By Chris Dowbiggin
Amherst Daily News
Despite Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Tories releasing political advertisements attacking opposition parties on Monday, Cumberland County Conservative MP Scott Armstrong says the ads are not a definitive hint there will be a federal election in the near future.
Instead, Armstrong said the ads are merely showing the other parties they are ready to campaign at any time.
“We’re not pushing for a real campaign,” said Armstrong.
“It just shows we’re ready for a campaign. In fact, we’re going to bring down a budget, which we intend to pass. Hopefully the opposition will pass that. But the Prime Minister is very clear he doesn’t want an election, and he didn’t put anything in the budget that would cause one.”
The five advertisements bear a resemblance to Harper’s previous ad spots during the 2008 election campaign, and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff responded to the ads by calling them “rubbish” and stating they were nothing more then Harper’s creations for his own “personal destruction”.
Mt. Allison University Political Scientist Dr. Tamara Small said she gives Harper a lot of credit for the ads from a strategic point of view, but is unsure of what, if anything, they are leading up to.
“It’s hard to know if this is just an attempt to get the media riled up,” said Small.
“The real issue here is that the only time it would be possible for an election would be in the next six months, It’s not going to happen in the second half of this year because of all the provincial elections. So I’m not sure if everyone is getting whipped into a frenzy, and I’m not sure if this is real, legitimate election talk.”
However, Nova Scotia NDP MLA Brian Skabar believes these advertisements are a big indication for action to soon take place.
“Frankly, I thought we would have seen one by now, except that most of the polls seemed to suggest there would be no change. Regardless of any flow of popular support in any of the major parties, the core seems to be reflected in the polls, who seem to be right 19 times out of 20,” said Skabar.
While the Tories’ percentage-point lead over the Liberals is less than what their minority margin was in the last election, the Conservatives still hold an eight point lead over the Liberals, 36-28, as found in a recent survey by The Canadian Press.
Armstrong said the stability the Conservatives have over the percentage-point polls is favourable to their party, because it allows Harper to keep governing the same way he always intended to do, without changing any major policies.
“If there was an election now, the only poll that would matter would be the one on election day, so I don’t think these current public polls are going to affect the way we are governing the nation as of now.”
Friday, January 28, 2011
New Hockey Day in Cumberland event hopes to be successful
By Chris Dowbiggin
Amherst Daily News
AMHERST - The Amherst Jr. Ramblers and Cumberland County Cool Blues hockey clubs have teamed up to organize a new event set to gather support for local minor and junior hockey organizations.
“Hockey Day in Cumberland” takes place on Feb. 12, when hockey fans all over the county will be able to get their fill by attending three hockey games for the price of one at Amherst Stadium.
Jim Henwood is a member of Ramblers board of directors, and helped organize the event.
“We just thought it was something that would work out well,” said Henwood.
“We just thought it was a great collaboration of the two clubs and bond all three of the hockey organizations, being Minor hockey, the Ramblers and The Blues.”
The game schedule at Amherst Stadium has the Midget AAA Ramblers playing the Truro AAA Bearcats at 1 p.m, The Cumberland Junior B Cool Blues taking on the Sackville Blazers at 4 p.m. and the Junior A Amherst Ramblers vs. the Miramichi Timberwolves at 7 p.m.
Ramblers General Manager Corey Crocker said it all adds up to being an action-packed day of hockey.
“It’s an opportunity for all members of Cumberland county to get excited about their teams, about their hockey, it’s just a good way to bring the fans together to show support.”
Additional attractions during the day includes a major 50/50 draw, combined with over $30,000 in cash and prizes, a draw for expensive jewelry, courtesy of Inglis Jewlers, and the local Pizza Delight will have family meal deals going throughout the night.
Henwood said the fan support during Hockey Day in Cumberland will also be boosted by the Hockey Day in Canada celebrations, which happen to fall on the same day.
“We never really thought about it. It’s kind of ironic. We didn’t plan it at all, so it should work out well.”
Advance tickets for the event will be selling around the county and through the hockey clubs. Full-day tickets cost only $10, which covers all three games of hockey.
Amherst Daily News
AMHERST - The Amherst Jr. Ramblers and Cumberland County Cool Blues hockey clubs have teamed up to organize a new event set to gather support for local minor and junior hockey organizations.
“Hockey Day in Cumberland” takes place on Feb. 12, when hockey fans all over the county will be able to get their fill by attending three hockey games for the price of one at Amherst Stadium.
Jim Henwood is a member of Ramblers board of directors, and helped organize the event.
“We just thought it was something that would work out well,” said Henwood.
“We just thought it was a great collaboration of the two clubs and bond all three of the hockey organizations, being Minor hockey, the Ramblers and The Blues.”
The game schedule at Amherst Stadium has the Midget AAA Ramblers playing the Truro AAA Bearcats at 1 p.m, The Cumberland Junior B Cool Blues taking on the Sackville Blazers at 4 p.m. and the Junior A Amherst Ramblers vs. the Miramichi Timberwolves at 7 p.m.
Ramblers General Manager Corey Crocker said it all adds up to being an action-packed day of hockey.
“It’s an opportunity for all members of Cumberland county to get excited about their teams, about their hockey, it’s just a good way to bring the fans together to show support.”
Additional attractions during the day includes a major 50/50 draw, combined with over $30,000 in cash and prizes, a draw for expensive jewelry, courtesy of Inglis Jewlers, and the local Pizza Delight will have family meal deals going throughout the night.
Henwood said the fan support during Hockey Day in Cumberland will also be boosted by the Hockey Day in Canada celebrations, which happen to fall on the same day.
“We never really thought about it. It’s kind of ironic. We didn’t plan it at all, so it should work out well.”
Advance tickets for the event will be selling around the county and through the hockey clubs. Full-day tickets cost only $10, which covers all three games of hockey.
Canada and Australia partner in New7Wonders Campaign
Amherst Daily News
PARSBORRO - Bay of Fundy Tourism was excited to announce Wednesday, Canada and Australia joining forces in the global New7Wonders of Nature Campaign.
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy is Canada’s sole representative in the campaign, and Bay of Fundy Tourism is teaming up with Tourism Australia, who has two cometing finalists in the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru (Ayers Rock), to rally votes for both countries.
The final seven will be chosen by popular vote on November 11, 2011.
“The Government of Canada is proud to see the Bay of Fundy as one of 28 finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “Our partnership with Tourism Australia in the New7Wonders of Nature Campaign to rally votes for both countries will encourage the profile of our natural wonders and showcase Canada as an exciting, international tourism destination.”
The announcement was made the same day as the Australian national holiday “Australia Day.”
“We are delighted to team up with our Canadian friends to announce this partnership with the Bay of Fundy today, said Tourism Australia’s Managing Director Andrew McEvoy.
“If we Canadians and Australians work together we’ll be a world-beating team, and generate enough votes to get all three of our nominated sites onto the New7Wonders of Nature list.”
There are many similarities observed between Canada’s and Australia’s finalists. The Great Barrier Reef is world’s longest coral reef and Bay of Fundy is home to the world's largest mussel reefs. Similar to coral reefs, mussel reefs play an important ecological role by providing a unique and productive habitat that sustains high biodiversity. Both Great Barrier Reef and Bay of Fundy are home to an astounding variety of marine life and provide a critical habitat for many of the world’s whales, including the endangered North Atlantic Right whale in Bay of Fundy and the South Atlantic Right whale in Australia.
Through their websites and social media activities, Canada and Australia will continue to encourage votes for each other until the campaign’s conclusion on November 11, 2011.
PARSBORRO - Bay of Fundy Tourism was excited to announce Wednesday, Canada and Australia joining forces in the global New7Wonders of Nature Campaign.
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy is Canada’s sole representative in the campaign, and Bay of Fundy Tourism is teaming up with Tourism Australia, who has two cometing finalists in the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru (Ayers Rock), to rally votes for both countries.
The final seven will be chosen by popular vote on November 11, 2011.
“The Government of Canada is proud to see the Bay of Fundy as one of 28 finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “Our partnership with Tourism Australia in the New7Wonders of Nature Campaign to rally votes for both countries will encourage the profile of our natural wonders and showcase Canada as an exciting, international tourism destination.”
The announcement was made the same day as the Australian national holiday “Australia Day.”
“We are delighted to team up with our Canadian friends to announce this partnership with the Bay of Fundy today, said Tourism Australia’s Managing Director Andrew McEvoy.
“If we Canadians and Australians work together we’ll be a world-beating team, and generate enough votes to get all three of our nominated sites onto the New7Wonders of Nature list.”
There are many similarities observed between Canada’s and Australia’s finalists. The Great Barrier Reef is world’s longest coral reef and Bay of Fundy is home to the world's largest mussel reefs. Similar to coral reefs, mussel reefs play an important ecological role by providing a unique and productive habitat that sustains high biodiversity. Both Great Barrier Reef and Bay of Fundy are home to an astounding variety of marine life and provide a critical habitat for many of the world’s whales, including the endangered North Atlantic Right whale in Bay of Fundy and the South Atlantic Right whale in Australia.
Through their websites and social media activities, Canada and Australia will continue to encourage votes for each other until the campaign’s conclusion on November 11, 2011.
Another winter storm hits Cumberland County
By Chris Dowbiggin
AMHERST - Cumberland County was hit with another classic winter storm on Thursday, as swirling winds and blowing snow made conditions difficult for travel and commuting for the day.
All schools in the county were closed, as were many businesses. However, there were no reported power outages in the area. With the only reported power outages in Annapolis Valley and As of 2:30 p.m. no highways were closed.
According to Environment Canada, Nappan has received 14.2 mm of precipitation during the day, while Parsborro had 14.6 mm and Debert had 7.2 mm.
AMHERST - Cumberland County was hit with another classic winter storm on Thursday, as swirling winds and blowing snow made conditions difficult for travel and commuting for the day.
All schools in the county were closed, as were many businesses. However, there were no reported power outages in the area. With the only reported power outages in Annapolis Valley and As of 2:30 p.m. no highways were closed.
According to Environment Canada, Nappan has received 14.2 mm of precipitation during the day, while Parsborro had 14.6 mm and Debert had 7.2 mm.
New developments for this year’s Four Fathers Festival
By Chris Dowbiggin
Amherst Daily News
AMHERST - The annual Four Fathers Festival in Amherst will be improved to better focus on the cultural and historic heritage of the town said town councilor Robert Angel at a council meeting on Monday.
The festival committee felt the festival needed to be more of a celebration of cultural diversity in the town and the broad heritage embedded in the long history of Amherst.
As a result, the committee has given the Arts, Culture and heritage community the lead role in organizing this year’s event.
Angel said in order to make the festival more enjoyable, it is important to look towards the various grassroots programs that are willing to help return it to a more organic setting.
“We feel in order for the committee to develop, it really has to come from the grassroots. It has to be from the people with the interests in enhancing the annual festivities and atmosphere,” said Angel.
The committee has also decided the timing of the Four Fathers activities needs to be changed to September, to coordinate with the plan to make September Arts, Culture and Heritage month.
Arts, Culture and Heritage coordinator Andrew MacGregor said this makes the activities more relevant to the current time of year.
“I think the direction is to sort of take it out of that one-weekend and three-day-stretch and move it on to a longer overall focus on arts and heritage. It will operate better this way,” said MacGregor.
Plans are underway for an 18th-century Encampment during the second weekend of September, and a Four Fathers Dinner to be held at the Cumberland Museum on Sept. 30.
MacGregor said the new-and-improved festival will be a good indicator of how other yearly community events and festivals can follow by example in the future.
“I would like to see more people involved, and more people take ownership of some events, or even possibly propose new events or improve others in ways the town and I haven’t thought of yet.”
Angel said while this festival is based around the culture and history of Amherst, there is no reason why this development cannot have an influence on other festivals in other townships around Cumberland County this year.
In addition to the Four Fathers planning, the committee agrees there are opportunites to grow and support other events in the community, including the Cross Border Challenge, Victorian Christmas and Winter Festival.
“Basically, we’re looking at the town issue, and what happens within the town, but that’s not to say a lot of the heritage and cultural things that occur here in Amherst don’t come from people and places around the county.”
Meetings involving representatives from the community events will be organized in February to determine the plans for these groups, identify any challenges/issues and determine the the level of support they require to be successful.
Amherst Daily News
AMHERST - The annual Four Fathers Festival in Amherst will be improved to better focus on the cultural and historic heritage of the town said town councilor Robert Angel at a council meeting on Monday.
The festival committee felt the festival needed to be more of a celebration of cultural diversity in the town and the broad heritage embedded in the long history of Amherst.
As a result, the committee has given the Arts, Culture and heritage community the lead role in organizing this year’s event.
Angel said in order to make the festival more enjoyable, it is important to look towards the various grassroots programs that are willing to help return it to a more organic setting.
“We feel in order for the committee to develop, it really has to come from the grassroots. It has to be from the people with the interests in enhancing the annual festivities and atmosphere,” said Angel.
The committee has also decided the timing of the Four Fathers activities needs to be changed to September, to coordinate with the plan to make September Arts, Culture and Heritage month.
Arts, Culture and Heritage coordinator Andrew MacGregor said this makes the activities more relevant to the current time of year.
“I think the direction is to sort of take it out of that one-weekend and three-day-stretch and move it on to a longer overall focus on arts and heritage. It will operate better this way,” said MacGregor.
Plans are underway for an 18th-century Encampment during the second weekend of September, and a Four Fathers Dinner to be held at the Cumberland Museum on Sept. 30.
MacGregor said the new-and-improved festival will be a good indicator of how other yearly community events and festivals can follow by example in the future.
“I would like to see more people involved, and more people take ownership of some events, or even possibly propose new events or improve others in ways the town and I haven’t thought of yet.”
Angel said while this festival is based around the culture and history of Amherst, there is no reason why this development cannot have an influence on other festivals in other townships around Cumberland County this year.
In addition to the Four Fathers planning, the committee agrees there are opportunites to grow and support other events in the community, including the Cross Border Challenge, Victorian Christmas and Winter Festival.
“Basically, we’re looking at the town issue, and what happens within the town, but that’s not to say a lot of the heritage and cultural things that occur here in Amherst don’t come from people and places around the county.”
Meetings involving representatives from the community events will be organized in February to determine the plans for these groups, identify any challenges/issues and determine the the level of support they require to be successful.
Family Literacy Day celebrated at West Highlands Elementary School
By Chris Dowbiggin
AMHERST - The halls of West Highlands Elementary School came alive with the presence of familiar children’s storybook characters on Tuesday.
Much of the student body took part in “Dress Up as Your Favourite Book Character Day” to coordinate with “Family Literacy Day”, a day celebrating Canadian adult and children reading and learning together.
Various children from grades primary to six dressed up as their favourite characters from their favourite books. Some from traditional stories, some not so much.
School Librarian Bev Fenton said she was very impressed with the effort put into the children’s costumes.
“There were so many creative ones. I didn’t want it to turn into something that was going to be a big ordeal,” said Fenton.
“I just wanted everyone to have fun, and most importantly, stress the importance and value of reading.”
While the school has celebrated the day in past years, they decided instead of having a variety of events all in one day, they would stretch the events out over the last two weeks of January.
Last week, the school had a “Reading Challenge” encouraging students to read as many books as they can in a week, by bringing home books and a reading log sheet for students and parents to keep track by filling them out. Prizes were awarded to the top readers in each class.
But for the kids, the real exciting part was getting to dress up just like their favourite characters for a day this week.
Alexander Burt, 7, dressed up like “Captain Underpants”, the underwear-clad superhero who stars in a series of comedy/adventure books by Dav Pilkey.
He said while these are his favourite books, it’s hard to choose the best book in the series because they are all very consistent in entertainment value.
“I can’t really choose because they’re all really awesome and I like them all,” he said.
Chloe Lewis, 5, wore a Snow White dress to school. She said while she hasn’t read the book yet, she owns the movie and loves it.
“I love Snow White and I don’t have the book of it, but I have the movie of it, and I want the book of it,” she said.
Daniel Rector, 7, chose to dress up like an author instead of a character. He was Robert Munsch.
Rector said his favourite book by Munsch is “Andrew’s Loose Tooth.”
“It’s about how (Andrew) eats an apple and yells “Ow” because his tooth is loose. The tooth fairy comes and ties one end of a rope to his tooth and the other to his car, and his car breaks. Like, it shatters into pieces.”
Jordan Hamel, 9, dressed up as a Cabbage Patch doll. She said while she can’t remember the name of the book, she picked it because the book has spent a long time in her family.
“My mom had it when she was a little girl, so I thought I would pick it, because this is one of my favourite characters that I liked,” she said.
Fenton said she thinks all the fun activities celebrating reading will help boost the children’s motivations to go to the nearest bookshelf and choosing a good story to read when looking for something to do.
“That’s the whole thing of it. To have fun and relate by dressing up. We’ve just taken two themes, in dressing up and reading, and combined them to have a lot of fun.”
AMHERST - The halls of West Highlands Elementary School came alive with the presence of familiar children’s storybook characters on Tuesday.
Much of the student body took part in “Dress Up as Your Favourite Book Character Day” to coordinate with “Family Literacy Day”, a day celebrating Canadian adult and children reading and learning together.
Various children from grades primary to six dressed up as their favourite characters from their favourite books. Some from traditional stories, some not so much.
School Librarian Bev Fenton said she was very impressed with the effort put into the children’s costumes.
“There were so many creative ones. I didn’t want it to turn into something that was going to be a big ordeal,” said Fenton.
“I just wanted everyone to have fun, and most importantly, stress the importance and value of reading.”
While the school has celebrated the day in past years, they decided instead of having a variety of events all in one day, they would stretch the events out over the last two weeks of January.
Last week, the school had a “Reading Challenge” encouraging students to read as many books as they can in a week, by bringing home books and a reading log sheet for students and parents to keep track by filling them out. Prizes were awarded to the top readers in each class.
But for the kids, the real exciting part was getting to dress up just like their favourite characters for a day this week.
Alexander Burt, 7, dressed up like “Captain Underpants”, the underwear-clad superhero who stars in a series of comedy/adventure books by Dav Pilkey.
He said while these are his favourite books, it’s hard to choose the best book in the series because they are all very consistent in entertainment value.
“I can’t really choose because they’re all really awesome and I like them all,” he said.
Chloe Lewis, 5, wore a Snow White dress to school. She said while she hasn’t read the book yet, she owns the movie and loves it.
“I love Snow White and I don’t have the book of it, but I have the movie of it, and I want the book of it,” she said.
Daniel Rector, 7, chose to dress up like an author instead of a character. He was Robert Munsch.
Rector said his favourite book by Munsch is “Andrew’s Loose Tooth.”
“It’s about how (Andrew) eats an apple and yells “Ow” because his tooth is loose. The tooth fairy comes and ties one end of a rope to his tooth and the other to his car, and his car breaks. Like, it shatters into pieces.”
Jordan Hamel, 9, dressed up as a Cabbage Patch doll. She said while she can’t remember the name of the book, she picked it because the book has spent a long time in her family.
“My mom had it when she was a little girl, so I thought I would pick it, because this is one of my favourite characters that I liked,” she said.
Fenton said she thinks all the fun activities celebrating reading will help boost the children’s motivations to go to the nearest bookshelf and choosing a good story to read when looking for something to do.
“That’s the whole thing of it. To have fun and relate by dressing up. We’ve just taken two themes, in dressing up and reading, and combined them to have a lot of fun.”
Man sentenced with eight charges dating back to September
By Chris Dowbiggin
Amherst Daily News
AMHERST - An Amherst man was sentenced to conditional sentence order followed by 18 months probation for a series of charges dating back to Sept. 12, 2010 on Monday.
Corey Jewkes, 19, is to serve a 60 day conditional sentence order after breaching his previous undertaking of prohibited contact with a young woman at a Foodland grocery store in Springhill on Nov. 17, 2010.
As part of the conditional sentencing, Jewkes is required to serve 30 days of house arrest, followed by 30 days of curfew from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.
When asked if he had anything to say, Jewkes took the opportunity to inform the courtroom that he regretted his actions..
“I would like to apologize to everyone who was involved in this whole situation,” said Jewkes.
Jewkes will then serve 18 months probation with reporting and conditons due to a previous assault he had on the same woman at a Dooly’s bar in Amherst on Sept. 12.
He was also charged with a second assault along with public disturbance, two charges of resisting arrest, one each of mischief and breaching an undertaking preventing him from having contact with a witness of the assault for a short period of time in the same night.
As part of the first assault charge, Jewkes is required to submit a DNA sample, and comply with a firearms prohibition of five years.
Jewkes has until July 25 to pay two $50 victim fine surcharges, one for each incident date.
Amherst Daily News
AMHERST - An Amherst man was sentenced to conditional sentence order followed by 18 months probation for a series of charges dating back to Sept. 12, 2010 on Monday.
Corey Jewkes, 19, is to serve a 60 day conditional sentence order after breaching his previous undertaking of prohibited contact with a young woman at a Foodland grocery store in Springhill on Nov. 17, 2010.
As part of the conditional sentencing, Jewkes is required to serve 30 days of house arrest, followed by 30 days of curfew from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.
When asked if he had anything to say, Jewkes took the opportunity to inform the courtroom that he regretted his actions..
“I would like to apologize to everyone who was involved in this whole situation,” said Jewkes.
Jewkes will then serve 18 months probation with reporting and conditons due to a previous assault he had on the same woman at a Dooly’s bar in Amherst on Sept. 12.
He was also charged with a second assault along with public disturbance, two charges of resisting arrest, one each of mischief and breaching an undertaking preventing him from having contact with a witness of the assault for a short period of time in the same night.
As part of the first assault charge, Jewkes is required to submit a DNA sample, and comply with a firearms prohibition of five years.
Jewkes has until July 25 to pay two $50 victim fine surcharges, one for each incident date.
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