Water Leak Construction On Milltown Blvd.

Look out for construction on Milltown Blvd.


The Town of St. Stephen telling Tide News of a water leak that needs to be repaired.

Water lines will be shut off from King Street to the Customs building starting at noontime.

The Town says they are working diligently and efficiently, and the lines will be turned back on after a short period.

Ferguson Found Not Liable In Defamation Trial

After 12 long weeks and eight hours of deliberation, a verdict has been reached at the John Ferguson defamation trial in Saint John.

The former Common Councillor has been found not liable for defaming the city's Pension Board over statements he made about the city's financially beleaguered pension plan.

Outside the court, Ferguson became emotional.
His voice breaking Ferguson said it was a long road, he thanked his team of lawyers adding David Rogers worked for 5 years on this case. He also thanked everyone who stood with him.

Ferguson's lawyer, Rod Gillis, tells CHSJ News Saint Johnners know alot more about how the Pension Board operates than they did before the trial began.
He says the public is much informed and intelligent and they know the problems of the pension board.

The jury found only one of Ferguson's statements to be defamatory because it implied deceit but because, as a Common Councillor he had qualified privilege, Ferguson was shielded from liability.

Pension board lawyer Barry Morrison declined to comment.

Tourism Minister Looking For Banner Year

Tourism Minister Trevor Holder is predicting a good year for the tourism sector this season.
Holder is proud of his department's new web site with links to social media like FaceBook and YouTube - in addition we've received some positive ink in respected international publications like National Geographic and recognition with the bid to have the Bay of Fundy named as one of the top 7 natural wonders in the world.
And he's quick to dismiss a popular myth that we are basically just a drive through province - Holder says this is a place that people want to come - they want to experience.

Wheelers Stolen Near St. Stephen

Two royal blue four-wheelers were stolen near St. Stephen last night.


District 1 RCMP says the bikes were last seen parked beside the Schoodic Motel on Route 170, around 10 last night ( Sunday, April 29th ).

Cst. Julie Messina tells Tide News one is a 2000 KODIAK 400 Ultramatic 4x4 and the other is a 2001 model KODIAK Ultramatic 4x4.

She says the liscence plates are J4922 and XK6000, however, the plates may be removed by now.

You are asked to contact District 1 RCMP ( 466-7030 ) if you know the whereabouts of the four-wheelers, or who is responsible for the incident.

Morrison Calls Ferguson "Callous And Reckless"

In his closing arguments, Pension Board Lawyer Barry Morrison portrays former Saint John Common Councillor John Ferguson as being callous and reckless by misrepresenting reality in his campaign to discredit the pension board.

Ferguson is currently the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of St. Stephen.

Morrison contends in that campaign, decency and respect for others played no role.


Morrison repeatedly pointed out to the jury, Ferguson missed many opportunities to reveal his alleged conversation with a pension board trustee about disability pensions being illegally approved, which would would be breach of trust to his fellow council members.

The pension board argues that the conversation never took place.

Morrison also telling the jury Ferguson never produced any documentation to back up his criticisms because it was all smoke and mirrors.

Elm Street Park Getting A Clean-Up

The President of the Elm Street Park Society is preparing for a cleanup tomorrow.


Wilf Torunski says the Society wants to get the park ready so the Town can declare it safe.
He says they want to open the south side where all the trails are, hoping by the end of this weekend the park will be safe enough for Town Council to rule it open again.

The clean-up starts at 10am Saturday (April 28th ).

Torunski is also running as a candidate for St. Stephen Town Council.

Let's Get This Dam Issue Resolved!

There is alot of anxiety for residents in the St. George area.


Liberal MLA for Charlotte and The Isles, Rick Doucet says many people are worried they will lose their homes to flooding again.

He points out we had a tremendous rainfall this past week and we need to look at the question, "What can be done differently with the dam situation in St. George?"

Doucet says he was turned down by the government last year, when he tabled a petition with over 800 signatures from local residents, asking for a review into flooding and prevention for the Magaguadavic River.

The reason he was turned down? Doucet says the provincial government didn't think a review in our area was necessary.

He says now, the Alward government has announced, they WILL be doing a review for Perth-Andover.

Doucet says Charlotte County residents are being treated as second-class citizens by not getting the same treatment.

Doucet sending a message to Premier David Alward, quote "might I suggest the Premier put on his big boy pants and get this dam issue resolved."
Premier Alward was unable to be reached for comment.

Closing Arguments in Ferguson Trial

The John Ferguson defamation trial resuming today with the closing arguments. First up is Ferguson's lawyer Rod Gillis, who was scathing in his criticism of senior city staff.


He tells the jury the Pension Board launched lawsuit to stifle discussion of what had to be done to get a handle on rising pension plan deficit. Rod Gillis also points out each senior city staff member who served on Pension Board has a pension worth more than a million dollars.

Gillis says no one on the Pension Board had an obligation to taxpayers and senior city staff frustrated Common Council on the city pension plan's rising deficit -- even though solutions to erase deficit were known in 2005.

John Ferguson, as a member of Common Council, had a duty to pursue issue.

Ferguson is currently the Chief Administrative Officer of St. Stephen.

Premier Says Shale Gas Being Handled In Responsible Manner

It may be a controversial issue - but - Premier Alward isn't making any apologies for exploring the possibility of developing a shale gas industry.
In an exclusive interview with Tide News - Alward says his government has a responsibility to see what future opportunities may exist if the resource is developed and how any revenue will be shared.
And the Premier says New Brunswickers will have a say on new regulations being developed for shale gas exploration -- deflecting any comment on how that will happen by saying the process will be up to Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup.

Thursday is Candidates Night In St. Stephen

St. Stephen is getting prepared for a big election next month.


Tomorrow ( Thursday, April 26th ) is Candidates Night, with 22 candidates vying for 7 positions on the St. Stephen Town Council.

Three men are running for Mayor, Robert Tinker, John Quartermain, and Kenneth Parker.

Current Mayor Jed Purcell did not re-offer.

The event will take place in the St. Stephen High School Auditorium between 7-9pm.

The municipal elections are May 14th.

French Immersion Information Meeting Tonight

There will be a meeting tonight for those interested in French Immersion for next year.


Parents and students in Grade 2 from St. George, Back Bay, Blacks Harbour, and Pennfield can find out more about the program.

The meeting starts at 6:30 at St. George Elementary School.

Grand March Scholarship Deadline Is Tonight

Today is the last chance for Graduates of SSHS to apply for a special Prom Scholarship.


Shannon-May Photography partnering with other businesses in St. Stephen, offering a prize package with goodies for Grand March to girls graduating this year.

The winner will be someone who has been a voice of encouragement to friends and classmates, to be positive and confident in who they are, and let their inner beauty shine.

The deadline to apply is tonight at midnight.

Here is the link to apply for the scholarship: http://seniorportraits.shannonmayphotography.com/#/grand-march-scholarship/

Candidate Wants To Help Jobs Stay In St. Stephen

Jamie White is running for St. Stephen Town Council.


In an interview with Tide News, White says we need to show the community that we are ready to bring in new business.

White says St. Stephen has sidewalks that are falling apart, roadways that need to be repaired, a Civic Center that needs to be paid for, businesses that start up and close down, a lot of small things that are great, but St. Stephen needs to think a little bigger and really bring the community together.

He says we need to help businesses that are already here, so they can make money and the jobs we do have can stay in the community. You can't have a community without jobs for people, or places for people to spend their money, and if St. Stephen is lacking in those areas, then everything else doesn't matter.

The municipal elections are on May 14.

Earth Day Activities Abound

In honour of Earth Day, some special events planned throughout the region.

The NB Museum in Market Square will be screening topical environmental documentaries from 2-3:30pm in coordination by the Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada and Planet in Focus.

At the Marine Museum in Saint Andrews, kids can do crafts and check two touch tanks, lobsters and seal feedings at 4 p.m. There will be a screening of Free Willy 3 at 1pm.

In Fredericton Green Matters will be commemorating Earth Day this year with a special screening of the Disneynature film “Chimpanzee” on April 22, 12 noon at the Empire Theatres. With a donation of a non-perishable food item or toy donation, admission will be $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children.

Fire in Saint John's South End

An evening blaze on Saint John's Princess Street caused smoke damage to an entire apartment building.

Police and fire officials responding to 178 Princess Street around 8 o'clock found smoke spreading throughout the multi-unit building.

The residents were evacuated and the source of the fire was traced to a kitchen on the second floor. The blaze was knocked down, but the people living there are still displaced from their homes.

Boat Catches Fire

A fire on a power boat partially loaded with fuel causing a scare at the Saint John Power Boat Club.

Fire officials responding to the call at 339 Kennedy Street saying a boat in winter storage had caught fire.

The blaze was contained to the 35 foot power boat where it started, but other vessels moored nearby sustained damage as well. District chief Joe Armstrong wouldn't say the boat was a write-off, but it did sustain major damage. No word yet on the cause of the blaze.

Irving Seeks Greener Image

Folks around the province will be celebrating our planet on Earth Day, which is April 22. The province's biggest corporation, Irving, wants to get the word out it's making some steps to reduce the amount of pollution it dumps into our air and waterways.

Mary Keth of JDI tells CHSJ News fossil fuels are one major contaminant, and since 2007 they've reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 346,000 tonnes annually.

Environment and Local Government Minister Bruce Fitch reminds citizens protecting the environment is a year-round endeavor.

Missing St. Stephen Man Found Dead

A missing St. Stephen man has been found dead over the Border.


Yesterday morning (April 19th), District 1 RCMP in St. Stephen recieving a call from police in Baileyville, Maine.

They said a local fisherman had found a car submerged in the Woodland Flowage area of the St. Croix River.

The body of 60-year-old Kenneth Lee, who has been missing since March 18th, was found inside the car.

Police say an autopsy is being done in Augusta, Maine.

Deadline Approaching For SSHS Prom Scholarship

St. Stephen High School Grads have an opportunity to win some great prizes for Grand March.

Shannon May Photography has partnered with other businesses in town to make a scholarship full of goodies for prom, including photos, accessories, nails, flowers and a cash prize.

The winner will be a girl who has been a voice of encouragement to friends and classmates, to be positive and confident in who they are, and let their inner beauty shine.

The deadline to enter is this Monday, April 23rd, at midnight.

You can apply through this link: http://seniorportraits.shannonmayphotography.com/#/grand-march-scholarship/

Premier Alward says drug policy is fair to pharmacists.

Premier Alward says his government's changes to the generic drug policy is fair to pharmacists.
The Pharmacists Association says they will be forced to cut staff and services thanks to government caps on mark-up and dispensing fees - but - in an interview with Tide News - the Premier says the new policy recognizes the challenges faced by pharamcists after consultations with them.
Alward says the new generic drug policy is good for New Brunswickers - however - he says pharmacists are private business owners and they will ultimately make business based decisions. 
The new policy takes effect June 1st.