Blaney Reacts To Keir Comment

(Rothesay Conservative MLA Margaret-Ann Blaney)
(File Photo)

Finding Minister Keir's comment amusing, Rothesay Conservative MLA Margaret Ann Blaney tells us, there is a good reason why David Alward did not attend the party's open forums on energy.

She says there are two capable and knowledgeable people running the summits.

She also says he has taken part in her door to door campaign and has been in every corner of the province.

Blaney believes Minister Keir is running scared and that is what prompted the comment.

Is Alward Hiding?

Is Conservative Leader David Alward in hiding?

Energy Minister Jack Keir believes the party has been keeping him under wraps and wants to know why he hasn't been front and center to discuss the issues.

One of them is energy and Keir tells us, the Liberal Government has taken steps to protect the assets of NB Power and it rate-payers.

Keir adds Alward didn't even bother to show for his party's open house forums recently to discuss energy.

Liberals Not Too Fond of Ferry Toll Removal

(Charlotte the Isles MLA Rick Doucett)
(File Photo)

A Conservative promise to remove the toll on the Grand Manan ferry if elected to power next month has left the MLA for the area shaking his head.

Rick Doucett tells us, with no public consultation on the matter with Mayor and council or the operator of the ferry, he believes this idea was put together on the back of a napkin.

Doucett adds the Conservative proposal will cost roughly two and a half million dollars which means a ferry run would have to be lost.

Alward says it's the only ferry service of its kind in the province that charges a toll and it's unfair to island residents.

Truck Found Destroyed

A Theft of a 1994 pickup that was stolen from a yard in  Chamcook was located today the same area, abandoned and destroyed by fire.

RCMP tell us they continue to Investigation if you have any information contact the RCMP or Crimestoppers.

Meanwhile Police continue to look for the truck that was stolen from St. George this week.

Alwards Promise To Remove Toll On Grand Manan Ferry

Progressive Conservative party leader David Alward making a promise to the residents of Grand Manan today as a part of his party's platform.

Alward tells Tide News he is promising to remove the toll on the ferry to Grand Manan Island if they are elected next month. He's also committed to retaining the current ferry operating schedule.

Over the past few decades, the population of Grand Manan has declined year after year and many island residents have been complaining for years that the cost to take the ferry has made it difficult for them financially.

Attempted Assault On Premier Graham

A local man has a date set for court after an incident yesterday that landing him in the back of a police car.
Phillip Williams of Upper Mills has been charged with uttering threats and resisting arrested after he showed up at Town Square where Premier Shawn Graham was set to make an announcement.

Corp. Davis Tells Tide News they were tipped off by a phone call prior to yesterday events that lead to Williams actions.

Williams tells Tide news he wanted to speak directly to The Premier about his issues concerning his land, welfare and medical documents. Williams has a court date set for September 3 to answer to charges.

Kingston Man Found

The search for a missing senior from the Kingston Peninsula has a happy ending. Hampton RCMP tell us the search for 63-year old Fred Drew has been called off after he was picked up near his home by a relative last night.
Drew had been missing since yesterday when he left for his daily walk. Concern was raised because Drew is an insulin dependent diabetic but RCMP say he will be fine.

Williams to Appear in Court

A court date has been set for a local man after an incident in town square involving the Premier. Phillip Williams says he was driven by anger in getting help about losing his land along with his medical records being withheld by his previous doctor.

He Tells Tide News he went to Town Square to speak with The Premier about his issues. The Premier’s speech was delayed fifteen minutes after the RCMP received a tip that a man was looking for Graham.

Williams was arrested before the Premier’s arrival and has a September 3rd court date to answer to charges of uttering threats and resisting arrest.

Tide news has placed a call to the RCMP for their comment and have yet to hear back.

New Board Members At The Airport

Two new board members have been selected to sit at the Saint John Airport. Michael Walton and former Saint John mayor Norm McFarlane begin their terms right away.

Walton has held numerous positions with community boards and is a long time member of the Board of Trade.

Along with holding the title of the Mayor of Saint John, McFarlane is as former MLA, cabinet minister and accountant.

Missing Man From Kingston Peninsula

The search is on for a missing senior from the Kingston Peninsula.  Hampton RCMP tell us 62-year old Fred Drew has been gone since yesterday when he left for his daily walk.

He is five seven, 300 pounds white hair and a short beard. He was wearing a beige long sleeve shirt, jeans and white sneakers.

Drew is also an insulin dependent diabetic and officers don't know if he took his medication before leaving for his walk.

Gas Prices In St. Stephen

Your trip to the gas pump won't hurt as much today.

The price of gas is down this morning after the weekly setting, the maximum price for regular self-serve is 95.4.   Diesel is also down at 103.0 while the cost of propane is up slightly to 102.8.

The price for home heating oil is selling for 86.7

Stolen Truck In St. George

RCMP are investigatingafter a pickup truck was stolen sometime between late Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning from Brunswick Street in St. George

Police say the 2005 Ford F-650 truck was stolen from a parking lot. The truck is white and black in color and has white mud flaps on it with the wording "Gator Ford Florida." The New Brunswick license plate is F-18256.

If you have information about this crime or if you see this stolen truck contact the St George RCMP at 755-1130

Minimum Wage Set To Rise

Our minimum wage will be boosted by 50 cents September 1st. That will bring the pay rate to nine dollars an hour.

Two more 50-cent increases are scheduled for next year to bring the minimum wage up to the Atlantic average of 10-dollars an hour by next fall.

St Stephen & Charlotte County Go High Speed

Rogers Communications announced today St. Stephen and surounding area of Charlotte County will recieved new enhanced television service as well as news services for high speed internet and home phone services.

Locals in the area will now recieve up to 450 new channels with over 1000 on demand movies. Rogers is offering sic levels of hi speed service and residental home phone service with unlimited local calling thru New Brunswick.

 Rogers will be hosting an open house today in St. Stephen at The St. Stephen Legion from 12 to 7 and tomorrow from 12 to 7 at The Saint Andrews Legion.

Regional President For Rogers Communications
Ken Marshall

RCMP Request Public Assistance

RCMP are requesting help from the public in identifying those responsible for the theft of a 1998 4 wheel ATV from School Street in St Stephen. It happened between August 15 and 17th.

Police have secured evidence from the scene and will be examined by the RCMP Forensic Identification Section. Anyone with info leading to the arrest of those responsible may be eligible for a cash award.

Anterless Deer Draw

Almost 5000 hunters around the Province have been given the green light to hunt anter-less deer this fall. Anyone who has been awarded a validation sticker should receive it from the Province by the end of next month.
You can find out if you've been successful in the draw by visiting gnb.ca or checking the last two digits of your current hunting license against the two-digit numbers listed for the wildlife management zone in which you applied.

More Talk on Lepreau

With the tab growing at one million dollars a day for replacement power at Point Lepreau, the Energy Minister says negotiations with Ottawa continue to pick up the tab for replacement power. Jack Keir tells us, he met with MP Keith Ashfield late Friday night and Ottawa is still reviewing the file:

Our news-room asked Minister Keir if this issue could cost the Liberal Party re-election in the Provincial vote next month and says he doesn't see how the Graham Government can be pinned down when it was the Conservative Party that signed the contract which put all cost responsibilities on the Provincial Government.

Man Goes For A Run.....In The Nude

Man Goes For A Run.....In The Nude
No charges will be laid after a man decided to "bare all" and go for a run last night.
Hampton RCMP say they were called to the Midland area last night to find a 63-year old man out for a run as naked as the day he came into the world.
As you can guess, officers tell us the man was drinking . No charges will be laid.

Careful When Choosing A Credit Agency

A warning from the President of Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada on choosing an agency.

John Eisner tells us there are some companies making claims right now they can't back up.

He says some agencies are promising to cut interest rates before even looking into a client's financial situation.

Eisner warns about one agency that is calling homes of people who are not having financial problems and he says they have made a complaint about it.

Man Found In Rubble Of Home

(Smoke coming from the rubble after the explosion)
(Photo by Jim Hennessy)

53-year old James Harvey Goddard has been found in the rubble of what used to be a home in Sussex Corner.

The body was found late yesterday afternoon after the home was destroyed by an explosion Friday night just after six o'clock.

A 51-year old woman who escaped the blast has been released from hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

The quiet neighbourhood was rocked when a huge explosion demolished the home which was for sale.

Residents we spoke with in the area of the house tell us Goddard was an explosive expert who worked in the mines in both Pennobsquis and Sussex.

RCMP still don't know what caused the explosion.