Woods Says Ferguson Had An Unknown Agenda

Former Saint John Common Councillor -- and current St. Stephen Town Manager -- John Ferguson did not offer any proof to back up allegations of gross negligence on the part of the Pension Board.

That testimony delivered by City Manager Pat Woods, who's also a Pension Board trustee.


Woods telling the jury he felt Ferguson had some sort of agenda, the objective of which was unclear and his constant requests for third party reviews of the city's pension plan left the impression something was amiss, even fraudulent.

Woods says if Ferguson was told by former Pension Board trustee David Gould of illegal activity then he should have passed that along to fellow Council members or City Police. Woods maintains the Pension Board had to take action in the face of Ferguson's allegations.

Spring Ahead

This is the weekend most Canadians switch from standard time to daylight saving time.
Before going to bed tomorrow night, turn your clocks and watches ahead one hour.
   
The major Canadian exception is Saskatchewan, which is on standard time year-round.

Lawyer Suggesting City Officials Are Behind Ferguson Lawsuit

The lawyer for former Saint John Councillor John Ferguson is suggesting city officials are behind the Pension Board's defamation lawsuit.

Ferguson is currently the Town Manager of St. Stephen.


Rod Gillis went over each of Ferguson's statements asking Pension Board trustee Fred Slipp which words were defamatory. Slipp admitted Ferguson's criticism of the early retirement programme and the the workplace culture was not directed at the Pension Board.
 
Slipp also conceded it's permissible for members of Common Council to criticise city staff and agreed with Gillis there appeared to be a conflict between Ferguson and City Solicitor John Nugent, who's also a member of the pension board.

Financial Skills For Women

Whether you're a woman taking care of elderly relatives or saving for your first home, good personal finance skills are important. A new program called I'm Worth It from the NB Securities Commission is teaching women more about managing their money.


Education Coordinator Marissa Rignanesi says the program is useful to women of all ages and walks of life, because statistics show that many women lack a full understanding of how to make the most of their personal finances.

The free program, which includes interactive worksheets and an online money management guide, is available for download tomorrow.The release coincides with International Women's Day, which is observed on March 8th.

Get your copy of the I'm Worth It materials at www.investinknowingmore.ca

"Who Was Trying To Silence John Ferguson?"

Lawyer Rod Gillis put the question directly to Pension Board trustee Fred Slipp......."Who was trying to silence John Ferguson" as the defamation trial of the former Common Councillor, and current St. Stephen Town Manager continues.


Slipp replied to the question by saying "I don't know".

He was also questioned about whether Ferguson's comparison of what was happening with pension plan in San Diego with the situation in Saint John was defamatory.

Slipp told the jury he didn't know what was going on in San Diego, where there was an investigation into possible fraud, until told by Saint John's former finance commissioner Andrew Beckett.

Slipp couldn't find any direct reference to fraud in Ferguson's statements but still maintains there was the innuendo of wrongdoing.

Damage at the Ganong Nature Park

Crime Stoppers and the St. Stephen RCMP are asking for your assistance in the identification of the person responsable for causing damage to a wooden foot-bridge in the Ganong Nature Park.

Police tell Tide News the person(s) responsible drove a vehicle through the park, then onto the foot-bridge, causing significant damage to the structure.


The incident would have occurred between the evening of the 4th of March, and the earlier hours of the 5th of March.
Any one with knowledge of the offence is asked to contact Crime Stoppers
at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest.

More Testimony From Slipp At Ferguson Trial

“If you're going to make statements, you're going to have to back them up” --that from lawyer Rod Gillis to Pension Board trustee Fred Slipp, who testified former Common Councillor John Ferguson's comments were full of defamatory inferences and innuendo against the board.

Ferguson is currently the Town Manager of St. Stephen.


Slipp testifying comments from Ferguson about three trustees suggested they were creating a paper trail to cover wrong-doing and that harmed the reputation of the whole board.

In an excited back and forth, Gillis said, “Beckett, Nugent and Totten are three members of the pension board--they might also be three members of the YMCA! Are you capable of answering my question?”

Slipp responding Ferguson's comments carried connotations the trustees were quote, "covering their butts", to which Gillis responded it was only reasonable for employees of the city to do that.

More Details On Blaze In Milltown

It was an accidental kitchen fire that took out an entire house in Milltown.
911 was called last night, just shortly after 7 to 36 Church Street.

Fire crews were dispatched from St. Stephen, Calais, Moores Mills, Western Charlotte and Oak Bay.

The St. Stephen Fire Department says there was heavy smoke and fire on arrival.

The homeowner was slightly injured.

Big Donation For Motorcycle Festival

Another big step towards the Rally In The St. Croix Valley.


St. Andrews Town Council passing a motion to donate $1000 to help with the international biker festival scheduled for this summer.

Canadian Chair Bob Hamel says the committee greatly appreciates the generous donation and the funds will go a long way toward making the festival a reality.

The Rally In The St. Croix Valley is set to run from July 1st to the 8th.

House fire on Church Street in Milltown, NB

Fire Crews from St. Stephen and Calais are now cleaning up after a house fire on Church Street in Milltown this evening. Fire crews were called just after 7:30 to a house at 36 Church Street in Milltown.  The cause of the fire is not known at this time.

More From Sleep In Ferguson Defamation Trial

The defamation trial of former Common Councillor John Ferguson is continuing with the cross examination of Pension Board trustee Fred Slipp.


Ferguson's lawyer Rod Gillis questioned Slipp about a letter another pension board trustee, Glen Tait wrote in 2006 calling for an independent audit of the city's pension plan while adding the pension board trustees don't fully comprehend what has happened to the plan.
 
Tait went on to say the silence of the Pension Board could be seen an an admission of mismanagement.
 
Gillis also pointed out that criticisms of the pension plan were being made by other people besides Ferguson.

Saint Andrews For Hockeyville!

It's just a slapshot away from #1.


Saint Andrews has made it to the Top 15 for the title of Hockeyville.

Passionate hockey communities across the country have sent in their submissions to the Kraft Hockeyville 2012 contest.

Judges narrowing the list to 15 communities that best exemplify community spirit, passion for hockey and originality.

The Saint Andrews youth center will have their doors open, today and tomorrow from 2-9, with computers open for the public to vote for the only New Brunswick finalist left.

The public is welcome to help out in voting, making posters, and flyers.

The winner gets the title of Hockeyville, as well as the opportunity to host a 2012-2013 NHL Pre-Season Game.

To vote for Saint Andrews, go to http://www.krafthockeyville.ca/.

Missing Girl from Saint John

The Saint John Major Crime Unit looking for the public's help in finding a missing 20 year old girl. Casey Lloyd was was last seen about 11am on Monday February 20 at her home in the city's south end. She's described as being 5'0" tall, weighing about 100 lbs with a slim build, hazel eyes and shoulder length blonde hair. When last seen, she was wearing a 3/4 length red jacket, blue jeans and knee high black boots. If you have seen her call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Spray-Painter Caught!

Crimestoppers and RCMP in St. Stephen are thanking the public for help in finding the person responsible for spraying grafitti on the side of Greco Pizza on Milltown Blvd.

The grafitti was painted sometime early Tuesday morning.

Town Councillor Robert Tinker commenting on Facebook saying, "Have people nothing better to do than this crap?"

Police say they recieved at least 2 tips on the same person, who then admitted to the offence.

Names have not been released.

Totten Is No Pension Expert

Former Saint John City Manager Terry Totten being questioned at the defamation trial of former Common Councillor John Ferguson about whether he ever recommended the city move from a defined benefits to a defined constributions plan.

Ferguson is currently the Town Manager of St. Stephen.


Totten told the jury he recommended Common Council investigate the option but couldn't get approval.
 
Former Common Councillor Glen Tait, a member of the pension board, was pressing Totten to make the specific recommendation saying it only required intestinal fortitude.
 
Totten says he did recommend Council get outside advice on the pension plan and its rising deficit.
 
Totten concedes he's not a pension expert even though he has some knowledge.
 
Ferguson's lawyer Rod Gillis questioned what value there was in sending pension board trustees to meetings in Vegas, Hawaii, San Francisco and Florida when they could have spent the money hiring a pension expert.

Police Want Help Finding Grafitti Culprit

Who has the spray-paint?


Crimestoppers and RCMP in St. Stephen asking the public for help in finding who is responsible for spraying grafitti on the side of Greco Pizza on Milltown Blvd.

Police believe a red Jeep TJ or Wrangler style SUV, with a ragtop and aggressive tires is associated with the suspect.

The grafitti was painted sometime in the early hours of Tuesday morning, February 28th.

If you have any information, please call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Power Back On After Big Rig Roll-Over

The lights are back on after a big rig crash this morning in Harvey.


Spokesperson for NB Power Melissa Morton says power was cut to approximately 964 customers in Harvey and Lake George today, so the utility could replace 3 damaged poles.

Around 8:30, a transport fell on its side, spilling the load on the porch of a local barbor shop, and blocking traffic on Route 3.

District 2 RCMP say noone was hurt and it appears the truck hit a snowbank before crashing.

Those 'BIG' Tires Are 'HOT'

Who's got the 'Super Swampers'?


RCMP in Lepreau and Crimestoppers asking for your help in finding the culprits responsible for stealing four 38 inch "Super Swamper" tires from a vehicle on Lepreau Village Rd.

The tires were taken sometime between last night (Feb 29) and this morning (Mar 1).

If you have any information, contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Crimestoppers will pay up to $2000 for information leading to an arrest.

Totten Calls Ferguson Claims "Bull Something"

Former City Manager Terry Totten is calling allegations made by former Common Councillor John Ferguson about the Pension Board "Bull something" and believes he aspired to higher office.


Totten testifying there was no member of the pension board laughing at Common Council or the taxpayer and he has no knowledge of anyone getting a disability pension because they didn't get along with their boss.

Totten says he believes Ferguson gave the impression the pension board was trying to deceive and that's why his allegations are defamatory. Totten does admit there was a communication breakdown between city staff and Common Council telling the court he was disheartened that trust was undermined.
 
Ferguson is currently the Town Manager of St. Stephen.

Big Rig Crash In Harvey Closes Route #3

Power is expected to be turned back on in Harvey and Lake George by 1pm today.


This morning a tractor trailer carrying wood chips, rolled on it's side, crashed into a local barbor shop, completely blocking traffic on Route #3.

District 2 RCMP say traffic is being re-routed.

NB Power cut the juice at 11am this morning to replace poles that were destroyed in the crash.

Picture provided by Justin Cole and Josh Cornell .