Let Your Voice be Heard

Whether it's positive or negative, the Graham Government wants your feedback on yesterday's announced proposal between Hydro-Quebec and NB Power. You can call 1-800-533-3086 or visit www.lowerratesnb.ca to get more information and then leave a message on how you feel about the situation.


Premier Graham is also encouraging voters to contact their MLA's and let them know what you think about the proposal. The wording of the proposal has been given to a legislative committee for review and feedback.

H1N1 Vaccine Top Priority List

(St Stephen Elementary School Line Up , Photo by Mark Downey)


Public Health officials are advising that the priority groups for H1N1 vaccination clinics are now restricted to the following, Children 6 months to 5 years, School Children 18 years and under Pregnant women 20 weeks plus, Pregnant women less than 20 weeks with underlying medical conditions, Household contacts for children under 6 months and First Nations (on reservation only)



This restriction is in place to ensure that the highest priority groups are vaccinated immediately until a new shipment of vaccine is received next week.

St. Stephen Town Council to freeze wages

St. Stephen Town Council will freeze wages when the current contract for unionized employees expires.

Wages will also be frozen for non union staff and the Mayor and Council.
Management and St. Stephen Town Council will review this quarterly and if possible wage freezes will be removed. In the meantime wage increases will be honored until the contract expires.

This Province has a wide wage freeze on employees and the Government of New Brunswick is encouraging all Municipalities to do the same.

A Local Resident Receives The Order of New Brunswick

Shirley Downey of St. Stephen received the Order of New Brunswick for her efforts in fostering early childhood development . Downey was instrumental in spearheading the Born to Read Program in New Brunswick , a program which ensures a bag of books is presented to parents along with information on the importance of reading to children from birth .




The Order of New Brunswick is the highest honour that can be conferred on anyone in the Province .

Priority List For H1N1 Vaccines Has Changed

The priority list for those receiving the swine flu vaccination has changed. Pregnant women more then 20 weeks along, school children and pre-school children, kids from 6 months to 18 years of age are on the top of the list. For more information go to the Department of Health website at www.gnb.ca/flu .

Late Bus

Late bus this morning in District Ten Bus number 23 serving St Andrew is running 90 mins late.

School Closures in District 10

High number of students not showing up to class has forced some school closer in district Ten.Fundy High and St. George Elementary are closed today, Monday and Tuesday.


Back Bay school is closed today and Monday.

Black's Harbour and Pennfield Elementary are closed today only.

Reports indicate so many staff are out the district is having trouble finding enough bus drivers and staff.

For a complete list of school closures call the District Ten school cancellation line at 466-7559..

Get Your Shot

If you want an H1N1 vaccination, you will get one but, you do have to wait your turn.


The Province's Department of Health is reminding the public that the clinics currently underway in the province are only for the priority groups.

The people included in those groups are pregnant women, anyone under 65 with chronic conditions, children from 6 months to 5 years old and health care workers.

Clinics for the general public begin next month.

NB Power Future

The future look of NB Power will become much clearer today but, it appears the secret it out. Premier Shawn Graham, Quebec Premier Jean Charest, CEO of NB Power David Hay and the CEO of Quebec Hydro will all take the podium. This is for a news conference being referred to as an energy related announcement.




Reports say Hydro-Quebec will buy a majority stake in NB Power worth just under 5 billion dollars. Hydro-Quebec would assume almost all assets of N-B Power including the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant.

Gas Prices

The Energy and Utilities Board has released its weekly price schedule and regular self-serve gasoline is now 101.5. Most stations in St Stephen are selling a litre of self serve for 102.3 thats up from 98.3 last week.


Diesel fuel has increased by nearly 4 cents a litre to 103.7, while furnace oil has climbed two-and-a-half cents to 85.3. Propane is also up, and is now selling for a maximum of 89.9 cents per litre.

Peaceful Parade in St. Stephen

Students from St. Stephen Elementary School hosted a Peaceful Schools Parade today to celebrate participation as part of a global network of peaceful schools.  The students, teachers and parents were escorted by the RCMP as they paraded from SSES down King Street to the Kirk McColl Church and then back to the school.  At the end of the parade was the Peace Dove which was made by the staff and students at SSES.  Here are some pictures of the parade.

School Locations For Vaccination Of The H1N1

October 28, 2009

9am - 3pm  Vincent Massey Elementary School age

 4pm - 9pm  Vincent Massey Elementary 6mo-5yr


October 29, 2009

9am - 3pm   St George Elementary School age

 4pm - 9pm   St George Elementary 6mo-5yr

 
 
October 30, 2009

9am - 3pm  St Stephen Elementary School age

4pm-9pm  St Stephen Elementary 6mo-5yrs


You are reminded to visit the goverments website at www.gnb.ca/flu   for more information.

Swine Flu Hotline

The Provincial Department of Health's Swine Flu info line is overwhelmed with callers.

Spokesperson Alissa Lee tell Tide news they are aware of the problem.
She says the numbers increased when Ottawa granted regulator approval of the H1N1 vaccine last week.
Lee says by Thursday, more H1N1 vaccines clinics will be listed on the Department of Health Website. 

Fish Audit At The Oak Bay Hatchery

(Photo by Chuck Brown , Communications Manager for Cooke's Aquaculture)



Workers at a fish hatchery near St Stephen are preparing for an audit - not the financial kind - but - one which looks at the hatchery's environmental footprint and quality of breeding stock and eggs.

Brian Donnelly is manager of the Cooke Aquaculture salmon hatchery and  he says the market is beginning to demand it.
Donnelly says the food the salmon are fed is free of chemical growth enhancers although he says it does contain a synthetic color enhancer which mirrors the salmon's natural agents.
An auditor representing European based Global Trust Certification will be at the hatchery next month to see if it will continue with its quality and eco certifications. 

Peaceful Parade

Students from the St. Stephen Elementary School will be hosting a Peaceful School Parade , to celebrate participation as part of a global network of peaceful schools. At 12:45 pm, SSES students will parade down King Street, from the Border Arena to the Kirk McColl Church and back to the school.

 Your are reminded to drive careful while the students are walking during the parade.

Oak Bay Salmon Hatchery Tour

H1N1 Confirmed Here At Home

  District Ten acting superintendent has confirmed the H1N1 virus has hit home. Jenny McDougall tells us three students in the St George area have been tested and they have the virus. McDougall says letters will be sent home to let parents know there is a confirm case of the virus and a consent form for your child to have the H1N1 shot. Vaccination begins this week. She says if a parent or younger sibling accompanies their child, they may receive the vaccine. The general public is to receive their shot during the after school hours at designated schools or community locations. This process will follow a first come, first serve approach. Appointments will not be taken so please refrain from calling the schools. Milltown elementary was a success today with no one turn away. St Andrews will begin vaccinations tomorrow.

No Horse On West Street

The proposal by a resident to place a horse on west street in St Stephen will not be allowed to take place. The farm animal by-law was defeated last evening by Town Council.


Individuals wishing to have a farm animal within the community will only be able to do so in areas under the towns resource zoning by-law.

Maine Railway Shut Down

A Maine railway has plans to shut down a large swath of track in the state and that has some industrial firms in this province worried. Both Fraser Papers and J.D. Irving are among the larger customers of the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway. The line says it is losing millions of dollars on its service between the Maine communities of Madawaska and Millinocket.


The railway is proposing to sell or abandon the 387-kilometre stretch of track. Fraser Papers C-E-O Peter Gordon says the route loss would mean significant added costs for the company, which is undergoing restructuring. Since the railway is the only one to run north and south through Maine, Fraser Papers would likely have to ship most of its products by C-N Rail, which heads west to Montreal before sending products south to key markets.

Council of Canadians Conference

[Maude Barlow----File Photo]
The Council of Canadians are holding it's 24th annual meeting and conference in the port city this weekend.

National Spokesperson Maude Barlow tells us the provincial government needs to start iniaitives that help the local economy, and needs to stop developing resources just to export them elsewhere.
Barlow says citizens and the governments need to take care of the land, air and waters, because those resourches are not going to remain sustainable on it's own.
The conference is open to the public and is being held at the Trade and Convention Centre.