Dr. Russell urges New Brunswickers to stay home for the holidays
During Thursday’s COVID-19 update, Dr. Russell reminded New Brunswickers that the virus does not take a holiday break.
Dr. Russell cited the increase of COVID-19 cases in the United States after American Thanksgiving as an example of a post-holiday spike.
Though she gave self-isolation instructions, Dr. Russell urges New Brunswickers to stay home for the holidays.
Meg Cunningham: Good afternoon my question is for Dr. Russell. Can you walk me through the steps, from start to finish, that a person would have to take to visit a friend or family member for the holidays in a different province, in order to do so safely and within Public Health guidelines?
Dr. Jennifer Russell: Well, I think all of my colleagues across the country would say that non-essential travel is not advised. So going to visit a family member or a friend is non-essential travel, and it’s not advised. So that’s the number one point that again, my colleagues across the country, including the Atlantic Bubble, have been messaging to their citizens [and] to their provinces. We want to get through the holiday season as safely as possible so that we don’t see spikes in January. We are really, really concerned that gatherings over the holidays and travel over the holidays will contribute to that. So that’s the first and foremost thing, is there are risks right now [with] traveling because the numbers are so high all across this country, and all across the US.… Continue
Ensemble to install harm reduction “vending machine” in Sackville
Sackville will host a “vending machine,” or an interactive dispensing service, containing harm reduction supplies.
Executive Director of Ensemble Moncton, Debby Warren, says she was amazed by the machines at a national conference in Ottawa in 2019.
Now, almost exactly a year later, Ensemble is the proud owner of two interactive dispensing service machines.
The first is installed in Moncton, with the second one to arrive in Sackville, New Brunswick.
Meg Cunningham: I’m talking to you today about the harm reduction vending machines that you got recently because of a $45,000 grant, the COVID-19 relief grant for nonprofits. Before we get to that, I’m wondering if you can tell me a little bit about Ensemble, for those who might not have heard of you.
Debby Warren: Okay, so some may have heard of us under the name of AIDS Moncton. We have been serving Westmorland-Albert county since 1989. So we’re not new, even though our name appears to be new. In the past, we did a lot of work around HIV prevention, and support for those who are living with HIV and AIDS. We’re still about HIV, hepatitis C, sexually transmitted and blood borne infections. That is the premise behind the work that we do. There are populations that are at greater risk for that. Our priority populations now are people who use substances, [they] certainly fall in that category.… Continue
Michelle Sherwood appointed Sackville’s new Superintendent of Public Works
The town of Sackville has appointed a new Superintendent of Public Works.
Michelle Sherwood was hired to the role in a unanimous vote by town council at their meeting on Monday, December 14, 2020 .
Council had met earlier for an in camera session to discuss the appointment. Councillor Andrew Black, who sits on the human resources liaison committee, spoke at the public session and said he was “very happy” with the decision. “I absolutely speak in favour of this motion,” said Black, before sharing some information about Sherwood.
Black said Sherwood is a lifelong resident of Sackville and has been a town employee for the past 24 years, serving as an engineering technologist. She has her Civil Engineering Technology certification from NBCC and has nearly completed a civic engineering degree from the University of New Brunswick. Sherwood also has a class 2 water distribution system operator certification. She has served on the Trees for Tomorrow committee, the mock disaster workgroup for the EMO, as well as serving as co-chair of the town’s joint health and safety committee for several years.
Councillor Bill Evans also chimed in at the meeting to say that Sherwood, “will be a wonderful addition in this new capacity. She’s demonstrated her her technical capability but also her ability to deal with people in a challenging environment.”
Sherwood will begin working in her new role on January 4, 2021.… Continue
“Joyful noise” to ring out on Christmas Eve
This holiday season likely looks different than usual.
Families may be unable to gather, churches cannot sing, and the holiday parade was cancelled due to COVID-19.
In order to combat holiday isolation and celebrate the end of a long year, the Tantramar COVID-19 Task Force is promoting a “joyful noise” event that will take place across Atlantic Canada.
The Task Force encourages all Atlantic Canadians and Indigenous peoples to join in making noise on their doorstep this December 24th at 7PM (7:30 NST).
Some suggestions for joyful noise includes “ring a bell, bang on pots and pans, or use a musical instrument.”
The joyful noise event will span for approximately ten minutes.
The Task Force emphasizes that everyone is invited to participate in the event, regardless of religious faith or traditions.
There is also a “be a light in the darkness” component, as light is an integral part of many winter traditions.
If making noise does not sound appealing, there is the quieter option of participating by lighting a candle in your window.
Participants are encouraged to share photos or videos of the event, and tag them with #JoyfulNoiseAtlantic. … Continue
The Black Duck is back
The Bridge Street cafe will reopen Monday, says co-owner Al Barbour
A beloved Bridge Street business that closed shortly after the pandemic shutdown will be back as of Monday: Black Duck owners Al Barbour and Sarah Evans have made the decision to get back into business after nine long months.
Here’s co-owner Al Barbour in conversation on Tantramar Report:
“We were trying to keep it a secret around here, that we were going to reopen on Monday, but we’re having a hard time keeping it under the radar,” says Black Duck co-owner Al Barbour.
Barbour says that the cafe is pretty much ready to go, as he and partner Sarah Evans have been in and out over the summer and fall. “We have been coming into the shop and just fixing things up, getting to projects that we had put off for a long time,” says Barbour. “So we’re pretty much ready to go. We just had to get an order of coffee and shine things up.”
The cafe will not be back to its full power right away. Barbour and Evans will run the place along with one employee, returning daytime barista, Jaden.
Barbour says that the usual pandemic protocols will be in play at the newly reopened Black Duck. “Obviously, we’re going to be wearing masks… and there will be less seating by quite a bit. We’re probably just going to use the front of the building and not use the atrium right away, because we’re going to do some painting back there.”… Continue
Moonlight madness starts again tonight, and other local business updates
CHMA is introducing a new, semi-regular feature on Tantramar Report, the local business update.
We will be checking in regularly with Mainstreet Redevelopment’s general manager Gwen Zwicker to stay in the loop on what’s new with local businesses.
Here’s the first instalment, from Friday’s Tantramar Report:
Zwicker fills us in on some new stores and changes afoot in downtown Sackville, such as:
- The Vapour Trail recently opened on Bridge Street in the former Thunder and Lightning space.
- The Sackville Commons and the Kookie Kutter Bakery have traded places. “The Commons is down on Lorne Street, and the Kookie Kutter is now on Main Street,” says Zwicker. “It all seems to be working out well. Their spaces look nice and new and ready to go.”
- Knuckles Truffles has moved back into their original space, in the same building. They are “back to concentrating on their chocolate manufacturing,” says Zwicker, “although they will still be selling for takeout, soups and sandwiches and that sort of thing.”
Zwicker also gives the low-down on Moonlight Madness, happening this Friday and Saturday evening. “Of course, we all realize that it can’t be the same as it’s been in other years,” says Zwicker, “but there are a few things happening.”
Kids can drop off letters to Santa at Bill Johnstone park. Zwicker says that, “Santa will be out and about,” but kids won’t get to sit on his knee and whisper in his ear this year.… Continue
Man charged related to Amherst explosions
A person has been charged in connection with explosions in Amherst on Monday and Wednesday.
46-year-old Brian Stephen MacDonald is facing three charges relating to making and detonating an explosive device.
MacDonald was arraigned on Thursday in Amherst Provincial Court. He’s due back on December 15 for a bail hearing.
A news release from the Amherst Police Department does not say if they are still looking for a second “person of interest” related to the explosions, but does put out a call for anyone with information about the incidents to call the police or Crime Stoppers.
People throughout Amherst heard two explosions, one late Monday evening and one in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.
Responding police officers found debris from detonated devices at both scenes: on Rupert Street, near the intersection with Agnew Street on Monday, and in the Agnew Street area on Wednesday.
No one was hurt in either incident and there was minimal property damage.
Officers also found an undetonated explosive device at the nearby Rotary Centennial Park. The RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit safely detonated that device Wednesday morning after they had examined it.
Police searched a residence on Victoria Street East in Amherst as part of their investigation.… Continue
“Be Your Own Boss” program helps break barriers to employment
Open Sky Co-Op is actively looking for applications for its BYOB (Be Your Own Boss) Program.
The four week program is geared towards people who experience difficulty finding employment due to disability and/or mental health challenges.
Executive Director Margaret Tusz-King is excited to get the program going in the new year.
Margaret Tusz-King: We are accepting applications right now. Depending on how COVID-19 goes, we’re hoping to start on the 11th of January. We will probably have two cohorts, we’ll have one that’s at Open Sky in our training room. Then we’ll have another place off site, perhaps one of the local churches, and we will connect the two groups by internet through Zoom or something like that. That way, we can have small groups in the room so we’re not so worried about COVID-19. Rebecca [Kant] and I will be able to each be in different rooms, but also be connected through how we offer the program. So you don’t have to worry about COVID-19 and safety.
The program is put on in the spirit of accessibility, so the Open Sky team is addressing multiple potential barriers that may keep people from attending.
The program is free thanks to fundraising efforts and donors, and if transportation is an issue then Open Sky is happy to arrange for a taxi.
Better yet, Tusz-King says that participants will be paid $10 per day just for attending. … Continue
Protest calling for rent cap Saturday in Moncton
This Saturday at 3pm people will gather at Moncton City Hall in a peaceful protest for rent control in the province.
Haylee Cormier is the organizer of the event, and for her, the motivation to do something was personal. Cormier has a story similar to many that have been reported about recently: a sudden, steep rent increase forced her to move. And with rapidly increasing rents everywhere in the city, she hasn’t been able to find a place she can afford.
Here’s Haylee Cormier in conversation with Erica Butler on Tantramar Report:
“Normally, I’m not the type of person to step up and do something like this, says Cormier. “But with everything, it’s more personal for me.”
Cormier had been living in an apartment with her 10-year-old son for $800 a month, everything included. But when her building was sold, the new management pinned a note to her door informing her that her rent would go up to $900 a month, and utilities would no longer be included. Cormier estimates her living costs would go up to $1200 a month, a 50% hike.
Cormier says a rent cap isn’t the only solution needed, but it’s a start.
“I think there’s a lot of things that need to change and a lot of things that need to be done,” says Cormier. “I don’t think the rent cap is the answer, I think it’s just one step into the right direction.”… Continue
Mt. A updates council on enrolment, January return of students, and plans for R. P. Bell Library
At Monday’s Sackville town council special meeting, councillors heard from Mount Allison Vice President of Finance and Administration Robert Inglis, giving an update on university operations.
Inglis shared Mount Allison’s enrolment numbers for the fall, which were much higher than predicted this summer.
In fact, enrolment was up slightly over last year, with 2192 students registered. That was thanks to a large first year cohort from 2019, said Inglis. The 2020 first year class did drop a bit from 2019, with 651 first year students this year as opposed to 700 last year.
That is a theme across all Atlantic universities said Inglis, referring to data collected by the Association of Atlantic Universities. “The numbers are sort of all over the place,” he said. “But there are two common things. I believe every single university has had a decrease in their entering class, and every single University has an increase in the number of part time students.”
Inglis also shared the distribution of where students were from. There was an increase of those from New Brunswick, of about 5%, said Inglis, which was not a surprise. “I think a lot of students wanted to go to university and perhaps they realized they didn’t want to travel.”… Continue