Monthly Archives: February 2022

RCMP wins national Code of Silence Award, but police secrecy happens in Sackville too

According to a news release issued today by the Canadian Association of Journalists, the RCMP has won this year’s Code of Silence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Government Secrecy. “This summer multiple journalists, equipped only with pens, notebooks and camera … Continue reading

Posted in RCMP, Town of Sackville | Tagged | 5 Comments

Observers react to end of Irvings’ newspaper monopoly

New Brunswickers woke up to a new reality today with the announcement that the Irving monopoly newspapers have been sold to Postmedia, a Toronto-based chain that publishes more than 120 papers across the country including the National Post, Ottawa Citizen, Toronto Sun … Continue reading

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Town engineer responds to complaints that snow crews aren’t clearing parks & trails fast enough

Town Engineer Dwayne Acton says Sackville’s 10-member snow-clearing crew has been working punishingly long hours this winter to fulfill their number one priority: keeping streets cleared and sidewalks cleaned throughout each of four major storms in the space of five … Continue reading

Posted in Town of Sackville | Tagged | 11 Comments

Sackville mayor’s tie-breaking vote defeats call for delays in municipal reform

Sackville Mayor Shawn Mesheau cast a tie-breaking vote last night to defeat a motion calling for fundamental changes in the process for amalgamating the town with Dorchester and three surrounding local service districts. Among other things, the motion would have formally … Continue reading

Posted in NB Municipal Reform, Town of Sackville | Tagged | 3 Comments

Sackville town staff weighing pros & cons of licensing cats

Sackville municipal staff are planning to make a presentation to council soon on whether the town should add domestic cats to its animal control bylaw. It could mean that owners would be required to buy licences for their cats and … Continue reading

Posted in Town of Sackville | Tagged | 15 Comments

Anti-mask protesters gather in Sackville: ‘We shouldn’t be muzzling our children’

A dozen anti-mask protesters gathered today on Main Street at the entrance to Tantramar Regional High School. “I’m here just for the freedom of our kids,”said Kate Serre who said she helped organize the protest on behalf of her grandchildren … Continue reading

Posted in COVID-19 | Tagged | 12 Comments

Sackville councillors debate what’s best for the town as province presses ahead with amalgamation

Sackville town councillors debated Wednesday whether they should co-operate with provincial representative Chad Peters in the forced amalgamation of Sackville, Dorchester and three local service districts. “If we don’t participate, the government will do whatever they want,” said Deputy Mayor … Continue reading

Posted in Town of Sackville | Tagged | 5 Comments

Sparks fly at town council as Sackville’s mayor defends his position on forced amalgamation

Members of Sackville Town Council exchanged sharp words last night over the forced amalgamation of the town with Dorchester and the surrounding local service districts. It began as Mayor Mesheau read a statement clarifying his position on the issue. “Although … Continue reading

Posted in Town of Sackville | 9 Comments

Municipal amalgamations lead to higher costs, experts warn

The New Brunswick government is pushing ahead with municipal amalgamations in spite of warnings from a chorus of experts that merging local governments leads to higher costs and often, to higher taxes. “All of the [academic] work on municipal amalgamation … Continue reading

Posted in Town of Sackville | Tagged | 12 Comments

Looks like Sackville residents will have little say over their new local government

Residents of Sackville, Dorchester and their surrounding communities will have little or no say in the composition of their new municipal council if the province sticks to its timeline for local government reform. Plans call for initial decisions on the … Continue reading

Posted in New Brunswick government, Town of Sackville | Tagged | 5 Comments