanked CAO Ashley Brown and the rest of town staff for a job well done.
"Province falls flat on ER closures"
August,2008
** Closures in Pugwash, Parrsboro a symptom of a sick system **
Continued closures of emergency rooms at hospitals in Cumberland County and other parts of Nova Scotia are going to continue unless the government narrows the gap between what rural and urban physicians are paid.
Responding to more closures to ERs at hospitals in Pugwash and Parrsboro, Liberal health critic Dave Wilson said the provincial government did nothing to help the situation with its most recent agreement with Doctors Nova Scotia.
"There's a bigger gap now in salaries between regional and community hospitals," Wilson said. "That didn't make any sense to me. There is an ER crisis in this province and I can't see any action that they are taking to alleviate it."
Wilson said 50 per cent of the ER closures in the province have been in Cape Breton including his own riding of Glace Bay, where the regional hospital's ER has seen frequent closures.
The ER at North Cumberland Memorial in Pugwash has been closed frequently this year as the community continues to deal with a physician shortage. The loss of a doctor in Parrsboro, that is already served by the new South Cumberland Rural Practice Network, has resulted in several closures at the South Cumberland Community Care Centre in Parrsboro.
Instead of pouring more money into studies, such as the latest one on reducing waiting times, Wilson suggested the province start listening to what the Opposition has to say. The health critic said something different has to be done because the status quo is not acceptable.
"If they took that $8 million they're going to use on another study on wait times and used it on recruitment or something else it would definitely help," Wilson said, adding the province has had offers from doctors in Metro to go to under-serviced areas to avert ER closures.
"They've dug themselves a hole and they've put their heads in the sand," Wilson said. "I think it's because it's happening in rural areas because if it was in Metro they'd term it more of a crisis."
The health critic is also suspicious of the Corpus Sanchez report because, despite what the province is saying, he thinks it's going to result in ERs being closed.
"They're saying they're going to do things differently, that means they're going to be moving away from a full-service emergency room," Wilson said. "What are they going to put in its place?"
"Paving Job Completed"
July,2008.
The Two Island Road section that has been tore up is now paved along with the Pier Road section that had been paved but was also re-paved due to it not being done right the first time because of problems with the ashphalt spreader according to sources.
It was long overdue as these sections have been extreamly rough and not good for tourisim or for any of us locals & businesses who have had to endure them for a few months now.
A New Business in Parrsboro will be opening it's doors at 198 Main Street in early July 2008...
Owner of "From Away Jewellery" - Russ Perego would like to invite everyone to drop by & check out the changes to the building which use to be the old Record & Citizen Office & Old Fireside Restuaraunt.
Renovations are still being completed.. But keep a eye out for when this new addition to Parrsboro opens & drop in and say hi to Russ!!!
"Burke tourney coming up print this article"
Annual golf event to support Parrsboro band hall campaign, SCCCC?palliative care unit.
August,2008.
Golfers will hit the green for a cause here on Friday, Aug. 22, as the ninth annual Bernie Burke Memorial Golf Tournament will be held for two local causes.
Once again, the Save the Hall campaign to restore the Parrsboro Band Hall, and the palliative care unit at South Cumberland Community Care Centre will be the financial beneficiaries of this year’s tournament, according to Patricia Burke, one of its organizers.
“Last year we were able to give a donation that helped buy a much needed air mattress for people to have quality of life in their final days, so we decided to choose the same recipients again this year,” she explained.
The 18-hole scramble tournament will begin with registration and a light reception at 9 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 10 a.m.
The event is filling up quickly with teams, but still has a few spaces open, according to Burke, who encouraged those interested to contact Brenda Wheaton at 254-3152 as soon as possible. Cost of participation is $100 per person, or $300 per team. The entry fee includes green fees, a steak dinner and prizes.
Contests will be held during the tournament, as well as a putting contest after the tournament, with various prizes to be handed out.
The tournament has picked up some new sponsor this year, according to Burke, who said Greg Crosby of Investor’s Group has come on board with a significant donation, while local auto dealer Art Sargent has come on board as the car sponsor, making a 2008 Ford Focus available for a hole-in-one on Hole No. 3, with insurance provided by ING and Barnes/Parrsboro Insurance.
Artist Arlene Collins has also supported the cause, donating a print of her painting, “Winter Bells,” for raffle. Tickets are available at her new studio in Diligent River, as well as Parrsboro Home Hardware, Tyson’s Fine Minerals, Destination Gallery and from Burke and Wheaton.
“Good weather has been ordered again this year, so, even if you don’t golf, come and support the golfers and cheer them on, and enjoy the panoramic view,” said Burke.
"Debate’ draws discussion of future"
Small crowd, big ideas at Graham’s ‘drop-in’ meeting
August,2008.
What if a debate took place in Parrsboro and everybody came?
That was the tagline Sandy Graham used to promote the “drop-in” style meeting he arranged for at Destination Gallery on July 31, and we do not yet have an answer to the question.
What took place that night was not really a debate, nor did everyone come. About 15-20 participants engaged in a thoughtful discussion about what they would like to see for their town, and many different voices were heard. The result was the decision to create a “suggestion box” to be placed in town to invite input from everyone, and then decide on the next step.
“We’ll see,” said Graham, the day after the three-hour discussion. “It’s not in the hands of the people, not only that special crew that was there last night, but those afterward who might respond.”
He said he was satisfied with the turnout, despite the number of empty seats, and pleased with the cross-section of people that came out, which ranged from members of the youth community, business people and senior citizens. While none of the current town councillors were in attendance, Mayor Doug Robinson was, indicating his willingness to listen by proclaiming that he had brought “both of his hearing aids.”
Graham applauded the mayor for his participation, and all who gave up their time on a warm summer night to get together and share their thoughts.
“I was also very pleased with the tone of the dialogue,” he said. “There was a willingness to listen and be tolerant of differing views. Sometimes there was a playful antagonism, but there was also accommodation. It was a very Canadian-style dialogue - underneath it all there was a sense of a need for conciliation.”
The atmosphere of the event was not what one might expect at a municipal night. Nude paintings hung from the wall, and the room was semi-lit as those present gathered in a circle before Graham, who served as a facilitator of sorts. Before anyone spoke, the crowd sat, fidgeting in silence while he played David Bowie’s “After All” and then invited the crowd to finish his lines of the poem/prayer “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.”
“What I’m hoping to do tonight is explore our common experiences and try to look towards a future of Parrsboro, and for common solutions,” said Graham. “Like many of you, I’m concerned about the future of Parrsboro. I think every single one of us shares that concern and we may come at it from different directions, so what I think is possible tonight is that, by teasing out these differences and listening to each other, we can try to perhaps come to a consensus on what Parrsboro could be and should be five, 10 and 20 years from now.”
The first to join in the discussion was artist Taylor Redmond, who allowed her gallery to serve as the venue. She said there is a need for more visual stimulation for those driving into Parrsboro, and more activity in the downtown core to make them want to get out of their cars.
“There are a lot of great things here, but, if someone is not interested right away, and there is no vitality when they drive in, they get their coffee and they drive out,” she said. “We need to celebrate more about what is here. We can’t ask people to dig for it; we have to give it to them.”
Youth Kevin Wood expressed a need for more activities for the town’s younger people, such as more shops, and more venues in which they can express themselves through art and music.
“Right now you ask each other what do you want to do, and there’s nothing to do,” he said. “It should be, what do you want to do next? There should always be something to do. This is a beautiful town for the older generation, but the youth are going to be the older generation, and you have to keep them happy in order to keep the town going.”
Lisa Ward suggested partnerships could be formed between the local youth and merchants and other venue operators to allow some of the area’s talented people the chance to perform in front of their shops and help create more activity, while Dawn Reid suggested partnerships could be formed with the Parrsboro Citizens Band.
Giselle Henwood suggested Main Street’s park would be the perfect venue to have musical performances or lectures take place.
Mary McPhee agreed with Redmond, that the current lack of activity on Main Street might be sending a message to those willing to perform there, that they are not welcome to do so.
“A lot of people really don’t think they would be allowed to do that, and maybe we need to encourage people more and let them know we are a town that wants to showcase our talent,” said McPhee.
A variety of topics were discussed, with all agreeing that a suggestion box would be the best way to collect as much input as possible.
While Graham admitted the event was not exactly what he had in mind, he said it produced positive results, quoting Browning .
“A person’s reach should exceed their grasp,” he said. “Every journey begins with a step, and some steps were taken last night.”
Parrsboro’s Future? — In Your Dreams
To the Editor..
The Amherst Citizen
As reported in last week’s Citizen, a meeting – “Towards a Debate for Parrsboro” – was held on July 31 at the Destination Gallery.
Earlier, a senior informed me that if this were some kind of underhanded attempt to unseat certain members of council, that “there would be a long line of people” who would be against me. Starting with her.
Now, as Bugs Bunny scholars know, “them’s fightin’ woyds.” Also, some people suspected that I was a “front” for silent partners opposed to one or more members of council. A secret agenda, committee, and conspiracy. In Parrsboro. Can you stand the excitement?
Who starts these rumours? I said I was the sole member of this left-wing radical group (The Parrsboro Liberation Front perhaps?) and had no hidden agenda beyond — oh — advancing my own propaganda that people could listen to each other in a respectful way about how to improve our town and the way it works.
I was surprised by this implied threat; made because I would exercise a democratic right fought, and sacrificed for, in two world wars. Surely our common salvation depends at least partly on the freedom to express ourselves openly. To anyone who has a problem with this, I will gladly escort them to our cenotaph.
But, on a warm summer evening about 20 people did express themselves, openly, about how Parrsboro could be better. Now, what could explain their generosity of time, mind and heart? Hadn’t they learned what is so often spoon fed here from an early age? That to try to influence certain matters in Parrsboro is futile.
And yet, as was ably pointed out by Mayor Doug Robinson at the meeting, people often express great ideas about doing something. Then comes the time for “rolling up sleeves.” Why do initiatives sometimes fail? Parrsboro has no shortage of volunteers who make all kinds of things happen, and the town is bursting at the seams with community spirit. So what gives?
In my case, I suspected my ego would get in the way. But I wanted so much to ensure a democratic style to the meeting that I “bent over backwards” to avoid stamping it with “my agenda.”
Thus, any dysfunction or lack of clarity was due to myself. So, you can fail, going too far in a direction, like not providing enough.
But so often, I am told, the problem is in the other direction, where power and control reside in too few hands. You can be part of things, and certainly help out, but; know your place, don’t rock the boat, don’t ask too many questions, and do not step out of line. One of my favourite Monty Python skits is about “The Committee for Putting Things on Top of Other Things.” When one member merely questions the purpose and validity of the group, he is roundly chastised and condemned. Ring any bells?
We have such potential in Parrsboro. To what end, though? Until we gain a better sense of this, we risk working at cross purposes. We have to take the blinders off and realize that we need each other, and to work with each other, if Parrsboro is not just to survive, but thrive.
At the meeting, people offered ideas about our social and cultural life, our local economy — like shopping locally, and our image. In spare and heartfelt oratory, young Kevin Wood related how many youth would like to play music in the street; a 13-year-old inspired us with ideas that could transform our mainstreet into something more active and alive. Should someone tell him to keep such dreams to himself?
We hit upon a radical idea, a first step. Let people respond to the question: “What would enhance your lifestyle in Parrsboro?” Canada Post generously gave us permission to place a suggestion box in the Parrsboro Post Office for the month of September.
Now, this rash move has its perils. On such a slippery slope; dare we let anyone — 13 year-olds, even — influence our social, cultural, and political life, rocking our boat as it sails to an uncertain future in an uncertain world?
Dream on, I say. And don’t let anyone stop you.
Sandy Graham
Parrsboro
Parrsboro Club Championship
The Parrsboro Club Championship was played for both the ladies and men on August 16 & 17 with the following results:
2008 Men’s Club Champion
- Kevin Perrin 147
1st Division
1st Low Gross - Jim Read 148
2nd Low Gross - Cody Hebb 149
3rd Low Gross - Bill Wheaton Jr 150
1st Low Net - John Atkinson 129
2nd Low Net - Garnett Hendren 134
3rd Low Net - Jim Atkinson 137
2nd Division
1st Low Gross - Kevin MacMillan 147
2nd Low Gross - Trevor Legere 149
3rd Low Gross - Clyde Perry 163
1st Low Net - Arden Fletcher 121
2nd Low Net - Eric Ripley 128
3rd Low Net - Bill Scott 129
3rd Division
1st Low Gross - Mike Dowe 177
2nd Low Gross - Gary Adams 179
3rd Low Gross - Dewitt Fletcher 183
1st Low Net - Mike Winter 133
2nd Low Net - Lester Wheaton 136
3rd Low Net - Ron Tecza 146
2008 Ladies’ Club Champion - Tanya Dowe
1st Low Net - Sue Willigar
2nd Division
Low Gross - Shirley Hurley
Low Net - Nancy Curleigh
A passion that shines across Canada in Parrsboro N.S.
Aug. 2008.
Take your retirement years and spend it doing something you love is the advice Gisele Labine owner and designer of B & G Lapidary gives.
The designer has spent 32 years in the business that began as a hobby and over 20 years displaying her creations to Parrsboro’s annual Gem and Mineral show.
Gisele began rock hounding with her husband telling stories of when they would travel to places such as Oregon and Washington, Salt Spring Island off the coast of BC and from many other places around the world.
“My husband said to me when he retired, ‘What are we going to do now?’ Whereas, I replied, ‘We’ll do shows,’” Gisele said adding that once her husband passed on she continued with the work they loved.
“I know he would be proud of the pieces I’ve made,” the designer said.
Gisele now carries out the work that her and her husband began many years ago with the help of her daughters Helene, Renee and Vivianne.
Before expanding her talents in the world of gems, minerals and stonework Gisele was a dress designer.
“I’ve designed dresses for women in the consulate in Ottawa,” the designer said.
Gisele works with precious and semi-precious gems such as black diamond, ruby, aqua-marine, amethyst, jade, agate, tiger eye and many more that is cut, polished and mounted on 10k -14k gold, white gold and silver all by Gisele’s own handy work.
“There is nothing like the satisfaction you get by doing everything on your own right down to the collection of the gems whether it be from a rock quarry or just from the wilderness,” Gisele said.
Gisele said she has made 1,348 necklaces 500 pairs of earrings and countless additional jewelry and loves to keep busy in the business she has come to adore meeting a lot of good friends along the way.
“I look forward to the show in Parrsboro every year and plan to keep coming as long as I can. The people and the environment are great here,” Gisele said.
Within the next couple of months you will be able to check out Gisele’s work online at her website that is under development www.myfairgems.com.
Along with the many returning vendors there was a new face in the crowd this year, Wildabout Wampum owner and designer Marcia Poirier joined the ranks at Parrsboro’s Gem and Mineral Show this past weekend.
“It’s fantastic being here, I’ve been trying to get into the show for years. When Carol (Carol Corbett show organizer) called and said they had a cancellation I dropped everything to be a part of the weekend,” Marcia said.
“Wampum” is a Native American term for money that was originally used by natives as currency – a string of beads fetched five British shillings. According to Marcia’s information in the late 1700’s Wampum could still be used to pay tuition at Harvard University. Today, while it is no longer accepted as currency, wampum is said to bring the owner good luck In financial matters – making it both beautiful and valuable.
Marcia creates her works by sculpting the rare purple sections of the quahog shell and the vivid pink hues of the queen conch.
Purple quahog shells occur only in specific areas where they absorb amethyst on the ocean floor making them prized finds for Marcia’s jewelry.
Marcia grinds, carves and sands all her pieces and many of her pieces are then accented with hand-crafted sterling silver highlighting.
Marcia’s work can be found online at www.wildaboutwampum.com.
Gisele and Marcia were two of 35 vendors at Parrsboro’s 2008 Gem and Mineral Show hosted by the Fundy Geological Museum and held at the Lions Arena this past weekend.
News as of: October 7th, 2008...
"Bloodbath on global markets - TSX down 573 points as recession fears spook investors worldwide"
October 7th, 2008.
Falling oil prices and investor fears of a global recession pummelled the Canadian stock market again Monday, dragging the benchmark index to its biggest intraday point loss ever as concerns heightened that the Wall Street financial crunch has dragged the Canadian economy into a deep freeze and seized up bank lending around the world.
The Toronto stock market plunged nearly 1,200 points in early trading before clawing back more than half of the loss to close down about 573 points, five per cent, or about $75 billion of paper losses.
At one point, the index fell below 10,000 points for the first time in more than three years, wiping out all the gains of the market since mid-2005.
The Bay Street sell-off continued a wave of volatile trading that has seen huge swings up and down as investors worry about the global credit crunch and its impact on the Canadian and global economies.
Canada’s main stock index lost 11 per cent last week, evaporating $150 billion in value, as recession worries spooked traders around the world.
"People are scared and the only thing they’re doing is selling," said Ryan Detrick, senior technical strategist at U.S. analyst firm Schaeffer’s Investment Research.
While the broader economy seems headed into recession — technically two quarters of shrinking output — the jobless rate in Canada is still less than half the unemployment of the early 1980s, during the worst recession in the post-Second World War era.
However, further cuts in manufacturing, retail, housing and other sectors — because of tight money, the slump in the United States and market turmoil around the world — could push Canada’s jobless rate sharply higher over the next several months.
In cutting output Monday at mills in Quebec and British Columbia, Montreal-based forestry giant Tembec cited lower demand from Asia for the pulp it exports to make paper.
About half the Canadian market is made up of energy, metals and other commodities stocks, so any weakness in global demand will punish the resources sector as well as the Canadian dollar.
On currency markets Monday, the loonie dropped 1.5 cents to close just under 91 cents US.
Canada’s economy has grown only marginally since the beginning of the year, with exports and manufacturing squeezed by the slumping United States. On Monday, economists from Canada’s Big Five banks said they expect little or no economic growth in the near future and warned that the domestic gloom will deepen into something worse than a recession.
In their most recent economics forecast, Scotiabank economists predict recessions for both the U.S. and Canada, economic slides that they say will require central bankers in both countries to cut interest rates by at least a full percentage point to rekindle growth.
The word "recession" wouldn’t describe the deep structural problems affecting everything from the U.S. housing sector to the Canadian oil industry, said Bank of Nova Scotia chief economist Warren Jestin.
"You have to invent a new word to describe what we’re in now," he said. "It’s being driven through the financial markets into the real economy."
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrials sank 360 points, joining a global stocks meltdown triggered by investor fears the financial systems in the United States and other countries need more than government bailouts to fix.
Meanwhile, the credit markets remain stagnant, a sign that banks are too afraid to lend.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, who has consistently said Canada’s economy and banking systems are in better shape than their American counterparts, repeated that again Monday but said even the largest financial institutions could be feeling the squeeze
"Canada’s financial system has handled the persistent global market turmoil very well," Flaherty said in a statement.
"Nonetheless, Canada’s financial system is not immune to the ongoing turmoil in global credit markets. The deterioration of global credit markets is beginning to squeeze the ability of even the strongest of financial institutions to raise longer-term funds, which could limit the provision of longer-term credit in Canada to businesses and households."
Later in the day, TD Canada Trust, one of the country’s biggest mortgage lenders, announced it will increase the rates on its home equity lines of credit and its variable mortgage rates to one per cent above prime on Tuesday. Most of those rates had been equal to prime, which has been 4.75 per cent since April at TD and other banks.
Flaherty said he supports the Bank of Canada’s decision to inject at least $20 billion of extra cash into the financial system by mid-November and said the government "stands ready to take whatever actions may be necessary to protect the stability of the Canadian financial sector."
Since the beginning of the year, the Toronto market has lost about one-third of its value, more than $600 billion, diminishing the value of stocks held by millions of Canadians either directly or through mutual funds and pension plans.
If ordinary Canadians are suddenly feeling poorer because of the market meltdown, analysts warn, that could tighten their purse strings and generate a bigger spending fallout on the retail sector and broader economy.
Marti Messam, a Vancouver-area insurance broker, said Monday’s market drop worries her, but she believes it’s part of a down cycle that will eventually recover.
"I am concerned, clearly, but probably it will pass," Messam said while walking to her office in Vancouver. "It will be interesting to see how it plays out in the U.S. I think our economy is much stronger than the American economy."
Messam said the unsteady American economy has put off her decision to buy a home in Palm Springs, Calif.
Vancouver lawyer Ed Mortimer called the stock market plunge and the economic outlook "very serious."
"It’s the domino effect," said Mortimer, while sipping a coffee and doing a crossword puzzle at a Vancouver cafe Monday. "We are going to be in the same soup as the U.S., although perhaps not as extreme."
On the markets, investors were initially cheered by the Bush administration’s US$700-billion rescue plan last week, but grew skeptical that the bailout will work quickly to unfreeze the credit markets.
Global banks, hobbled by wrong-way bets on mortgage securities, still remain starved for cash and refuse to lend to each other. As well, credit has dried up and there’s little lending to businesses for job-creating expansions and to consumers to buy cars or finance other big-ticket purchases.
"These programs are going to be effective, I believe," said Rob Lutts, chief investment officer at Cabot Money Management. "Shorter term, we’re in a very challenging environment that’s going to take awhile."
Fears about a global recession caused oil to drop more than $6 to US$87.81 a barrel, its lowest point in eight months.
’People are scared and the only thing they’re doing is selling.’
"Wing found in woods of Joggins that of a Cessna plane - Might date back to a plane crash in 1976"
October 10th, 2008.
"Wing found in woods of Joggins that of a Cessna plane - Might date back to a plane crash in 1976"
October 10th, 2008.
** See pictures above **
A file in the National Archives may have another addition to it after members of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada identified a plane wing found in the woods near Joggins.
In the hopes of bringing some closure to families that lost members to a plane crash in 1967, Const. Dal Hutchinson of the Cumberland District RCMP Parrsboro Office was made aware of the wing and sent some photos to the Transportation Safety Board.
Unfortunately, the wing is not that of the single engine beechcraft plane owned by Bob Coldwell.
"We are very, very confident that this wing does not belong to a beechcraft plane, or musketeer," said Allan Chaulk, a technical regional senior investigator with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. "This wing belongs to a Cessna 177."
Identifying the wing came easily to Chaulk and Doug McEwan, an engineering branch senior technical analyst, who identified many aspects to the Cessna that are different than a musketeer.
Bringing some designs with them, the pair was able to show Const. Hutchinson how different the two planes were where the wing attached to the rest of the plane. Looking at the designs and looking at the wing, it was evident the wing belonged to the Cessna.
"There's also no structure support on this aircraft, which points to only one type of Cessna," McEwan said, adding a visible port number was only used in the type of Cessna.
In the same place the port number was found, McEwan says the type of fuel for the aircraft was listed, which was only used in the United States.
Although the wing isn't from the 1967 plane crash, it's quite possible the wing is from a plane crash that occurred in the area in 1976.
"We can't categorically say it right now, but it looks like it's the wing to that crash," said Chaulk.
Looking at the information they had, Chaulk and McEwan said a man stole a Cessna 177 from Norfolk, Massachusetts in 1976, which he then flew over Canada. While flying the plane, the man stripped out of his clothes and jumped to his death on July 6.
His body had been recovered, and the rest of the wreckage was found approximately five nautical miles away.
"This is a far ways for a piece to go, but when it's an in-flight break-up, which it appears this was, all the lighter pieces fall first because they have less momentum," said Chaulk.
Because the crash Chaulk and McEwan think the wing may be from occurred 32 years ago, the file would have been moved to the National Archives for storage.
"We'll take the wing back to Dartmouth with us and try to compare it with the paint scheme in the file," said McEwan.
But because the file is with National Archives, it may take a while for the wing to be identified 100 per cent, if at all.
***** "News Updates as of November 3rd -6th 2008. *****
1.) "Robinson re-elected in tight battle"
Blenkhorn applying for recount after losing by only 12 votes, three new councillors elected..
October 27th,2008.
Doug Robinson held on to his mayor’s seat in last weekend’s election, but change was definitely in the air.
The mayor of the past 11 years held on to the job by defeating former mayor Stan Blenkhorn by 12 votes, while three long-time incumbent councillors went down to defeat.
In the mayoral race, Robinson tallied 342 votes to Blenkhorn’s 330, while Joel Smith finished third with 82 votes. These are the official results released on Tuesday.
“It was close, and that never hurts,” said Robinson, after the results were tallied at the Parrsboro Fire Hall. He said there is a definite advantage to having an election rather than win by acclamation, as he did in 2004.
He said he was hopeful that the new council, which includes three rookie councillors, would work as well together as the last.
“We will have very different personalities around the table, but if we just maintain the idea of working by consensus, and sharing our ideas, then we shouldn’t have any problem.”
Blenkhorn, who lost by only eight votes when he last ran for mayor in 1991, said he planned to apply Thursday morning for a recount.
He said he was happy that the campaign brought some different issues forward, and was glad that he got to talk to many people who don’t normally get out from their homes.
“Some houses, I went in looking for a vote, but soon realized there are more important things than a vote,” said Blenkhorn. “You just throw your card away and talk to them. They’re home and don’t really have something to keep them occupied and it’s a shame... it’s one of the issues that have to be addressed.”
If Smith had not decided to run for mayor, some speculated that the 82 votes he received would likely have gone to Blenkhorn, giving him the win, but he said he wasn’t thinking about that.
“We’ll never know that,” he said. “I don’t know how they would have voted, so we can’t say that.”
Smith said he was happy with his result, considering the limited amount of time he had to campaign.
Incumbent councillor Lois Smith garnered the most votes of the council candidates, with 491. The remaining three winning candidates were all newcomers to the race, with David Harrison tallying 441 votes, Dr. David Howe 407 and Dawn Reid 394.
Three incumbents went down to defeat, with Gleneida Canning scoring 343 votes, Lyle Yorke 338 and Lloyd Smith 248.
It was the fourth straight election in which Lois Smith scored the highest number of votes among council candidates, although her celebration was somewhat muted by the fate of her colleagues.
“My emotions are a little mixed because I had 11 years of working with the other three, but I’m certainly thankful for the faith the voters put in me,” she said. “It will be with three new councillor, so there will be different division of committees, and we will have to get to work on that next week.”
The veteran councillor, who taught both Harrison and Reid in high school, said she sees herself taking more of a leadership role on council to help with the adjustment period.
“I think it’s a sign that the town is ready for change and I look forward to the challenge,” said Howe, commenting on the results.
Reid said she was ecstatic and a little surprised by the results, but felt it was proof that the hard work she put into campaigning paid off. She added that she was looking forward to working with the other successful candidates.
“I think we’ll work together very well,” she said. “I’m sure there will be a lot we disagree on, but that’s part of the process.”
While disappointment was evident on the faces of Canning, Yorke and Lloyd Smith, they took the results in stride and accepted their defeat graciously.
“I’m a little disappointed, but life goes on,” said Canning. “It will free up time for some other stuff. It will have its upsides too.”
Lloyd Smith made sure to thank everyone who supported him through the last four elections, and was not bitter about the loss.
“It was a good bunch of candidates, and someone had to be out,” he said. “As long as everyone does good for the town...”
Robinson maintained that the sewer system and the town’s interest in tidal power would continue to be the two major issues for him on the road ahead.
While council will likely see a slight change of focus, with three new members, he said he considered that type of change to be healthy.
“I think the concept of change has probably a lot to do with where we are tonight,” he said. “I think, unfortunately, people didn’t stop to see how much changing was going on, because change was already there. I just hope the change everyone is talking about is positive change and not just change for the sake of change.”
Quick Note:
Hopefully with the 5 newly elected.. That will be running Parrsboro - They will all be able to come up with great idea's to boost Parrsboro and make it a place where people (citizens) can once again work here and live here at the same time.
I just pray that they can do something to attract new business's which is so much needed here & also help support the ones who are & have been here.. To be able to create more jobs so teenagers who are graduating dont have to leave town to find work and for individuals & families who also won't have to move away...
2.) Here are the official PRH School Poll Election Results:
Imagine if they were to count - It might have made a huge difference!!!
Remember this is the young of Parrsboro who came forward and spoke by giving their votes from our schools in Parrsboro...
Just something to think about!!!
Maybe a change was or still is needed here in Parrsboro!!!
Town of Parrsboro Official Student Election Votes as of October 27th, 2008.
Mayoral:
Mayor Results:
Stan BLENKHORN - 118
Douglas ROBINSON - 56
Joel SMITH - 26
Councillor Results:
Gleneida CANNING - 98
David HARRISON - 160
David HOWE - 99
Dawn REID - 102
Lloyd SMITH - 86
Lois SMITH - 76
Lyle YORKE - 104
3.) "Message delivered - Bill Casey returned to Ottawa by biggest margin of victory ever"
October,2008.
The voters of Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley put the candidate in front of the party on Tuesday returning maverick MP Bill Casey to Ottawa with his largest margin of victory ever.
"I feel they sent a message," Casey said moments after being re-elected for the fifth time, but first as an Independent. "They want their members of Parliament to be able to stand up on the issues that affect their riding and not be put in the position I was. They want their MPs to represent the people to Ottawa not Ottawa to the people. The question will be will anyone hear that message and will they listen?"
Casey, who was kicked out of the Tory caucus in June 2007 for voting against the budget, was declared re-elected less than 30 minutes after the polls closed amassing nearly 70 per cent of the ballots cast.
The Brookdale resident, who beat prostate cancer earlier this year, was elated with the win.
"It feels wonderful. I'm so happy for the people who have worked so hard in this campaign," Casey said. "It's a people's win because there is no party involved. It's just individuals who worked so hard on this in Cumberland, Colchester and Halifax counties."
Heading into the campaign, Casey was confident of his chances of being re-elected, but he was not sure how the voters would respond to the stance he took.
"There was never any doubt in my mind about whether I took the right stand or not, but I didn't know whether the people would support me after being evicted from the party," Casey said, adding he has had numerous people of all political stripes approach him to tell him they were supporting him.
With the election behind him, Casey intends to continue doing what he has always done since being first elected in 1988 and re-elected in 1997.
"My role will be to represent the people of this riding as I always have, that won't change. I intend to continue doing that and using all the tools at my disposal to make that happen," said Casey, adding he feels he can continue to be effective as an Independent. "In the last few years this riding has accomplished more than any other riding. We have had tremendous support from Parks Canada, ACOA, Agriculture Canada and a wide range of departments. I would have no reason to believe why that wouldn't continue."
Longtime Casey supporter Frank Elliott couldn't be happier that his friend has been re-elected.
"I couldn't be happier. It's fantastic. We have sent a message to Ottawa that we've been sending this guy there for 20 years and he does a good job," Elliott said. "I never had a doubt in my mind that he would win. When the writ was dropped, the people flocked to him and the money came in to support the campaign."
Susan MacDonald said Casey's re-election says a lot about his integrity.
"The people have a lot of respect for Bill. He's such a strong, wonderful man," said MacDonald, who worked as an assistant for Casey for several years. "He will do a wonderful job as an Independent because he has the ability to work with everybody. If anyone can be an Independent and do a good job at it, it's Bill."
Fellow Independent, Cumberland North MLA Ernest Fage, was not surprised with the result, saying he ensured his re-election with his defending the Atlantic Accord and sticking up for Nova Scotia's interests.
"Bill had a lot of people on his side of all political stripes," Fage said. "People decided to band together and give him an overwhelming victory."
4.) "Parrsboro to get get piece of class action suit pie"
October,2008.
Community groups in Parrsboro will soon be able to compete for one of two $500 grants thanks to the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia and a recent settlement in a longstanding class action lawsuit involving manufacturers of a rubber product known as EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer).
The settlement stems from a price fixing case that resulted in Canadian manufacturers paying more for EPDM, which is used in automotive weather-stripping, garden and appliance hose and electrical insulation, to name a few.
“We’re thrilled to work with the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia to distribute this money for the benefit of our local community,” Michael Fuller, a community leader in Parrsboro, said. “We’re pleased to see dollars making their way back into communities and are happy to assist both the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia and the courts in whatever way we can.”
Ten Community Foundations from across Canada have been chosen to distribute the proceeds due to the challenge in tracking the consumers affected by class action lawsuits.
“The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia is well positioned to distribute these funds because we have a provincial mandate and we work with all charities for the benefit of all of our communities,” Allison Kouzovnikov, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia, said.
The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia has received $9,696.65 in total from this class action settlement. The proceeds will be used to provide grants to local charities for transportation or transportation-related projects. Parrsboro is one of seven communities across Nova Scotia that has been targeted to receive this funding by the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia.
The first case took place in 2002 when Siskinds, an Ontario-based legal firm and leader in class action law, recommended community foundations to disperse more than $300,000 to charities. The legal action involved manufacturers of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and nucleotides, two popular flavour enhancers.
A total of 41 grants have been made in 22 communities across Canada as a result of the various lawsuits.
5.) "From one small Parrsboro town to 10,000 villages"
October,2008.
Ten Thousand Villages included Parrsboro in the 2008 Atlantic Fall Festival, which was held at the Anglican Church Hall, and hosted by the Trinity United church on Oct. 11.
“Ten Thousand Villages began bringing their mission to Parrsboro eight years ago but actually began in 1946 with Edna Ruth Byer spearheading this non-profit organization,” volunteer Anne Rempel, who traveled to Parrsboro with her husband and daughter bringing products from Ten Thousand Villages with them, said.
“The sales from the event in Parrsboro are enough to keep 1.6 families of four for an entire year,” volunteer Julie MacMillan said.
The Mission Statement for Ten Thousand Villages is; Ten Thousand Villages provides vital, fair income to third world people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Ten Thousand Villages works with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. This income helps pay for food, education, health care and housing. A non-profit program of Mennonite Central Committee, Ten Thousand Villages buys product from over 120 artisan groups in more than 35 countries. Through the network of stores and Festival Sales across Canada, this work helps improve the lives of nearly 125,000 people each and every day.
Ten Thousand Villages Fall 2008 Atlantic Festival runs from the beginning of September through to December at various locations throughout Atlantic Canada. You can check out their website for a sale near you at Villages.ca.
6.) "Canadians are certain the "Do Not Call List will work"
October,2008.
Most Canadians believe the new national Do Not Call List, which comes into effect on Tuesday, will be successful at reducing the amount of unwanted telemarketing calls that they receive, a new poll suggests.
A VoxPop survey has found that 61 per cent of Canadians are sure that despite exemptions to the list, which include registered charities, newspapers and political parties, they will still get fewer telemarketing calls.
Canadians will be able to register both their home and cellphone numbers with the DNCL.
Telemarketing companies will have to first register with the DNCL and then purchase a subscription to access phone numbers they will be required to block from their calling lists.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will levy fines of up to $1,500 to individuals who violate the new rules and up to $15,000 to corporations.
Research suggests the list will be quite popular with Canadians.
** Starting Tuesday, those who want to register a phone number can go to www.LNNTE-DNCL.gc.ca or call 866-580-DNCL or click on this link: http://207.236.117.76/
7.) "Fatal vision goggles open young eyes - Drug awareness committee, RCMP host impaired driving exercise at PRHS in Parrsboro"
October 27th,2008.
The Grade 10 students at Parrsboro Regional High School now have some idea of what it’s like to drive impaired.
On Friday, Oct. 10 the students participated in an activity sponsored by the Parrsboro drug awareness committee that saw them maneuver a golf cart around a course on the school soccer field, while wearing “fatal vision” goggles provided by the RCMP.
“It was fun,” said student Gary Boutilier. “But it was hard, and pretty blurry. You can’t drink and drive, and it reinforces that for you.”
The students wore two different sets of goggles, each of which simulate a different level of impairment. The low level goggles simulate an impairment of up to a 0.06 blood alcohol concentration, while the moderate level goggles simulate an impairment level of between 0.07 and 0.10.
“There is a third, higher level goggles, but we decided that would be too much for the students today, as there might have been accidents,” said Const. Paul Calder, community relations officer with the Cumberland RCMP.
“These students are in Grade 10 and most of them have never driven, so there’s not a lot of experience there,” he added. “But it’s good for them to have an actual vehicle to try.”
Fatal vision goggles are not new to high school students, as they have been demonstrated here before. But normally they have been used in such exercises as trying to walk a straight line, and never while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle.
The idea came up at a meeting of the drug awareness committee and was well received, according to committee member and PRHS principal Pamela Hoar. Several carts were borrowed from local golfers, and the RCMP agreed to bring the goggles and take part.
“The reason we picked the Grade 10 students is because they’re the next group that will go out and start driving,” said Hoar. “Our hope is to do it again in the spring with Grades 11 and 12, when they’ll be getting ready for things like safe grad.”
Committee chairman Bob Foley determined the activity to be a success, and said the next event will be a film presentation in November on dilotid drug abuse.
8.) "Wing found in woods of Joggins that of a Cessna plane - Might date back to a plane crash in 1976"
October 10th, 2008.
***** "News Updates as of November 6th - 10th, 2008. *****
1.) Gas & Diesel Prices "Down Again" at Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro as of: November 8th,2008 are below:
--- Price for Self Serve is down 11.7 cents a litre & Full Serve gas is down 12.3 cents a litre & Full Serve Diesel is down 6.9 cents a litre as of From: Oct.24th,2008 --- Nov.8th, 2008.
** Regular is: 97.8 cents a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: 93.8 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 97.2 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: $ 100.6 a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: $ 110.5 a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
2.) "Fire service agreement reached"
-- Parrsboro & County sign 15-year contract...
November 7th, 2008.
By: ROSE WILLIGAR
The Amherst Citizen
Town and county officials gathered at Parrsboro’s fire hall on Oct. 29 to sign the fire protective service agreement between Parrsboro and the County of Cumberland.
“It’s been months of negotiations, but we (council) wanted to be sure the deal we signed was fair for both Parrsboro and the county,” Mayor
Doug Robinson said.
The terms of the agreement include 50 per cent cost-sharing of defined operations costs, 50 per cent cost-sharing of defined capital costs, an effective term of 15 years, withdrawal notice requirements, beneficial ownership provisions and a dispute resolution mechanism.
“The previous council worked diligently to ensure the best outcome possible for the town,” the mayor said, as he noted that three of the outgoing councillors (Gleneida Canning, Lyle Yorke and Lloyd Smith) were present for the signing.
“It may have taken longer than we had anticipated but the end result is an agreement that is acceptable to both our municipalities,” Robinson said.
“From our perspective we needed a cost-sharing formula based on actual costs rather than a specific payment amount each year. This helps to reduce our risk exposure to unanticipated cost increases.”
Deputy warden of the Municipality of Cumberland, Ralph Welton, municipal councillors Ratchford Merriam of District 10, Eddie Gilbert of District Eight, John Reid of District Nine; CAOs Ashley Brown and Rennie Bugley; representative for Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Stephen Feist; county negotiation team member John Fredericks and Parrsboro negotiations team member John Henwood and Parrsboro’s deputy fire chief Aubrey Fenton were all present to witness the signing of an agreement they all played a role in achieving.
“This agreement, in terms of long-term estimated costs and the term of the agreement itself, is consistent with the negotiation deals of the other three towns,” Welton said, adding the county is comfortable with the 15 and 20 year cost analysis for fire service.
3.) "Fundy Phantoms still seeking first win"
November 7th, 2008.
By: DAVE MATHIESON
The Amherst Citizen
With a few bounces of the puck going their way the Fundy Phantoms record might not be at 0-7 with one overtime loss.
“We have a nice group of guys here,” Phantoms assistant coach Steve Leblanc said. “They are local players who know each other well. They’ve played together for years and played against each other for years and I think the group is gelling together very well.”
The team has been involved in very close games and believes that first big win of the season could be just around the corner.
“We’ve been preaching discipline to the boys all year long and they’ve really responded,” LeBlanc said. “We can definitely compete when we are playing five on five hockey.”
What the team has been lacking is an impact player who can put more pucks in the net.
“We are actively seeking to recruit a player like that,” LeBlanc added.
The Phantoms have made calls to New Brunswick and Truro in search of a junior aged player (16-20) who can put the puck in the net, but those kind of players can be hard to find.
“Unfortunately, in the area we’re in, the guys who are finished their midget hockey tend to go to university and they get picked up by the university towns we compete against like Windsor or Halifax,” LeBlanc said. “So in that sense we’re at a disadvantage.”
That disadvantage was apparent on Sunday when they hosted the Halifax Lions.
The Phantoms lost 10-1.
Number one goaltender Trevor Broadway faced 19 shots in the first period allowing only one goal.
“He’s a solid netminder and he kept us in the game but their was only so much he could do,” LeBlanc said. “He didn’t get a lot of help on Sunday. The boys had a lackluster effort in front of him.”
The lone Phantoms goal came with only 38 seconds left in the game.
Denis Robichaud scored the goal with assists coming from Travis Burke and James Chisolm.
On Saturday the Phantoms play the Musquodobit Harbour Crunch, who are the top team in the Central Division.
Then on Sunday they play the South Shore Wild.
“There is no reason we can’t get some points this weekend,” LeBlanc said. “The key is to play tough, disciplined hockey.”
The puck drops against the South Shore Wild Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Lions Arena in Parrsboro.
4.) "How will Obama" in the U.S. affect Canada?
November 7th, 2008.
By: The Amherst Citizen
We now have a new leader of the free world, with the election of Barack Obama Tuesday night, but what does it mean for Canada?
While many Canadians will be celebrating George W. Bush’s departure from the White House, will we be better off with a Democratic president?
That will depend on a number of factors, largely who he decided to put in his cabinet, but the early signs look favourable. His selection of Joe Biden as vice-president bodes well for the rest of the world, as Biden has a much more internationalist approach to foreign affairs, rather than Bush’s lone ranger unilateralism.
Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd, a frontrunner for the secretary of state role, has also supported Canada-friendly policies in the past, including favouring the idea of importing prescription medications from Canada. He also spoke out against the treatment of Canadian citizen Maher Arar.
Obama will also work towards bringing the war in Iraq to an end, and focus more on the effort in Afghanistan, which should help our Canadian forces with a lot of the heavy lifting in Kandahar.
Although earlier in the campaign Obama raised concerns about possibly revisiting NAFTA, he has since backed away from that position, and is not likely to get into that kind of mess anytime soon. He has enough domestic problems to concern himself with, mainly two wars and the worst economic crisis in recent history.
The election of Obama was not about the war, or the economy, or any particular policies in the United States, nor was it about personalities. It was about the sense of hope that he seems to bring to his fellow Americans, a hope for change.
Canadians - and the rest of the world - should benefit from that.
Editorial - From The Citizen Newspaper...
5.) "Research says Bay of Fundy Area Kids & Adults are unfit"
November 7th, 2008.
The Record
PARRSBORO - Research done in 2001 and again in 2005 show the Fundy Shore has the most physically unfit kids in Nova Scotia but there is someone who wants to change all that.
Fundy Active Communities coordinator Matt Pryde explained the research completed was in youth at the Grade 3, Grade 7 and Grade 11 levels and will be repeated again in 2009.
“Health Promotion and Protection initiated the studies and places like the South Shore have had an active communities coordinator in place for five years and it is working well,” Pryde said.
“I’ve attended a couple preliminary meetings and are in the process of developing a physical activity strategy also to determine whether we should focus on a particular age group,” the coordinator said.
Pryde also explained that in the Valley they have Club 400, a website on Facebook where they post all events for all age groups with physical activity that are happening around the region.
“I would like to see something along those lines (website) here, then people will be aware of all activities happening throughout the Fundy region,” Pryde said.
“After reviewing the stats from the research it showed that as kids approached the higher grade levels they become less active, it’s my goal to catch them at the Grade 4 to Grade 6 level that it’s still cool to play.”
The numbers from the research showed 96.7 per cent of boys in Grade 3 were physically active, 96.1 per cent of girls in Grade 3 were physically active. Grade 7 boys – 45.3 per cent were physically active, Grade 7 girls – 23.8 per cent were physically active. Grade 11 boys – 9.7 per cent were active and Grade 11 girls - less than 1 per cent were physically active.
The research also showed that 65.7 per cent of adults in the Fundy region were overweight.
“The problem is that 94 per cent of the inactive adults reported being satisfied with their activity levels,” Pryde said. “This initiative is about changing the mindset, social marketing, education on what’s good for you and what’s not. People need to realize when they are physically active it’s better for your overall health.”
Pryde’s plan is to have a website up and running in the near future where all organizations can post their activity. “Things are going to start happening, we need the municipalities to pull together and get people moving.”
rwilligar@springhillrecord.com
6.) "Here’s a jolt for all of us in Nova Scotia"
November 7th, 2008.
--- NSP gets 9.4% power rate increase, regulator factors in high coal costs...
By: JUDY MYRDEN Business Reporter
Nova Scotia homeowners are facing their fifth power rate increase in seven years after provincial government regulators approved a 9.4 per cent hike in residential power bills to take effect on New Year's Day
The Utility and Review Board admitted that Nova Scotia Power’s rate increase isn’t popular but called it “reasonable and justified."
“With respect to the public’s objection to any form of rate increases, while no one wants to see increases in rates for electricity,
circumstances can occur which justify an increase in rates," the board stated in its 51-page decision.
“In this specific rate application, a significant escalation in the cost of fuel used for generating electricity has been identified as a primary factor in the proposed rate increases."
The settlement agreement provides an average increase of 9.3 per cent, but most Nova Scotia Power customers will be hit with a 9.4 per cent increase.
The hike, the first since April 2007, will cost 440,000 Nova Scotia households an extra $18 per two-month billing period, or $30 if they use electric heat, according to the power company.
But Ross Blackburn, a retired Lower Sackville businessman who heats his split-level home electrically, says the increase will be much more than that. He has calculated that he’ll pay about $112 more per bill.
“It’s pathetic," he said. “What’s annoying me more than anything is we don’t have a government that stands up for us.
“We don’t have any ability to fight these things."
Mr. Blackburn said he expected the regulatory board to rubber- stamp the increase and he has already budgeted for it.
“We are at the mercy of these people and it’s just the way it is," he said.
Premier Rodney MacDonald said the government argued against the increase but must accept the review board’s ruling.
“No one wants to see this rate increase," he said. “I certainly don’t, the government doesn’t agree with it, but we have to deal with the realities of what’s an arm’s-length process, even if we’re on the record against it."
Mr. Blackburn questioned why the review board approved the rate hike when the price of oil used to generate electricity
has dropped dramatically since Nova Scotia Power first applied for the increase in May.
But the board’s decision states that Nova Scotia Power burns coal to produce about 71 per cent of the electricity generated at its power plants across the province and uses “very little heavy fuel oil."
Nova Scotia Power president Rob Bennett admitted the increase will be “challenging" for many customers but argued it is necessary to cover the company’s skyrocketing fuel costs.
“As our regulator points out in today’s decision, the world price of coal, which is the main fuel we use to make electricity, remains high and is twice as much as it was when rates were last set," Mr. Bennett said in a company news release.
Nova Scotia’s consumer advocate, John Merrick, said the increase is reasonable.
“Nobody’s happy about it, particularly consumers," he said. “I think what it does, it requires the province, the board, all of us, to take a hard look at (whether there are) other mechanisms that might be available to soften the impact on those who can truly not afford it."
The review board also approved implementation of a fuel adjustment mechanism, starting Jan. 1, 2010. It will raise or lower customers’ power bills, depending on whether the company’s fuel costs in 2009 are higher or lower than projected. Nova Scotia Power is predicting that its 2009 fuel costs could be $82 million more than the amount covered by the rate increase. That could mean consumers will face another rate hike in 2010.
“There’s a distinct possibility of that," Mr. Merrick said. “How much, how steep, I think that’s a point that’s becoming more uncertain."
Nova Scotia Power originally applied last May for a 12.1 per cent increase for residential customers and a 17 per cent hike for pulp and paper companies. But on the eve of a public hearing in September, the power company reached a backroom deal with some of its biggest industrial customers and the consumer advocate. This socalled “settlement agreement" reduced the rate increase to 9.4 per cent for all customers and was submitted to the review board for approval.
The review board also warned Nova Scotia Power to listen to the public outcry over the salaries it pays its two top executives.
Those salaries attracted the most public comment, “often amounting to outrage," the board wrote. “The board trusts that NSP’s board and management have heard the message." Consultants the review board hired found that Nova Scotia Power paid its two top executives 41 per cent more than the industry average in 2007. The 2007 pay package for then-president Ralph Tedesco was $770,000, down from $1 million in 2006. Mr. Tedesco stepped down this June.
** "News Headlines" **
November 10th,2008.
1.) "Cancer screening frustration"
-- Women under 40 upset routine mammograms not available to them...
November 6th, 2008.
Some women dread turning 40, but Leisa Babineau was relieved.
The Parrsboro woman can now get routine mammograms to screen for breast cancer, a disease that claimed her mother’s life six years ago.
"Thank God I’m 40, because now I have the right to have a test done that I should have been having for years," Ms. Babineau said Monday.
The Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program, which as of last month includes all 11 mammography sites and three mobile units across the province, recommends women aged 40 to 49 who have no symptoms of breast cancer should have mammograms every year.
The guidelines, developed by the Canadian Association of Radiologists, say healthy women aged 50 to 69 should have the tests every two years.
Those rules effectively mean there is no way for a younger woman to have a routine mammogram, which is meant to detect breast cancer at an early stage, Ms. Babineau said.
Several people responded to a story Saturday in The Chronicle Herald on the provincial breast screening program, expressing similar frustrations about trying to obtain mammograms before age 40, despite family histories of breast cancer.
Ms. Babineau is anxiously awaiting the results of a mammogram she had done last week. She had a lump removed from her left breast at age 29, not long after her mother was first diagnosed.
"Thankfully, it was nothing," she said. "If it had’ve been left for 11 years, it may have been something."
Ms. Babineau has had mammograms in the intervening years but said she had to fight "tooth and nail" to get them.
Her family doctor’s efforts to book mammograms were rebuffed and even the surgeon who removed the lump was unable to order the test.
Ms. Babineau did manage to book mammograms, despite her age, at Highland View Regional Hospital in Amherst until its mammography service became part of the Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program about two years ago.
She wasn’t able to book another test because of her age, even when a mobile mammography unit was in Parrsboro one week before her 40th birthday this summer.
There is a provincial system in place for women under 40 to get mammograms if they have symptoms or are deemed high-risk, said Kristen Rector, a Health Department spokeswoman.
She encouraged women in those categories to speak to their health care provider "openly and clearly about their concerns and their family history."
"Their doctor will assess them and refer them to a diagnostic centre for a mammogram if they feel it’s necessary based on the assessment," Ms. Rector said.
Diagnostic mammograms are meant to determine the cause of a problem like a lump, nipple discharge or a previous breast cancer. Screening mammograms are intended to detect cancer before there are any symptoms.
In 2007, some 917 women aged 30 to 39 had mammograms at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax and 280 in Cape Breton. Statistics were not available Monday for the rest of the province.
Ms. Rector said she couldn’t comment on specific cases.
She said research hasn’t provided enough evidence that screening mammography is effective in reducing breast cancer deaths for women under 40.
According to statistics compiled by the Canadian Cancer Society, women aged 30 to 39 have a 0.4 per cent chance of developing breast cancer in the next 10 years. That risk triples for women aged 40 to 49.
At a news conference Friday, provincial health officials spoke of the need to get more women to take advantage of screening mammograms.
Just over half of women aged 50 to 69 actually get the tests.
Health officials touted the replacement of several older mammography machines with digital units that are faster, provide higher-quality images and can better detect cancers in younger women with denser breast tissue.
The message about early detection is in vain if tests aren’t accessible to women who are clamouring to get them, Ms. Babineau said.
"There’s a whole list of 30-year-old, 20-year-old women that had breast cancer. Breast cancer is an awful disease, as any disease is. But boy, when you’re being denied the testing for it, it makes it a lot worse."
2.) "Funding to allow generator purchase"
-- Province kicks in $15,174 to Parrsboro Fire Department...
November 6th, 2008.
If there is ever an extended power outage here, the Parrsboro Fire Department will be ready to host those in need of warm shelter.
The department is planning to purchase a new generator capable of powering its fire hall, after receiving more than $15,000 in funding from the provincial Emergency Services Provider Fund.
Cumberland South MLA Murray Scott made the presentation to firefighter Danny MacAloney at Scott’s local office recently.
While the Parrsboro department has not yet received the actual cheque from the province, Chief Jim Atkinson said they would purchase and install the generator as soon as they do.
A separate building is being constructed to house the generator, along with the department’s rescue boat.
“Our plans are to buy the new generator to keep the fire hall going in the case of an emergency,” explained Atkinson. “If there’s ever a large power outage over a 2-3 week period - there was one time when it was out for over a week - this would give a place for people to come and get warm, as it will run the furnaces. If someone is in dire need, they can use the fire hall as a shelter.”
The provincial funding will cover 60 per cent of the cost of the equipment, with the rest coming from fundraising, he said.
3.) " Minor hockey organizations look at merger:
-- Bringing the two organizations would make sense for both sides, Copeland says
November 6th, 2008.
A special general meeting of Parrsboro Minor Hockey took place here this weekend to look at the possibility of merging with the Cumberland County Minor Hockey Association (CCMHA.)
The meeting took place on Sunday, Nov. 2nd/08 at 1pm at the Lions Arena with all members of the Parrsboro Minor Hockey Association (PMHA) that were invited to attend. A proposed merger was one of two topics on the agenda, the other being the need to fill a vacant executive position, according to president Matt Smith.
“It’s a numbers issue for both associations,” he said.
The entry levels of the minor hockey association are its Novice levels, and this year’s numbers are low in Parrsboro. Only four to five children are registered for Novice A play, and only seven are registered in Novice C.
“Unless we get the numbers, it’s something we have to look at and at least consider,” said Smith of a possible merger with the CCMHA, which covers the rest of the county outside of Parrsboro and plays out of rinks in Amherst, Springhill and Oxford. “Not to say it will or will not happen, but we’d be very naïve to at least not look at the possibility of doing it.”
“I think with the population decreasing in all of rural Nova Scotia, it would be a great thing,” he said. “We’re prepared to open the door and sit down and have good open talks with Parrsboro, to bring the two units together and make one.”
“It has to be beneficial for both parties,” he said. “We looked at the Lions rink, which can’t function without Parrsboro Minor Hockey. We kind of have to guarantee them certain hours of ice time, and if our numbers continue to be low coming up through, then we won’t be able to do that.”
The CCMHA committee is already together and ready to meet with the Parrsboro committee, according to Copeland.
“Whenever Matt’s group is ready to go, we’re ready to sit and talk,” he said. “It’s going to be a great thing for Parrsboro and the rest of Cumberland. It should be one unit anyway.”
Copeland he said if all goes well, he would like to see an arrangement in place for next season.
The Lions Arena is a hub of activity in Parrsboro during the winter months thanks to the artificial ice plant installed in 1997. It serves as home to minor hockey, the Parrsboro skating club, and various other activities.
The main concern in Parrsboro is that ice remain in the local rink from October to March, but all concerns, questions and ideas need to be brought to the table, according to Smith.
4.) "Gas Prices below a Dollar across Cumberland County"
November 1st,2008.
Maritimers have been feeling a bit of relief at the gas pumps over the past several weeks and Friday morning in Cumberland County was no different.
Motorists were able to pump regular grade fuel for less than a dollar a litre.
Here in Parrsboro Self Serve Gas was selling for 99.7 cents a litre.. Amherst was selling Self Serve Gas for 98.0 cents a litre.
5.) -- Gas Prices are finally below a Dollar!!! Yippie!
As of: November 6th, 2008 --
** Prices at Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro as of: November 6th,2008 are below:
--- Price for Self Serve is down 5.8 cents a litre & Full Serve gas is down 6.4 cents a litre & Full Serve Diesel is down 5.2 cents a litre as of From: Oct.24th,2008 --- Nov. 6th,2008.
** Regular is: $ 103.7 a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: 99.7 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: $ 103.1 a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: $ 106.4 a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: $ 112.2 a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
6.) "Province begins online restaurant inspection postings"
November 1st,2008
At least one local restaurant owner has mixed emotions about the new provincial move that will see inspection results of restaurants being posted online for the public to view.
." Since the decision to post the inspections online, the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia has thrown its support behind the move. Gordon Stewart, executive director of the association, says the association welcomes the inclusion of the reports to the industry and the marketplace. "Allowing customers access to information is a right that they deserve and our industry is happy to oblige," he said. "Our association always advocates open and transparent business practices."
To find inspection results here locally or anywhere in N.S. online...
Go to: http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/foodsafety/reports/
7.) "Bay of Fundy named to 7 Wonders list"
October - November, 2008.
PARRSBORO – The Bay of Fundy has been nominated as a participant in a new worldwide contest for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
The contest will choose seven areas that will be considered the top natural wonders of the world. There are only seven Canadian sites participating in the contest and the Bay of Fundy is the only one in the Maritimes.
“Canadians are increasingly becoming aware of the significance of the Bay of Fundy as a national nature tourism icon,” said Terri McCulloch, Bay of Fundy tourism manager. “Now a reputable international organization, New 7 Wonders, considers us worthy of joining such international natural attractions as Mount Everest, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Grand Canyon in a worldwide contest for the top seven.”
The Bay of Fundy has been compared in marine biodiversity to the Amazon Rainforest.
In addition to having the highest tides in the world, the Bay of Fundy achieved nominee status thanks to its geological discoveries that contribute to global fossil and dinosaur history; its arguably the best site in the world for tidal power potential; through migrations of fish, birds and mammals, it’s biologically linked to the Arctic, the Caribbean, South America and Europe; it has more species of marine mammals than anywhere else in Canada, and possibly North America.
Voting for the new seven natural wonders of the world begins Dec. 31st, 2008.
Supporters can log onto www.bayoffundytourism.com
A Big Thank You to Terri McCulloch for this opportunity...
Great Work Terri... :-)
You can follow this on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=17828118309
8.) " Parrsboro Community Radio - CiCR 99.1 fm Parrsboro is now on the air full time - 7 days a week! "
As of: September,2008.
Parrsboro Community Radio is a group of volunteers who help make Parrsboro a nicer place to live...
As of September 19th,2008, we are proud to tell you we are on he air 'FULL TIME'. We offer FM Stereo music that is requested by you the listener. Our volunteers work all hours of the day and night to play this music, gather announcements from Parrsboro activities and talk about them on the air. We also keep you informed of the weather and advisories when needed plus, thanks to our great sponsors we bring you interviews and comments from all around Parrsboro.
9.) "The "New" US Elected President is Obama"
November 5th, 2008.
Hurray for Obama... History in the making!!!!!!!
Make a Difference Obama!!!!!!!
US Election Results CNN has projected who won... It is Obama.. :-)
As of our time here in Parrsboro... Hats off to ya Obama... Make all of us proud... Especially in the USA!!!
:-)
Poll Results as of: 1:05am (Parrsboro N.S. Time):
338 - Obama
155 - McCain
As of November 6th, 2008 & After - Please Check out: http://www.cnn.com
for all new happenings with the U.S. & Obama...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News Headlines from January 4th, 2009.
1.) Gas Prices stay the same price at the Self Serve Pumps but go up at the Full Serve pump & Diesel prices go up this week as well in Parrsboro...
Gas & Diesel Prices at: Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S. as of: January 4th, 2009 are Below:
** Regular is: 79.7 cents a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: 72.3 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 75.7 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: 79.1 cents a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: 88.4 a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
2.) "Commercial tidal power won't be on stream for years"
December, 2008.
Harnessing the Bay of Fundy tides to generate electricity on a commercial basis is at least seven years away and the project may need an influx of taxpayer money to proceed, Nova Scotia’s deputy energy minister admitted Tuesday.
"The earliest possible date (of being commercial) is 2015," Alison Scott told members of a legislative committee. "These are early days."
Ms. Scott was presenting an update on the province’s $45-million effort to test three underwater turbines in the Bay of Fundy starting next year.
The project was announced last January at the Parrsboro Community Centre and heralded as a dramatic step forward in the province’s drive to find renewable energy sources.
"Right now, (tidal power) is not competitive with other sources of renewable energy," Ms. Scott said Tuesday. "If I can leave you with one message, it ought to be this: (tidal energy in the Bay of Fundy) is an emerging technology and it is pre-commercial."
She said wind farm developers selling electricity to Nova Scotia Power are being paid eight to nine cents per kilowatt hour and tidal power is more expensive to produce than wind at this time.
Nova Scotia Power and its partner, OpenHydro of Ireland, intend to put an underwater turbine in the water next year.
The other two developers, Clean Current of British Columbia and Minas Basin Pulp and Power Co. of Hantsport, are planning to install their underwater devices in the spring of 2010 after an underwater cable is installed to carry the electricity back to shore.
Each of the turbines will cost an estimated $10 million to $15 million to design and construct for the harsh environment of the Bay of Fundy.
Minas Basin Pulp and Power has had to scrap its proposed underwater kite technology and is trying to find a replacement device. Queens MLA Vicki Conrad asked Tuesday whether Nova Scotia Power and its partner might hit some "snags" because of the ailing economy that might prevent them from connecting their turbine to the power grid for testing in 2010.
"It’s difficult to anticipate what the economic climate may be like," Ms. Scott responded. "Our focus is to get it to be commercial."
Minas Basin was also awarded the contract to build a $14-million common test site. That facility, to be constructed with public and private money, will receive electricity from the turbines and process data.
Ms. Scott said Minas Basin has applied to ACOA for tidal project funding.
"It’s possible we may need to help them out, not necessarily with provincial money, but other sources of funding as we go forward," she said.
"It’s really a question of uncharted territory. Only one other entity has built one of the demonstration facilities in the world to date," she told reporters after the meeting.
Minas Basin was supposed to make an announcement by the end of November on where the turbines will be installed but that has yet to come.
The company told The Chronicle Herald last month it has chosen the Minas Passage area of the Minas Channel west of Parrsboro as the best spot for the demonstration site.
3.) "Tidal energy interest cresting worldwide"
December, 2008.
The world’s leading tidal energy technology companies continue to develop, build, test and improve their new in-stream tidal turbines. Six tidal energy development companies have plans to install commercial tidal farms in the next two to three years.
For example, Marine Current Turbines, a U.K. company, will install a 10.5 MW tidal farm in Wales. Hammerfest Strom, a Norweigan company, is planning a project in the 15 to 60 MW range in Scotland and Ireland. Open Hydro, an Irish company, has signed initial agreements to install a four to 10 MW plant in France.
Partnerships are forming between tidal developers and large energy companies like ScottishPower, EDF Energy and Emera. Governments, particularly in the U.K., are providing incentives to help developers get to the other side of high start-up costs.
We are drawing closer to the time when we will be generating energy from our oceans in a major way – energy that does not produce carbon dioxide, that is available virtually forever, and at a cost that is predicted eventually to be similar to the cost of wind energy.
The Atlantic region is playing a significant role on the international tidal energy stage.
Important values and goals have been established as a result of the recently completed Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Bay of Fundy.
Nova Scotia Power will demonstrate a one MW OpenHydro tidal turbine and Clean Current will demonstrate a 2.2 MW turbine near Black Rock, west of Parrsboro, by 2010.
Minas Basin Pulp & Power will lead in the development of the $12-million common test facility so the demonstrators can deliver their electricity to the grid.
If all goes well with the demonstrations in the Bay of Fundy, commercial in-stream turbine installations are the next major step.
If we act boldly, co-operatively and quickly, Atlantic Canada can leverage the good start we have made and become the centre of an international renewable ocean energy industry.
Atlantic Canada is ideally located to become the gateway to North America and beyond for the new, largely U.K.-based, tidal technologies. The region’s capabilities in marine research, engineering, services and industry could be used to add value and undertake further innovation and development on this side of the Atlantic.
There is no shortage of potential opportunity, with in excess of 15,000 MW of free flow capacity in Canada and 10,000 MW in the U.S. The jurisdiction that is first and best at facilitating the ocean energy industry will win the industry. This has been borne out by countries such as Denmark, Germany and the U.K., which have built, or are building, huge industries around wind, solar and ocean resources respectively.
These countries began with a vision of what could be, and then capitalized on the opportunities they identified. Building an attractive investment environment was key to their success. As a result, new green industries developed and prospered.
Atlantic Canada should do no less.
Ron Scott is president, Maritime Tidal Energy Corporation.
4.) "Nova Scotia man pleads guilty to ‘extraordinarily violent assault’ on wife"
December, 2008.
By: The Canadian Press
A Nova Scotia man has pleaded guilty to what the Crown describes as an ‘‘extraordinarily violent assault’’.
Norman Lawrence Meekins, 32, of Lower Five Islands, faces 22 months in jail for hitting his wife, Sheila, on the head with a loaded rifle last Friday night.
Court heard that the assault took place in front of the couple’s three-year-old daughter.
Meekins, appearing in a court in Truro, also pleaded guilty to making death threats, pointing a firearm, unlawful storage of a 12-gauge shotgun and breaching court orders.
In addition to the jail term, Meekins was placed on probation for three years and is prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years.
5.) "2008 A Year in Review.."
-- A look back at the people and events that shaped our year!!!!
IN: CUMBERLAND COUNTY
BY: ANDREW WAGSTAFF
From: The Amherst Citizen
January, 2009.
Click on this link to take ya there to view: http://www.citizenweekly.com/index.cfm?sid=204314&sc=136
6.) "Nova Scotia Province to review MVI process"
December, 2008.
Nova Scotia will review the way motor vehicle inspections are done in the province, Service Nova Scotia Minister Jamie Muir says.
The minister said the review will look at the procedures themselves as well as whether vehicles, particularly newer ones, need to be inspected every year.
The province changed the inspection procedures in February 2007, saying it wanted to make roads safer and cut down on fraudulent and deficient checks. The cost of the inspections rose to $25 from $15.50.
"Clearly when this was put in, it was safety that was paramount," Mr. Muir said Friday. "I guess really if it doesn’t improve safety, then one might ask yourself, does it have to be done as frequently as it is. With some of the newer cars, to be quite frank, they last a lot longer than they used to."
Mr. Muir said he asked for a review almost six weeks ago and the fact The Chronicle Herald published two front page stories Friday featuring people critical of the MVI system is coincidental. He said he didn’t make a formal announcement because the details are still being worked out.
"We’re a little bit ahead of the criticism, I guess," the minister said.
In one article, Paul Westhaver of Dartmouth expressed his frustration with the provincial system, saying he believes it only benefits mechanics and garages doing mandatory annual inspections. He said two garages failed the 1999 Dodge Neon he gave to his son but each offered different reasons. In another article, George Smith, manager of traffic safety for the Canada Safety Council, said the compulsory yearly inspections aren’t necessary and probably don’t make streets any safer.
Mr. Muir said there were a number of complaints when the change first took place nearly two years ago, but things had been relatively quiet since then until the articles appeared in Friday’s newspaper. He said the province does about 650,000 inspections a year on passenger vehicles and this year received fewer than 80 formal complaints
The province has yet to choose someone to conduct the review, which he hopes will start early in the new year, Mr. Muir said.
"We are beginning to get information from inside and will also probably get someone to take a look at it from the outside," he said, adding accident reports will be one of the items to be collected and studied.
Queens MLA Vicki Conrad wrote a letter Friday to Mr. Muir, asking him for an immediate and independent review of the MVI procedures.
"I’m pretty certain there are consumers out there who see this as an unnecessary fee, especially those folks who generally keep their vehicles well-maintained," she said.
"Is this more aggressive motor vehicle inspection procedure making vehicles safer on our roads? Is it actually making a difference?"
Ms. Conrad said it’s clear from the comments posted on The Chronicle Herald’s website since the articles were published that consumers aren’t happy with the system. Many of the dozens of posters said they had bad experiences of their own getting vehicles inspected.
She said many people take their car in for servicing — she takes her 2006 Volkswagen Jetta about twice a year — and if there are things that need to be fixed, the mechanics will point them out at that time.
7.) "Parrsboro Mayor looks back, and ahead to 2009"
-- Fire services, sewer rates, recreation, election among issues discussed from past year...
January, 2008.
Read all about it at: http://www.citizenweekly.com/index.cfm?sid=205969&sc=136
8.) " The global economic slowdown hit Amherst on Thursday when C-Vision in the Amherst and Area"
December, 2008.
An Amherst electronics contract manufacturer is cutting its workforce by nearly a third because of tough economic times.
C-Vision, in the industrial park is cutting 38 jobs at the same time that another firm, Waldale Manufacturing, is cutting about a fifth of its 50-person workforce.
"The reason for the layoff is due to a decrease in client demand as a result of the downtown in the global economy," company president Chuck Cartmill said in a news release.
Cartmill said a number of his company's clients have scaled down their operations because of economic conditions and that impact has trickled down to affect C-Vision.
He said the company has established a call-in list to bring the affected employees back to work as production demand builds.
The layoffs are the first for what has become a very successful operation that was purchased by Cartmill in 2002. From one employee, the company has continued to grow over the last six years and expand into aerospace and military sectors.
Cartmill expects things to rebound soon for his company.
"It's really unfortunate that this happened, but sometimes that stuff happens," Cartmill said, adding he doesn't expect the slowdown to be long lasting. "We're just getting ready to ramp up our LED project and thought it would get us through the transition. Unfortunately there's a bit of a gap there and in real life things don't happen that smooth."
C-Vision and its sister company LED Roadway Lighting Ltd. has invested more than $3 million in research and development on what the company says is the world's greenest street/roadway lighting system that will be manufactured in Amherst.
It plans to announce a number of test sites across North America and the Middle East in the first quarter of 2009.
It has also invested $4 million in the development of its aerospace and defence capabilities.
"We plan on keeping growing the business. We have some exciting things going on here and we're confident things will turn around soon," he said.
Amherst's new mayor Robert Small said he talked to officials at C-Vision and is optimistic the layoffs will be temporary.
"Every job is important and it's unfortunate that this had to happen," Small said. "We've seen it in Cape Breton and now we're starting to see it here. Hopefully that'll be the extent of it."
Waldale's cut is seasonal in nature. The company produces license plates for markets in Canada, the United States and internationally.
"We go through this cycle at this time almost every year because that's how government contracts go," said company official Todd Lawrence. "Last year we didn't have that because we had a lot of Caribbean and Latin America work in the plant. We don't have that this year."
Lawrence expects most of those employees to be called back to work early in 2009.
Waldale Manufacturing, formerly locally owned, was sold to an international partnership including industry giants Utsch AG of Germany and Australia's George Industries in 2005.
9.) "Lots of talk but no clues after skull found"
December, 2008.
PARRSBORO - Local lore to the discovery of a human skull recently found beneath a church in Springhill is virtually void of clues for investigators, Cumberland RCMP say.
“Nothing has come in reference to the skull,” Const. Paul Calder said. “There’s a lot of chatter but nothing concrete.”
Construction workers discovered the human remains beneath the Parrsboro United Church mid-November while renovating the church basement. The area of the church being renovated was built in 1947. The church itself was constructed in 1860 by Isaac Crowe and John Allen on lands donated by Vickie Davison.
Following the discovery of the skull the RCMP Medical Examiners office was brought in to investigate. RCMP are still awaiting the medical examiners findings.
10.) "Time's Up"
-- Looking for last minute gifts...
December, 2008.
Shoppers were out in numbers Tuesday picking up those last minute gifts for their loved ones this season.
But for some, it was the start of their gift-buying.
"I'm pretty much just starting, like every other man," said Kevin Tracey with a laugh. "I'm not looking for a lot, just a couple of things for family."
Despite the number of people shopping and the closeness of Christmas Day, Tracey is confident he'll find what he's looking for, and hoped to be done before supper yesterday.
"If I don't get it all done, I'll do it after I get off work at midnight," he said, citing the fact that Wal-mart is open 24 hours until Christmas. "But everybody is probably thinking the same thing."
Stores will be open today, with the mall closing at 5 p.m.
Also:
1.) Gas Prices take a major jump in prices at the Self Serve Pumps & at the Full Serve pumps & Diesel prices also take a major jump too this week in N.S. as well as here in Parrsboro...
Gas & Diesel Prices at: Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S. as of: January 13th, 2009 are Below:
** Regular is: 84.6 cents a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: 80.6 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 84.0 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: 87.3 cents a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: $100.2 a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
2.) "Skull mystery slowly unfolding & the Skull found in parrsboro may be from a family burial"
January 10th, 2009.
PARRSBORO - When a human skull was discovered beneath a Parrsboro church in November, Nova Scotia’s medical examiner called upon the same expert used by the Miami Dade Police Department.
No, it’s not the fictional Horatio Caine.
Every two years the real Miami-Dade Police call upon Halifax?s Saint Mary's University to send forensic anthropologist Dr. Tanya Peckmann and her graduate students to the Florida city to assist with the excavation of suspected crime scenes. As the tapes roll nearby on another episode of the popular TV show “CSI Miami” Peckmann is handling the real cases.
"Sometimes they're filming just two blocks away from us," Dr. Peckmann said. "I wish things were as fast as they are on television."
Contracted by the medical examiner’s office to conduct excavations and forensic investigations in Nova Scotia, Dr. Peckmann arrived in Parrsboro in November to handle the excavation of the human skull found beneath the church with four of her grad students.
Driving to the scene, she said, is when the forensic work begins.
"Usually the four of us talk about terrain; if there's water near the burial, if it's a clandestine burial. All of it relates to how long it will take us."
The Parrsboro skull, however, posed a unique challenge and a career first for Peckmann.
"I've never excavated underneath a church before. It was really neat. It was an interesting case because of the history of the site."
Along with the skull, the forensic team discovered wood fragments and galvanized nails. While a 20th century process, galvanizing began in the 19th century and by analyzing the empirical data, Peckmann began to conclude she had an archeological investigation on her hands and not a forensic investigation.
"If the individual has been deceased 50 years or more it becomes an archeological investigation," she said.
Built in three phases, Peckmann said the Parrsboro United Baptist Church was first constructed in the 1800s with additions in 1945 and 1967. It was underneath the 1945 section of the building the human skull was found by construction workers. She estimates the skull dates to between the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Prior to her arrival in Nova Scotia, Peckmann worked in South Africa's Cape Town where millennia of civilizations are buried beneath the soil.
"It's a really old, historic city. It's not uncommon for someone to dig a pool and find human remains."
And therein lies the mentality of western civilizations response to finding human remains. With North America being a relatively new civilization Peckmann said it is natural to assume the worse.
From previous experience, the Parrsboro skull mystery, she said, could be less nefarious than some would assume.
"No one is going to dig underneath the church to bury a body," Peckmann said. "It was underneath the basement, which was about 10 feet down and quite far from the edge. No one would tunnel like that.
"What happens - and it happens often in rural communities that were farmland - someone says, 'I want to be buried under the oak tree,' and the site goes without a tombstone. We've had a couple of cases [like that]."
Students in Peckmann's forensic anthropology program graduate with a Masters of Science in Applied Science. Through a co-operation agreement with the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner’s Office, students receive eight months of hands-on experience in excavating potential crime scenes as well as autopsies. The only program of its kind in Canada, students intern with Peckmann every second year in Miami.
3.) "Shine a light"
-- Officials say landmark beacon in Parrsboro harbour in no danger of going dark...
January 10th, 2009.
For more than 150 years a lighthouse has watched over Parrsboro’s harbour, and a community effort is afoot to keep it that way.
A group of local citizens has met with officials from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), and is now considering forming an organization to preserve and protect the landmark building.
“As it stands now, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is maintaining the equipment in the building but they are very reluctant to do any maintenance to the building itself,” explained Truman Johnson, a member of the Parrsboro Harbour Commission. “At some point, when the building reaches a point where it is no longer viable to keep equipment in it, they will tear the building down.”
For that reason, Johnson and two other harbour commission members put 300 hours of volunteer work over the past two years scraping, painting and other upkeep to keep it going.
“It was just a patch-up job to make sure it didn’t reach the point where they decided to come in with a bulldozer and eliminate it,” he said.
Through the coast guard branch of the DFO, Johnson said they did receive a lot of cooperation for repairs.
Should the DFO decide to divest itself of the lighthouse building, like Transport Canada did with the wharf more than seven years ago, Johnson said a local group could be formed either under the umbrella of the harbour commission or as a separate entity to continue maintaining the building.
But a coast guard official responsible for the lighthouse said there are no plans to divest the Parrsboro lighthouse, and any such talk should only be considered “rumour.”
“There is nothing on the books... it’s not even scheduled for what we call a cyclical review,” explained Dave Carlson, acting superintendent for aids to navigation for the Canadian Coast Guard, Maritime region. “There is nothing planned for the whole area. Rest assured, anyone in the area, there is nothing planned for that lighthouse.”
As far as Carlson is concerned, he said the Parrsboro lighthouse would continue to serve as a navigational aid, and the coast guard would continue to maintain and take responsibility for the lighthouse for the foreseeable future.
If any decisions were ever made to divest the building, he said they would be done so with strict consultation with the local community.
“When we do something like that we have a formal process and send people out in the field, public meetings are made... the whole nine yards,” said Carlson. “We just don’t do anything like that without consultation. We consult users, and anyone interested from the general public is also invited.”
Cottage owners on Lighthouse Road have been complaining for years about the deteriorating condition of the gravel access road to the lighthouse that runs by their cottages, but that has not created problems for Johnson and the other volunteers, who have accessed the lighthouse either by boat or by walking across at low tide.
“It’s still an issue for the cottage owners, but, as far as we’re concerned, it’s a separate issue,” he said. “If we take over the lighthouse, it will only be the building and perhaps 50 feet of land surrounding it. The breakwater will remain under DFO.”
If a local group were to take over the lighthouse, it would have to raise funds on its own to cover costs for maintenance, according to Johnson, who said they raised $1,000 through donations from seven people to do the last work.
So, why do all this work for a building?
“I think it’s a part of the heritage of the town,” said Johnson. “It’s a tourist attraction. You see a lot of people go down and sit on the beach to look at it, and take a lot of pictures of it. And, although the DFO doesn’t really admit it, a lot of boaters still use it, especially the small pleasure craft, because they don’t have all the latest technology. It’s nice to have a beacon light to get back home.”
Parrsborough Shore Historical Society president Frank Hartman agrees. Although the society has yet to take a position on the matter, he said he too recognizes the value of the building to the community.
“It’s not something I would want to see the town lose,” he said. “It’s a beautiful landmark out there. It’s historical.”
The harbour commission will hold another meeting in February, during which Johnson plans to propose the commission be prepared to take over the lighthouse through an umbrella group.
4.) "Second place a victory for Fundy"
January 10th, 2009.
The results are in, and the Bay of Fundy has finished second in the first phase of the international New7Wonders of Nature contest.
Of course, the news is a little disappointing for those who followed the campaign and were hopeful that the site would finish first among the five Canadian sites selected for the contest. The first place finisher, Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, will move on the next phase, when the list of sites around the world is narrowed down to 77.
But this experience is the latest in a long list of positive stories coming from this part of the world, which already boasts the world’s highest tides, an incredible biodiversity, a freshly minted UNESCO?site at the Joggins fossil cliffs and exciting new green energy developments.
The fact that the Bay of Fundy finished ahead of world class attractions like Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador, Long Point Sand Spit in Ontario and Perce Rock in Quebec is an incredible feather in our cap.
Now is the time to congratulate those who worked hard to garner so much support for the Bay of Fundy in this contest, and introduce the site to even more people around the world. Terri McCulloch has been promoting this region for years, and her tireless efforts should not go unrecognized.
People who live in this part of the world have always taken pride in its unique nature, although perhaps we have had a tendency to take for granted how fortunate we really are.
The international exposure gained from this contest will not only serve to make the rest of the world more aware of what we have here, but also to remind ourselves of what we have in our backyards.
5.) " Fundy Phantoms lose in overtime"
January 10th, 2009.
The Fundy Phantoms may not have won their first two games of the New Year but the games they played were very close.
On Saturday they traveled to Halifax to play the Halifax Thunder who sit at second place in the Central division standings with a 15-3-0-0 record.
They lost that game 3-2 in regulation.
On Sunday they hosted the Avon River Rats who are third in the Central division with a record of 14-7-0-0.
They pushed the Rats into overtime, losing 3-2 with 2:18 left in the extra frame.
On Saturday, Andrew Rideout and James Chisolm scored for the Phantoms, with Stevely Wood getting an assist.
On Sunday it was Alex Matthews and Denis Robichaud getting goals for the Phantoms and Julian McCully getting the helper.
Up next for the Phantoms is the second leg of their home and home stand against the River Rats on Saturday night in Avon.
6.) "Dinosaurs stomp bay’s seven wonders bid"
January 10th, 2009.
Terri McCulloch didn’t get her champagne breakfast Wednesday.
"I had the glasses polished and the bubbly on ice in anticipation, but we came up short, so I guess I’ll just have to wait for another day to enjoy it," said the Parrsboro resident. She had just learned the bid to have the Bay of Fundy declared one of the world’s new seven natural wonders fell short.
"I’m disappointed because so many people worked so hard, but on the other hand, coming in second doesn’t negate the fact that we did a great deal to raise the profile of the Bay of Fundy as a world-calibre tourism destination."
Ms. McCulloch has led the Bay of Fundy Tourism Partnership effort to get the designation since the Swiss-based New7Wonders Foundation launched the New7Wonders of Naturecompetition last July.
The foundation was created by Swiss-born filmmaker, author and adventurer Bernard Weber to protect the world’s "man-made and natural heritage and foster respect for cultural diversity."
The bay had to be the top Canadian site in order to remain in the multi-tiered competition that saw the first phase end when voting ceased on Dec. 31. Voters cast their ballots on the Internet.
Other Canadian sites in the competition were Alberta’s Dinosaur Provincial Park, Ontario’s Long Point Sand Spit, Quebec’s Rocher-Perce (Pierced Rock) and Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park.
When the society stopped showing the results on its Internet site on Dec. 30, the bay was slightly ahead, but Ms. McCulloch, even though she started the bubbly cooling, knew the final 24 hours of voting would be crucial.
The Bay of Fundy and Dinosaur Provincial Park — the eventual winner — were in a see-saw battle to see who would be Canada’s representative in the next stage of the competition.
While disappointed she had to take the bubbly off the ice, Ms. McCulloch said Canadians should get behind Dinosaur Provincial Park.
The park is now competing against 181 other sites from around the world. Voting is now open and the second stage will end on July 7 when the top 77 sites are selected.
7.) "Bus that will change lives ready to go"
January 10th, 2009.
DORA FULLER’S dream is coming true...
"I plan on being one of the first to use the service," the beaming Parrsboro resident said Monday as she toured a new $90,000 bus purchased by the Cumberland County Transportation Services Society. It will provide transportation for rural Cumberland County residents who need to get to Amherst to see their doctor or for other appointments.
"I’ve been working since 1995 to get such a service," said Ms. Fuller, 81. "I even went so far as to buy a bus. It’s still sitting in my yard. Seeing this new bus and knowing the service has finally arrived is fantastic."
Her efforts with that bus didn’t get rolling, but Ms. Fuller wouldn’t let her dream die. She persuaded officials with the Southampton, Parrsboro, Advocate Region community health board to become involved. They in turn teamed up with community health boards representing Springhill, Amherst, Oxford and Pugwash, and with Saint Mary’s University to conduct studies that confirmed there was a need.
Meanwhile, a group known as Amherst Community Transportation was formed by the local Canadian Association for Community Living at about the same time to find a way to provide transportation for mentally and physically challenged people in the Amherst area.
Both groups approached Service Nova Scotia, only to be told the province would only assist one group in the county.
"The logical thing was to join forces," said Lois Wightman, a former member of Amherst Community Transportation who like Ms. Fuller is now a director in the new bus service.
They officially came together last spring. Since then, they have raised $100,000 through government and private sources, $90,000 of which went to purchase the new accessible bus that can seat 14 people or accommodate 10 people and two wheelchairs.
The committee will use the remaining $10,000 and another $29,000 from the province to get the non-profit bus service operational by the end of the month.
It will serve the Parrsboro-Advocate area on Tuesdays and the Pugwash area on Thursdays.
People will have to call the society to reserve a ride. They will be picked up at their door and taken to and from their appointments in Amherst. Local doctors have agreed to set up appointments to coincide with the bus service.
Society president Barry Patriquin said he’s sure that once people use the bus service, "they will want to use it over and over and over again."
The service was welcomed by the Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association, a group that has been pushing for such a service for more than eight years. Cumberland County Coun. John Reid is also happy with the new service.
"This is the first time the communities of River Hebert-Joggins have had access to public transportation of any kind. I’m sure it will be well-used," he said.
"Casey calls it a career" - After almost two decades in Parliament, veteran MP will not re-offer in next election.
Wednesday January 14th, 2009.
One of Nova Scotia’s most popular politicians is calling it a career.
Independent Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley MP Bill Casey dropped a political bombshell early Tuesday announcing he will not be a candidate in the next federal election.
“The reason I’m announcing it now is I just want to make sure everyone knows the deck is clear in the event that an election does result from the budget in two weeks,” the 63-year-old Brookdale resident said. “I don't think that will happen, but I want to be prepared. I just want to make sure everyone knows I won’t be running and I hope some really good candidates will offer.”
First elected to the House of Commons in 1988 as a Progressive Conservative, Casey was defeated by Liberal Dianne Brushett in 1993.
He returned to Ottawa in 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2006.
He was expelled from the Conservative caucus in June 2007 after voting against the government's budget, but he ran as an Independent in last October's federal election romping to a massive victory winning 69 per cent of the popular vote.
Casey said he discussed his political future with wife, Rosemary, and decided the time is right for him to step aside should an election occur. Right now he plans to remain as the MP until the next election, but won't rule retiring before then.
"I made the decision quite some time ago, but with the political situation in Ottawa right now and the potential of the vote I'm announcing it now," he said.
During his time in Ottawa, Casey has represented three ridings: Cumberland-Colchester, North Nova and Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit. He has served under eight leaders and five prime ministers and held a variety of posts including transport critic, national revenue critic, foreign affairs critic and international trade critic as well as deputy party whip.
He was demoted from his deputy whip's position following the 2006 vote, a move some pundits saw as punishment for his support of Belinda Stronach in the leadership race and for his criticism of Stephen Harper's appointment of former Liberal cabinet minister David Emerson to the Conservative cabinet.
"I have had my differences with Mr. Harper, or Mr. Harper has had his differences with me," Casey said. "I have never had a problem with the party. I have no hard feelings towards the party or anyone. I have had a wonderful career and worked with some amazing people. I learned a lot about my riding, my province and my country that I never would have gotten to know."
The veteran politician said his decision is not related to his health. Casey twice fought cancer and won, including having his prostate removed last year.
"All my health reports have been positive and this has nothing to do with health," said Casey. "There's a best before date for everybody in this business and this is the time for me to do this."
Casey said he's interested in moving forward and is considering other things. That does not include a run for provincial politics. The Progressive Conservatives are continuing to look for a candidate in Cumberland North to replace Ernie Fage, who was expelled from the provincial caucus after being convicted of leavinv the scene of an accident in Halifax.
He hasn't decided if he'll support the next Conservative candidate in the federal riding. He his hoping that his announcing early that he won't run may provide the nudge other candidates need to run.
"I know how difficult it is for someone to run against an incumbent in Nova Scotia. That's why I'm announcing there won't be an incumbent in the next election," Casey said. "Maybe there are some people out there who want to run but don't want to run against an incumbent. I'm not invincible, but I am the incumbent."
3.) "Nova Scotians bracing for more snow"
Tuesday January 13th, 2009.
Environment Canada said "a low-pressure system is forecast to develop along the eastern seaboard and approach the Maritimes from the southwest" Tuesday night.
Environment Canada said "an extensive area of snow will first spread across the province (Tuesday) evening. The precipitation will change to rain over southern and eastern sections. Heavy snow with some freezing rain is expected from Annapolis County to Colchester County to Cumberland County."
** Guess they didn't guess this storm right tis time??? **
-- Yippie!!! No Snowstorm....
Do we not! Just have the best Weather Forecaster's in Canada that can tell the Weather?? HaHaHa...
That was a joke by the way! :-).
-- P.S. By the way they are perdicting another bad snowstorm for Sunday into Monday on Jan. 18th - 19th, 2009... 25cm to 35cm.. Wonder how many times this will change before then.. The question is.. "Will they guess it right this time!!!"
4.) "Home heating prices vary.. Why??
The Truro Daily News
January 13th, 2009.
The following is a list of home heating oil prices gathered Tuesday from area distributors:
Bluewave Energy 74.9
G & G Home Heating 76.9
Co-op Fuels 70.9
Wilson Fuels 72.9
Patton’s Fuel Service 72.9
Esso Home Heat 71.9
Irving Oil Limited 72.9
Langille Fuels 74.9
Home Climate Superline Fuels 73.9
Note: Prices do not include HST.
"New" News up to February 5th, 2009.....
1.) "All Cumberland County Employers urged to work with their employees in tough times"
January 27th, 2009.
Tougher economic times should bring employers and employees closer together in a working relationship that will help companies overcome the challenges presented by a deepening recession.
“In the end it goes back to business fundamentals and focusing on your employees,” said Mildred Royer, who spoke to members of the Amherst and Area Chamber of Commerce last night. “It’s also about how you focus your employees on getting through the crisis and working with them so they feel like part of the solution and not part of the problem.”
Royer is president of Royer Thompson, a well-established, successful human resources consulting firm in Halifax.
She has been meeting with business leaders and chambers of commerce across Nova Scotia giving her unique perspective on how world events are impacting human resource management for Atlantic Canadian companies.
Her presentation, ‘People: Atlantic Canada’s Most Precious Resource,’ calls on business to reach to employees as partners.
“Whether they are family business owners, or the owners of large corporations it’s up to employers to use straight talk with their employees. Talk to your employees directly about what’s happening and what they can anticipate,” she said. “Give them as much information as possible and seek their input.”
She said it’s important for business to continually update employees and seek their advice in finding solutions. Most importantly, she added, is treating the workers like the precious resource they are.
“The main thing is not to lose focus,” she said, adding that it is important for companies to deal with things they have put off in the past. “You have to deal with non-performers and have your employees focusing on contingencies and how they are going to address something if it falls off the rails.”
By developing an adaptable workforce and keeping employees in the loop as to what’s happening, she feels it’s those workers who can play a prominent role in guiding a company through tough times.
She said it’s important for companies to strive retain their top performers, pointing out that should be every company’s focus in good times and bad.
Royer said it’s important for employees to keep the faith and remain loyal to their employer.
“Be there to do the little extra and don’t be afraid to put yourself forward. The employees who will survive are the ones who continue to make a contribution every day to an organization and seek a new way of doing things,” she said.
2.) " All N.S. communities are now feeling the pinch of the oil patch slowdown as job losses mount"
Jan.27th, 2009.
Allan MacDonald didn’t think the good times would ever end... But They Have!!!
The Cape Bretoner and his young wife were living in a $320,000 home, driving two brand new cars and pulling in an income that would make his friends back in New Waterford, N.S., blush.
But five years after moving to Alberta in search of riches and a regular paycheque, MacDonald and many of his neighbours are back on the island with uncertain job prospects and doubts about the faltering economic miracle that has funnelled millions into their communities.
‘‘I didn’t think it would actually happen,’’ he said of the drop in oil prices and resulting work slowdowns that have cost many of his friends their jobs.
‘‘For my first three years there, everything was climbing, like the prices of homes, everything. But in the last two years everything seems to be like it’s dying. Nobody’s spending money. Everybody’s trying to keep above water.’’
MacDonald, who recently moved his wife and five-week-old baby in with his mother in New Waterford while they try to sell their home back in Alberta, is one of a growing number of people from the East who are either out of work or waiting for things in the oil patch to pick up again.
The 29-year-old was working as a motor hand on a drill rig in Grande Prairie, hauling in more than $125,000 annually and riding on assurances that there would be steady work for years to come.
But as oil prices fell and global markets tanked, MacDonald said he was spending more time at home with no pay as projects stalled or were cancelled outright. In the end, he decided to transfer to New Brunswick where his company is involved in gas exploration.
Still, he hasn’t worked since late last year.
‘‘It’s pretty crappy right now,’’ he said, adding that three of his wife’s uncles are either waiting for calls to go back or will soon be heading home. ‘‘There are quite a few people home now. A lot of guys are returning.’’
The trend is worrisome for many of the small, economically depressed towns throughout Atlantic Canada that saw men and women head west in droves for the promise of quick cash.
New Waterford became an epicentre for the phenomenon as half the population drained away to Alberta, leaving wives and children at home to receive paycheques and visits from the largely male workforce every few weeks.
But the streets are beginning to fill again with the men who have gone through this migratory rite of passage, and are now stuck home awaiting calls back to work that aren’t coming.
‘‘We’ve seen a major influx of people,’’ said Carrie Ernst, manager of the Employment Resource Centre in New Waterford, a former mining town that’s seen its population shrink to about 7,000 from about 12,000 a few decades ago.
‘‘Usually this time of year the guys have come home for Christmas and they’re on their way back out, but the opportunities that we see on a regular basis just simply aren’t there.’’
Calgary-based Flint Energy Services Ltd. (TSX:FES), which provides construction, transportation and other services to major energy producers, announced last week that it will lay off workers immediately.
Flint expects up to $150 million less in revenues this year because of oilsands giant Suncor Energy Inc.’s (TSX:SU) decision to put major expansion projects on hold.
Signs of the downturn started appearing months ago in New Waterford. Ads in the local paper seeking workers for the West disappeared and an airline that used to shuttle oil patch workers between Fort McMurray, Alta., and N.S., recently cancelled its weekly flight.
Ernst said she’s no longer getting calls from companies in Alberta in search of tradespeople and labourers.
Data shows that chronic outmigration has slowed in recent months in all Atlantic provinces, dealing a tough blow to people used to $29 an hour wages but who are now having trouble finding any work in N.S. communities saddled with unemployment rates of 13 per cent.
3.) "PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT"
Made on January 28th, 2009.
The Minas Basin Pulp & Power invites the public to a Enviroment Assessment on Thursday January, 29th, 2009.
This is to do with the Fundy Tidal Energy Demostration Project at 4pm - 9pm at the Parrsboro Legion Branch #45.
Schedule of Events:
- 4pm - 6:30pm - Opportunity for one on one interaction with the members of the techinal team.
- 6:30pm - 7:30pm - Project Overview Presentation.
- 7:30pm - 9pm - Discussion of issues of interest to the community with comments and questions & a answer forum.
You can visit them online at: http://www.minas.ns.ca/tidal
Check out their flyer in the pictures section of this group below...
4.) Parrsboro RCMP ramp up public safety message"
January 25th, 2009.
Parrsboro RCMP are stepping up public awareness to various safety issues regarding the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) beginning this weekend.
The focus of the new campaign will be on the following four sections of the MVA; school zone safety, speeding, stop signs and seatbelt usage.
“Another area we will be focusing on is an anti-drinking and driving campaign,” Parrsboro RCMP Const. Jeff Davidson said.
Davidson explained the four sections of the MVA to be focused on will divided into four separate weeks with stop sign safety January 25 - 31, school zones February 2 - 6, speeding February 7 - 14 and seatbelts February 15 - 20.
“We will be educating people on anti-drinking and driving throughout those weeks during the various check stops,” Davidson said.
“The idea behind the campaign is to raise awareness in the community on these issues rather than just pound everyone with tickets,” the RCMP officer said.
The campaign is a part of the country wide Road Safety Vision 2010. The goal of the Road Safety Vision 2010 is to have the safest roads by the year 2010.
“We’re focused on lowering the statistics in all of the H division,” Davidson said.
Along with various check stops throughout the campaign the Parrsboro Detachment has approached the elementary school for student participation by preparing posters encouraging people to wear seatbelts, driving safely and stopping for stop signs.
The plan for the finished posters is to have them displayed at various locations throughout the downtown area at local businesses.
5.) Gas Prices take "again"another jump in prices at the Self Serve Pumps & at the Full Serve pumps & Diesel prices go down in price this week here in Parrsboro...
Gas & Diesel Prices at: Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S. as of: January 28th, 2009 are Below:
** Regular is: 92.1 cents a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: 88.1 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 91.5 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: 94.9 cents a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: 99.1 cents a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
6.) "Feds funding innovation - Pair of Cumberland County Businesses receive more than $4 million in research funding from ACOA"
January 26th, 2009.
An innovative program to develop energy-efficient streetlights is one of two Cumberland County projects to receive funding through ACOA’s Atlantic Innovation Fund.
C-Vision, located in the Amherst and Area Industrial Park, is receiving approximately $3 million in research and development money over two years from the fund. The company will use the money to develop two new technological innovations in the field of command and control LED roadway lights.
“This will help us take that next step in terms of research and development,” company president Chuck Cartmill said following the announcement.
The project also has a goal of developing and incorporating renewable energy into outdoor lighting so as to significantly reduce energy consumption and provide remote and/or independent operation.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $4.2 million.
“This is long-term research and development and goes toward long-term sustainability and jobs,” Cartmill said.
“The contracting side of the business comes and goes, but when you have something you have developed on your own it’s really exciting to see it helping grow the business and create jobs.”
Cartmill said the base product for LED roadway lighting fixtures is in place and the company is in the process of gathering orders.
“There’s tremendous energy savings available from dimming and lowering the light levels at night when they’re not required,” he said. “More and more communities are looking for that type of thing.”
Cartmill is hoping the initiative will create some new jobs as early as this year, but it’s more likely it will be next year or 2011 when the full impact is felt.
Oxford Frozen Foods is working in conjunction with the Nova Scotia Agriculture College and Agi-Foods and Agriculture Canada on a project that will develop a number of new technologies that will increase harvestable yields of wild blueberries, reduce productions costs, increase productivity and improve product quality while at the same time enhancing environmental stewardship.
“What we’re really after is increase our harvestable yields and in combination with that really try to maintain if not improve product quality,” Dr. David Percival from NSAC said. “Along with that we want to maintain the environmental sustainability.”
The $3.9-million project is receiving $1.4 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a three-year period.
“This is cornerstone funding for this project,” he said, adding the project will also strive to reduce agri-chemicals. “We want to be able to development for proactive practices for managing these fields instead of being reactive by coming in and relying on fungicide or herbicide.”
National Defence and Atlantic Gateway Minister Peter MacKay announced $12.4 million in funding for six Nova Scotia projects on Friday in Halifax. In total, 24 projects totaling $51.8 million were announced for the Atlantic region.
1.) "Mother pleads guilty to killing her 12-year-old daughter in Bridgewater, N.S."
January 30th, 2009.
The mother of a girl whose body was found almost a year ago on a riverbank in Bridgewater, N.S., pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder in her daughter’s death.
Penny Boudreau was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for 20 years. She can apply for parole after 15 years under the so-called faint-hope clause.
She was charged with first-degree murder in the killing of her only child, Karissa, who was reported missing Jan. 27, 2008, as a snowstorm swept into the region.
Two days later, the tearful mother appeared before TV cameras, begging Karissa to come home and appealing to the public for help in finding the girl as search crews scoured a nearby river and wooded area.
Crown attorney Paul Scovil told the court that Boudreau strangled her daughter with a length of twine after the 34-year-old woman was given an ultimatum by her boyfriend.
Reading from an agreed statement of facts, Scovil told the court that Vernon Macumber told Boudreau that it was either him or her daughter if their relationship was to survive.
After a search and a tearful public appeal for her daughter’s return, the 12-year-old’s frozen remains were found by a passerby Feb. 9 on the bank of the LaHave River, on the outskirts of Bridgewater.
In her appeal for her daughter’s return, Boudreau said the pair had gone to a local grocery store and Karissa stayed in the car. When she returned, the child was gone, she said.
Scovil said Boudreau had gone to the store with Karissa and did leave her in the car. Inside, Penny called Macumber and told him Karissa had gone missing.
She then drove her daughter to a nearby road and told Karissa to get out of the car.
They argued and Penny tackled Karissa to the ground.
“Karissa said, `Mommy, don’t.”’ Scovil told the court as people in the public gallery sobbed.
Scovil said Boudreau pinned her daughter to the ground with her knees, wrapped the twine around her neck and strangled her.
She dragged the body back to the car, put the twine in an empty coffee cup and threw it away.
Boudreau then drove to the LaHave River where she rolled Karissa’s body down the riverbank. She later discarded some articles of clothing and a Croc sandal belonging to Karissa in a garbage can at a local swimming pool.
Boudreau, wearing a black T-shirt, stood up to address the court and said in an almost whisper: “I’m sorry.”
Crown attorney Denise Smith said Boudreau’s actions “defy any meaning we hold dear of what it means to be a mother.”
In a victim impact statement, the girl’s biological father, Paul Boudreau, wrote that “the centre of my happisness is shattered...with one selfish act.”
Outside the courthouse, Paul Boudreau said Penny Boudreau had shed “crocodile tears” over the death of her daughter.
“That’s all it’s ever been,” he said. “That’s all it ever will be.”
** The Picture & more info as well as many comments & views on this tragic story is in the picture section of this group...
Also:
You can watch the video on this tragic story as well in the Posted Items Section of this group..
2.) "New Tidal Partnership Established"
-- Parrsboro mayor says project will be boost for Parrsboro...
January 30th, 2009.
A Halifax tidal energy company that lost its bid to participate in the Bay of Fundy tidal test project isn’t upset its partner has teamed up with another Nova Scotia company.
"We don’t see it as setback in any way at all," Ron Scott, president of Maritime Tidal Energy Corp., said Friday.
Mr. Scott was reacting to news that its U.K. partner, Marine Current Turbines, has now joined forces with Minas Basin Pulp and Power of Hantsport.
Minas Basin announced Thursday it will use Marine Current’s SeaGen underwater turbine, which works like an underwater windmill, in a two-year demonstration project to get underway in 2010.
The U.K. firm has developed a leading tidal technology that is currently being tested in waters off Northern Ireland.
Minas Basin had to find a substitute technology after its proposal to use an underwater electric kite failed.
Last year the provincial government refused Maritime Tidal and Marine Current a berth at the proposed common testing site, instead choosing three other groups: Nova Scotia Power and its Irish partner, OpenHydro; Clean Current of British Columbia; Minas Basin and its partner UEK of Maryland.
Mr. Scott said there is still "room for a lot of players" in the race to harness the powerful Bay of Fundy tides to generate electricity for homes in Nova Scotia.
He said his company still has a "strong working relationship" with Marine Current and plans on using their SeaGen technology in the Bay of Fundy when the project moves from testing turbines into producing electricity commercially.
Maritime Tidal plans to install 20 turbines in the Bay of Fundy by 2013 to generate 30 megawatts of power, said Mr. Scott.
Minas Basin president Scott Travers told reporters Thursday that the partnership between Maritime Tidal and Marine Current had money problems.
"At that time (MCT) didn’t have the funding, didn’t have a partner like ourselves," said Mr. Travers. "I can’t give you the criteria as to why they backed out."
During the update Thursday on the proposed $59-million tidal project, Mr. Travers officially announced the site location for the turbines. The team has chosen Black Rock, located about 10 kilometres west of Parrsboro.
Parrsboro Mayor Doug Robinson said that’s good news for the town. "All the activity surrounding the development can’t help but have some positive economic impact on the town," said the mayor Friday.
"Minas Basin has already said they are going to make this as much of a community project as they can, so we’re hoping that places like PMF (Parrsboro Metal Fabricators) and other local business will be able to get a bit of the work," Mr. Robinson said.
"I think it will happen because they are from Hantsport and they know how to do business in a small town. We also expect (an) impact for our restaurants and other businesses as workers come in to develop the project."
The town is also hoping its harbour and wharf will become the major staging ground for the project during construction and maintenance of the turbines.
"It would only make sense to use our harbour. It’s right around the corner from the test site, so I would think that if they have to bring things in via land and then transfer them to the water, this would be the most logical spot to do it."
Minas Basin was given a contract last year to find the test site and build a $14-million common test facility that will receive electricity from the turbines and process data. It is being funded with private and public money.
Minas Basin and Clean Current plan to test turbines starting in 2010. NSP and OpenHydro intend to install a turbine sometime this year.
3.) Parrsboro RCMP ramp up public safety message"
January 30th, 2009.
Parrsboro RCMP are stepping up public awareness to various safety issues regarding the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) beginning this weekend.
The focus of the new campaign will be on the following four sections of the MVA; school zone safety, speeding, stop signs and seatbelt usage.
“Another area we will be focusing on is an anti-drinking and driving campaign,” Parrsboro RCMP Const. Jeff Davidson said.
Davidson explained the four sections of the MVA to be focused on will divided into four separate weeks with stop sign safety January 25 - 31, school zones February 2 - 6, speeding February 7 - 14 and seatbelts February 15 - 20.
“We will be educating people on anti-drinking and driving throughout those weeks during the various check stops,” Davidson said.
“The idea behind the campaign is to raise awareness in the community on these issues rather than just pound everyone with tickets,” the RCMP officer said.
The campaign is a part of the country wide Road Safety Vision 2010. The goal of the Road Safety Vision 2010 is to have the safest roads by the year 2010.
“We’re focused on lowering the statistics in all of the H division,” Davidson said.
Along with various check stops throughout the campaign the Parrsboro Detachment has approached the elementary school for student participation by preparing posters encouraging people to wear seatbelts, driving safely and stopping for stop signs.
The plan for the finished posters is to have them displayed at various locations throughout the downtown area at local businesses.
4.) "Gas Prices & Diesel Prices go down just a bit today - January 30th, 2009."
Gas & Diesel Prices at: Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S. as of: January 31st, 2009 are Below:
** Regular is: 90.7 cents a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: 86.7 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 90.1 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: 93.5 cents a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: 96.8 cents a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
5.) "Steelers win 6th Super Bowl title"
February 2nd, 2009.
While Bruce Springsteen was great fun at Super Bowl halftime, he couldn't overshadow a spectacular Steelers win marked by several game changing plays and an interception that will go down in the history books.
Despite momentum shifts and a tenacious Arizona Cardinal defence, the Pittsburgh Steelers managed to squeak out a breathtaking 27-23 victory to win a record sixth Super Bowl title.
The best play of the game belonged to the Steelers' James Harrison, who intercepted a Cardinal pass and the sprinted 100-yards to score a touchdown.
The return is the longest play in Super Bowl history and it also put the Steelers ahead of the Cardinals 17-7 at the half.. But it was far from over.
In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald got his team back into the game by leaping into the air and snagging a catch from quarterback Kurt Warner, who mounted a formidable comeback late in the game.
With just a sliver over three minutes left, Arizona was handed two points for a safety after Pittsburgh was nearly pushed into their own end zone.
Moments later, Fitzgerald struck again, catching a pass from Warner and sprinting into the end zone, handing the Cardinals a 23-20 lead.
The touchdown erased a 13-point lead and marked one of the biggest turnarounds in Super Bowl history.
But led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers rallied back late in the fourth quarter, and Santonio Holmes caught a spectacular touchdown pass with less than 40 seconds to play.
That play sealed the deal and put the Steelers up 27-23 after the conversion.
After the victory, thousands of fans poured into central Pittsburgh to celebrate the victory as about 500 police officers kept a close watch.
Before midnight, reports of arrests began to surface and local television showed images of fans leaping though fires sparked on city streets.
About five people were arrested for attempting to overturn a car, according to media reports.
Showbiz meets sports
When Bruce Springsteen kicked off the Super Bowl halftime show by launching his Fender Telecaster on a "Hail Mary" pass to a roadie, the gesture managed to sum up an event that was equal parts sports and showbiz.
"I want you to put the chicken fingers down and turn your television all the way up," the 59-year-old singer told an estimated 100 million television viewers as he hit the stage with the E Street Band.
And with Springsteen classics including "Born to Run" and "Glory Days" on offer and a field full of partying fans, it was easy to forget that the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers had a football game to finish.
Indeed, with a bevy of musical performances and an televised advertising bonanza that draws millions of viewers alone, the Super Bowl has ceased to be just about football.
"Super Bowl Sunday is a game, yes. But it's also a national party, and over the next five hours we'll capture as much of the football and frivolity as we can," said NBC commentator Bob Costas during the televised run-up to the kickoff.
Boy was he right.
While bookies often take cash for the big game's outcome, Springsteen's set-list was also highly anticipated, with Las Vegas taking bets on what tunes the Boss would play.
Just before kickoff, singer and actor Jennifer Hudson made her first public appearance since her mother, brother and nephew were murdered in October.
After a deep breath, Hudson delivered a note-perfect and rousing rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner," which rivaled Whitney Houston's show-stopping version from the 1991 contest.
Before Hudson sang, country diva Faith Hill serenaded Raymond James Stadium with a compelling version of "America the Beautiful," where she was joined by a gospel choir.
With the song coming to a big finale, the crew from US Airways Flight 1549 -- which made a miraculous crash-landing in New York's Hudson River last month -- made a brief appearance, effectively pumping up the song's good vibes.
6.) "Hands off our jail.. Amherst warns"
--- Rumours suggest the new facility will now be built in Springhill...
but why not in Parrsboro is my question...
As jobs are much more needed here in this area than either of the other two places in question?
So really.. It should be us asking the question.. Hands off our New Jail... Do you not agree?
February 2nd, 2009.
Mayor Robert Small wants Justice Minister Cecil Clarke to clear up a rumour about the soon-to-be-built Cumberland County Correctional Centre.
"Specifically, it is consistently rumoured that the facility will be built in Springhill," the Amherst mayor wrote to Mr. Clarke last week.
"I am calling on you to provide us with your assurance that this facility . . . will remain in the town of Amherst."
In the letter, Mr. Small stressed he had "no issue with the good people of Springhill" but strongly suggested it would be a mistake to move the correctional centre to the neighbouring community.
"As recently as Dec. 4, 2008, Premier (Rodney) MacDonald indicated in his state of the province address that investments will put Nova Scotia to work building roads, public buildings and community infrastructure," Mr. Small wrote.
"Surely he did not mean that public buildings and community infrastructure would be arbitrarily moved from one community to another."
Noting the existing jail has been in Amherst for a century, Mr. Small said there is a sound business case for keeping the correctional centre in Amherst. The Nova Scotia Supreme and provincial courts are in Amherst and nowhere else in the county and several legal offices are in town, as are other offices such as the sheriff’s department.
"It seems counterintuitive to relocate the Cumberland County Correctional Centre 30 kilometres away from this infrastructure," Mr. Small said.
The jail "is one of the blocks upon which the economy of Amherst has been built," he said.
"The loss of this facility would represent the loss of a significant number of jobs and the associated economic spinoff."
For several months the province has said there is a need to replace the aging correctional centre located in downtown Amherst.
The province is trying to determine whether it would make sense economically to have a public-private partnership build a new jail, but no decision on when or where it will be built has been made, as the study is still ongoing.
Attempts to reach Mr. Clarke or someone from his department for comment Saturday were unsuccessful.
7.) "Gables Lodge Level 2 nursing facility in Amherst N.S. is still closed to visitors because of norovirus"
February 2nd, 2009.
Restrictions are still in place at an Amherst nursing home following the outbreak of a norovirus that has left both residents and staff experiencing vomiting and diarrhea.
"We are still closed to visitors," an unidentified staff member said when contacted by phone Sunday.
Gables Lodge closed its doors last Monday after an increasing number of residents began experiencing norovirus-like symptoms. The Level 2 nursing facility is home to about 95 residents.
The building was closed to visitors as a precaution.
Symptoms can also include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.
No age group is more susceptible to the virus, but the risk of severe symptoms, such as dehydration, are more likely to happen in the very young, the elderly and those with certain pre-existing conditions.
Residents must be symptom-free for at least 48 hours before visitors will be allowed to re-enter the building.
"Six more weeks of winter" - Wiarton Willie and Shubenacadie Sam & their U.S. cousin, Punxsutawney Phil, also predicted six more weeks of winter as they all see their shadows today!!!
February 2nd, 2009.
Is when, according to tradition, the groundhog leaves the burrow where it has been hibernating to discover whether cold winter weather will continue. If the groundhog cannot see its shadow, it presumably remains above ground, ending its hibernation. But if its shadow is visible—that is, if the sun is shining—six more weeks of cold weather will follow, and the animal returns to its burrow.
"Punxsutawney Phil"
The most famous forecaster of spring is Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog who makes his predictions in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
-- You can chk him out at: http://www.groundhog.org/
or...
You can check out our Canadian Groundhog..
"Wiarton Willie" - When he gives his Prediction...
At: http://southbrucepeninsula.com/index.cfm?pagecat=103&CFID=576999&CFTOKEN=50425177
"Shubenacadie Sam" - Nova Scotia’s furry weather prognosticator Shubenacadie Sam has emerged from his den and is predicting six more weeks of winter.
The groundhog was roused from his winter slumber by a town crier and the skirl of bagpipes at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, about an hour north of Halifax.
Sam saw his shadow as he slowly crawled out to greet a crowd of school children under partially sunny skies.
According to legend, that means six more weeks of winter.
And more winter will soon be on its way, according to conventional human forecasters, who say parts of Nova Scotia will be hit by more snow as early as Tuesday.
Because Sam happens to live in the Atlantic time zone, he always gets the jump on several other weather-predicting rodents form across North America.
"KISS is coming to Halifax this Summer"
February 3rd, 2009.
After months of rumours, East Coast fans of veteran hard rock phenomenon KISS will get official word Tuesday that the hotter-than-hell quartet is heading to Halifax this summer.
Tuesday morning it was announce that a major concert event this summer titled Halifax Rocks 2009.
The official KISS Army website: http://www.kissonline.com is already stating that the band will headline Halifax Rocks 2009 on the Halifax Commons on July 18, with tickets going on sale to the general public on Friday. It also reports that a KISS Army members-only ticket presale runs from today at noon to Thursday at 7 p.m. via the website, with general admission as well as VIP seating available.
In November, KISS co-founder and bassist Gene Simmons told the Toronto Sun that the band would be playing a series of dates this summer, specifically naming Halifax as one of the shows, prior to this fall’s release of a new KISS studio album.
"Seatbelt Safety in Parrsboro N.S."
During the month of February 2009 by the Parrsboro RCMP & T&C "M" Taxi of Parrsboro N.S.
1.) "Byers was named Citizen of the Year!!!
February 24th, 2009.
-- Local historian was honoured by Parrsboro and District Board of Trade on Feb. 21st, 2009.
He doesn’t quite know what to think about it yet, but Conrad Byers still was named Citizen of the Year by the Parrsboro and District Board of Trade.
The honourary dinner took place on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Parrsboro legion, where the local historian was recognized, celebrated and roasted. It is an honour he accepted with both humour and humility.
“I don’t know whether they just ran out of people, or if they didn’t think I was going to make it through another year,” he said, laughing. “It’s always nice to be recognized by your peers, I guess.”
Born in Parrsboro on Feb. 14, 1943, he was the second of three sons born to Walter and Nema Byers. He grew up at the family home on Whitehall Road, attending the old Parrsboro schools until the new high school opened when he was in Grade 11. From there he graduated and went off to teacher’s college in Truro.
The history of his hometown fascinated Byers at a young age, who has worked tirelessly to preserve this heritage for more than 25 years as a founding member of the Parrsborough Shore Historical Society. Ironically, his interest in the Ottawa House museum and its surrounding Partridge Island area stemmed from the unlikeliest of sources.
“When I was about 12, there were a bunch of kids down at Partridge Island on the beach, and there were some American university students there,” he recalled. “One guy was explaining to his buddy about the site, where the fort used to be, etc., and I said to myself, ‘How come this guy knows so much about this and I don’t?’ So I started asking the older people around if it was true.”
Decades later, as he continues to be part of a community campaign to preserve and restore Ottawa House and Partridge Island for its historic significance, he said he sometimes chuckles, remembering how it all started with that one angry moment.
But local history, especially of the marine variety, was bound to find him regardless of any knowledgeable American visitors. When he grew up, the old-timers in Parrsboro had lived and breathed the Age of Sail. Every home from Lower Main Street all the way down Whitehall Road was a mariner’s home, be it a retired captain, a maid or a cook.
Byers had sea captains living on both sides of his home, and he grew up listening to their stories.
“There was no TV, and that was our entertainment,” he said. “They would come in the evening, and everyone sat around and told stories. So I always had that romantic version of sailing away to far-off places.”
Byers was only 18 when he began a career in teaching, finding work at a school in Spryfield, where some of his students were as old as he was. After his first year, he realized he needed more education, and began studies at Saint Mary’s University, where he would receive a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in Canadian History and Spanish.
While he hadn’t given it much thought at the time (“I was just going to take it because I needed a language,” he said) the Spanish helped him the following summer, when he worked in Mexico on student projects, and also the following summer, when he attended summer school at the University of Barcelona. The following two summers were spent taking courses at Mount Allison University and Dalhousie University, which saw him receive his Bachelor of Education degree and restart his teaching career.
For a decade he taught full-time at schools in Onslow, Oromocto, N.B., and River Hebert, before realizing he needed more education, this time the life experience variety.
“One of the courses I was teaching at River Hebert was Grade 10 geography, which was Asian geography, and I felt I didn’t know enough about that to be teaching it,” said Byers. “So, I traveled to Asia.”
After flying to London, England, he began a nine-month journey that saw him trek overland across Europe, and the Soviet Union on the Trans Siberian Railway. From there he ferried to Japan, and traveled through just about every Asian country. During this time he took photographs for the Nova Scotia school system.
Photography was one of many hobbies that he pursued after he stopped teaching full-time, realizing that he was “not a nine to five kind of person.” While continuing to supplement his income by substitute teaching, he built boats, he traveled, and he sailed. He also took courses on photography, with a particular interest in old, historic photos, and even began doing his own darkroom work at home in his bathroom. Eventually it turned into his own business, Time Frame Photo.
“I had no intention of it ever being a business, but people would want copies of certain photos,” recalled Byers. “My aunt had a vacant place in her building, so I thought I’d set up there for the summer. It ended up being 19 years.”
Although his many jobs and travels have taken him far from home, Parrsboro has always been his base, and he has always returned. Over the years he has worked on various community projects, such as the effort to bring the Kipawo ferry home in the early 1980s. He was also the first commanding officer of the local air cadet squadron, and lobbied for years to give it its proper historical “Handley Page” name.
Today he continues to work on a number of initiatives, including the aforementioned Ottawa House project, as well as the campaign to preserve and restore the Parrsboro Band Hall, and the Parrsboro Harbour Commission.
A recent bout with cancer has also inspired him to proceed with another project - to take inventory and catalogue the valuable collection of writings, photographs, books and other materials he has amassed over the years. Eventually, he would like to have it all preserved at Ottawa House.
But his recent health checkups have been positive, and Byers shows no signs of slowing down just yet.
“I’m still good for another 10,000 miles,” he said, smiling.
The event began with a social time at 6 p.m., followed by a turkey dinner at 6:30 p.m., and program at 7:30 p.m.
Congradulations!!! Conrad,, You so very much deserve this award... :-)
Keep up the Great Work You Do for us all!!!!
2.) "Mother Nature dumps 11th snowstorm on county this winter"
February 24th, 2009.
Residents in the county were once again digging themselves out from under the snow Monday morning after the 11th snowstorm this winter trudged through the area.
Bob Robichaud, Environment Canada's regional meteorologist based out of Halifax, said between 15 and 20 centimetres of snow fell throughout the county.
"I don't have any really hard numbers, but from the weather station in Nappan, it shows about 16 centimetres had fallen," Robichaud said. "That's not that off compared to what I saw in Moncton, which was around 18, and Saint John had 27 centimetres."
Robichaud says residents in the county may see a few more flurries into Tuesday as the system moves out over Prince Edward Island, and the tail-end makes its way over Northern Nova Scotia.
Thanks to Mother Nature, more than 500 Nova Scotia Power customers in the county were left without power after damage was done to overhead equipment.
By 1:30 p.m., those residents along the North Shore, Highway 302 near Maccan East and from the Smith Road to West Amherst in Nappan had their power restored.
Students throughout the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board had their ninth board-wide school cancellation.
Communications advisor Terri Mingo said the students have had seven cancellations so far in 2009, while two were before Christmas.
"It doesn't seem to be a greater number of cancellations this year as previous years," she said, adding she hasn't gotten any statistics yet from the operations department to compare the years.
"But in this type of climate, you can always expect to have a few closures."
While it's the ninth cancellation across the board, some schools in Cumberland County have had more than that.
Schools in Parrsboro and Advocate Harbour had schools closed one day last week due to impending weather that was to hit that area before others.
3.) ** Gas & Diesel Prices go down this Week!!!
-- "Gas & Diesel Prices at: Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S. as of: February 24th, 2009 are Below:
** Regular is: 91.0 cents a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: 87.0 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 90.4 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: 93.8 cents a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: 90.4 cents a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
4.) "Parrsboro council Happenings"
February, 2009.
Tax exemption level raised
Town council has agreed to raise its annual municipal tax exemption to $150, and has also increased the maximum income level to be eligible for the exemption, to $15,500.
The previous income level was $14,500 or less, and the previous exemption was $100.
Those wishing to apply for the exemption are required to fill out an application form and affirm their income.
Turn on the tap, ditch the bottle
An effort to encourage water drinkers to “turn on the tap and ditch the bottle” has received support from Parrsboro Town Council.
The decision came after council received a package of information from the Ecology Action Centre, which advised that a broad-based coalition of organizations in Nova Scotia has come together to convince municipalities and school boards that the sale and provision of bottled water in their facilities is a very “un-green” and “un-economical” thing to be doing, according to deputy mayor David Harrison.
As a result, council has agreed to adopt a policy that town hall will not distribute bottled water.
Meeting schedule switched back
After 11 years of Tuesday night meetings, Parrsboro Town Council appeared set for a change, but has since reversed a decision to switch to Wednesday night meetings.
“At the last council meeting a motion was passed to change the schedule of council and committee-of-the-whole meetings due to conflicts with other commitments that some councillors have,” said deputy mayor David Harrison. “After the new schedule was implemented, it was found that there were still some conflicts and it was recommended to go back to the original schedule…”
Committee-of-the-whole meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month, while the regular council meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month, at 7 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.
5.) "Tidal power confirms turbines to turn on in 2010"
February, 2009.
Three underwater turbine berths are set to hit the waters off Black Rock near Parrsboro in 2010.
The test turbines will draw support energy from three resources; Minas Basin Pulp and Power partnered with UEK Hydrokinetic Turbine, Nova Scotia Power partnered with OpenHydro Turbine and the third test turbine supplied by Clean Current Power Systems.
Minas Basin Pulp and Power invited the public to attend an open house and feedback session at the Legion in Parrsboro on Thurs, Jan. 29, focusing on an environmental assessment of the Fundy Tidal Demonstration Project.
The overall project consists of a demonstration facility in the Minas Passage to test the underwater turbines that will generate power from tidal currents. The project will have three underwater turbine berths, marine to shore power cables, onshore substation and connection to the power grid.
Terry Toner, director of environmental services with Nova Scotia Power, partnered with OpenHydro explained there will be three test turbines in the waters 30 – 35 meters deep at low tide off Black Rock. The closest turbine will be 1.5 km from the shores of West Bay and the farthest will be 3 km from shore.
“Although turbines are expected to be in the water in 2010 it will roughly 10 – 15 years before Nova Scotians receive power from this project,” Toner said.
The outline displayed at last Thursday’s meeting was; 2009 – experimental turbine deployment, 2010 and beyond the remaining two turbines to be deployed. The onshore substation/interpretive building construction started in 2009, with cables to shore installed in 2010. Connection to power grid in 2010.
Nick Strum, Strum Engineering Associates, project electrical engineer whose client Minas Basin Pulp and Power says that land location negotiations are underway and people can expect to see things happening along the shores of West Bay as early as March – May 2010.
“There are things that will be happening such as power line upgrades with new power poles and a new three phase circuit and possibly work to land that will house an electrical building/interpretive centre and a substation,” Strum said.
February 22nd, 2009.
PARRSBORO – Seatbelts save lives, and local police officers and taxi drivers are coming together to reinforce that point.
The Parrsboro RCMP and the owners of T & C (M) Taxi have agreed to jointly promote seatbelt usage this week as part of the police’s efforts to raise awareness of the Motor Vehicle Act in the area. “Buckle Up” signs have been placed in the tax vehicles, and taxi owners Crystal and Troy Melanson are leading by example.
“The taxi drivers are agreeing to wear seatbelts, which isn’t by law required of them, but they agreed to participate,” said Const. Jon Roswell of the Parrsboro RCMP. “This is to remind people to wear their seatbelts, and that we’re going to be out full force on this campaign all week.”
The police will have zero tolerance for motorists not wearing their seatbelts, and will be handing out fines to everyone they catch this week, according to Roswell, who said the law has been in effect now for 24 years and the fine is $165.
Seatbelt usage has been a primary cause for the young officer, who conducted a previous awareness campaign in the area about three months ago.
“When I first started the campaign in Parrsboro, I noticed probably three out of every five driver wasn’t wearing their seatbelt,” he said. “It’s gone up – I have noticed an increase in people wearing them, but there is still the odd person not wearing them. They will get caught and they will get fined.”
Mr. Melanson was all too happy to participate when approached with the idea, and magnetic signs for the taxi vehicles were donated by The Cooperators insurance company of Amherst.
Over the past two to three years, Mr. Melanson said he has often noticed passengers in his taxi not bothering to buckle up, and has always reminded them that it is required by the law. Even though taxi drivers are not required to wear the belts themselves within town limits, he said they would be doing so to help drive the message home.
“I agree with anything that tries to save lives,” he said. “If there’s something we can do help everyone else do it, then we’re in full swing with it.”
7.) "Parrsboro to revamp skateboard ramps"
February 22nd, 2009.
Although financing or location plans have not been finalized, the committee working on the creation of a new skateboard park in Parrsboro has the design of the park chosen.
According to Parrsboro’s recreation director Marc Chagnon, new equipment at the skateboard park will include a centrepiece, a quarter pipe and a half pipe.
“The new equipment will be made of steel rather than wood like the old ramps at the old skateboard park which will make vandalism less of an issue,” the recreation director said.
Among the committee members who took on the project to introduce a new skateboard park to the community include Chagnon, Parrsboro Councilor Lois Smith and Lyle Yorke.
“There were a couple other members as well, but due to conflicts with scheduling they weren’t able to make the meeting therefore decided to step down from the committee but expressed interest to remain involved with the progress of the project,” Chagnon said.
The recreation director said although they were looking at a couple of different locations they have not narrowed it down but hope to have a site chosen before too long.
The company chosen to design Parrsboro’s skateboard park is Canadian Ramp Company in Hamilton, Ontario who have done work in various parts of North America and Europe.
“We also have an engineering company out of Antigonish that will be designing the concrete pad where the equipment will go. Once we have all of the estimates we will know how much financing will be required to complete the project,” Chagnon said.
Chagnon explained that the skateboard park project is completely a community project and they will be calling upon private investors and business support along with various grants that the committee may be eligible for.
The recreation director has also been busy organizing community events such as the Volleyball tournament scheduled for February 28 at a cost of $70 per team that must include four males and two female on court at all times.
In addition to the upcoming tournament the recreation department also hosts volleyball night on Tuesday evening at the Parrsboro High School along with various other activities planned through the Parrsboro recreation department. Anyone looking for information on the various available events can get in touch with Chagnon at the Town Hall in Parrsboro.
8.) "Weight restrictions on the way for N.S. Roads"
February 22nd, 2009.
Warmer temperatures will soon bring spring weight restrictions to provincial roads.
Restrictions could begin near the end of February.
The date for spring weight restrictions will depend on weather conditions. When weight restrictions are imposed, a list of roads that are exempt will be published in a number of newspapers across the province.
The weight restrictions on heavy trucks are necessary during the spring thaw to help protect roads that are weakened by mild and wet weather.
** "Newest News Headlines Section" **
Last Updated: March 10th, 2009.
** Gas Prices down again this week & Diesel Prices remain the same this week here in Parrsboro N.S.!!! **
-- "Gas & Diesel Prices at: Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S. as of: March 1st, 2009 are Below:
** Regular is: 89.2 cents a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: 85.2 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 88.6 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: 92.0 cents a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: 90.4 cents a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
"Laid-off workers stuck in EI limbo - 30,000 Atlantic Canadians now waiting for cheques; 8,000 have waited more than 28 days"
March 1st, 2009.
Thousands of recently laid-off Atlantic Canadian workers are paying the price as Ottawa ignores a mounting backlog of employment insurance claims, critics charged Thursday.
Jeannie Baldwin, regional vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, said 30,000 people in Atlantic Canada are waiting for their employment insurance claims to be processed, which she understood to be the largest number ever on the queue.
About 8,000 of those applications have been waiting more than 28 days, she said.
The numbers were not confirmed by Service Canada.
"Only in the rarest of circumstances are claims processed within the 28-day standard Service Canada insists it maintains," Ms. Baldwin said.
Unemployed workers are routinely denied timely access to critically required income, she said, while hundreds of Service Canada employees represented by the union struggle with the increased workflow.
"The 28-day processing period hasn’t been real since the current online application system was introduced several years ago," Ms. Baldwin said.
"In one case, a school bus driver was laid off in June and did not receive a payment until about two weeks before he returned to work."
Ms. Baldwin said it is "entirely unacceptable" that Ottawa tackled the recent passport application backlog but continues to ignore the growing pile of EI claims with the economy in turmoil and escalating unemployment adding stress to an already overloaded system.
"How could it be we have a system that can process a passport application in two weeks but keeps people waiting six and eight weeks or more for employment insurance payments?" she said.
MP Mike Savage said Thursday he was stonewalled by Service Canada in his repeated attempts to get a fix on the real time it takes to process EI claims. He had received complaints about delays from laid-off workers in his Dartmouth-Cole Harbour riding.
Mr. Savage said 40 days sounds like a more realistic estimate of the wait.
"A delay can mean a missed mortgage or rent payment and perhaps a visit to the food bank," he said.
Mr. Savage said he is continuing to lobby Ottawa to hire and train more people to address the mounting backlog of EI claims.
Service Canada says on its employment insurance website that applications will be processed within 28 days.
A spokeswoman for Service Canada said Thursday that "despite a significant increase in claims," about 80 per cent were processed within 28 days as of Dec. 31.
"We have made significant efforts and investments to maintain that standard during this period of increasing EI claims," Mylene Dupere said.
Ms. Dupere said Service Canada recently hired more staff, redistributed workloads across the country and recalled retired processing agents. As well, more workers are being offered overtime at EI claims processing centres.
"We are monitoring our processing capacity very closely and will allocate additional resources as needed," she said.
** Gas Prices have gone up a lot this week & Diesel Prices remain the same this week in N.S. & here in Parrsboro N.S.!!! **
-- "Gas & Diesel Prices at: Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S. as of: March 6th, 2009 are Below:
** Regular is: 96.0 cents a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: 92.0 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 95.4 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: 98.8 cents a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: 90.4 cents a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
1.) "All bodies now recovered from helicopter wreckage"
March 17th, 2009.
-- Divers bring up final seven early today.
ST.JOHN'S — A ship on a recovery mission into the helicopter crash off the coast of Newfoundland returned to a St. John's port early Tuesday with the bodies of the final seven victims, the RCMP said.
The recovery of all the bodies brings a measure of finality for the relatives of the victims of last week's crash, said RCMP Sgt. Wayne Newell.
It certainly brings closure,'' Newell said.
It's a tough time for everybody, but at least to have their loved ones repatriated ... certainly is helpful.''
The Atlantic Osprey offshore supply vessel was met by two hearses and police who cordoned off the area, much as they did to a similar scene early Monday.
That's when the Atlantic Osprey brought nine unidentified bodies to St. John's after they were pulled from the mangled fuselage of the downed chopper, 178 metres below the ocean surface.
Seventeen people perished when the helicopter crashed last Thursday, 65 kilometres southeast of St. John's, while it was ferrying workers to two offshore oil platforms.
One body was recovered shortly after the crash.
The lone survivor, 30-year-old Robert Decker, remains at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John's with fractures and lung injuries.
On Monday, the first funeral for one of the chopper victims, 26-year-old Allison Maher was held in Fermeuse, a town of less than 300 about 100 kilometres south of St. John's.
15 of deceased named:
All but three of the identified people who were aboard the helicopter lived in Newfoundland and Labrador, where the offshore oil industry has emerged in the last decade as a primary employer.
The names released by the RCMP so far are:
Thomas Anwyll, 46, Langley, B.C.
Peter Breen, 55, St. John's.
Gary Corbett, 46, Conception Bay South.
Matthew William Thomas Davis, 34, St. John's, pilot of the helicopter.
Wade Drake, 42, Fortune.
Wade Duggan, 32, Witless Bay.
Corey Eddy, 32, of Paradise, formerly of Sibley's Cove.
Colin Henley, 38, St. John's.
Tim Lanouette, 48, Comox, B.C., first officer on the helicopter.
Allison Maher, 26, Mount Pearl, formerly of Aquaforte.
Ken MacRae, 47, Greenwood, N.S.
Derrick Mullowney, 51, Bay Bulls.
Burch Nash, 44, Fortune.
John Pelley, 41, Deer Lake.
Paul Pike, 49, Spaniard's Bay.
Two families have not consented to the release of their loved ones' names
2.) ** Gas Prices have gone down & Diesel Prices remain the same after 3 weeks here in Parrsboro as of Friday the 13th of this week!!! **
-- "Gas & Diesel Prices at: Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S. as of: March 17th, 2009 are Below:
** Regular is: 92.4 cents a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: 88.4 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 91.8 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: 95.1 cents a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: 90.4 cents a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
3.) "UN: Rising sea levels threaten Fundy coast"
March 16th, 2009.
Canada's environment minister will be looking into potential problems for major flooding along the Bay of Fundy coastline.
Nova Scotia MP Bill Casey says he has raised concerns with Jim Prentice given that the United Nations Panel on Global Warming identified the Bay of Fundy as one of the most vulnerable in North America.
The report said the area could be severely damaged due to rising sea levels resulting from global warming.
Casey says Prentice is trying to identify resources to assess the vulnerability of the Bay of Fundy shoreline.
He told the minister about the damage caused by severe storms in the Advocate area last December and in Truro and Bible Hill during the past few years.
4.) "Ottawa is aware of potential coastal flooding of the Bay of Fundy coastline.. Casey says"
March 17th, 2009.
Canada’s environment minister will be looking into potential problems for major flooding along the Bay of Fundy coastline.
MP Bill Casey says he has raised concerns with Jim Prentice given that the United Nations Panel on Global Warming identified the Bay of Fundy as one of the most vulnerable in North America.
The report said the area could be severely damaged due to rising sea levels resulting from global warming.
Casey says Prentice is trying to identify resources to assess the vulnerability of the Bay of Fundy shoreline.
He told the minister about damage caused by storms in the Advocate, Truro and Bible Hill areas during the past few years.
5.) "Coast guard looking to build three research vessels for the Maritimes"
March 17th, 2009.
The coast guard is making plans to build three new science vessels that will conduct research off Nova Scotia.
It issued a notice this week looking for designers interested in coming up with plans for two different types of ships that will be built over a two-year period.
"We did this to find out if there are companies in Canada that are capable and wanting to be able to do this kind of work," Rene Grenier, deputy commissioner of the coast guard, said Wednesday.
"Our hope is to have them as soon as possible, so really within two years they should be sailing in the waters around Nova Scotia and the Maritimes."
One design will be 22 metres long and the other will be 25 metres long.
The vessels will have an economical cruising speed of about 20 kilometres an hour, says the notice.
The vessels are "badly needed" to replace old ships, Mr. Grenier said.
One will be based in Mont-Joli, Que., another will operate out of Shippagan, N.B., and a third will sail out of Saint Andrews, N.B.
"They’re for science missions around the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Bay of Fundy," Mr. Grenier said.
He couldn’t provide a price tag for the vessels.
"We have to see about the design first," Mr. Grenier said.
6.) "The stars of the night"
March 11th, 2009.
Knowing the stars of the night really are the participants, the committee for the 2009 Relay for Life, Amherst is dedicating a sign in their honour.
The tracking board, erected at the corner of Havelock and Victoria streets downtown, will feature the names of each team that registers for the June 5 event.
"Our community has come together through this event, realizing that we have all been touched by cancer in some way," said Relay committee chair Amanda Allaby.
The decision behind the community tracking sign was to have participants feel more involved in the event that last year saw each participant raise over $250.
Each week, team names will be updated on the board, which was designed by committee member Daren White, so the community has a visual reminder that more and more friends and neighbours are involved in the event.
Allaby, White, and Sharon Bristol, the Canadian Cancer Society's co-ordinator for the Northern Region, ironed out the details of the sign. Committee members then chose the colour scheme to match the Relay colours of the mission statement, 'celebrate, remember, fight back'.
"This is a way that our community can become even more involved with tracking our progress leading up to the Relay," Allaby said.
"As more teams register, we will add more stars and I know that by the time the snow is gone, this board will be filled."
It was 1985 when a Washington physician, Dr. Gordy Klatt, wanted to do something about the epidemic that was affecting America - cancer. He stage a 24-hour walk around a track, raising more than $25,000 for the American Cancer Society.
The first Canadian Relay was held seven years later in Coquitlam, British Columbia, and the Canadian Cancer Society launched its own Relay for Life as a pilot project just 10 years ago.
Last year, just under 400 Relay for Life events were held from coast to coast, raising more than $47million.
In Nova Scotia last year, 23 events raised $2.3million, with Cumberland County's event raising $119,000...
*** WOW!!! Parrsboro in its first year raising $54,000 - That is almost half of what all of Cumberland County raised.
Representatives from teams already registered for the event were asked to place a star on the board, one of which was Angela Muise, team captain for the West Highlands Red Dogs.
"I love the idea for the board, I think it's great," she said. "The community will be able to see all of us that are involved in the event."
The Red Dogs are just one of 13 teams officially registered for the event.
"I think it's a very worthy cause and it's something very close to my heart."
7.) "Province to assist with upgrade"
March 6th, 2009.
PARRSBORO – The province and Town of Parrsboro have entered an agreement to upgrade water utility in the Fundy Shore community. Cumberland South MLA Murray Scott announced last week the province of Nova Scotia will be cost share with the Town of Parrsboro on a water utility project for that community.
This project will improve the water system for the Town of Parrsboro to ensure it has safe drinking water for many years to come.
The province will cost share through the Department of Service Nova Scotia & Municipal Relations 50 per cent or up to $330,000 of the total cost of the project. The project is estimated to run $660,000. Funding is being made available under the provincial capital assistance program.
Cumberland South MLA Murray Scott said he is pleased the province is partnering with the Town of Parrsboro on this project and is pleased to partner with this community to ensure safe drinking water supply for the residents of this community.
8.) "N.S. Gov't. to spend $1.9 billion over three years in economic stimulus plan"
March 11th, 2009.
Nova Scotia wants to spend $1.9 billion over three years as part of a plan to stimulate the flagging economy.
Premier Rodney MacDonald says that includes $1.1 billion in capital spending.
MacDonald said today the priorities include energy conservation, schools, information technology and roads, bridges and highways.
MacDonald says the primary goal is to create and maintain about 20,000 jobs.
The plan includes a $24-million job training fund, for people who want to work in infrastructure-related jobs or who have lost work during the economic downturn.
The premier announced the plan during a speech to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.
9.) "Teenagers duping bar staff with high-tech fake IDs"
March 11th, 2009.
Teenagers don’t need to borrow an ID or doctor their driver’s licence to sneak into a bar anymore, officials say.
They’ve gone high-tech.
"Underage (drinking) is a very big problem with us right now," said John MacDonald, director of investigations with the province’s Labour Department.
"They have the ability to get actually false IDs made.
"And they are fairly easy to get. There are websites that sell them."
The Labour Department is now teaching licensed establishments how to spot fraudulent identification cards.
In the past year or so, liquor inspectors have changed the way they work, Mr. MacDonald said. They used to visit licensed restaurants as often as bars that are open into the wee hours, but now they have adopted a "risk-based approach" and have stepped up inspections of bars, he said.
"We are looking at things which are more public safety issues — overcrowding, intoxication and underage," he said.
10.) "Nova Scotia's MVI's kicked into reverse - Province introduces major car inspections overhaul after Chronicle Herald investigation exposes flaws in system"
March 1st, 2009.
The MacDonald government, under public pressure to switch gears on annual motor vehicle inspections, is redesigning the system.
The government has completed its first review of the controversial MVI program since it started 40 years ago, and Service Nova Scotia officials announced key changes Thursday at a news conference in Halifax.
Among them: less frequent inspections, second opinions after a failed inspection, the removal of "low-risk" items from the checkup list and more roadside spot checks where a vehicle is examined by government mechanics.
The program’s redesign, to be introduced in two stages, on April 1 and June 1, will bring it more into line with national and international standards, the government said.
Inspections will still be required when ownership changes and when a vehicle is transferred into the province.
The revised regulations don’t just affect consumers. Service stations will lose revenue due to less frequent mandatory inspections.
Also, the province is amending its inspection manual and will hold training sessions in April and May for workers staffing about 1,400 inspection stations in Nova Scotia.
The Chronicle Herald ran a series of articles over the past couple of years drawing attention to the MVI program’s flaws.
The Service Nova Scotia minister said Thursday that the changes to the inspection system were motivated by the public.
"The government has heard the concerns of Nova Scotians . . . and the industry, which prompted the redesign," Richard Hurlburt told reporters. He said the revisions were made with public safety in mind.
Starting April 1, new passenger vehicles that have had a dealer pre-delivery inspection won’t need an MVI for three years, and then only every two years after that.
Large trucks will still require annual inspections.
Beginning June 1, the number of low-risk items needing examination by a mechanic will be reduced. These include such things as horns, lights, mirrors and windshield wipers.
As well, there will be more roadside checks where police will pull a vehicle — usually an obvious clunker — off the road and mechanics will hoist it up on the spot. The government wants to double the roughly 300 roadside inspections a year that are done now.
Also, anyone whose vehicle has previously passed an inspection but now fails can get a second opinion from another mechanic.
Mechanic Darrell Hebb, a veteran car repair shop owner in Halifax, said he disagrees strongly with the province’s move to less frequent inspections.
"I believe there should be safety inspections every year, including new cars," he said. "If these cars aren’t going to be inspected every year, no one’s going to bring their vehicle in. If they have a noise, they’re just going to hope it goes away."
The province announced in December it would re-evaluate mandatory annual safety checks. Drivers and mechanics had complained the MVI system was arbitrary and unfair because many aspects involved judgment calls that varied among service stations.
Mechanics also said some outlets were taking advantage of customers by inventing problems that weren’t violations.
Two years ago, Nova Scotia beefed up the requirements for its inspections and the price jumped to $25 from $15.50.
The government said that during its review of the inspection system, no research could be found linking check-up programs to road safety. But Mr. Hurlburt said vehicle inspections will help keep people’s family members safe and are an important element of the province’s transportation system.
Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil applauded the MacDonald Tories for essentially borrowing a Grit policy plank to revise the inspection program. New Democrat MLA Becky Kent said she was disappointed there wasn’t more public consultation before the changes were unveiled.
"CRASH, BANG, THUMP....DARNIT!!!"
March 23rd, 2009.
Those are familiar words for Cumberland County residents as they deal with another season of potholes on local roads.
"There's no question it has been busier than normal, but it seems as though every year is getting busier with the usual complaints, broken springs and struts and bent rims," said mechanic Kevin Pratt as he looked over another victim of what has become an annual spring tradition in these parts. "It's frustrating for people to drive on these roads."
Pratt's West Amherst garage is just one of many automotive repair shops throughout cumberland county that are benefiting from the onset of potholes and frost heaves on roads in and around the Town of Amherst.
Jason Hurley of D&D Auto in Maccan said it has been another busy year for his business, but not unlike other years.
"We're seeing the same things," he said. "It was really bad a couple of weeks ago when they first started appearing and we'll expect it will get busier as it warms up."
Both Pratt and Hurley suggested motorists heed some simple advice when dealing with potholes.
"People should slow down and keep their eyes on the road," Pratt said. "That would go a long way towards preventing some of the damage we're seeing."
Ben Pitman, Amherst's director transportation and public works, said conditions are the worst he has seen in nearly 20 years.
"It is pretty bad out there and we're working as quickly as we can to fill them," Pitman said.
Pitman said almost every street in town has its share of potholes and heaves, but admitted some areas are worse than others including Willow Street and Industrial Park Drive.
"I've heard some interesting names for some of the streets. Someone told me that Industrial Park Drive should be renamed the Road to Beirut because it's so rough," he said.
The town, he said, orders about 500 tonnes of cold mix every spring to use in potholes. He said usage is up this year as crews fill and refill many of the same potholes. Once temperatures warm up, crews will be out again patching the holes with a permanent fix.
"I have a feeling we'll be doing a lot of patching this spring," Pitman said.
Town crews, he said, usually respond as quickly as possible with the emphasis being the main roads and intersections. However, if someone discovers a large pothole that could be a traffic hazard they are asked to contact the public works garage at 667-3334.
"Cumberland County awaits stimulus announcements"
March 18th, 2009.
While nothing has been announced as of yet, Cumberland County will benefit from the province's recently announced economic stimulus program, says the area's lone representative in the provincial cabinet.
"It's my understanding there will be a number of announcements across Cumberland County very soon," Cumberland South MLA and Economic and Rural Renewal Minister Murray Scott said Tuesday.
Last week, Premier Rodney MacDonald announced a three-year, $800-million stimulus package that will focus on schools, information technology and programs that deal with healthy and safe communities. Green energy projects and programs for workers will also benefit from the package.
When he was in Amherst two weeks ago for the Cumberland North PC Association nominating convention, the premier hinted the county would receive its fair share of funding for various infrastructure project. He was mum on the details though.
Earlier this week, Liberal candidate Brent Noiles questioned the government's commitment to the area saying the province needs to move quickly on things like a new school for West Highlands and a new jail for Amherst.
Over the last several weeks, the province has announced a number of wastewater and paving projects across the province. While none have been in Cumberland, one town that is waiting for good news is Amherst.
Mayor Rob Small said Monday the town is holding out hope its proposed sewage treatment plant, valued at about $8 million, will make the cut.
"We remain hopeful that we'll be successful in securing the funding necessary so we can move forward with this very important project," Small said. "Right now, we're just playing the waiting game."
The Amherst project, one of several priorities across Cumberland County, would see the last of the town's sewage and wastewater removed from the LaPlanche River and treated before being discharged into the Bay of Fundy.
Scott doesn't know if Amherst will get funding or not, but suggested its one of those green projects the province is interested in.
Also, while none of the paving projects announced last week are for the county, the MLA said there were a number of initiatives announced before then including paving the road from West Amherst around Amherst Point to Nash's Corner in Nappan, Highway 242 from Maccan to Joggins as well as Pearl Street in River Hebert, the Wyndham Hill Road and a 20-kilometre project on Trunk 4 from West Wentworth to the Cumberland-Colchester County line.
Of note, though, is the fact most of these paving projects are slated for Cumberland South and Scott admitted he's not familiar with any plans for Cumberland North since he no longer holds the transportation portfolio.
Still, he thinks Cumberland North will be busy as well.
"It's going to be a very busy year for paving in Cumberland County," Scott said.
"Smith’s Funeral Home named business of the year"
March 20th, 2009.
For over a century Ross Smith’s family has been in the funeral business and during the Parrsboro and District Board of Trade’s [BOT] annual general meeting on March 11 Smith’s Funeral Home was named the Business of the Year.
It was Ross’ great-grandfather who began the business in the 1800’s and with his children involved it has been five generations that have kept the business in Parrsboro and has made the business the oldest continuous family-owned funeral business in Canada.
“Ross has been involved with the community as a town councilor, the Lions Club, economic development and up to 12 years ago has provided Parrsboro with an ambulance service,” BOT chair Frank Hartman said.
In addition to receiving the plaque from the BOT, South Cumberland MLA Murray Scott presented Ross with certificates from the Province and also on behalf of Bill Casey, Scott presented a certificate on behalf of Canada’s 40th Parliament.
Included in the BOT presentations Kerwin Davison was made a life member of the BOT and six new businesses were awarded certificates.
The new businesses that were awarded certificates are; Advocate Country Store, Bare Bones Café, Tysons Fine Minerals, Parrsboro Community Radio, From Away Jewelry and Arnold Wood Construction.
"Concern for low lying areas along the Bay of Fundy"
March 20th, 2009.
Another study on the suspected impact of global warming has Bill Casey growing increasingly concerned for low lying areas along the Bay of Fundy.
A study published earlier this week in the scientific journal Nature Geoscience suggests that Nova Scotia and the bay will be subject the worst effects of global warming and rising sea levels.
"Now is the time to start assessing the problems and planning remedial action, not later when there is a crisis," the Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley MP said, adding there are now several reports suggesting there will be sea level problems in the bay caused by global warming. "It's just another signal, another warning that we have to get on the ball."
The study, prepared by Jianjun Yin of the Centre for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies at Florida State University, Michael E. Schlesinger of the Climate Research Group at the University of Illinois and Ronald J. Stouffer of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory at Princeton used computer models and sea current studies to predict the northeastern coast of North America will experience higher sea level increases than any other area of the planet.
The scientists said climate change will not only cause ice to melt, but will also affect ocean currents. This, coupled with the geography of the ocean floor, will in turn generate even greater increases in the sea levels along the northeast coast of the continent.
"This will have an even greater impact on the Bay of Fundy due to the exaggerated tides here," Casey said.
Casey has raised the issue several times in the House of Commons and last week got a commitment from Environment Minister Jim Prentice to explore what remedial steps can be taken to minimize the impact.
Considering this latest study, Casey will be encouraging the minister to increase the resources at his disposal when dealing with the issue when the House of Commons resumes.
"The challenge is going to be so awesome when the time comes if these predictions are right. We won't have time to take corrective actions when it happens. We need to identify the most vulnerable areas now and take action," Casey said. "Most of the scientists are now agreeing that it's happening much faster then they ever predicted."
Another recent study, in the 2007-08 International Polar Year, suggests Antarctic glaciers are melting much faster than originally thought while another report in the Journal of Science predicts sea levels will also rise faster, by as much as seven metres.
In 2007, a United Nations report said both New Orleans and the Bay of Fundy are the most vulnerable to rising sea levels caused by global warming.
Because of these reports, Casey has been calling on federal officials to re-involve themselves in assessing and shoring up the aboiteaus and dykes along the Bay of Fundy.
"Cumberland County Municipalities managing snow removal budgets"
March 20th, 2009.
With warmer weather approaching municipalities can breathe a little easier when it comes to snow removal.
According to Oxford's CAO Darrell White, the still has $1,000 left in the budget for salt and snow removal.
"Operating with a $9,000 budget, with $1,000 left and with spring right around the corner I believe we'll be within budget this winter," White said.
The above figures do not factor in wages for the Public Works crew or overtime hours put in for snow removal. White figures over the course of the winter overtime hours for the public works crew have accumulated to less than $3,000.
Parrsboro's CAO Ashley Brown said his town is running $3,000 over budget with the purchase of salt to be used within the town.
Operating with a $35,000 snow removal and salt budget, Brown figures the town will still have an overall balanced budget.
"In situations where we're over budget in a particular area, such as snow removal it's a matter of reducing expenditures in other areas to make up the difference enabling Parrsboro to remain with a balanced budget," Brown said.
Amherst's transportation and operational services director Ben Pitman said he'll have an update for the town's committee of the whole meeting on Monday.
Springhill's director of public works was unavailable for comment.
"Daytime running lights on N.S. vehicles will be mandatory next month"
March 23rd, 2009.
Daytime running lights will become mandatory on Nova Scotia roads in about three weeks time.
Beginning April 13, all vehicles travelling on the province’s roads will be required to have daytime running lights. Drivers of vehicles not equipped with automatic daytime running lights will be required to use their low beams.
It is mandatory for all vehicles manufactured and sold in Canada after 1990 to be equipped with daytime running lights. Antique vehicles are exempt.
The fines, including court costs, will range from $164.50 for the first offence to $337 for the third and subsequent offences.
"Spring storm dumps a lot of snow on Nova Scotia & travel warnings still being issued"
March 24th, 2009.
Spring arrived last weekend but winter just doesn’t want to let go of Maritime Canada.
A fresh blanket of snow covers much of mainland Nova Scotia — up to 20 centimetres in places.
Most of P.E.I. and New Brunswick escaped the brunt of the latest system to track across the region, getting only a few centimetres.
Some morning flights out of Halifax have been cancelled so it’s best to check with the airport before heading out.
Plows have been operating on most major highways all night but police warn that roads are still very slippery in places.
"Wild weather continues into Spring as Mother Nature is not done with Winter yet"
-- Snowfall blankets all of Cumberland County...
March 25th, 2009.
Drivers who put away their snow tires did so too soon, as Mother Nature dumped at least 20 centimetres of snow on Cumberland County, forcing a portion of the Trans Canada Highway to close in the afternoon of the 24th.
From Exit 6 in Oxford to Exit 11 at Glenholme, the Cobequid Pass was closed because of impassable conditions. Other roads across the county were passable with caution, with slippery patches and reduced visibility.
From suppertime Monday to 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, Environment Canada had reports of 20 centimetres of the white stuff on the ground.
“Some areas have seen another five to 10 centimetres since then,” Bob Robichaud, regional meteorologist for Environment Canada, said just before 2 p.m., Tuesday.
Robichaud noted because the storm is slow moving, Nova Scotia and southeastern New Brunswick would see flurries into Wednesday morning.
“We could still see anywhere between five to 12 centimetres and local areas could even see a few more on top of that,” Robichaud added.
Nova Scotia Power spokesperson Stacey Pineau said no outages were reported in the province.
Cumberland District RCMP and Amherst Police Department responded to weather-related incidents.
Amherst Police Staff Sergeant Scott White said officers were called to a head-on collision between two vehicles after 10 p.m., Monday on Hickman Street.
“One vehicle slid in his lane and passed into the other lane,” he said, adding there were no injuries reported but both vehicles had been towed.
RCMP Const. Paul Calder said a few calls had been received of vehicles going off the road on the Trans Canada Highway, but no injuries were reported.
Because visibility was poor at the time the vehicles went off the road, Calder said tow trucks weren't called and the vehicles were left where they left the road.
Motorists traveling through the Cobequid Pass and Tantramar Marsh experienced white out conditions throughout the day.
"It's not a great day for traveling so unless people had to be somewhere, we recommended they stay home," Calder said.
"Wind-driven snow causes N.S. highway headaches as storm hits Maritimes"
March 25th, 2009.
The infamous Cobequid Pass, a rolling stretch of the main higway that links New Brunswick with Nova Scotia, was closed for about an hour Tuesday as a spring snowstorm descended on the Maritimes, creating an infuriating traffic jam that left more than 150 vehicles stranded.
Just after 2 p.m., amid whiteout conditions, about 15 vehicles were reportedly stuck in the ditch as tractor-trailors spun their wheels on the unplowed westbound lanes near Glenholme, N.S.
The lanes were reopened to traffic about an hour later, but the leftover mess wasn’t clear until 4 p.m.
Motorists were left fuming about the closure, which represented a brief repeat of the traffic chaos caused by another storm last Nov. 19.
The provincial government later issued a public apology to about 1,500 motorists who were left stranded on the highway for up to 16 hours.
Government officials later promised to take steps to make sure Highway 104 remained safe for travel through the winter months.
On Tuesday, many drivers were left wondering what happened.
Sgt. Mark Gallagher, a spokesman for the RCMP, said vehicles started sliding off the road in the morning, with three jackknifed tractor-trailers skidding into the ditch.
‘‘The Department of Transportation were trying to clear it as quickly as they could,’’ he said.
‘‘If it was in an area that was too risky, we would take them to a safe area or, if they chose to stay with a vehicle until conditions got better, they could do so as well.’’
Gallagher said the situation was handled more effectively than the traffic snarl four months ago.
‘‘This time it was a one-hour period, whereas before it was 16 to 18 hours that people were in vehicles,’’ he said.
‘‘There was much more effective communication. Vehicles were dispatched immediately and it’s kind of hard to stop all vehicles from entering from a number of entrances onto the Cobequid Pass but they did it to the best of their ability.’’
"Nova Scotia spending millions on system to provide health advice over phone "
March 25th, 2009.
Starting in July, Nova Scotians will be able to get certain kinds of health-care advice and information over the phone.
The provincial government says it will cost about $6.5 million a year for the new telecare service, which allows the public to speak with registered nurses.
The Department of Health signed a contract today with McKesson Canada to operate the service.
McKesson will hire 15 full-time and 12 part-time telehealth nurses, as well as others to run the system.
Registered nurses will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In addition to receiving advice, callers will also be told whether or not they need to seek another level of care.
"Beware scammers promising tax refunds"
March 25th, 2009.
Tax time also means it’s hunting season for scammers on the prowl for your personal information.
Fraudsters are using emails and letters to extract identity details by promising an income tax refund.
Communications now making the rounds tell recipients they’re eligible for a refund but they must send information such as their name, address and social insurance number to claim it.
A recent email contained a link to a website, which has since been taken down, with a form asking for such information. The link now bounces to a generic website based in Africa.
The Canada Revenue Agency would never request personal information by email, Carolyn McCormack, the agency’s acting communications manager for Atlantic Canada, said in an interview Monday.
"People should never respond to these communications."
It’s rare that the agency would contact anyone by email for any reason, she said. If it did so, it would usually be in response to an emailed inquiry from a taxpayer.
"And it would normally be preceded by a phone call or letter" from the agency, Ms. McCormack said.
She advises recipients to delete suspicious emails immediately. As well, never click on a link to a web page because the site may contain malicious software.
Such scams, either by email, regular mail or phone, have become common at tax time. Fraudsters are using a similar ploy in a letter that says there is "insufficient information" on an individual’s tax return. To receive a refund, the person is asked to update the personal information on a form.
"We take privacy very seriously," Ms. McCormack said. "If people have any doubts, immediately contact the CRA."
The Canada Revenue Agency has created a website to help taxpayers determine if a communication they receive is official. Go to: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/whtsnw/tms/frdlt-eng.html.
You can also report suspicious communications to the RCMP’s Phonebusters program at 1-888-654-9426.
"A spring phenomenon" - Scattered school cancellations after late March storm...
March 24th, 2009.
Spring may be here on the calendar but many Nova Scotians woke up today to a mound of white stuff.
A fresh blanket of snow — as much as 20 centimetres — covered parts of mainland Nova Scotia on Tuesday as a major storm system tracked across the region.
Southeastern New Brunswick and western P.E.I. were also hit, but snowfall amounts were not as heavy.
The snow and accompanying wind warnings led to school closures in several districts because of reduced visibility.
Some morning flights out of the Halifax airport were cancelled and police were warning motorists to use extra caution on area highways.
Meantime, about 1,400 Nova Scotia Power customers were without electricity on the province's south shore after a utility pole caught fire early Tuesday. Officials were not sure whether the problem was storm related.
Students in the Halifax regional school board district are heading to class this morning, except for students in the Duncan MacMillan High School, Eastern Shore District High and Musquodoboit Rural High family of schools.
But schools in the Strait Regional area, Chignecto Central and schools in Digby county are closed for the day due to stormy weather.
In the Cape Breton- Victoria regional school board, classes north of Smokey are cancelled today.
Last night, the weather office issued a blowing-snow warning for the whole province, even the areas where not much snow was expected.
Strong northeast winds were forecast to develop Monday night, causing local blowing snow and reduced visibility at times. Gusts were expected to reach 70 to 80 kilometres per hour.
"It’s fairly normal for this time of the year, it’s what we call a spring phenomenon," Ted Mr. McIldoon, an meteorologist with Environment Canada, said Monday. "It does happen, where we get very slow-moving low-pressure systems forming south of the province, or in the vicinity of the province.
"When they’re to the south of us, they bring in northeast winds and that brings in the snow."
Halifax police reported a number of accidents and cars off the road in the metro area due to slippery roads.
Nova Scotia Power workers were ready for any outages that might occur, spokeswoman Stacy Pineau said Monday.
"Recession hits home as more Canadians bankrupt, collecting EI benefits"
March 25th, 2009.
New figures showing a spike in personal bankruptcies and employment insurance applications show the recession is causing a lot of anguish with Canadians.
And given that the two distress indicators lag what is actually occurring in the economy, analysts say the next 12 months will see many more personal and corporate bankruptcies in Canada.
‘‘This is the real Main Street stuff,’’ said the head of Dale Orr Economic Insight.
‘‘This is people who have been laid off, so this is a direct cause of the bad economy. This is just the beginning, it’s going to be the end of 2011 before we’re back in equilibrium again,’’ Orr predicted.
The federal Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy reported Tuesday that 7,944 individuals across Canada filed for bankruptcy in January, up 21.7 per cent from a year earlier.
Over the past 12 months as a whole, about 12,000 Canadians became insolvent.
TD Bank economist Grant Bishop said he expects to see ‘‘more households succumbing’’ to insolvency through most of this year.
In another indicator of the recession’s bite, Statistics Canada reported Tuesday that 560,400 Canadians were getting regular employment insurance benefits in January, 104,000 more or 22.8 per cent more than 11 months earlier and 23,700 more than in December.
Economists said the figures were what would be expected with an economy that has fallen into a deep pit, with output shrinking 3.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2008 and expected to shrink further this quarter.
Opposition parties demanded Tuesday that the government improve benefits to the unemployed, saying the current program covers less than half of the unemployed. He noted that of the 1.3 million officially unemployed, only 560,000 are collecting benefits.
But Human Resources Minister Diane Finley, who announced a $60 million program to hire more workers to speed up procession of claims, had her own figures.
She said 80 per cent of individuals who pay into the system qualify for benefits. Many part-time workers and the self-employed do not qualify for EI.
‘‘Those who are not eligible for EI, it is often because in fact they did not pay into EI in most cases because they are not participants, and of course, there are cases where they do not have sufficient hours,’’ said Prime Minister Stephen Harper in responding to a question in the House of Commons.
In a TV interview, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty lamented that the 295,000 job losses of the past four months are just the beginning and that more Canadians will be thrown out of work this year.
But he added that the federal budget’s multi-billion stimulus spending and changes to EI rules will help.
The Conservative government says laid-off workers will get an extra five weeks of benefits, expanded work-sharing options and money for training under the revamped EI rules.
‘‘That’s a huge stimulus to the economy,’’ Flaherty said. ‘‘So we have to pull together on this. This is a difficult time for Canadians.’’
Most of the budget’s provisions won’t take effect until April 1, however, and even then, Canadians are not convinced they will have a major impact.
Worries about the length of the recession have been a major reason the stock markets have dropped more than 41 per cent since hitting records last spring, despite recent gains in equities. On Tuesday, the Toronto’s S&P/TSX composite index dropped more than 109 points to 8,849, compared with a level of more than 15,000 about nine months ago.
A new poll from the The Canadian Press Harris-Decima showed that while 57 per cent of respondents felt the stimulus would be ‘‘somewhat effective,’’ only six per cent believed it would make a significant difference.
‘‘The continuing uncertainty in financial markets, coupled with pessimism expressed by respected economic experts may be dampening confidence that these efforts will achieve the desired effect,’’ said Jeff Walker of Harris/Decima.
In a related matter, a Washington gathering of some of North American’s top chief executives and policy makers wound up Tuesday with an informal pledge to co-operation in shoring up the economy and to keep trade routes open.
In a statement, Thomas d’Aquino of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives said there ‘‘was unanimous agreement that free trade and efficient markets are essential to an early and sustained global recovery.’’
On Monday, the World Trade Organization warned that global trade may decline by as much as nine per cent this year.
'CBC to slash 800 jobs'
-- No word yet on how cuts will affect local operations
MARCH 26TH, 2009.
The cash-strapped CBC will axe 800 full-time jobs across the country and slash national TV and radio programming to make up a massive budget shortfall.
Hubert Lacroix, president of the public broadcaster, told employees Wednesday that the plan for making it through the financial crisis involves coming up with $171 million in savings and selling off $125 million in assets.
He emphasized that the CBC will strive to keep local stations open across the country.
People are the foundation of our success, Lacroix said in a news release.
We've done and will continue to do everything we can to minimize the impact of the situation on our staff. But in a company where 60 per cent of the overall budget goes to salaries, it's simply impossible to bridge a gap of this magnitude without having a major impact on people.
The plan is to cut 393 jobs at the CBC, 336 at Radio-Canada, and another 70 corporate positions.
Sources at CBC in Halifax said Wednesday that they didn’t know what the announced cuts would mean locally, as regional cuts were to be outlined Thursday.
The layoffs are to begin in mid-May at the earliest, after management assesses how many voluntary retirements it can secure.
All layoffs would be complete by the end of September.
Executive salaries are being frozen, but Lacroix maintained during the call that management bonuses will only be reduced by half — not eliminated — for the next fiscal year.
Lacroix said the CBC was not able to convince the federal government to give it an advance on future federal appropriations. The Conservative cabinet will still have to approve CBC management's financial plan, including offering employees early retirements to minimize pink slips.
The Canadian Media Guild, which represents most CBC employees, lashed out at the federal government for the cuts.
I blame the loss of 800 jobs squarely on the Conservative government,'' union president Lise Lareau said.
This was an entirely avoidable layoff. The Harper government forced the CBC to make these choices over a relatively small amount of money.
Viewers and listeners of CBC and Radio-Canada will see the greatest impact in network programming — national shows that are produced in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
Of the savings the network is trying to find in English programming, 80 per cent will be borne by the network, as opposed to 20 per cent in the regions.
Similarly, English-language television will bear the majority of the cuts at the CBC — about 80 per cent versus 20 per cent for radio.
Lacroix lamented the cuts, citing historic highs in audience numbers and a new era of co-operation with the unions.
These were difficult and painful decisions to make _ all the more so given that, in so many ways, this is a golden time for public broadcasting in Canada, he said.
Marc-Philippe Laurin, head of the CBC branch of the Canadian Media Guild, said many people who are eligible to retire early — and reduce the number of forced layoffs necessary — might not find it the most attractive proposition.
They're feeling the economic downturn like everyone else and their RRSPs are worth 50 per cent less than they once were. When you have financial analysts saying it will take five to ten years to recoup that money, that changes things.'
"N.S. responded well in latest Cobequid Pass backup, minister says"
March 26th, 2009.
The province did what it could to prepare for and respond to Tuesday's storm that tied up traffic on the Cobequid Pass for a couple of hours, Transportation Minister Brooke Taylor said Wednesday.
Mr. Taylor said it was a much better job than in November, when a storm stranded about 1,500 motorists for up to 16 hours. On Tuesday, there were about 150 vehicles tied up.
“What I’m hearing is we did a very, very good job responding to the snow storm of yesterday,” Mr. Taylor said in a telephone interview Wednesday morning.
"Everything I'm hearing so far is that Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, EMO, RCMP worked well together with yesterday’s storm and even with that, we had what we had."
Department spokeswoman Cathy MacIsaac said Wednesday that there were two extra plow/salt trucks added to the Cobequid Pass area, one on the Colchester side and one on the Cumberland side. That made the complement two in Colchester and three in Cumberland.
She also said signs at both ends of the pass were updated overnight Monday to warn motorists about driving conditions. There were whiteouts reported Tuesday.
Mr. Taylor said the province lived up to its responsibility in the storm, and drivers must realize the potential hazards of driving in bad weather.
“There is a risk. Government can do everything that’s within their responsibility, and drivers have to do everything in theirs," said Mr. Taylor, a former truck driver.
"We can be blamed for many things, but the weather? I don’t think it’s right that you would be able to say that we’re responsible for that because clearly, that’s something that happens all the time.”
Ms. MacIsaac said a truck slid and blocked the westbound lanes at about 1 p.m., and didn't get moving until about 2:30 p.m. There were about 15 other vehicles reported stuck in the ditch.
Traffic was flowing by 4 p.m., another Transportation official said Tuesday.
A couple of motorists interviewed by CTV on Tuesday harkened back to the November tie-up — labelled a debacle by many — and said they couldn't believe something similar happened again.
The minister said Tuesday's events were unfortunate, but he doesn't think it's possible to prevent every traffic blockage. He also noted traffic was delayed in Cape Breton Tuesday morning when several tractor-trailers jackknifed on Kellys Mountain.
The Cobequid Pass, a tolled 45-kilometre stretch of Highway 104 between Masstown, Colchester County and Thomson Station, Cumberland County, opened in 1997. The Liberal government of the day had it built as a bypass to Highway 4, a two-lane road with passing lanes that was also known for dangerous driving conditions.
Mr. Taylor, first elected in 1993, was one of many vocal opponents of the new highway, both because it was to have tolls, and for being located where high winds and heavy snow could hammer vehicles.
After the November storm, the province retained Opus International Consultants to review safety on the Cobequid Pass.
The firm came back with more than 30 recommendations, from installing remotely operated gates at on-ramps to the highway to posting warning signs and ensuring updated weather information is available at the toll booth.
Ms. MacIsaac said the province has adopted a half dozen recommendations so far, including having extra plows on duty when storms are forecast and putting variable messaging signs in place.
Other measures the department will take are having winter equipment ready by Nov. 1, studying areas of high winds and bad drifting to see they can be mitigated, and look at what barriers could be used at the exits when a section of the road is closed.
This News was all updated on: May 14th, 2009.
1.) "First hand account of historic Parrsboro fire"
-- This is a Special to The Record Local Newspaper...
April 2nd, 2009.
“The day Main Street in Parrsboro changed forever,” brought back vivid memories for me...
(Rose Willigar's - March 25th news article in the Record Local Paper)
Story:
Here is what I remember so well.
Nancy and I had come up from Halifax as guests of her sister, Geraldine Canning and her husband Aubra, who was the Parrsboro Fire Chief. We were well settled into a banquet at the Curling Club when word of the fire jolted everyone out of the party mood.
Aubie raced to his car and I went with him in case I could help. He made a quick survey of the situation, had someone call the Fire Brigades from surrounding towns for help, and then concern for the safety of the town's only Fire Truck in its wooden garage became prominent. We got the truck out and drove it to the main area to off-load hoses, ladders, axes, etc. Then Aubie did a reconnaissance drive to get the full picture. Returning to the primary scene, and after a quick consultation with his other firemen, it was concluded that in the high wind condition the wooden buildings in full flame were lost and the effort should be directed at protecting those buildings close to the fire but not yet burning. Sparks were flying everywhere, and the plan was to hose down those adjacent buildings as much and as long as possible. Soon other Fire Brigades with their fire equipment started to arrive and more hoses were laid out. At that point I left Aubie as he was busy with the Fire Chiefs from the other towns.
I noticed a group of teenage boys watching the goings on, and I asked them to follow me. There were many hoses laid out, but also a real shortage of manpower. We soon found a charged but unmanned hose in an alley and I instructed three or four boys on the handling of the hose and what was required. I particularly emphasized safety and told them to get out if the fire turned or started to look menacing. I picked one of the boys who seemed to have some leadership capability, and put him in charge of that team while the rest of us went looking for other unmanned hoses. In the end we had three or four teams of teenage boys working the fires, and I spent my time constantly visiting each team. The teams were separated, and some were in dark locations out of sight. Power in the area had been shut off. It was dirty, cold, wet and tiring work. But not one boy left his team until the fires were under control. Most of the boys had no hats or gloves, so they pulled the sleeves of their jackets over their hands and just cradled the hoses in their arms. Perhaps the worst thing was the stinging eyes from the smoke and flying ash. I didn't recover my full sight for 24 hours, and most of the boys were worse off than me.
Now to the point of my story. I had visited Parrsboro often before that night and heard the same sort of complaints that we hear today about the lazy and unreliable youth of the town who spend their time on the Post Office steps smoking and talking, or racing up and down Main Street in borrowed cars. Well, after that night, whenever I heard that sort of talk in Parrsboro I let the speaker know in no uncertain terms the high regard I had for the Parrsboro kids. I often told the story of their keenness to help that night, and their determination under tough conditions to see the job through. They stuck with it. Interestingly, as the evening progressed I noticed several “adults”, including some who I had heard earlier badmouthing the kids, sitting out of the rain in lawn chairs on their porches watching the show.
Those boys will be in their fifties or sixties now; and if any are still around, and if they read this article, please know that I was very proud of you that evening. And today, forty years later, I salute you again.
2.) " Big Deal have officially become a bigger deal"
April 3rd, 2009.
-- Local band signed to Attack Records/EMI...
The Cumberland County rock band has signed a record deal with Attack Records of Toronto, as well as a distribution deal with EMI, less than two years after the independent release of their debut CD, Non Sufficient Funds in July of 2007.
After promoting their first album as much as they could, and pleased with its success on a local level, the band was writing songs and planning to record its second album last fall when vocalist/guitarist Adam Siddall received the call from Attack.
“They loved the Non Sufficient Funds album and wanted us to sign up with them,” said Siddall. “They were impressed by the quality of the recording so they asked us to hold off on recording the new album and to let them promote/market/distribute the first one.”
After waiting for this their whole lives, the band of Adam and Justin Siddall, Bruce Fisher and Cory Gautreau, were elated with the opportunity, but had two obstacles in front of them before signing the deal.
First, the group wanted to have enough money in its bank account for touring, and production costs for the new CD.
The second obstacle was Adam’s back, which has caused him serious problems since incurring surgery-related problems a few years ago. He is now waiting to see another surgeon, but unfit for a heavy touring schedule in his current condition.
The record company agreed to wait for the band to get its affairs in order, and a deal was finally signed in January. Attack Records agreed to market and promote the Non Sufficient Funds album to radio, film, TV and video game companies. A deal has already been reached with MTV that could see Big Deal songs featured on programs such as The Hills and Cribs.
Meanwhile, a worldwide distribution deal has also been signed, with EMI handling distribution in North America and Caroline Distribution overseas.
A third part of the deal will see Attack Records president Mark Berry, who has produced/engineered/mixed albums for the likes of David Bowie, Duran Duran, and Billy Idol, come on board as co-producer of the next Big Deal album.
Another run of the first CD is now being made, to be circulated to radio stations worldwide, with “Diamond Girl” as the first single.
The group can also tour anytime, but are taking things one step at a time.
“We don’t want to jump into anything too soon, before people outside of the Maritimes know who we are,” said Adam. “Also, the hope is that my team of doctors and surgeons will have my spine repaired before we miss out on anything big!”
The band will celebrate their new developments with a show on: Friday, April 3rd, 2009 at the Southampton Fire Hall, where the Siddall brothers once played as children with their first band, Fever Pitch. It is not only a celebration but also an opportunity to say thank you to all off those who have supported them over the years.
“We thought it would be really nice to do it again all these years later, with so many good things happening for the group,” he said. “Southampton is also a central location to our most loyal and supportive audiences - Parrsboro, Springhill and Amherst. We’re hoping that people from those towns will make the 20-minute drive to celebrate with us in Southampton!”
** See in picture section of this group!!!!
Congradulations to all of you of Big Deal... Much Deserved!!!! ALL THE bEST TO YOU IN THE FUTURE!!!
3.) "Parrsboro Your Ship’s come in"
-- Parrsboro marks 25 years of homegrown theatre...
April 3rd, 2009.
For its 25th anniversary Ship’s Company Theatre wants to honour the community that supports it.
"Ship’s Company, more than any other theatre I have worked at, would not have existed if not for the incredible effort of the people and the volunteers," says artistic director Pamela Halstead.
This year she made a "big effort" to commission the type of plays that audiences tell her they like — stories about the area that involve music and comedy.
The season features an adaptation of Parrsboro writer Bruce Graham’s novel Ivor Johnson’s Neighbours, July 1 to 26, and Ferry Tales, written by Carol Sinclair with original music and additional lyrics by David Sereda, Aug. 5 to 30.
The season will feature many Ship’s Company alumni including Frank MacKay, who was in Chairmaker for two years, founding artistic director Michael Fuller as lighting designer, set designer Stephen Osler and founding artistic director Mary Vingoe, acting for her first time in many years. "People still talk about her performance in Road to Mecca," says Halstead.
Actor Gay Hauser, returning for Ivor Johnson’s Neighbours, first performed at Parrsboro in its second year. She starred in the Minas Basin Miracle Play on the Kipawo ferry boat, which was the original stage before a tent was erected on it and, in 2004, a new 150-seat facility opened.
"Maybe rural Nova Scotia is the place to start theatre companies," says Hauser, also a veteran of Mulgrave Road Theatre in Guysborough. "Look at Ross Creek. Somehow rural Nova Scotians are very supportive of the arts in their community."
Hauser ended up spending many summers in Parrsboro when her husband, Stephen Osler, became resident set designer. She remembers Parrsboro’s Curwin Davidson helping Osler work on the famous set with airplane for The Summer of the Handley Page, staged in 1987 and 1988. "He and Stephen hit it off and he loved figuring out all the mechanics," she said. "It was great fun, it was just a great summer." (Davidson still volunteers with the theatre.)
There will be a special reading of The Summer of the Handley Page, by Carol Sinclair, as well as musical selections from another Ship’s hit, Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave, on Aug. 1 as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations.
Playwright Charlie Rhindress has adapted Graham’s novel for a story that is set in the 1950s on Parrsboro’s Whitehall Road. The play is about the people who live on the road including the twins Edger and Ledger played by one actor. "There’s all kinds of drama," says Halstead. "There’s a teenage pregnancy, there’s infidelity, there’s a woman who has a complete makeover. You have all these lives interwoven."
Ferry Tales, commissioned like Ivor Johnson’s Neighbours by Ship’s Company, is a musical full of the lore of the MV Kipawo, still incorporated into the theatre in its sheltered outdoor lobby
The ferry, connecting Parrsboro, Kingsport and Wolfville, didn’t only connect people physically but also socially, says Halstead. "Carol Sinclair has done an incredible amount of research."
Halstead, who first acted at Ship’s in 1998, has been artistic director since 2004 and is leaving in October. A new artistic director will be announced on the anniversary weekend at the end of July.
Over 20 people from across Canada have applied for the position. "I was kind of surprised. We’re a relatively small company but in terms of our repertoire and new play development Ship’s has a longstanding history."
Halstead, leaving for "new challenges," has grown up a lot in Parrsboro, she says. "It’s been an incredible time for me personally and professionally. I feel I’ve come into my own. I’ve learned so much as an artistic director and a director and about how passionate I am about new play development. It was fantastic to focus so much energy on that and to have the opportunity to work with such fantastic artists."
4.) "Martina Yorke honoured as youth volunteer"
March 3rd, 2009.
When you’re 18 years old, a full-time student and a part-time worker, there is rarely a lot of spare time to go around.
Martina Yorke makes the most out of the extra time she has, however, as an active volunteer in her community. One day might find her coaching young children at the local skating club, while the next might find her spending time with the residents at South Cumberland Community Care Centre.
For those reasons and more, she has been recognized by town council as Parrsboro’s youth volunteer of the year.
“I was very happy, surprised and honoured,” said the 18-year-old daughter of Marlene and David Yorke, explaining her reaction upon hearing of the recognition.
Having always lived in Parrsboro, Martina said she always liked being involved in her community, whether it be serving with the local Handley Page air cadets squadron, which she had to step away from two years ago when she began working at the local Pharmasave, or from getting involved in extra-curricular activities at Parrsboro Regional High School, such as the student police and the yearbook committee.
She was also very active in the Parrsboro Skating Club, having just completed her final year with the club after joining when she was four years old. She was an assistant coach with the club, assisting the many young skaters as they learned the sport.
“I enjoyed teaching them new things,” she said. “It was fun to see them improve and grow up.”
Martina, who plans to attend the University of New Brunswick in Moncton, N.B. in the fall to study nursing, has also been a regular fixture at the care centre this year, visiting the residents every week to play games, make crafts and spend time with them.
She also this year joined the local community health board, and most recently has been involved with its Walk Around the World initiative to get people of all ages in the community more physically active.
While such activities, along with her heavy workload as a Grade 12 student, limit the amount of time she gets to spend with her friends, she said she has no regrets.
“It’s just something I want to do,” said Martina. “It’s nice being involved in my community.”
Volunteering is something that has been encouraged by her family, according to Martina, and her mother, Marlene Patterson-Yorke, said she admires the focus she puts into it.
“She’s always had an interest,” she said.
** See in pictures section of this group!!!
Congrats Martina!!! A job well done! Best of Luck to you in all your future endevors!!!! :-)
5.) "Patching together support for their community"
April 2nd, 2009.
With a little help from their friends, a group of local women raised more than $1,000 for their church in Parrsboro N.S. by just quilting.
Working on their third quilt in a month and a half, Marilyn Orr, Gwen Henderson, Midge Lucas and Ruby Clarke got together with friends March 25 and held a quilting B to raise money for the church.
“We raised roughly $1,200 with sponsors and the sale of the quilt combined,” Orr said.
In addition to sponsorship many people who knew they were holding the event dropped by the church hall to bring food, Orr said, or offer encouragement to continue on.
The quilt the ladies were working on the evening of the quilting B was spoken for before the final stitching was even complete.
“We decided to get together a couple of months ago to quilt as a group,” Gwen Henderson, another quilter said.
“Not too long ago we got together and in four days had a king size quilt finished,” Henderson added.
Quilting is something the ladies decided to continue with and by the time Old Home Week happens in Parrsboro they plan to display the quilts throughout the St. Georges Anglican Church for all see.
1.) "Hands off doctors, health board says"
** Warning comes after frustrated patient accosted off-duty MD.
April 11th, 2009.
Physicians need a life, too, is the regular reminder that comes with notices regarding emergency room closures at the Pugwash hospital.
The advisory from the Cumberland Health Authority arises from an "uncomfortable situation" experienced by a local physician more than a year ago, said authority spokeswoman Ann Keddy. A frustrated patient aggressively approached a doctor outside a treatment setting, she said.
Although there have been no similar situations since that incident, the authority continues to remind citizens that it’s inappropriate to accost doctors in their homes or offices for emergency treatment.
It’s sometimes hard for citizens to understand that no doctor is available for emergency room service at North Cumberland Memorial Hospital when they see them around the community in which they live, Ms. Keddy said. In a smaller place where everyone knows everyone, patients may approach a doctor without realizing it’s his or her day off, she said.
"There’s the idea that ‘you’re in the community, why aren’t you working?’ " she said.
Patients are encouraged instead to call 911 in the event of an emergency, she said.
The ambulance will most likely take patient to Amherst, she said. Ambulance fees are more than $100 per trip, while visiting the emergency room at a hospital is free, but in a true emergency it’s worth it, she said.
"Unfortunately, that does become an issue," she said.
Pugwash is served by three doctors and a nurse practitioner, and by an Oxford physician who takes a rotation in the hospital emergency room. But that’s not enough to provide 24-hour coverage year-round, Ms. Keddy said.
The health authority is actively seeking six more physicians for Pugwash and for Parrsboro, Amherst and Springhill. But so are other Nova Scotia health authorities, she said.
North Cumberland Memorial is equipped with just four acute-care and a couple of palliative-care beds. It also offers physiotherapy, laboratory, X-ray and clinical services to a community that bulges with thousands of summer residents every year.
The hospital usually has one 12-hour period a week when no one is available to cover the emergency room, but this past Wednesday and Thursday the shortage spanned 36 hours, Ms. Keddy said.
"That was unforeseen," she said.
Pugwash area patients with an emergency should call 243-2521 before heading to the emergency room, she said.
2.) Gas & Diesel Prices have gone down this week in Parrsboro & across Nova Scotia!!!
-- "Gas & Diesel Prices at: Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S. as of: April 11th, 2009 are Below:
** Regular is: 94.4 cents a litre (Full Serve) **
Regular is: 90.4 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 93.8 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: 97.2 cents a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: 96.2 cents a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
3.) "Voice of the people"
April 11th, 2009.
"No one wants an election, premier says" (April 2).
Wrong again, Rodney MacDonald. You’ve clearly been talking only to Conservatives.
Most of us electors, rural or urban, want an election to remove perhaps the most embarrassingly inept government in the recent history of Nova Scotia.
says Julian Gwyn, Berwick.
'He’s not listening'
Rodney MacDonald has once again decided to speak for everyone in the province.
He says no one wants an election. Time and again, his words and actions show how he really does not listen to the people of Nova Scotia. Yet, he takes the liberty of saying this is what we all want.
I don’t recall Nova Scotians asking Rodney to give himself and his posse a huge raise, to recant the income tax cut, to allow continual increases in power rates, to ignore us, gouge us and tax us till we are all unable to afford any quality of life. I don’t seem to recall saying this to anyone.
I personally can’t wait for an election, but that’s my opinion and not everyone else’s. Or is it?
John Bryden, Stillwater Lake
"Kiss Tories goodbye?"
Ron Chisholm, Tory MLA and a member in good standing in the Rodney MacDonald government, recently advised rural Nova Scotia that if the NDP come to power, we might as well kiss our ass goodbye. What an interesting perspective.
Whenever I’m in Halifax, I see construction cranes, new developments, plans for wider streets, upgrades and prosperity. When I get off the Trans-Canada and return to rural Nova Scotia, I’m on Third World roads passing boarded-up buildings. Even in our small towns, empty stores and vacant buildings abound.
My question to Mr. Chisholm is: If the Progressive Conservatives are the party of rural Nova Scotia, why are all the money, jobs and development going to metropolitan Halifax?
As for losing our asses, take the road from Parrsboro to Amherst a few times, or the road from Kennetcook to Windsor, and see how long your ass lasts.
Bruce Graham, Parrsboro
April 11th, 2009.
-- RCMP members are leaving...
– The local Parrsboro RCMP office is losing two of its current members, Parrsboro Town Council announced in its monthly police advisory committee report on March 24.
Cpl. John James is being transferred to a job at RCMP headquarters, while Const. Jeff Davidson has accepted a transfer to St. George, N.B., after four years in Parrsboro.
-- Earth Day cleanup scheduled....
– The town of Parrsboro's sustainable tourism committee is planning a town-wide cleanup on May 23, as well as a number of other initiatives, announced at its March 24 monthly council session.
Also pursued through subcommittees will be participation in the Communities in Bloom program, heritage walking tours in conjunction with the Parrsborough Shore Historical Society, and the implementation of sections from the Towards a Sustainable Parrsboro report completed recently.
-- Volunteers recognized....
– In Parrsboro a senior citizen, a youth and a local family have been honoured by town council as its annual volunteer representatives.
Ken Snowdon was chosen to represent Parrsboro at the provincial volunteer awards ceremony in Halifax in April, although he is not expected to be returned from his seasonal residence in time to attend. Martina York has been selected as the town’s youth volunteer of the year, and the Perry/McCully family was chosen as the town’s volunteer family.
5.) "Watch Out"
April 11th, 2009.
"Newer Updated version of story in the picture section of this group - See car in hole."
A couple driving along Brook and Branch Road in Port Greville near Parrsboro Nova Scotia on Saturday, said.. and you thought your street was rough.. When they fell into something a bit unexpected........
** Check it out in the picture section of this group...
"Online sports betting in N.S.? - ALC searching for software firm to build, support system"
April 19th, 2009.
Think the San Jose Sharks are going all the way this year to win the Stanley Cup? Great, just pull up to your computer and place your bet.
Atlantic Canadians may soon be able to wager on sports online — a pastime that’s taboo in many parts of the world.
The region’s lottery corporation is searching for a software company that can build an online sports betting platform and the accompanying administrative support system needed to run it.
"In order to remain relevant to our players we must deliver what the player wants in the safest and most entertaining way possible," the Atlantic Lottery Corp. states in a tender bid posted on its website.
"The genie’s out of the bottle," said Michael Lipton, partner in the Toronto law firm Dickinson Wright.
The lottery corporation could reap vast revenues from sports betting online, Mr. Lipton, who heads up the Canadian gaming section of the firm, said in an interview this week.
The practice is illegal in the U.S. and several other countries but is sanctioned in the U.K., Malta and Gilbraltar. France also may be moving toward legalizing it.
"Perhaps Canada’s time is here. They should get going and do the same thing," said Mr. Lipton.
A spokeswoman for the Atlantic Lottery Corp. wouldn’t comment Friday about the plan, saying the tendering process is highly confidential.
"It really comes down to a factor of intellectual property," said Courtney Pringle, from the lottery’s New Brunswick offices. "At this point in time, there are no details I can discuss."
Therefore it was unclear how the corporation plans to roll out the scheme after bidding closes on May 6.
Krista Grant, spokeswoman for the Nova Scotia Gaming Corp., said the authority can’t speak about the lottery’s plans.
Taxes gleaned from sports betting online could result in huge windfalls for the four Atlantic provinces, said Mr. Lipton, who believes it’s time governments took advantage of the enormous sums offshore betting firms have been making for years.
"That (money) builds a lot of bridges and a lot of schools," said Mr. Lipton.
He said the lottery corporation can legally run an online sports betting operation under Section 207 of the Criminal Code, but it can’t accept bets from people from other countries where such gaming isn’t sanctioned and other Canadian provinces would have to agree to allow their residents to make wagers.
But at least one Nova Scotia politician is at odds with the scheme.
"The last thing we need to be doing is having (online gaming) in Nova Scotia," said Liberal justice critic Michel Samson.
He said he’s incensed that the lottery corporation would resort to online gambling on the heels of introducing the controversial Keno video lottery game.
"Bringing in more gaming . . . will have a ravaging effect."
Mr. Samson fears the nature of Internet betting will make the gambling problem here much worse.
"It’s a hidden form of gambling. Nobody sees you doing this. If you’re doing the (video lottery terminals), you have to go to a place, you have to go to a bar. (With online betting), you’re sitting in your home."
Mr. Samson also questioned whether controls would be in place to prevent minors from making wagers online.
"You’re dealing with the Internet. It seems to be a bit of a grey area. We’d certainly like to get a bit of an explanation as to how they’re going to cover this off."
Mr. Lipton said software is available to screen clients and ensure minors don’t get involved, and it’s easier to track betting patterns over computers than at land-based casinos, adding that about two per cent of the population are problem gamblers and there are programs in place to help.
Online sports betting started in the mid-1990s, he said, and Canadians have become more accepting, in part because technology has become more sophisticated.
"The Internet is with us, all around us at all time. The upshot is that (users) have learned to trust the system. There are jurisdictions that have very high standards that regulate them."’
Mr. Lipton said that a PricewaterhouseCoopers report on Internet sports betting in the U.S. estimates a haul in excess of $50 billion over the next 10 years. He suggested that Canada’s take could be six to eight per cent of that number.
"Aeolian Singers to perform in Parrsboro N.S."
April 19th, 2009.
The Parrsboro Band Association will present Halifax’s Aeolian Singers on Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m. at The Band Hall.
The Aeolians, conducted by Jacqueline Chambers, will present an eclectic afternoon of music for women’s chorus, including songs by Nova Scotian singer/songwriters such as Susan Crowe and Raylene Rankin and excerpts from Where I Live, their upcoming CD. Accompanist is Hannah Parks.
Tickets are $10 and are available in advance in Parrsboro from Home Hardware and the Sweet Briar Boutique, by calling Brenda Wheaton at 254-3153, and at the door.
3.) "What is wrong with Nova Scotia's Health Care System???" - "Bankrupted by cancer - Woman’s out-of-province (N.S.) treatment has cost her family $200,000 in the past nine years"
April 19th, 2009.
ANGELA FEINDEL says she and her husband maxed out their credit cards, wiped out their children’s education fund and finally went bankrupt in her fight with a rare, life-threatening form of eye cancer.
Now, the Halifax woman hopes the province will start paying the travel and accommodation costs for patients like her who have to leave Nova Scotia for treatment.
"It doesn’t make sense to approve treatment that’s outside the province, and agree that treatment is required, but then not help you get there to actually receive the treatment," she said in an interview Friday. "It’s not fair. It doesn’t make sense and it puts people like me in a very unfortunate, potentially life-threatening position."
Starting last December, the MacDonald government is paying for the accommodations of patients who have been out of the province for three consecutive months or more, primarily those waiting for organ transplants. The maximum monthly allowance is $1,500.
Health Minister Karen Casey said Thursday there are no plans to change the policy.
"We’ve not extended that at this point," she said after cabinet. "It’s strictly for organ . . . transplant at this point."
In 2007, Ms. Feindel fought and won a battle with the province to have her medical treatment in the United States covered, but the cost of travel and accommodations still had to be paid out of their own pockets.
New Democrat Leonard Preyra said the province’s help doesn’t go far enough.
"It is effective denial of the service if the travel to and from is not included as an eligible expense," the Halifax Citadel-Sable Island MLA said Friday.
Mr. Preyra said the government should have a plan in place for people dealing with catastrophic illness, but in the short term the health minister should look at situations on a case-by-case basis and decide what can be covered.
Ms. Feindel, 40, said that since her diagnosis nine years ago, her family has spent $200,000 for 40 trips to Toronto, New York, Philadelphia and Miami in an attempt to keep the disease from progressing.
"You just do what you’ve got to do," she said. "You use your credit cards and you use loans and any sources that you can get because what is important at that point is your health."
She said she and her husband Jonathan even had to use the $6,000 they had set aside as an education fund for their son, 5, and daughter, 3, and they increased their mortgage, which now eats up 55 per cent of their monthly income.
Ms. Feindel and her husband declared bankruptcy last year. A judge released them last week from their $600-a-month payment to creditors, but the couple are struggling to find about $12,000 for additional treatments in the U.S. for her cancer and the chronic pain from the disease.
"We’re still in a jam," she said.
Ms. Feindel said they even tried to get access to her locked-in pensions from when she worked at Nova Scotia Power and Aliant, as well as her husband’s pension from his job as a consultant for an Internet company, but the province’s superintendent of pensions denied the requests.
"We’ve paid our dues and we’ve tried everything possible to make it happen within our own means," Ms. Feindel said. "Family and friends and people we don’t even know helped us out and try and mitigate the costs.
"It only makes sense that (the province) look at the policies that they have for this and do what’s right for Nova Scotians and for me."
4.) "As recession deepens, more and more jobless fall through the cracks"
April 19th, 2009.
The most severe recession in decades is exposing the gaping holes in Canada’s vaunted social safety net.
Only six months into an economic downturn, social advocates and the jobless say the employment insurance system that was supposed to cushion the fall is in reality either inadequate or so hard to access that tens of thousands of newly unemployed just don’t qualify for benefits.
As is always the case in times of economic troubles, it’s the most vulnerable in society that are being hurt most by the recession.
And it’s those Canadians, along with a smattering of individuals with unusual circumstances, who are finding the EI system not as advertised.
After giving birth last May, Maninder Rehsi of Maple, Ont., north of Toronto, was only able to acquire 430 insurable hours of work before her employer Progressive Moulded Products succumbed to the recession and went out of business, idling 2,000 workers, including her husband. Under EI requirements for her region, she was out of luck because she hadn’t accumulated 600 insurable hours over the previous 12 months.
Now Rehsi says her husband’s benefits are close to exhausted and she doesn’t know how they’ll make ends meet if they don’t find a job soon.
Martin Smith of Guelph, Ont., a British manufacturing engineer who was recruited by auto parts maker Linamar (TSX:LNR) four years ago and had been paying EI premiums ever since, only to find out that for him the system was a one-way street.
When he was laid off for about seven weeks this winter, he was told his permit allowed him to work only for Linamar, hence he didn’t qualify because he couldn’t seek employment elsewhere without a new work permit.
Or Deonarine Persaud of Toronto who lost his nine-year job at a car parts supplier last May and is now barely getting by on his wife’s Wal-Mart Canada (NYSE:WMT) salary, after his EI benefits of about $400 a week ran out.
“It’s not like I don’t want to work,” said Persaud. “I used to work 50, 60 hours a week sometime. There are no jobs, not just for me, lots of people can’t get jobs now.”
Canada’s previously robust labour market began stalling last spring and went into a tailspin last fall, dropping 357,000 jobs since October. Economists believe as many as 600,000 Canadians could become victims this year of the worst recession in decades and possibly since the Great Depression.
It is precisely for such times that unemployment insurance was created and worked relatively well during the recessions of the early 1980s and 1990s.
But unlike the past two slumps, when about 80 per cent of the unemployed collected unemployment insurance, today less than 43 per cent, or 560,000 of the 1.3 million Canadians who were officially jobless in January, are collecting benefits.
What’s more, they are likely covered for fewer weeks and are earning far less. Regardless of a worker’s salary before being laid off, EI’s top payout is $447 a week, and the average payout is abut $325 a week, the equivalent of minimum wage.
That’s significantly less than the $595, in today’s dollars, that EI recipients were receiving in 1995, according to a calculation by the Caledon Institute, an Ottawa-based social policy think tank.
Sylvain Schetagne, an economist with the Canadian Labour Congress, explains that successive Conservative and Liberal governments in the late 1980s to mid-1990s, cut away at the employment insurance safety net until it was in shreds.
At the time, Ottawa was fighting massive budget deficits accumulated over the previous two decades and cut social spending and other costs to help balance their books.
In the January stimulus budget, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty extended the period under which qualified EI recipients can collect benefits by five weeks, but did not increase the level of benefits nor relax eligibility rules, as many asked.
Even with the change, jobless Canadians today are less likely to qualify for benefits, will earn less and for fewer weeks than in the 1990s or 1980s.
What made the biggest difference was when the criteria for qualifying was changed in the mid-1990s from one based on weeks worked to hours. Since a minimum of 15 hours qualified for a week, the change almost tripled the minimum requirement to receive benefits in areas of high unemployment from 180 insurable hours to 420.
In low unemployment regions, the requirement goes up to 700 hours and new and returning entrants face an even bigger hurdle — they need to have worked 910 insurable hours to qualify.
That leaves a lot of temporary, part-time, contract workers and new entrants into the labour force, such as graduating students, immigrants or even those who had exhausted previous benefits, out in the cold, says Schetagne.
“This system was designed so Canadians most likely to lose their jobs would not get access,” he says.
The other major rip in the net is that benefits have not kept up with inflation. Today, recipients can only earn 55 per cent of insurable income up to a maximum of $447 a week, a big fall-off from the early 1970s, when the formula was 75 per cent of insurable income. Successive changes trimmed it to 66 per cent, then to 60 per cent, and finally to the current rate.
Even at the top rate, today’s benefits are barely enough to pay for most mortgages, Schetagne points out.
“People don’t realize how small (benefits) are until they fall into it. Then they say, `Oh my God, I can’t feed my children, what am I going to do?’ They’re forced to sell their house, take lower-paying jobs, exhaust their savings.”
5.) Gas Prices remain the same price this week in Parrsboro & across Nova Scotia "but" Diesel Prices go down a bit in price!!!
-- "Gas & Diesel Prices at: Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S. as of: April 19th, 2009 are Below:
** Regular is: 97.1 cents a litre (Full Serve)
Regular is: 93.1 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 96.5 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: 99.9 cents a litre (self serve)
** Diesel Fuel is: 94.3 cents a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
6.) "Discount retailers see rising profits during recession"
April 19th, 2009.
Discount retailers are thriving as Canadians try to score a bargain with the economy in recession.
On Friday, Canadian dollar store chain Dollarama reported its sales rose more then 12 per cent to more then $315 million over a 13-week period that ended in February.
Dollarama also announced that profits rose nine per cent in its fourth quarter.
The Montreal based discount retail chain said sales were $315.5 million for the 13-week period ended Feb. 1, 2009 versus $281.4 million for the 13-weeks ended Feb. 3, 2008 while annual sales were $1.1 billion compared to $972.4 million for the year earlier period.
The same is true of discount retailers across the country.
The Montreal based discount retail chain said sales were $315.5 million for the 13-week period ended Feb. 1, 2009 versus $281.4 million for the 13-weeks ended Feb. 3, 2008 while annual sales were $1.1 billion compared to $972.4 million for the year earlier period.
The same is true of discount retailers across the country.
"Business is up and prices are down," said Lee Romberg from Off The Cuff, a thrift clothing shop in Toronto.
But Paul Smith, the manager of a Dollar Giant store in Vancouver, said that despite the recession, he hasn't seen a change in sales or in the number of shoppers.
"The economy doesn't really seem to affect our business," said Smith told CTV.ca.
What are people buying? Smith said his most popular item is snack food. But he added that cleaning supplies and small household items, such as plates and mugs, are also selling well.
"Nobody wants to spend $10 on a can opener," said a dollar store employee to CTV News.
But dollar stores aren't the only ones booming in this economy. Other businesses with a low price point are also thriving. For example, McDonald's boosted its coffee business with a recent muffin-and-coffee special.
"We're selling millions more cups of coffee this year versus the same time last year," John Betts of McDonald's Canada told CTV News. "We're clearly connecting with our customers."
But in the same period of time, higher-end coffee chains such as Second Cup or Timothy's have began closing stores in cities like Toronto.
Thrift and secondhand stores are seeing an increase in sales, too.
Scott Boss, store manager of a Value Village in Moncton, N.B, thinks that his store's low prices play a large role in its rising popularity with shoppers.
"Our prices are much cheaper then other outlets," he said. "There's a draw."
For example, T-shirts cost between two to four dollars each and a pair of jeans can be bought for as little as six dollars at his store.
"With the retail of second-hand stores," said a Value Village employee to CTV News, "I definitely think they're going to be thriving through the recession."
There are also options for people who want to buy more expensive kinds of clothes. At Off The Cuff, a customer can buy an entire suit for under $400.
"We have a cult following," said Romberg, and in the past few months he thinks more people have came to the store because of the recession.
But not all secondhand stores are seeing an increase. Kelly Hughes, owner of a used bookstore in Winnipeg, doesn't think the recession is behind good sales at his store.
"People are very much creatures of habit," said Hughes. "I think that somebody who normally buys new books will just buy less."
1.) "Missing kayaker found deceased - Identity being withheld until next of kin are advised"
April 24th, 2009.
FIVE ISLANDS, N.S. — A kayaker reported missing in this area last night was deceased when police found him this morning.
RCMP Sg.t Al Afflect said the kayaker was discovered from the air this morning on a small, island-like portion of land on the Bass River of Five Islands. An officer dropped from an RCMP helicopter to check on the man’s condition and shortly after confirmed that he was deceased.
The man’s identity is being withheld until next of kin are notified.
Because the area was too small to land the chopper on, a Cormorant helicopter was sent in from CFB Greenwood to assist with recovery of the body.
Affleck said the body was placed in a basket lowered down from the helicopter. The body has since been transported by ambulance to Halifax to determine the exact cause of death, which Affleck could have been caused from blunt force, drowning or hypothermia.
The victim was one of four experienced kayakers who were familiar with that stretch of river, which is described as being very treacherous with high, fast water.
After coming to the top of tiered waterfall, the four had decided to pull their boats from the water and portage around. The victim got caught up in an eddy, however, disappeared and was not seen alive again.
Ground Search and Rescue teams from Colchester and Springhill participated in the search which began this morning at 8:30.
The kayaker disappeared at about 6 p.m. Wednesday but searchers were prevented by high winds and heavy rain from getting started until this morning.
River conditions are reported to be treacherous with rapids, steep cliffs, fog, ice walls and many obstacles.
2.) "Parrsboro's Found Skull still remains a hidden mystery"
April 24th, 2009.
The results are in on the human skull found beneath the Parrsboro United Baptist Church last November.
The remains that were uncovered by construction workers while renovations were underway on November 19 turned out to be from the period between 1880 to 1939.
“The report that came back from the medical examiners office in Halifax said the remains were male like of a 20 to 25 year-old and the biological [identity] of the remains were undetermined,” Const. Dennis Munroe of the Parrsboro RCMP said.
Munroe explained that when the remains were discovered archeologists from Dalhousie University were called in to complete the excavation surrounding the area of where the remains were found.
“During that excavation there were nails found in the vicinity of the location of the skull that were dated to that time period,” Munroe said.
Munroe also added that the conclusion was also determined by aerial photos and wiring configuration under the church.
According to information on the Parrsboro United Baptist Church in the Heritage Homes and History of Parrsboro Book The Parrsboro Baptist Church (now United Baptist) was organized in 1859 with fifteen charter members.
The erection of a church followed in 1860 by Issac Crowe and John Allen on lands donated by Vickery Davison. An 1878 Plan of Davison Lands sets this lot out as B.M.H. meaning Baptist Meeting House.
Also the book states that this church opened for services in December of 1885. In 1903 the interior was remodeled, electricity installed, a baptistery added and the vestry built.
3.) Gas & Diesel Prices will be updated later today!!!!
-- "Gas & Diesel Prices at: Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S. as of: April 23rd, 2009 are Below:
** Regular is: 97.1 cents a litre (Full Serve)
Regular is: 93.1 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 96.5 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: 99.9 cents a litre (self serve)
** Diesel Fuel is: 94.3 cents a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
4.) "Canadians told to be on alert for Mexico illness"
April 24th, 2009.
A mysterious and "severe" respiratory illness has surfaced in parts of Mexico and may be affecting some Canadians who recently vacationed there.
Mexican doctors have confirmed 137 cases of the unidentified illness in south and central Mexico. At least one Canadian has been treated for severe pneumonia after returning from Mexico.
Canadians who have recently returned from Mexico are being warned they should be on alert for severe flu-like symptoms that could be connected to the illness, says an advisory sent by the Public Health Agency of Canada to health services across Canada.
** Read more in the Picture's Section of this group...
5.) "N.S. opposition to get chance next week to topple Tories?"
April 24th, 2009.
Nova Scotia's opposition parties will have a chance to bring down the government before it tables a spring budget after the legislature resumes sitting next week.
Government house leader Cecil Clarke confirms the Tories are working on separate legislation that would allow them to change the definition of a balanced budget.
The move became necessary when the government failed to meet a $106-million debt payment for 2008-09 in order to use surplus funds for post-secondary education.
Clarke says as a matter of procedure, the so-called "enabling legislation" will have to be introduced before the budget and says it will be "one of the first items of business" after the house opens next Thursday.
Both the NDP and Liberals have already said they won't support a bill that changes the Finance Act in order to keep the government out of deficit.
NDP Leader Darrell Dexter says the government has sent draft legislation for his party's consideration, but he calls it "the political equivalent of a fig leaf" to cover "the mistake they have made."
" N.S. going to spend $18 million on new jail in Springhill"
April 30th, 2009.
** See more on this story in the Pictures Section of this Group **
Amherst came out on the losing end Thursday of what some suggest is a big-time political game in Cumberland County.
Although the town contains this region’s provincial and supreme courts, legal aid, probation and sheriff offices, the province’s new, $18-million correctional facility will be located in Springhill — 30 minutes away.
The 100-year-old Cumberland Correctional Facility has always been in Amherst which is in Cumberland North, the riding of former Tory, but now Independent MLA Ernie Fage.
Springhill is in the Cumberland South riding of Conservative MLA Murray Scott. It is considered a Tory stronghold.
On Thursday, Mr. Scott, who is also Economic and Rural Development Minister, announced the new jail will be built in his riding.
“The construction of this new, modern institution is the next step in strengthening correctional services in our province,” Mr. Scott said, during a telephone interview.
The new jail will be called the North Nova Scotia Correctional Facility. It will include 50 cells for male inmates and two, special holding cells for women or young offenders awaiting trial. At 12,800 square metres, the building will be comprised of five housing units.
It will be located next to the federal Springhill Institution on a 13-hectare site.
As for suggestions the choice of Springhill was a political decision, Mr. Scott was forthright.
“I’m a politician, I’m a cabinet minister and I’m doing the best I can for my constituents,” he said.
Amherst mayor Robert Small admits to being more than disappointed with the decision.
“Was it politics? Was it a strictly political decision on the eve of an election?” he asked. “That’s not for me to say, I guess.”
Mr. Small said he bears no ill will against his neighbouring community.
“Springhill is in tough, tough financial shape ... and maybe the politician of the day was trying to help that community,” he said.
Nonetheless, he still doesn’t understand the decision.
“I’d like to know what process was used to make the decision and I’ve asked that question, but never got an answer,” the mayor said. “For me, you’d hope the decision was based on good, sound judgment.”
Mr. Fage wasn’t in the mood to pull any punches Wednesday.
“This is a travesty ... and it’s 100 per cent a product of politics,” said the MLA. “There was no public consultation and there just isn’t any way to justify this rushed announcement on the eve of an election.”
Moving the site for the jail will only add to the cost of servicing the facility, Mr. Fage said.
“There will be safety concerns for the sheriffs as well as the inmates themselves because of the transportation — and all the services — food, legal assistance, all have to be transported there,” he said.“There was not a single shred of sense used in making this decision.”
Mr. Scott said construction is expected to begin this fall. A public information session will be held in the next few months.
"Gas Prices Have Gone Up this Week in Nova Scotia & in Parrsboro & Diesel Prises are Down."
-- Gas & Diesel Prices at: Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S. as of: April 30th, 2009 are Below:
** Regular is: 99.0 cents a litre (Full Serve)
Plus is: $102.4 a litre (Full serve)
Supreme is: $105.8 a litre (Full serve)
Diesel Fuel is: 92.4 cents a litre (full serve)
-----------------------------------------------------
Regular is: 95.0 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 98.4 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: $101.8 a litre (self serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
"Riding needs to be cared for - Cumberland Colchester Musquodoboit Valley will fall under Speaker’s control."
April 30th, 2009.
Now that veteran MP Bill Casey is set to close out his political career, the needs of his former riding will still be served - it just won’t be by him.
Casey, who Tuesday accepted a position with the Nova Scotia government as its intergovernmental affairs senior representative in Ottawa, is expected to formally resign as the Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley MP on Thursday to begin his new job on Friday.
“Because I’m an Independent, the Speaker takes responsibility for the riding until there’s a new election,” Casey said. “If I belonged to a party that wouldn’t happen.”
Two of Casey’s staff will continue working for Speaker Peter Milliken’s office handling constituency matters with one remaining in Ottawa and one in the constituency. It hasn’t been determined which one of Casey’s two constituency offices will remain open.
“We’ll have an office in Ottawa and one in the riding to continue dealing with the day to day issues that constituents encounter. They will still have a contact with government,” Casey said.
While his new boss will be the provincial government, Casey said he will continue help people from the riding if they need assistance.
It’s unknown when a byelection will be called, but under the Elections Act the government has six months to set a date for a vote.
“That’s up to the prime minister. He has a year to hold a byelection, but if he thinks a general election is soon he won’t call a byelection,” Casey said. “I’m just happy the riding will have representation.”
Casey’s resignation means there are now two vacancies in the House of Commons after British Columbia NDP MP Dawn Black resigned her seat to run provincially.
To date, Scott Armstrong is the only person to come forward as a potential candidate for any of the parties. The teacher and administrator, who is also the former president of the Conservative riding association and a longtime supporter of Casey, is seeking the Tory nomination.
Casey did not indicate whether he will support Armstrong.
“Scott has helped me a lot and I admire him, but I’m out of politics now,” he said.
"Local School board aims for fewer teachers in the fall"
April 30th, 2009.
There will be 33 fewer teachers in central and northern Nova Scotia classrooms come September if the regional school board passes a recommendation next month.
But superintendent Noel Hurley said Wednesday there would be no pink slips because the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board has 64 teachers retiring at the end of this school year.
“We’re actually, board-wide, in a net hiring position for teachers,” Hurley said.
“We have more retirements than we do cutbacks.”
But will there be a noticeable effect in the schools?
“The observable impact on the class will be negligible,” the superintendent said, noting there are more than about 24,000 students and 1,500 teachers at 80 schools across the region.
The reason for the reduction in teaching staff has to do with a declining student population. The board receives funds from the province based on the previous school year’s student population.
A year ago, the board had 500 fewer students, plus a new school in Indian Brook resulted in 300 more students leaving the board system.
Based on the provincial formula, the board has to reduce its teaching staff.
The board is expected to debate a motion from its finance committee at next Wednesday’s committee-of-the-whole meeting. It would still need to be passed at the board meeting May 13. Hurley said a straw vote of two-thirds of the board members showed there was support for the motion.
A year ago, the board used about $1 million from its accumulated surplus to not reduce the teaching staff. But that fund is depleted to the point where the money remaining is needed to maintain its cash flow throughout the year.
“We’re being fiscally responsible because next year we may be faced with the same thing,” Hurley said, noting the strong potential for future declining enrolments.
The board has started notifying the schools about how they will be impacted under the proposal.
"Lobster fishermen face bleak season as Buyers expected to offer rock-bottom prices for their catches"
April 30th, 2009.
**See more in the Pictures Section of this Group**
Even before the spring lobster fishery was set to open, some North Shore fishermen were wishing the season was already behind them.
They are predicting catches could follow a slight upward trend, experienced during the past two seasons, but there is a great concern buyers might offer rock-bottom prices of less than $4.50 a pound.
“It’s not going to be very good by the sound of it, with the price so low,” said fisherman Alan Buckler.
On Wednesday the 30-year lobster fishing veteran was at the Barrachois harbour wharf making last-minute repairs to his vessel and baiting traps, getting ready to load the boat for the early morning start of the season.
“I’m going out anyway and if they don't want to pay for them I’ll keep them and have a freezer full,” he said.
When lobster fishing season opened on April 19 at some ports in southwest Nova Scotia, buyers were paying those fishermen $4.50 per pound for the larger market-size lobsters. Local fishermen are speculating they might be offered less as more lobster fishing seasons open around the province this week, increasing the supply.
Wallace fisherman Alton Brown said catches in his area have been poor for at least the past five years and with the price now so low, the future of the industry is looking bleak.
“It’s not enough,” said Brown. “It’s going to be a bad season.”
Wally Allen has been dropping traps in the Northumberland Strait for the past three decades. He said fishermen believe in cycles where the lobster population has highs and lows, but in the past the price has increased to offset low landings.
“If anybody can survive this season, you can get through anything," said Allen.
“It’s not a good outlook for fishing.”
He said if buyers are not willing to pay enough to allow fishermen to at least break even, many could choose to market directly to customers, enabling them to earn more.
Lobster fishing season opens today in harbours from Pugwash to Havre Boucher at 6 a.m., when about 700 fishermen will begin dropping traps.
The first catch of the year will be landed Friday.
1.) "Province mum on new seniors home location"
May 4th, 2009.
The province is committing to building a new seniors home in south Cumberland, but it’s not saying where.
The 22-bed facility will be located in the western part of Cumberland South.
“The minister was very specific about the wording of that release. I’m afraid I can’t be more specific than that,” spokesperson Ryan Van Horne of the Health Department said.
Requests for proposals are being prepared and will be called upon completion.
The province did not receive any submissions in response to the original request for proposals, which called for the beds to be at more than one location.
It has now clustered the number of beds into one facility.
“The original proposal called for six beds in each of four different locations, but we didn’t get any submissions,” he said.
“We had to cluster them together because there’s a need in a community for the beds and there needs to be a facility.”
Another facility has been announced for the Chester-New Ross area.
2.) "Gas Prices Have Gone down slightly this Week ( May 1st - 7th, 2009) in Nova Scotia & in Parrsboro & Diesel Prises are Down more again."
-- Gas & Diesel Prices at: Wheaton's Irving here in Parrsboro N.S. as of: May 4th, 2009 are Below:
** Regular is: 97.5 cents a litre (Full Serve)
Regular is: 93.5 cents a litre (Self Serve)
Plus is: 96.8 cents a litre (self serve)
Supreme is: $100.2 a litre (self serve)
Diesel Fuel is: 88.9 cents a litre (full serve)
Check it all out at: http://www.NovaScotiaGasPrices.com
3.) "Head over hoof - Cattle sent sprawling after tractor-trailer overturns on Exit 3; driver taken to hospital"
May 4th, 2009.
** See picture & more in Picture Section of this Group. **
WEST AMHERST – It was a bumpy ride for 50 head of cattle as their driver attempted to turn on to the on-ramp of the Trans Canada Highway on Sunday night.
At around 6 p.m., the driver attempted to turn from Highway 6 in West Amherst on to the ramp near the Wandlyn Inn when the vehicle overturned.
The driver was extricated by members of the Amherst Fire Department and transported to the local hospital with undetermined injuries.
But that wasn’t the end of the action for the firefighters.
Sources on-site said the cattle had been picked up in Truro and were headed to their owner in Prince Edward Island.
Other members of the farming community had been traveling behind the truck when it overturned. Luckily, the second vehicle carried fencing that was quickly erected to enclose the cattle once extricated.
With one firefighter using a saw and another watching through the end of the trailer, firefighters cut through the top of the trailer to help free the animals.
As the cattle made their way into the fenced in area, injuries were visible with a number of cattle having broken legs. Others had gashes in their heads. Another a bloody nose.
The cattle quickly lapped up water at the edge of the road, while others took some time to chomp on the grass beside the road.
With about two dozen cattle freed from the top level of the trailer, New Brunswick beef producer Robert Acton arrived with another trailer to load the cattle while firefighters worked with their tools to free cattle on the lower level.
It was unknown at press time if any of the cattle did not survive.
RCMP continue to investigate.
4.) "Nova Scotia's swine flu cases jump to 31 - 17 new cases, 6 from HRM, 11 from King’s-Edgehill"
May 4th, 2009.
The new flu is spreading.
Mild cases of a global flu that’s been making people sick at a private boarding school in Windsor have been confirmed outside the school community, Nova Scotia health officials said Saturday.
Seventeen more cases of the strain of potentially deadly H1N1 influenza, initially called the human swine flu, have been confirmed in this province, according to Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health.
That bumps the total here to 31 cases, all of them considered mild.
Of the new cases, six are from Halifax Regional Municipality, said Dr. Robert Strang. They were confirmed by lab testing after patients reported to their family doctors or local hospital emergency departments.
Eleven of the new cases are related to the King’s-Edgehill School in Windsor, Dr. Strang said.
Health officials are doing followup work on the new cases, including efforts to determine whether any of the six in metro are connected to the school.
Health officials are now testing at a laboratory at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Science Centre, instead of sending samples to a national lab in Winnipeg. Lab personnel at the QEII in Halifax are testing dozens of samples, a spokesman said.
Dr. Strang said no one was hospitalized due to the new cases.
He repeated his call to residents and visitors about proper hygiene, including regular handwashing and preventing the spread of germs from coughs and sneezes.
"Every Nova Scotian has a role in slowing the spread of this virus," Dr. Strang told a Halifax news conference.
"I ask people to be extra vigilant and take precautions around general hygiene."
He also said people should avoid public areas if they’re sick and should frequently clean and disinfect common surfaces used at home and work.
Dr. Strang said more H1N1 cases are expected to show up in Nova Scotia. Like regular flu, once those numbers increase it’s normal to see more severe illness and even flu-related deaths, he said.
But "if you’re not sick with flu-like symptoms, it’s OK to go to school, go to work and socialize as you normally would," Dr. Strang said.
The provincial government has set up a toll-free hotline: 1-888-451-4222. It’s being staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., seven days a week.
Ottawa is also launching a public awareness effort about the new flu, according to a government website.
Print advertisements linked to the campaign, which focus on how to prevent flu infection, were to be published across the country in daily and weekly newspapers on Saturday and will appear again on Monday. The website said ads will run in newspapers in Canada’s native communities starting on Tuesday
5.) "Local firm inks $1.7m deal for tidal turbine supports"
May 4th, 2009.
** See picture & more in Picture Section of this Group. **
A Dartmouth fabrication company has been awarded a $1.7-million contract to build the anchor for the first tidal turbine to be tested in the Minas Passage of the Bay of Fundy.
Cherubini Metal Works will build a tripod-shaped gravity base weighing 200 tonnes to secure an underwater turbine on the ocean floor, Irish developer OpenHydro and partner Nova Scotia Power announced Thursday in Dartmouth.
"The timing of the contract award is important, not only in creating new jobs here in Nova Scotia, but also in preserving existing jobs during these uncertain economic times," said Stephen Ross, Cherubini general manager, at a news conference at the company’s offices in Dartmouth.
"Even more important is the development of this technology and the very real potential for many more of these structures in the future."
The contract will employ 25 people over the next four months, with work expected to be complete by August. Pending environmental approvals, the turbine is expected to go in the water in October.
Nick Murphy, OpenHydro commercial manager, said awarding the contract moves the tidal project closer to deploying the underwater turbine.
"It’s a very challenging site. In essence, this is going to be one of the toughest sites we will have worked in," said Mr. Murphy of Belfast.
He said the Irish company envisions an array of tidal turbines in the Bay of Fundy generating renewable energy from the waves.
NSP President Rob Bennett said the new technology of using an underwater turbine could provide huge opportunities for Nova Scotians.
"People have looked at the tides here in Nova Scotia for 100 years and imagined opportunities for energy production. The key here is to understand how they work, what impact they have on the environment, and what impact the environment has on the machine," said Mr. Bennett.
NSP and OpenHydro are one of three groups of companies involved in a pilot project announced by the provincial government in 2007 to test tidal power technology in the bay. Each turbine is expected to cost $10 million to $15 million.
The other successful bidders were Clean Current of British Columbia and Minas Basin Pulp and Power Co. of Hantsport. Pending environmental approvals, the other two projects are scheduled to launch their turbines in 2010.
The proposed site for all three turbines is in the Minas Passage area of the Bay of Fundy, about 10 kilometres west of Parrsboro.
Minas Basin also won the contract to build a tidal energy test facility worth $12 million to $14 million, a large part of the project that includes designing and operating a structure to r
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