Horizon is back with rapid test kits at Civic Centre
Rapid test kits are again available for pick up from a Horizon van at the Tantramar Veterans Memorial Civic Centre today from 10am onward. Kits will be handed out to anyone walking, riding or driving by until 2:30pm or until supplies run out. Two weeks ago, the mobile distribution site handed out 648 small 5-pack kits, and 96 large 25-pack kits during its first visit. Last week, Horizon cancelled the mobile site, but it’s back this Tuesday, and will be in Port Elgin on Wednesday, returning weekly to distribute free rapid test kits. More information on the Horizon site here.
Remembrance Day in Sackville
The Sackville Legion has announced it will not be having its usual Remembrance Day ceremony this year due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. Instead, the Legion will host a ceremony similar to last year, and is asking that anyone in the general public wishing to leave a wreath, cross, or poppy are asked to do so after that ceremony. On Thursday, the Colour Party will march from the Legion to the Cenotaph at 10:50AM. All wreathes and crosses will be placed at the Cenotaph by Legion Executive members ahead of time. There will be a drummer and trumpeter present. The Legion says patrons are welcome to visit the Legion following the service. Proof of vaccination and government ID are required to enter the Legion.
Council approves 2022 budget with flat tax rate
Sackville town council approved the town’s 2022 budget at a meeting last night. Councillors defeated a motion from councillor Bruce Phinney to reduce the tax rate by three cents per $100 of assessed property value. The rate will remain at 1.56, which means the town will benefit from the average 6.9% increase in property values in town which will be used in part to cover increased costs in areas such as policing, insurance, and a new recreation subsidy program.
Council axes skatepark study
Sackville town council has refused to pay for a feasibility study to look at options for a new concrete skatepark in Sackville.
Councillors Matt Estabrooks, Michael Tower, Bruce Phinney and Mayor Shawn Mesheau axed the proposal at council’s meeting Monday night. The proposal originated in a community budget meeting request back in 2020.
The study would have cost $12,500, and was to be conducted by Newline Skateparks. Newline was to consult community members and develop a rough idea of design features and cost for permanent concrete skatepark at the current Dufferin Street location. Full story to come on chmafm.com.
Higgs restates his offer to CUPE
Premier Blaine Higgs held a news conference Monday afternoon to restate the government’s position in the CUPE labour dispute, and reiterate the current government offer. Higgs said “further clarification” was needed due to “misinformation” about the offer as it pertains to pensions. Higgs says he is offering two locals a revised pension package, because he says those pensions are underfunded and unsustainable. He says the nature of the changed plan would be determined by an independent process. CUPE has asked for any proposed changes to pension plans to come off the table, but Higgs has refused that option.
Higgs also said he has not met with CUPE leader Stephen Drost since Thursday of last week, and that the province could be in for a long haul.
COVID update: cases up in Cumberland County
New Brunswick Public Health announced another 44 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, with 12 in Zone 1. There are now 200 active cases of COVID-19 in Zone 1, and 504 in the province.
Over in Nova Scotia, the active case count has climbed to 255 over the weekend, with 55 of those active cases in Cumberland county. There have been 60 new cases in the Cumberland health network so far in November.
Nova Scotia officials have said, “the increase in case numbers is related to ongoing community spread in Amherst and Cumberland County, as well as ongoing transmission from a faith-based gathering.” Officials told reporters that one multi-day faith based event in late October with about 100 participants has led to secondary transmission in other faith-based gatherings, workplaces, and a long term care home in Pugwash.
