“Home is the nicest word there is.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder

Purchasing a home can be the most exciting AND nerve-wracking experience of your life. Real estate scams can turn what should be a wonderful experience into a financial crisis. These scams often target people looking to buy or rent property. For unsuspecting victims, the impact of this can be devastating. Scammers misrepresent themselves as legitimate parties in the negotiation, promising amazing, easy, and fast deals.

Searching for the perfect property can be stressful, so knowing how to look out for real estate scammers is essential.

Look for a lack of proper documentation.

The first red flag indicating a possible real estate scam is the lack of proper documentation. A “seller” may want you to sign documents that do not represent the actual terms of the transaction. Be sure to ask for proof of ownership of the property you are inquiring about. It may belong to them or another person/business authorized to sell the property on their behalf. They should also have documentation to show this agreement if this is the case. Pay close attention to all the paperwork provided and question anything you do not understand.

Do not be pushed to “act now.”

A scammer will want you to sign the paperwork and close the deal immediately. They might request a bank transfer to hold the sale of the property, saying that it is in high demand and you could lose out. If you feel pressured to act fast at any time during a negotiation, please take that as a warning that something is not right. If possible, meet the sellers or landlords in person rather than simply an online tour. If you live far away and are relocating, visit an agent near you and have them help you to confirm the listing.

Beware of unrealistic offers and promises.

The saying “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” rings true far more often than not. Unrealistic promises and below-market prices are red flags. Do your research before you start communicating with sellers.

Pressure to send money is a red flag.

One of the most common real-estate frauds is asking buyers or potential tenants to send deposit money immediately. Scammers will give you every possible reason for this, but do not send them money unless you have confirmed everything. You should always have a legal, signed contract or lease before making any payment.

Confirm emails, names, and companies.

Protect yourself from real estate fraud by double-checking the email addresses and any business information that appears on the documents. Do not sign anything unless you confirm their identity and business legitimacy. With a scam, you may notice inconsistencies between the documents and what you can find online.

Contact the seller and confirm the information.

Be vigilant at all times. Scammers are very adept at changing things up within a changing market. Never feel pressured to take a questionable action when house hunting. 

The post Real estate scams – Is it too good to be true? first appeared on River Valley Sun.

“I hear the train a-comin’, it’s rollin’ round the bend,” goes the Johnny Cash song. I was thinking of this tune during our July bumble. On that trip, I never expected to see a train literally coming around the bend, but that’s precisely what happened.

On July 29, 25 people and 13 ATVs travelled from Waterville to Limestone Siding and unloaded at Grace and Anthony’s, who would be our guide to the Salmon River Train Trestle. Leaving their place, we bumbled the managed trail along the West River Road, passing the Grand Falls Generating Station, Beton, Armour Transportation System and many other businesses. This trail takes us to Main Street, Grand Falls, where we continue along with the vehicle traffic, passing by the Grand Falls Gorge, with very little water coming through the dam and over the rocks.

We bumble along Evangeline Street, connecting us to the managed trail again. It is a beautiful day; a bit overcast and 22 degrees. When we stop for a rest to stretch our legs, we can see the train trestle way off in the distance. Now, I am getting excited to see it up closer. Break over and time to bumble on.

A little further, and here we are. Looking down the track, it seems like it will never end. Most of the crew walked along the tracks while Brian and I decided to explore a bit, which took us to the bottom of the trestle looking up. I am taking a picture while trying to figure out what the bright light is that I am seeing through the lens. IT IS A TRAIN COMING AROUND THE BEND!

What are the chances? I am still in awe at how we managed to be there at the right time. There were 207 containers and three engines.

Some containers were marked Armour, Canadian Tire, and even one from China. The trestle was completed in 1911 at a cost of $815,070.87. It is 4,000 feet, or 1,220 metres in length, and 200 feet, or 61 metres in height.

During the wars, the trestle was heavily guarded as it was a link for the main freight line between Halifax and Montreal. The trestle was built as a part of a $15 million National Trans Canada Railway Agreement between the federal government and the Grand Pacific Railway Company. It is Canada’s second-largest train trestle, with the first in Lethbridge, Alberta. I think this trip has got to be one of my favourite bumbles. Now, on to lunch. We pull off to the side of the trail and enjoy a relaxing meal. We then pack up and bumble our way back to Evangeline Street, but before leaving Grand Falls, we stop at Dave’s Market for a treat of ice cream. Thank you, Grace and Anthony, for a wonderful day. Happy Trails!

The post Our side-by-side trestle adventure first appeared on River Valley Sun.

A bill set to be introduced in the Senate Tuesday calls for the federal government to be solely responsible for millions of dollars' worth of work to protect a vulnerable land link between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. 

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An Estey’s Bridge man, through counsel, denied drug-trafficking allegations Tuesday, as well as a charge of driving drunk.

Bryson Myles Arnold Maher, 19, of Route 620, wasn’t present when his case was called in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday, but defence lawyer Emily Cochrane appeared on his behalf.

Maher faces counts of possessing psilocybin (magic mushrooms) for the purpose of trafficking, possessing cannabis with intent to sell it and impaired driving.

The charges allege events in Kingsley on April 21.

Cochrane entered not-guilty pleas to all counts Tuesday.

Judge Cameron Gunn set the case over to Nov. 2 for a case-management conference, during which the Crown and defence will discuss potential trial issues. It’s also expected the trial date will be set at that time.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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The New Brunswick government and Port Saint John vow to get to the bottom of how a massive fire started at the American Iron and Metal recycling plant on Saint John's waterfront.

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A Fredericton woman scheduled to be sentenced Monday for multiple crimes - including three failures to attend court - was a no-show again and is now wanted on an arrest warrant.

Katherine Elizabeth McIntyre, 33, of Valleyview Street, pleaded guilty in Fredericton provincial court in June to numerous crimes.

Her sentencing hearing was scheduled for Monday after the court ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report this summer.

However, when the case was called Monday in Fredericton provincial court, McIntyre was absent.

“My client doesn’t seem to be here,” said defence lawyer Edward Derrah.

Judge Cameron Gunn said that was consistent with the letter filed with the court indicating McIntyre didn’t attend her pre-sentence report interview with probation services.

She was supposed to be sentenced Monday for the following crimes:

• failing to report a change of address to the sex-offender registration centre March 5, 2022;

• stealing a cash register at Paragon Cleaners on Regent Street and thereby breaching her probation Aug. 30, 2022;

• breaching her probation by failing to report to her probation officer Sept. 6, 2022;

• stealing from the Canadian Tire on Smythe Street and breaching her probation Dec. 8;

• failing to attend court Sept. 13, 2022, Feb. 16 and March 31.

The judge issued a warrant for the offender’s arrest Monday.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Moncton's oldest fire station will be getting an interior overhaul, but at a higher cost.

An early New Brunswick election would give Premier Blaine Higgs the opportunity to reshape the Progressive Conservative Party like never before.

Ninety players were selected in the first Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) draft on Monday, in what felt like a new beginning in the world of professional women's hockey.

Saint John city council is calling on the New Brunswick government to shut down the American Iron and Metal plant, where a massive pile of crushed cars burned for two days last week and sent hazardous smoke across the city.

Saint John has suspended the household collection of compost and recycling "until further notice," citing the ongoing strike by inside workers.

For a fire as long and hazardous as the one at American Iron and Metal in Saint John, it's not just uniforms that need a deep cleaning. Chief Kevin Clifford explains.

Horizon Health Network is facing four workplace safety charges related to the alleged potential exposure of some Fredericton hospital employees to asbestos over a nearly five-year period.

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The prosecutor was ready. Defence counsel was appointed and present. And an out-of-province judge was on the line. 

Missing, though, was a defendant, as an unco-operative detainee reportedly refused to appear by telephone to enter pleas to numerous charges Monday.

Joshua Daniel Grant Burden, 48, of no fixed address, was scheduled to appear in Fredericton provincial court remotely Monday from the jail where he’s being detained.

Edward Derrah, a New Brunswick Legal Aid lawyer, was on hand, having been appointed to represent Burden on Monday so the defendant could enter his pleas.

Presiding over court for Burden’s case was Judge Diane McGrath, a Nova Scotia provincial court judge who’d been tasked to handle the matter because among the allegations against Burden was a threat against a New Brunswick judge.

However, things didn’t proceed as planned, as Crown prosecutor Christopher Lavigne said court staff informed him jail staff were having trouble arranging the telephone appearance.

“I don’t believe Mr. Burden is co-operating with the telephone right now,” he said.

Derrah said he hadn’t had contact with the defendant.

“I do not have any instructions from him, your honour,” he said.

The defence lawyer suggested the pleas be adjourned for a short time so Burden can be transported to the Justice Building in Fredericton.

McGrath agreed, though she noted that if Burden continues to prove difficult, the court would have no choice but to enter not-guilty pleas on Burden’s behalf and schedule a trial.

The judge set the matter over to Sept. 25 for pleas, noting she’d appear in court by video-conference to facilitate the proceedings.

Burden was previously remanded pending the outcome of the charges against him after two bail hearings.

He faces the following charges:

• break and enter into City Auto on Main Street, and theft of a vehicle belonging to Nicolas McPhee on April 19; 

• a June 6 sexual assault on a woman whose identity is protected by a court-ordered publication ban; 

• threats to Eric Lanteigne and Terri-Lynn Stewart at the Oak Centre, and a violation of a no-contact order with the sex-assault complainant June 7;

• a threat to Judge Scott Brittain, and an attempt at intimidation of the judge as a justice-system participant June 19;

• and several alleged breaches of probation.

Burden has disrupted just about every court proceeding in the case since his arrest in June, prompting numerous delays and the assignment of his case to outside judges.

He was brought to court in person last month in an effort to get through his bail hearing, but he started yelling and cursing at the judge and others, leading to his removal from the courtroom.

During video-conference and telephone appearances, he’s hung up and refused to participate, and on other occasions, the court has cut off his audio given his outbursts.

Throughout many of his volatile court appearances, Burden has professed his innocence, though he has admitted to threatening Brittain, though he also retracted that admission.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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After two deaths, numerous explosions and countless complaints about its disruptive operations — and now last week's fire — Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon says 'enough is enough.'

Council will host its annual fall supper this weekend

With summer almost over and fall on the way, the Northampton Recreation Council and its many volunteers are preparing for the arrival of autumn.

September’s highlight is the council’s annual Fall Supper scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 24, at the Northampton Recreation Centre, 3781 Route 105 in Northampton.

The council’s kitchen staff and volunteers will prepare and serve a turkey supper, with all the fixings and dessert, between 3 and 6 p.m.

The cost is $15 for adults and $8 for children 6 to 12 years old, with children under six eating free.

After a summer break, Northampton Rec Council’s popular monthly breakfasts will return on Oct. 7.

The autumn schedule continues to be a busy year for the council as it celebrates its 35th anniversary. The milestone year saw the return of Northampton Rec Council’s Strawberry Festival in July.

Residents of Northampton, a rural community southeast of Woodstock on the opposite side of the St. John River, began plans for a community rec council in 1987.

In the subsequent three and a half decades, the council and the Northampton Community Centre it built in the early 1990s hosted numerous community gatherings, celebrations and meals.

The post Northampton Rec Council preparing for fall events first appeared on River Valley Sun.

More than 90,000 NB Power customers lost power during post-tropical storm Lee, and about 90 per cent of them now have their power restored, said NB Power spokesperson Dominique Couture.

Acclaimed singer, songwriter, and performer Dallas Green has announced a Canadian arena tour which includes two East Coast shows. (Halifax, NS) City and Colour, acclaimed singer, songwriter, and performer Dallas…

The post City and Colour Playing Moncton and Halifax in February appeared first on Grid City Magazine.

The mayor and police chief will field questions and listen to input from residents regarding policing concerns

Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones, council members and the Woodstock Police Force Chief Gary Forward want to hear about policing concerns from residents throughout the expanded town.

They also want to share what residents can expect police coverage to look like over the next few years.

To this end, the town will host an open house on Monday, Sept. 25, at the AYR Motor Centre fieldhouse.

“Mayor and council are looking to share with all residents in the Woodstock Municipality what the future of policing in our community will look like for the foreseeable future,” the town said in a notice posted on its website. “The Chief of Police and Mayor Jones will provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions and voice any concerns they may have. Council members will also be on hand for a meet and greet for the first 30 minutes.”

The open house will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The future of policing in Woodstock, an ongoing topic of debate for several years, took on greater relevance since the town’s amalgamation with outlying local service districts on Jan. 1.

Currently, the Woodstock Police Force covers only Woodstock’s Ward 4, the town’s historical boundaries. The other four wards all fall under the jurisdiction of Western Valley Region RCMP.

Earlier this year, at the provincial government’s request, the town and police force created a study, including staffing and financial requirements, detailing the feasibility of the Woodstock Police Force expanding coverage to all wards.

During the Sept. 12 council-in-committee meeting, Mayor Jones reiterated, as she had previously, the high costs and extended timeline associated with any change of that magnitude.

During that meeting, Jones announced plans for the open house, explaining she hoped to see the event spark “a conversation about policing now and going forward.”

During the regular council meeting, which followed the council-in-committee meeting, Cpl. James Gallant and Sgt. Dan Sharpe of the Western Valley Region RCMP offered a brief presentation regarding its regional efforts, including Woodstock’s rural areas.

Chief Forward and the RCMP officers noted the close working relationship between the two forces.

Mayor Jones acknowledged the town and the province are looking at restructuring police coverage throughout New Brunswick, but that remains well into the future.

“The RCMP are not going anywhere soon,” she said.

Jones said she hopes residents from all wards will attend Monday’s open house. She said it would provide an opportunity to hear their major concerns and allow her and Chief Forward to outline their long-term vision for policing in Woodstock.

The post Woodstock council to host open house on the future of policing first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Woodstock’s annual march occurs as domestic and sexual violence numbers grow

A small group delivered a big message Friday, Sept. 15, as they marched through downtown Woodstock in the annual Take Back The Night walk.

Led by River Valley Caring Communities Committee chair Manon Albert, We’re Here For You non-profit founder Sarah Sherman, and Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones, the event focused on raising awareness and education surrounding violence against women.

Albert explained her organization’s mandate, since its founding in 1996, is to raise awareness, provide education, and training opportunities and host events related to the issues of intimate partner violence and sexual violence.

While the Take Back The Night march annually occurs on the third Friday in communities around the globe, Friday’s event is one of three in the Upper River Valley. She explained River Valley Caring Communities plans similar marches in Nackawic on Friday, Sept. 22, and at Tobique First Nation in early October.

Despite decades of action to raise awareness about the ongoing plight of sexual and domestic violence, the problem remains far too prevalent.

Mayor Jones noted recent stats demonstrate violence against women is growing alarmingly.

She cited a report delivered to council by Woodstock Police Force Gary Forward just a few days earlier as a stark indicator of the growing problem in Woodstock.

Jones said the Woodstock police reported a 47 per cent increase in calls involving sexual or domestic violence this year.

“If you translate that into numbers, that works out to almost one call per day,” she said. “That’s a lot.”

She said those numbers reflect only on Ward 4, the original Woodstock town boundaries before this year’s amalgamation.

Jones echoed Albert’s comments, noting the importance of awareness and education, especially the education of youth and young people.

Sherman, who recently joined the River Valley Caring Communities Committee, detailed the background of the “We’re Here For You” comfort program, a non-profit she founded to provide direct support to victims.

She explained the non-profit works with emergency rooms and forensic nurse examiners to deliver comfort kits to victims of sexual assault and intimate-partner violence.

As a victim herself, Sherman said she understands the fear, stigma and emotional toll victims face. She explained the comfort kits are designed to restore at least some sense of dignity to victims as they undergo examination and treatment at the hospital.

The program leaves tote bags carrying the comfort kits at the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville and the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton. They contain toiletries and immediate personal care, new clothing, gift cards for fuel, meals, food, and other items.

She said the non-profit plans to broaden the program to other hospitals across the province soon.

More information about the River Valley Caring Communities and We’re Here For You is available on their respective Facebook sites.

Friday’s Take Back the Night march began and ended at the front entrance to the NBCC Woodstock campus, with walkers marching with signs to the Woodstock courthouse and back.

Sherman explained that Take Back The Night’s infancy dates back a half-century when women at the University of Southern Florida took a stand against the ongoing epidemic of violence against women by donning black sheets and broomsticks and marching through campus.

That march in 1973 grew into a global movement and the formation of the Take Back the Night Foundation.

Unfortunately, as all three women and others participating in the Woodstock march noted, the need for awareness and education remains far too high.

Albert said they will continue to push for change, no matter how long it takes.

The post Women still battling to ‘Take Back The Night’ first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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The Horizon Health Network’s first court appearance on charges it placed employees at risk of asbestos exposure at a Fredericton hospital was marked by replacement charges alleging a longer timeframe.

WorkSafeNB laid four charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act last month in Fredericton provincial court Regional Health Authority B, also known as the Horizon Health Network. 

The counts alleged Horizon failed to observe an established code of practice regarding work around asbestos, failed to advise workers of the risk inherent in handling asbestos, didn’t inform workers of the presence of asbestos in workspaces and didn’t take precautions to protect employees from exposure.

Those original charges alleged events at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton between Nov. 7, 2017, to June 30, 2022 - a period of almost five years.

Horizon’s first appearance in provincial court was Monday morning, but Crown prosecutor Derek Weaver moved to withdraw those previous charges, and WorkSafeNB laid a new, replacement information with four counts as well.

The difference between the old and new charges is the timeline. Now Horizon’s offences are alleged to have occurred between Nov. 7, 2017, and Oct. 6, 2022 - a little more than three months longer than the previous counts

Matthew LeBlanc, a lawyer with the firm of Cox and Palmer, appeared on behalf of the health authority Monday.

He noted his firm had just received disclosure of the WorkSafeNB file last week and needed more time to review it and discuss it with the client.

Judge Cameron Gunn set the case over to Oct. 16 for pleas.

Laragh Dooley, WorkSafeNB’s executive director of corporate communications, previously said the asbestos exposure referred to in the charges was in an area inaccessible to the general public and most hospital workers, including health-care personnel, so there hadn’t been a risk to many individuals.

“The investigation uncovered that potential exposure to asbestos occurred with employees working in the interstitial space (area between floors),” she wrote in an email to the Fredericton Independent earlier this month.

The maximum fine for these Occupational Health and Safety Act charges is $250,000, Dooley said.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Grace Petrie (w/ Ben Moss) will embark on a quick tour of Canada this week playing shows between Ontario and Nova Scotia.  Folk-rock firebrand Grace Petrie has long been celebrated…

The post UK’s Grace Petrie Plays Fredericton This Week appeared first on Grid City Magazine.

Criticisms are mounting against a plan by Public Safety Minister Kris Austin to allow police officers to force drug users into treatment, with experts denouncing the proposal in an open letter that has been signed by hundreds.

The New Brunswick government has no idea whether an extra six-to-seven-cent charge on a litre of gasoline is ending up where it's supposed to go.

As Sunday morning hit in New Brunswick, municipal crews and homeowners alike were out surveying the damage from post-tropical storm Lee.

A new space for recreation is one step closer to completion in Miramichi’s long plans to build a new sports and health multiplex.

Finding a colouring book that reflects your culture and language isn’t always easy, but when Ann Paul was at Oromocto First Nation’s powwow this summer, she picked some up that had been in the making since 2020.

Post-tropical storm brings pounding surf, driving rain and high winds.

At the Regent and Montgomery intersection on the hill, streets are beginning to fill up as driving rain continues.

Fallen trees, power outages and more, see the effects of post-tropical storm Lee in New Brunswick.

Post-tropical storm Lee is picking up speed as it nears the Maritimes, but high winds and heavy rain are already being felt in parts of New Brunswick .

Post-tropical storm Lee wasn't expected to make landfall until Saturday night, but its effects were felt much earlier in New Brunswick.

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Byelections will be held Oct. 23 for numerous vacant positions on municipal councils in the province, and several of them are in the capital region.

Elections New Brunswick issued a news release Friday nothing nominations will open Monday for 19 vacant slots on various councils in 12 communities.

Among those of interest to those in communities in the capital region are: 

• Fredericton Junction - mayor;

• Grand Lake - Ward 4 councillor;

• Hanwell - Ward 4 and 5 councillors, and one councillor-at-large;

• Sunbury-York South: Ward 1 councillor; 

• and Tracy: two councillors-at-large.

Interested parties have just two weeks to submit their papers, Elections NB advised, noting nominations close Sept. 29.

“Serving on a council allows individuals to give back to their communities and have a say on the future planning in the place where they and their families live,” said chief electoral officer Kimberly Poffenroth, municipal electoral officer. 

The release noted that a byelections would be held for a particular position if more than one candidate is nominated for it. If there’s only one nominated candidate, that person would be acclaimed to the slot.

Nomination papers may be picked up from a municipal returning officer, or they can be downloaded from the Elections New Brunswick website.

Returning offices open in those regions next week to start receiving nomination papers, the release said.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.

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A police chief in a state that allows forced rehabilitation says it can save lives, but people with lived experience with homelessness and addiction in New Brunswick say it would exacerbate public safety issues.

Six massive wooden sculptures, representing Wolastoqiyik people and settlers in northwestern New Brunswick, have stood near Edmundston city hall for decades.

A community group and municipal committee are hoping to address what they call new issues in St. Stephen related to homelessness and drug use.

Hurricane Lee will likely make landfall in the Maritimes later Saturday, but the storm's effects will be felt long before that, including high winds and heavy rain.

Government officials, NB Power urge New Brunswickers to heed warnings as Hurricane Lee bears down on Maritimes

By Theresa Blackburn, with files from Jim Dumville, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With Hurricane Lee expecting to make landfall in the next 24 hours, officials with the EMO, Public Safety, NB Power, and the Premier of New Brunswick are warning people to batten down the hatches and stay safe.

The storm is expected to hit land as a Category 1 hurricane late Saturday, Sept. 16. Still, meteorologists say parts of the Maritimes will feel the effects earlier, with heavy rain and wind moving into the region Friday night.

Expected rainfall in some areas could be as high as 120 mm when the hurricane hits, with winds gusting between 90 and 120 km/h, causing high waves along the coast.

During a news conference in Fredericton on Friday afternoon, New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization director Kyle Leavitt said Grand Manan and coastal Charlotte County could bear the brunt of the storm.

“Four to six-metre waves can be expected, and storm surge is a possibility,” said Leavitt.

Once the storm starts, emergency officials ask that people stay home and resist the urge to go out into the weather to capture photos or watch the waves. He also noted that Saturday could be “too late” to clean up around your home to buy supplies, buy gas, or prevent things like lawn furniture from becoming flying debris, urging people to prepare today.

Public Safety Minister Kris Austin asked New Brunswickers to follow EMO recommendations.

“Please do not underestimate what the storm could be, especially in relation to potential power outages,” Austin said, adding that he believed people are taking the danger seriously and was “encouraged to see that.”

NB Power has 700 individuals on standby and has opened its emergency operation centre. Approximately 300 crew members are stationed in and around the Fundy Isles and the Saint John Region, where storm damage is expected to be significant.

“Trees are currently in full-foilage. Saturated ground conditions increase the likelihood of trees falling. Knowing this, we have certified utility arbourists on standby to help,” said Nicole Poirier, NB Power’s Vice President of Operations.

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs urged residents and visitors to follow EMO directives.

“You can see by the support that we have here today how seriously we are taking the event,” he said.

He noted that 12 regional EMO offices are ready to work with local authorities in those areas as needed. Higgs also said the province has a backup communications system to keep people informed.

“Take whatever precautions you can to prepare and keep yourself safe,” Higgs pleaded. “We need New Brunswickers and visitors to our province to do their part.”

The province has set up a Hurricane Lee website (www.gnb.ca/hurricane) for information on the storm and the province’s response.

Local response

Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones said town residents can stay abreast of local efforts on the Town of Woodstock website (www.town.woodstock.nb.ca).

Chief Operating Officer Andrew Garnett said town officials met on Wednesday to map out a response plan when needed.

“We had a meeting with police, fire and public works yesterday to ensure all departments are prepared and ready for anything that may arise,” he said. “All departments are continuing to monitor the storm and will through the weekend.”

Garnett said the town is working with the Red Cross to establish the AYR Motor Centre as a shelter if required, but the plan still needs to be implemented.

“If it gets to a point where these spots are needed, we will be informing the public of the next steps,” he said.

Hartland Fire Chief and council member Mike Walton said first responders, town staff and emergency measures officials will remain on alert until the storm threat passes.

He said the Hartland fire hall and community centres in Coldstream and Lakeville will serve as shelters and charging stations if required.

All officials stressed the importance of preparations before the storm hits.

All residents should secure their property.
— Bring in furniture and other items that the wind can toss around.
— Seal basement windows and doors.
— Trim and remove damaged trees and blankets
— Clear storm drains and gutters
— Ensure sump pumps are working
The Woodstock website storm stresses the importance of preparing an emergency kit, outlining what is needed. That includes
— 2 litres of water per person per day
— Non-perishable food
— Manual can opener
— Battery or cranked-power radio
— Prescription medications
— Specialty items. E.g., infant formula, pet food, etc.
— First aid kit
— Flashlight
— Candles, matches or a lighter
— Batteries
— Cash (ATMs may not be operational)
— Spare keys
— Copies of your emergency plan
— Copies of important papers like your driver’s license, birth certificate and insurance papers.

The post Hurricane Lee: Take whatever precautions you can to prepare and keep yourself safe, Premier first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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The organizers of the Harvest Music Festival have made the decision they dreaded: they’ve cancelled Saturday shows in light of hurricane Lee's expected impact on the area this weekend.

"Harvest is cancelling Saturday music programming, based on the current forecast for very high winds and heavy rain, and NB EMO's advice for New Brunswickers to stay home tomorrow," the festival wrote on social media just after 4 p.m. Friday.

"We are making this decision with heavy hearts and deep appreciation for our artists, our incredible audiences, loyal volunteers, and valued suppliers and sponsors. The safety of our people is our greatest concern."

It noted all shows set for Saturday - including free and ticketed shows at the many venues will not take place.

"We are working on next steps with respect to your tickets and passes and will have an update on this next week," the festival wrote on Facebook.

Friday night shows are going ahead as scheduled.

Fredericton fire Chief Dwayne Killingbeck, who also serves as the City of Fredericton’s head of emergency measures, briefed reporters over the lunch hour Friday on the city’s preparations.

Firefighters, emergency measures operations and other staff are prepared for the weekend weather, he said, and will be assisting with cleanup if need be.

The city will open reception centres in the event of power outages, Killingbeck said, noting they’ll likely be at the usual spots, such as the Grant-Harvey Centre and Willie O’Ree Place.

Heavy equipment will be deployed to assist in the event of major cleanup requirements, he said, noting it was decided that it would likely be safer in potentially hazardous conditions.

The chief said emergency information for Fredericton will be available on the Voyent Alert! App available for smartphones.

Emergency officials will monitor conditions closely, he said, and if the need arises, they could declare a state of emergency if it’s required.

Like many public officials haven Killingbeck advised people to have a storm readiness kit on hand with 72 hours of supplies and to remain at home.

“Stay off the streets,” he said, noting conditions could get dangerous and if people put themselves at risk, they’ll also be putting first responders at risk should they need to be dispatched to assist.

Kyle Leavitt, executive director of New Brunswick’s Emergency Measures Organization, mirrored those comments in a Friday afternoon news conference.

“Once the storm starts, please stay at home,” he said. “Do the smart thing. Stay home and follow the storm online.”

He said Lee is expected to make landfall in the Maritimes later in the day Saturday and could bring winds gusting up to 120 kilometres per hour and rainfall amounting to as much as 120 millimetres.

Leavitt said people should be making preparations Friday for Saturday’s storm. Those with generators should check and test them, he said, and those who just bought new generators should familiarize themselves with them.

Public Safety Minister Kris Austin said people shouldn’t fall into the trap of thinking the storm isn’t a serious one in their area.

“Do not put yourself in danger by heading to the coastline … Now is not the time to sightsee,” he said.

“I think it’s very important that we don’t underestimate what this could be.”

People in the Maritimes have seen the devastating effects of such storms with Fiona last fall and with post-tropical storm Arthur, he said.

Arthur felled trees all over Fredericton in July 2014 and knocked out power to some capital residents for up to two weeks, Austin said.

Nicole Poirier, vice-president of operations with NB Power, said customers will undoubtedly lose service due to the storm.

“We are anticipating outages and are ready to respond,” she said at the province’s Friday news conference.

With trees in full foliage and the ground saturated with water, Poirier said, conditions make it likely trees will fall, given the expected weather.

The utility also has arborists at the ready to deal with that, she said.

The most important thing people can do with regard to power loss, Poirier said, is to report outages as soon as possible, either through the nbpower.com website or by calling 1-800-442-4424.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Investigations are underway into what caused a fire inside a harbourfront scrap metal pile in Saint John, but whatever triggered it, investigators and industry leaders across North America acknowledge fire has become an increasingly common problem in the scrap metal business.

A jury found a former Moncton teacher not guilty on two charges of sexual assault and gross indecency involving a student in the 1980s.

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Judy Gordon said over almost five decades together, her husband Bob has been the wise-cracker in the relationship, as she finds she’s often rolling her eyes over some silly comment he happens to offer.

Today, she’d give anything to hear another one of his corny jokes, but she hasn’t heard one in more than two months. And she has no idea why.

Robert “Bob” Gordon, 71, of Fredericton, has been missing since early July, and police have no leads on what became of him.

He was last seen at the Mactaquac Convenience store July 10 at 2:48 p.m., and he left that location headed toward Mactaquac Provincial Park in his 2017 Nissan Frontier truck.

“We really don’t know what’s going on,” Judy Gordon told the Fredericton Independent during an interview Friday.

She said she and Bob met 48 years ago in Fredericton. While she grew up in the capital, Bob hailed from Peterborough, Ont. She was 19, and he was 24.

They met working at K-Mart. Bob was a store trainee, and she was in the fabric department.

“It was love at first sight,” Judy said. “He was cute and he had these big blue eyes.”

They married in Fredericton in 1980, she said, and they’ve been inseparable ever since.

She said her husband is the goofy one in their relationship.

“Bob’s the smart alec,” Judy said. “He was 71 going on 10.”

Bob is retired now after a long career in the retail sector, she said.

“He was great with people,” Judy said, noting they have a large circle of friends thanks in part to his warm nature.

Bob used to be an avid golfer, Judy said, but the development of arthritis in recent years saw that pastime fade. Lately, she said, he’s enjoyed gardening, and like a lot of men, Bob takes great pride in maintaining his lawn.

The couple never had children, she said, but they’ve formed strong bonds with many.

“We have an unofficial adopted son in Waterloo,” Judy said, noting Bob’s relationship with him was as something of a big brother at first, but he evolved into a father figure for him.

That “unofficial” son recently had a son of his own, and the Gordons have come to see the little baby boy as a grandchild. She said they got the chance to visit with the new family and to hold the baby.

Bob was smitten with the baby, Judy said.

“He was in love with him,” she said.

Judy’s been in contact with their “unofficial” son, she said, and Bob’s disappearance has thrown him for a loop, just as it has everyone close to him.

“He’s devastated,” she said.

Nothing like this has ever happened with Bob before, Judy said, and she’s at a loss to explain it.

Bob had no major health issues aside from a touch of arthritis, she said.

The day he went missing, Judy said, they were working on their home on the north side of Fredericton.

“Actually, we were working on our bathrooms,” she said.

Bob ran out to get some supplies for that job, Judy said, and then it appears he went for a short drive.

What happened after he left the convenience store in Mactaquac is an utter mystery.

The Fredericton Police Force has issued two advisories in the weeks since Gordon went missing, but those public pleas haven’t yielded any concrete leads.

“There hasn’t been any information so far,” Judy Gordon said.

Throughout the conversation, Judy kept using the past tense when referring to her husband. She clarified that doesn’t mean she’s given up hope; it’s just a habit into which she’s fallen gradually over the past couple of months.

Her hope is that she gets the chance to be livid with him for disappearing before embracing the biggest constant in her life for almost 50 years.

When asked what she would want to say to Bob if he reads this piece, Judy said, “That we love him and want him to come home.”

As the ordeal has dragged on, she said, the fear, sadness and uncertainty has been ever constant.

“No, it doesn’t fade. Every morning, I can’t believe he’s not here,” Judy said.

While the thought of something befalling her husband is upsetting, she said, not knowing is worse.

Judy Gordon said she decided to do the emotional interview because she wants to keep Bob at the forefront of people’s minds, to be on the watch for some sign, for his truck, for anything.

With the fall approaching, she said, she wants hunters or people out four-wheeling in the woods to report anything they stumble upon, for example, to remember that her husband is missing and that any small clue could shed some light on the mystery.

Anyone with information about Gordon’s whereabouts or that could lead to him being found is urged to contact the Fredericton Police Force by calling 506-460-2300 or emailing [email protected].

Those wishing to provide tips anonymously can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The police force is also looking for Gordon’s black 2017 Nissan Frontier truck, with plate number CTO872.

Those providing information should cite police file #23-16709.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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A man who helped cover up the murder of Jamie Leard in southeast New Brunswick two years ago was sentenced Friday to nine years in prison but will only have 5½ more years to go. 

New Brunswick EMO is warning residents that Saturday could be too late to clean up yards, get gas or get an emergency kit. 

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Editor’s note: The defendant in this court report and the journalist covering the case share the same first and last names, but they aren’t related or connected in any way.

A Fredericton man will stand trial early next year on six charges alleging sex-related crimes against two underage complainants.

Donald Ashley MacPherson, 64, of Canada Street, was back  in Fredericton provincial court Friday to answer to six charges.

The Fredericton Police Force charged him this summer with sexually assaulting one minor between Oct. 1 and Jan. 1, and touching that child for a sexual purpose and touching them while in a position of trust or authority during that time period in Fredericton.

The force also alleges he sexually assaulted a second child between Jan. 1 and March 1 in Fredericton, as well as sexual touching and sexual exploitation while in a position of trust or authority over that minor.

There’s a court-ordered publication ban in place protecting the identities of the complainants.

MacPherson elected Friday to be tried in provincial court on the indictable charges and pleaded not guilty to all six counts.

Judge Mary Jane Richards asked how old the complainants are, inquiring so she could determine how soon the trial should be held.

Crown prosecutor Nina Johnsen said the children are about eight and 10 years of age now.

The judge scheduled MacPherson’s two-day trial for Feb. 16 and 20.

The defendant is free in the community subject to the conditions of a police undertaking. Among the conditions of that order are to have no contact with the complainants and to stay away from their homes and schools.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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1. Over two years in prison for Dow Settlement man

Frederick Richard, 34, of Dow Settlement, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 13 and was sentenced to two years and eight months in federal prison after pleading guilty to several charges laid by RCMP.

Judge Sebastian Michaud also ordered Richard to register with the federal DNA database. The sentence prohibited him from the use of firearms.

The court heard the accused had a prior criminal record. Richard spent 32 days in custody following his arrest, which will be subtracted from his federal prison sentence.

Richard showed no emotion upon hearing his sentence. He pleaded guilty to breach of a release order by failing to comply with his house arrest on June 30, 2022, in Dow Settlement.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a firearm without a license for an incident on Dec. 17, 2021, at Beardsley Road.

The crown withdrew charges of unsafe firearm storage and possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles.

Richard also pleaded guilty to breach of an undertaking concerning a separate incident on May 10, 2021, at Beardsley Road and guilty to stealing mail between Feb. 1 and March 28, 2021.

The crown withdrew a charge of mischief. Richard was also fined $292 for driving while suspended.

Judge Michaud described Richard as a “low-level street trafficker” who was caught with a quantity of crystal meth and meth pills in his possession as well as firearms, drug paraphernalia, and $675 in cash. All items seized by the police were forfeited to the crown.

In deciding his sentence, Judge Michaud said Richard showed no remorse for his crimes. He noted that Richard had been generating income as a drug dealer since 2018 but had no previous drug convictions.

While mostly unemployed, Michard said Richard did odd jobs as a carpenter. The court also heard Richard’s girlfriend was recently killed in a motor vehicle accident.

2. Plaster Rock man facing three charges

Shawn Sullivan, 38, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 14 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He returns to court for plea on Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m.

RCMP charged Sullivan with uttering threats, assault and assault by choking involving a female victim in connection with incidents between July 14 and Aug. 20 in Perth-Andover. He must report to the police weekly as part of his release.

3. Held for bail hearing on drug trafficking charges

Carolann Paul, 26, of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), appeared in provincial court on Sept. 13 and was arrested on a warrant for failing to attend her trial on drug trafficking charges.

The court remanded Paul to jail for a bail hearing on Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m.

RCMP charged Paul with possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, stemming from a police bust on Sept. 23, 2020, at Neqotkuk. The court will set a new trial date when she returns to court for her bail hearing.

4. Arrested on a warrant

Marc Morin, 24, of Aroostook, appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 13 after being arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court the day before. He was released with conditions and returns to court for plea on Oct. 3 at 9:30 a.m.

Morin failed to appear in provincial court on Sept. 12 for plea on two charges laid by RCMP. Police charged him with possession of a stolen snowmobile and obstructing a police officer in connection with an incident on March 6 in Carlingford. He was ordered to attend court and follow a curfew as part of his release order.

5. Released with conditions

Trevor Crain, 49, of Killoween, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 14 for a bail hearing and was released with conditions. He returns to court for plea on Oct. 3 at 9:30 a.m.

Police arrested Crain on a warrant on Sept. 12.

Crain appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 21 for a bail hearing. He was released with conditions until his next court appearance on July 11 but failed to appear, and a warrant was issued.

RCMP charged Crain with breaking and entering a dwelling house, breaching an undertaking on June 15 at Moose Mountain, and committing an assault involving a female victim on June 11 at Killoween.

He was ordered to follow a curfew and report to the police weekly as part of his release order. He must also have no contact with the complainant.

6. Sentencing set for Hartland man

Jonathon Daniel Stockford, 35, of Hartland, will appear in provincial court for sentencing on Oct. 24 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on charges laid by RCMP and Woodstock Police.

Stockford attended court in custody on Sept. 14 and pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a release order and committing mischief by damaging an ankle bracelet for an incident on March 28 at Hartland.

Stockford also pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property (a motorcycle) for an incident on Oct. 12, 2022, in Woodstock and guilty to theft, stemming from a separate incident on July 4, 2022, at the Atlantic Superstore in Woodstock.

Stockford was scheduled to appear in provincial court for plea in November but failed to appear after being arrested on other charges in Fredericton and Saint John. He has been in custody since April. The court heard other charges are being transferred from both jurisdictions for his sentencing hearing on Oct. 24.

7. 90 days concurrent added to prison term

An Ontario man appeared in court in custody by video from federal prison on Sept. 14 for sentencing on two charges laid by RCMP.

Quincy Gosse, 45, of no fixed address, was charged with assaulting a female victim and breach of a no-contact order from an incident on May 20, 2022, in Juniper. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 days concurrent to time he is already serving.

The court heard Gosse went to a woman’s residence on the day of the incident while in breach of an order to stay away. He called her names and slapped her four times in the face.

Gosse was sentenced in March to four and a half years in federal prison, minus time served, for attacking the same woman with a knife in Juniper last summer. The court heard he plans to return to Ontario after his release.

8. Thomas and McLean to stand trial together

Connell Ross McLean, 27, and Issak Tedford Thomas, 27, of Centreville, remain in custody to await their trial related to a series of incidents, including a police chase and shots fired.

McLean appeared in court in custody on Sept. 13 and pleaded not guilty to all charges. Thomas entered his not-guilty plea on all counts at a court appearance on Aug. 30.

Both men will return to court in custody for their trial on Jan. 18-19, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. The court set a pre-trial conference for Dec. 19 at 9:30 a.m.

The RCMP charged McLean and Thomas with discharge of a firearm (a rifle) with intent, improper storage of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, being an occupant of a vehicle knowing it carried a firearm, obstructing police, and possession of stolen property (a side-by-side).

Thomas was also charged with possession of a firearm while prohibited and breach of probation. McLean faces additional charges of possession of a firearm while prohibited, flight from police, driving while suspended, breach of probation, and assaulting a police officer with a weapon (the side-by-side).

Police arrested the two men following a collision between an off-road vehicle and a police cruiser on Route 105 in Lower Brighton, south of Harland, on July 17. The arrests were related to a Monday morning incident in Speerville, south of Woodstock, which included shots fired at a Speerville resident.

The suspects fled Speerville, leading to an hours-long police search and investigation in several communities, including Lakeville and Lower Brighton.

9. Trial set for Woodstock man

Christopher James Kitchen, 44, of Beardsley Road, will appear for trial in provincial court on April 18, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to a charge of criminal harassment.

Woodstock Police charged kitchen following an incident on March 13 in Woodstock. The charge involves allegations of repeated communication with a female complainant.

Kitchen entered his not-guilty plea at a court appearance on Sept. 13. He was released on an undertaking.

10. In custody on multiple charges

Brandon Jeffrey Cote, 28, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 13. He pleaded guilty to one set of charges and a sentencing date was set for Oct. 17 at 1:30 p.m. The remaining charges were set over for trial on Dec. 22 at 9:30 a.m.

Cote appeared in court in custody on Aug. 30 and waived his bail. Woodstock Police charged him with assault involving a female victim, assault with a weapon, and breach of probation for a recent incident in Woodstock.

RCMP also charged him with uttering threats on Aug. 18 in Woodstock and breach of an undertaking by failing to report to police between Oct. 3, 2022, and Aug. 28, 2023, in Woodstock. Cote also faces charges of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace and possession of a firearm without a licence.

11. Plea adjourned for Woodstock man

Jonathon Perry Bustard, 44, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody by video on Sept. 14 to face three charges laid by Woodstock Police. The matter was adjourned for plea until Sept. 26 at 11:15 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

Bustard was charged with break and enter at a dwelling house, indictable assault against another man, and breach of a peace bond concerning an incident on July 19 at a residence in Woodstock. He waived his bail at a court appearance on July 27.

12. Agreed to peace bond

Clifford Joseph Lozier, 61, of Woodstock, appeared for trial in provincial court on Sept. 14 after pleading not guilty to a threat charge laid by Woodstock Police. He agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and the trial did not proceed.

Lozier was charged with uttering threats to cause bodily harm to a female victim in connection with an incident between Nov. 3 and Nov. 7, 2022, in Woodstock. As a result of the peace bond, the charge will be withdrawn.

13. Sentencing set for Nackawic man

Allen Edward Wong, 57, of Nackawic, will appear for sentencing in provincial court on Dec. 5 at 1:30 p.m. after changing his plea to guilty on one charge laid by RCMP.

Wong was charged with impaired driving and failing to stop for police in connection with an incident near Woodstock on Sept. 5, 2021. He pleaded guilty to the impaired driving charge at a court appearance on Sept. 8. The crown will redraw the remaining charge of failing to stop for police at sentencing.

14. Decision delayed after trial on sex charge

Matthew White, 41, of Upper Woodstock, will return to provincial court on Sept. 15 at 9:30 a.m. for a verdict following the conclusion of his trial on July 17. The decision, slated for Aug. 28, was adjourned to the new date.

RCMP charged White with invitation to touching for a sexual purpose, involving a female minor in connection with an incident on July 22, 2022, at Woodstock. White was released on an undertaking to have no contact with the complainant.

After a day and a half of testimony, Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean reserved his decision. White testified in his own defence during the trial.

15. Sentencing set on eight charges

Emily McSheffrey, 27, of Waterville, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 14 and changed her plea to guilty on eight charges laid by RCMP. A sentencing date was set for Dec. 12 at 1:30 p.m.

McSheffrey appeared in provincial court for sentencing in July on five charges and told the court she wanted to withdraw her guilty plea on one of them.

On Sept. 14, she abandoned her application for a hearing and then entered guilty pleas on all charges laid against her. The crown informed the court that it would seek a period of incarceration for the accused.

McSheffrey told Associate Chief Judge Brian C. McLean she was planning to enter detox and undergo drug rehabilitation for alcohol and meth addiction in advance of her sentencing in December.

McSheffrey pleaded guilty to refusing a breathalyzer on Aug. 29, 2020, in Jacksonville; guilty to assaulting a police officer by biting him on the hand, resisting arrest, and fraudulent impersonation to avoid arrest on April 8, 2021, in Perth-Andover; guilty to mischief causing property damage to a vehicle, and assault with a weapon (a rock) involving a female victim in connection with an incident on Nov. 13, 2021, in Wicklow; guilty to uttering threats and assaulting a police officer on July 6, 2022, in Waterville; guilty to possession of a stolen side-by-side on Nov. 8, 2022, in Bath; guilty to assaulting a male complainant on Feb. 21 in Wicklow by punching and kicking him; guilty to uttering threats in a text message and breach of an undertaking on April 3 in Wicklow; and guilty to breach of an undertaking on July 7 at Woodstock First Nation.

RCMP also charged her with uttering threats involving a male complainant for an incident on May 12 at Florenceville-Bristol. She agreed to sign a 12-month peace bond, and that charge did not proceed.

16. Remanded for bail hearing

Steven Frank Powers, 60, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Sept. 14 for a bail hearing,  which was adjourned until Sept. 26 at 11 a.m.

Powers was charged by RCMP with breach of probation and taken into custody for a recent incident in Plaster Rock.

In August, he was sentenced to 45 days in jail or time served and released from custody after spending 117 days in remand. He was sentenced after pleading guilty to charges related to an incident in Plaster Rock in April.

17. Trial set for assault charge

Jerod Nowlan, 40, of Woodstock First Nation, will appear for trial in provincial court on Dec. 14 at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to an assault charge.

The court set a monitoring date for Oct. 3 at 9:30 a.m.

RCMP charged Nowlan with assault on a minor in connection with an incident between April 1 and April 30 in Coldstream. He made his first court appearance on Sept. 12 and pleaded not guilty.

18. January trial for Wilmot man

Trevor Eldon York, 31, of Wilmot, will appear for trial in provincial court on Jan. 10, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to two charges laid by RCMP.

York was charged with impaired driving and flight from police following an incident on May 13 near Centreville. He was taken into custody and released with conditions. A monitoring date was set for Sept. 12. The court heard York is currently working out west but will return for his trial in January.

19. Trial set on five charges

Daniel Hamilton, 56, of no fixed address, appeared in provincial court on Sept. 12 and pleaded not guilty to charges laid by RCMP. His two-day trial was set for July 18-19, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.

Hamilton was charged with flight from police and driving while suspended for an incident on July 2, 2021, near Hartland. He was also charged with dangerous driving, flight from police, and possession of stolen property concerning another incident on April 3. Hamilton entered his not-guilty pleas at a court appearance on Sept. 12.

20. Charged with impaired driving

Shannon Kelley, 63, of Hillandale, near Saint John, will appear for trial in provincial court on June 28, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. after pleading not guilty to impaired driving.

RCMP charged Kelley in connection with an incident on May 12 near Perth-Andover. He made his first court appearance on Sept. 12.

The post Over two years in prison for Dow Settlement man first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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Though it’s burning in Saint John, the raging blaze at the American Iron and Metal (AIM) scrapyard is obviously a story of provincial significance.

New Brunswickers are watching the situation closely - in part in the hope that the injury count remains at nil and that people in and around the fire scene at the Port of Saint John remain safe.

But more importantly, the people of this province will be watching how this government handles the fallout from this latest fiasco on the premises of this industrial business.

Over the course of seven months between 2021 and 2022, two workers died in workplace accidents at AIM. And now, in 2023, a catastrophic fire has imperilled the health of just about everyone in the port city, not to mention the first responders still endeavouring to control and extinguish the blaze.

Premier Blaine Higgs issued a statement Thursday promising a full investigation into the fire. Clearly, the intent behind the statement was to convey to constituents that this problem-plagued business will be closely examined and held to account for any negligence or other transgressions, be they commercial or even criminal in nature.

But the words offered up by the premier’s office are anything but encouraging, as the anaemic comments don’t even bother to hide the misplaced priorities of a political leader who’s failed to represent the interests of New Brunswickers time and time again.

Higgs stated: “I want to assure you there will be a full investigation.” That’s an assurance he had to make, because with this government, an investigation wouldn’t have been a foregone conclusion. It should be.

In any case, many won’t feel assured, given the lack of any kind of strong language or reference to AIM’s abysmal track record in terms of workplace safety.

“As part of that investigation, AIM must submit a preliminary report within 24 hours of the event and a follow-up report within five days of the event. The investigation will take the time required and be thorough,” the premier stated. 

“There will be no consideration of resumption of operations until we have more information about what took place.”

The statement is devoid of any kind of emphasis on transparency. Will AIM’s reports be made public? Given this government’s track record on disclosure of documentation (which mirrors past governments’ practices, to be fair), we suspect it will deem those reports to be third-party records exempt from right-to-information legislation.

We’ve already passed that initial 24-hour timeline, so presumably, the first AIM report ought to be in government hands by now.

Higgs pledged to get the answers as to how the fire happened and to share those answers. We’re doubtful of that, because the statement focuses on the fire. An investigation into the fire is vital, yes, but more importantly, the answers needed are about the corporate culture at AIM, why potentially deadly and literally deadly mistakes keep happening, and if the province is going to allow this danger-prone business to continue operation.

This isn’t about one fire, as big as it is. This is about a pattern.

Economic development is an important priority for any government. The public sector has long played a role in fostering job creation in the private sector, and while the methods of how that’s done are subject to extensive and likely never-ending debate, we can agree government has a part to play in that goal.

But there comes a point at which the fiscal benefits of a business and the jobs it creates, both direct and indirect, are outweighed by the costs.

AIM has cost taxpayers the price of cleaning up its messes, and it has cost the environment. AIM has cost Saint Johners their health, and it has cost human lives. And the bills keep piling up.

But what’s most disconcerting about the premier’s statement on the AIM fire Thursday was the note on which it closed. Appropriately, he thanks first responders for the work they’re doing to protect lives and property, and he thanks the people of the port city.

But Higgs also singles out two corporate entities - J.D. Irving, Ltd., and Irving Oil - the latter for which he worked for years in his pre-political life.

The premier thanks those companies for their assistance in addressing the crisis, and I accept that they rendered aid as the situation unfolded.

But to take the time to applaud private-sector entities at this early juncture when one is trying to instil public confidence in a government’s focus on accountability for another business sends the wrong message.

That choice takes on an even greater significance when so many perceive the premier, rightly or wrongly, as a government shill for his former employers. 

Higgs, in his statement, acknowledges that “people are angry,” but he’s wrong on that point. They’re not angry. They’re outraged, and justifiably so.

The premier’s comments fail to reflect that, fail to communicate that the matter will be addressed with the level of seriousness and urgency.

Higgs’ statement closes with the following words: “I ask that everyone continues to follow the direction given from emergency officials to keep you safe.”

Well, New Brunswickers ask the premier and his government to follow their direction to keep them safe from AIM in the days, weeks and years ahead.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at [email protected].

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Organizers with the Harvest Music Festival in Fredericton have cancelled the free outdoor concerts that were scheduled for Saturday, but plan to go ahead with shows in the three main tents and the Playhouse as Hurricane Lee approaches the Maritimes.

Transgender and gender-diverse people sometimes change their name to better reflect their gender identity. Here’s how it can feel when someone ignores that.

New Brunswick's highest court has ruled the City of Saint John is vicariously liable for the sexual abuse of children by Kenneth Estabrooks while he worked as a police officer decades ago.