Route 1 Gateway Official Signing and Construction Awarded

 The official signing of agreements for the construction of the Route 1 Gateway Project from St. Stephen to River Glade was held this Morning.

Premier Shawn Graham and Transportation Minister Denis Landry along with Charlotte The Isles MLA Rick Doucett was on hand with Dexter Construction officials.

The Premier tells Tide News this will create over 900 hundred job for the area for the next 41 month.

The deal worth 580 million dollars will see the MacKay Highway expanded to six lanes, and construction of the final 55 kilometres of four-lane highway on Route 1 from Waweig to St. George and between Pennfield and Lepreau.

The Route 1 Gateway Project also includes major upgrades at the Digdeguash River, Magaguadavic River, Letang River, Pocologan River, New River and Lepreau River crossings along with the installation of new guardrails on a number of bridges and overpasses along the Route 1 corridor.

Cooke Aquaculture Inc 50 Best for 5 straight years

Michael Cooke, centre, co-owner of Blacks Harbour-based Cooke Aquaculture Inc., accepts the company’s 2009 Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies award at the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax on Wednesday, April 7. Joining him are members of the Cooke Aquaculture team. From left are Matthew Miller, Rodney O’Neil, Cooke, Jeff Nickerson, John Garland and Mike McGlone. Cooke has been recognized as one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies for the past five years. Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post and Queen's School of Business. For further information, http://www.canadas50best.com/

Flights-Restrictions

Starting today, Canadians flying to the U.S. can take two carry-on bags and personal items with them on a plane.
Restrictions on carry-ons were imposed after a botched Christmas Day terror attack on a flight to Detroit from Amsterdam.

Those new security measures include full body scanners at airports and a strengthening of explosive trace detection.

Passengers are asked to check with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (http://www.catsa.gc.ca/) or their airline for items that are allowed in carry-on luggage.

(The Canadian Press)

Gas Prices on the Rise

It might have been a good idea to fill up yesterday before the weekly setting. There has been a significant rise in the price of self serve regular of more than 3 cents a litre. The maximum that can be charged is 106.7. Diesel also increased to 104.8 a litre. Furnace oil is also costing you more at 92.4 but there has been another yet another decline in the price of propane which is now listed at 103.2.

April is Records and Information Management Month

April has been proclaimed Records and Information Management Month in New Brunswick by Premier Shawn Graham.
The declaration recognizes the work of the Atlantic Chapter of ARMA International.

ARMA International has 150 chapters which represent more than 10,000 members worldwid.

The members work in a wide variety of industries, including government, legal, healthcare, financial services and the oil and gas sector.

Literacy, essential skills project for First Nations

The federal and provincial governments are investing about $1.2 million in a project to help Aboriginal adults with low literacy skills.

The announcement was made by Human Resources Minister Rick Brewer, who is also the minister responsible for the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat; and Keith Ashfield, minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The provincial government is contributing close to $300,000 through the Training and Skills Development program.

The Joint Economic Development Initiative will receive $936,300 for its New Brunswick Aboriginal WES project through the Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program.

Construction contracts awarded in Greater Fredericton

The provincial government has awarded five construction contracts in Greater Fredericton as part of the $439.3 million capital budget of the Department of Transportation for 2010-11.
A $2.2-million contract was awarded to HBH Paving Ltd. of Island View, $2.1-million contract was awarded to Springhill Construction Ltd. of Fredericton,$2.74-million contract was awarded to Springhill Construction Ltd., $723,000-contract was awarded to L & S Boudreau Excavation ltee of Tracadie-Sheila and $250,000-contract was awarded to Redem Construction Ltd.

Graham noted that the provincial government has awarded 23 other clearing and construction contracts. These are in addition to the $77.3 million announced for Phase 2 of the Princess Margaret Bridge rehabilitation project.

The premier also noted that $30 million is budgeted to continue the Route 8 Marysville-Nashwaak bypass project: the funding is for two bridges that are under construction.

Saint Andrerws Town Clean Up

The Town will be picking up leaves and garden brush on a continuous basis until Monday, May 31st, after this date the Town will not pick up leaves or garden brush and it will be the responsibility of the property owner to place all waste at the curbside for the regular Thursday collection. Leaves in clear bags will be composted. Bags are available at the Town Office at $2.00 per 10.

Brush and tree branches are to be tied in bundles not exceeding 3 feet in length, 2 feet in diameter and 50 pounds in weight.

Loose brush and tree branches not tied and bundled may be brought to the Town Public Works Yard and placed in the designated chipping area.

The collection and disposal of the following items shall be the responsibility of the property owners: discarded building materials such as lumber and construction materials used for erection, alteration, demolition or repair of buildings or structures, residue from trees such as roots, stumps, trunks and branches larger than 3 inches in diameter, discarded metals, piping, fencing, tools, swimming pools, automobiles, snowmobiles, motorcycles, bicycles or related parts, stones, rocks, sand, gravel, manure, the remains or carcasses of any dead animals, or any other discarded material other than garbage, petroleum products, radio-active or any other hazardous wastes.”

Route 1 Gateway Signing and Construction Update

The official signing of agreements and a construction update for the Route 1 Gateway Project from St. Stephen to River Glade will be held today at 10:30 in Maguagadavic Place. Premier Shawn Graham and Transportation Minister Denis Landry will participate with Dexter Construction Co. Ltd officials.

43-year-old missing man found

The 43-year-old man from Pointe de Bute, near Sackville who was reported missing by his family  was safely located  in Moncton.

Grand Manan Rink Donation

Residents of Grand Manan island hope to be skating and playing hockey on home ice next winter now that the community has raised more than $100,000 toward a $1.2 million indoor rink.

Cooke Aquaculture has contributed $50,000 to wards the new indoor rink on Grand Manan

The community had raised $60,000 toward its $110,000 goal and the Cooke donation has put the fundraising campaign over the top.”

It will take about $1.2 million to finish the rink, including an ice-making plant. The province has committed $400,000 and the village council is expected to approve a $300,000 contribution.

Charlotte-The Isles MLA and provincial Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet was on hand

The Grand Manan rink campaign started Feb. 2 with a $15,000 contribution from the Grand Manan Rotary Club. Admiral Fish Farms Ltd. on Grand Manan contributed $10,000, the first corporate donation to the project.

Pete Sesplankis, Executive Director of the Grand Manan Boys and Girls Club, said hundreds of islanders have been using the community centre and he said when the arena opens he expects the facility will be the hub of island life.

 
 
 
 
From left: Randy Brownlee, president of the Grand Manan arena committee, Mayor Dennis Greene, MLA and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet, Pete Sesplankis, Executive Director of the Grand Manan Boys and Girls Club and Michael Cooke, co-owner of Cooke Aquaculture, celebrate the presentation of a $50,000 cheque from Cooke to the Grand Manan arena project.

Missing Man

RCMP in Sackville are asking for the public's help in locating a missing 43-year-old man.

Robert Bruce Porter is believed to be driving a red Chevrolet Tracker and was last seen at a motel in Moncton on March 30.

Porter is five-foot-10, weighs about 200 pounds, has greying hair, a goatee and wears glasses.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the District 4 RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

The Maine Fishing Guide a New Online Tool for Planning Fishing Trips

Designed by the Fisheries Division of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, “The Maine Fishing Guide” is an online tool to assist anglers with locating Maine’s sportfish locations, and to give them ideas to plan their next outdoor fishing adventure.

This tool is unique among the states and makes Maine a leader in providing information to anglers in a unique, useable format.

The Maine Fishing Guide is configured on GoogleEarth software, which users may download onto their computer from the guide’s home page.

The Maine Fishing Guide can be found by selecting the link at http://www.mefishwildlife.com/ or go directly to http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/fishingGuide.html.

Governor Signs Legislation to Improve Air Quality in Maine

Governor John E. Baldacci held a State House ceremony to celebrate the signing of An Act to Improve Maine’s Air Quality and Reduce Regional Haze at Acadia National Park and Other Federally Designated Class Areas.

The legislation establishes incremental reductions in the sulfur content of all fuel oils sold in the State of Maine beginning in 2016. Final reductions will take place in 2018.

Regional health impact studies have suggested that Maine can save nearly $150 million in avoided health costs associated with the implementation of this program.

In addition, future visitors to Maine’s pristine federal parks and wilderness areas. Acadia National Park, Campobello International Park, and Moosehorn National Wildlife Wilderness Area - will be able to see improvements when visiting these areas.

Federal Government supports strategic efforts to expand Dairy Sector

The Atlantic Dairy and Forage Institute is exploring new opportunities for regional and international growth through development of a strategic plan, thanks to an investment by the federal government, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The Honourable Greg Thompson, MP New Brunswick Southwest made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of ACOA, and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway along with ADFI officials at the Institute today.

The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is investing $30,250 toward the project under the Innovative Communities Fund while ADFI is contributing $8,000.

New Bay of Fundy Discovery Centre to Feature Local Fishery Stories

The story of how our very own natural wonder, the Bay of Fundy will be told at the new discovery centre at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre.

Three influential organizations in the Bay of Fundy area, Cooke Aquaculture, the Atlantic Salmon Federation and Connors Bros. Clover Leaf Seafoods have each agreed to contribute toward the development of three large information panels that will tell their story to visitors to the new centre, which is expected to open to the public in summer, 2011.

Cooke Aquaculture contributing $25,000, The Atlantic Salmon Federation, contributing of $25,000 and Connors Bros. has contributed $20,000 to the new Discovery Centre.

The cost of the new centre is $8 million, with $5 million of that contributed from the federal and provincial governments and the remainder being raised by the Huntsman. With $1 million already raised through previous fundraising, the Seal the Deal campaign was launched in October to find the additional $2 million needed. That campaign has already reached the $600,000 mark, and efforts to reach the goal are ongoing.

Pets will be better protected in New Brunswick thanks to stricter rules proposed by government.

New rules for pet stores, kennels and animal shelters


The provincial government plans to adopt a new regulation under the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act which will define specific standards for pet establishments, such as pet stores, animal shelters and kennels, and enable their licensing and inspection.

The changes will apply to both commercial and non-commercial establishments in municipalities and rural areas. In addition, owners of more than five dogs, over six months of age, will be required to adhere to nationally established standards of care for those animals.

For More info http://www.gnb.ca/0062/regs/s-12reg.htm

Damage to Crown roads discouraged

Conservation officers will be patrolling Crown woods roads to discourage their use during the spring thaw period when dirt roads are easily damaged.
Individuals using the roads to get to their camps or wood properties are not being targeted.

There will be patrols on Crown land and officers may issue ministerial orders for vehicle operators to vacate an area until the roads have dried.

Failure to comply with a ministerial order or signage posted under the authority of the act may result in charges. Depending upon the charge, a conviction could lead to fines of $140 to $500 for a first offence.

Festival by the Marsh to Hold Open Auditions for "Much Ado About Nothing"

This year's edition of the Festival by the Marsh will run July 9 to 25, and includes the Marsh Music Festival, Fine Arts shows and workshops, Writers Fest Day, Kids Fest, theatre, and more.


After five years at the Mount Allison Swan Pond, this year the Festival will be holding performances in a tent in downtown Sackville and will also tour for a performance in St Andrews by the Sea, where it will be performed outdoors.

Auditions will be held Tuesday, April 6 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. and Wednesday April 7 from 8 p.m. 10:00 p.m.

Auditioners can contact the festival at festival@mta.ca (or 364-2179) to book a time during these hours or to request a time outside of these hours of they are unable to attend then or can simply show up at the auditions.

After 16 years in Business owners sell Old Town Tavern

The 11 th Annual Old Town Tavern Harley Draw closed out the end of March and raised more than seven thousand dollars for The Charlotte County Cancer society, but it also said good by to the owners Donna and John Seifert. After 16 years in Business the couple from Saint John have sold their bar to a couple from Ontario.

The new owners are Gerri Dickerson & Rick Storm. officially took over the OTT on April 1st.

Over the years the Tavern has held 11 Harley Draws and was known for their annual pudding wrestling Contests during Chocolate Fest and have raised numerous funds for local charity's.

Donna and John Seifert would like to thank their friends & patrons for 16 years of support & that they will truly be missed. And wish the new owners success in there new venture - hope they have as many good memories as they had.