Four properties added to Local Historic Places Register

Fredericton (September 27, 2011) – A 1950-era diner, a house with a distinctive "widow’s walk", a two-storey Second Empire style dwelling, and a one and a half story Classical Revival inspired dwelling have been added to the City of Fredericton’s Local Historic Places Register.

City Council agreed with the recommendation of the Preservation Review Board to include structures located at 7 Brookmount Street, 63 McKeen Street, 123-125 McKeen Street, and, 206 Odell Avenue on the Register at the regular Council meeting of September 26, 2011. The following summarizes the heritage importance of each property.

SUNSHINE DINER, 7 BROOKMOUNT STREET

The Sunshine Diner, which opened on May 24, 1950, stands on the west side of Brookmount Street. This single-storey structure is located in the heart of Sunshine Gardens. May 24 was a date which carried considerable significance for Robert H. Simpson, Roy Wallace, and Lawrence Wallace. Serving in the 8th Canadian Hussars Tank Corps of the Canadian Army during World War II, these men made a pact to open a business together if they survived the War. They laid these plans on May 24, 1943 and this date became an important anniversary in the lives of all three men.

After the War and upon their return to Fredericton, these partners purchased the Aula Service Station in Sunshine Gardens, opening for business on May 24, 1946. Two years later, on the same date, they expanded the business to include a grocery line. However, these War veterans made their mark in the commercial industry with the establishment of Vet’s Groceteria, with a grand opening on May 24, 1950. The partners capitalized on the growing groceteria trend, a combination grocery store and cafeteria counter. This business was not only on the cutting edge, but would serve as a model for other groceterias. In 1954, Vet’s Groceteria appeared on the cover of a trade magazine and its exterior design inspired a Vancouver groceteria to adopt a similar exterior style.

63 MCKEEN STREET

This 2-storey house with its distinctive widow’s walk is situated at the river end of McKeen Street. The wood frame dwelling, which was built in 1888, is located on the western side of the street. The significance of this dwelling is grounded both in its ownership and in its unique appearance. William Jaffrey, son of Rev. William Jaffrey, had this house built after his marriage to Helen Elizabeth Wallace in 1888. Born and raised at St. Mary’s Ferry, William Jaffrey received his early education in the village and later he attended the Fredericton Collegiate School. After graduating from UNB in 1879, William Jaffrey operated a furniture making factory located on Douglas (Union) Street.

Jaffrey’s furniture manufacturing plant achieved early success and accumulated considerable local acclaim as one of the leading industrial interests in St. Mary’s. The furniture factory remained in operation for more than a decade, and the continued high volume of orders testified to the great demand for Jaffrey’s production line. Later retiring from the business, and the old factory having become home to a grocery store, William Jaffrey turned to farming. William Jaffrey later ploughed into local politics. With the incorporation of St. Mary’s and Gibson in 1917, William Jaffrey served the Town of Devon in many different capacities, including town clerk, water superintendent, and chief magistrate.

Reflecting the elements of a foursquare, the main living quarters of this 2-storey dwelling is topped by a widow’s walk. Two additional sections once extended from the side wing of this building towards the river. A 2-storey barn with medium pitched gable roof stood between the present wing and an elongated, 1 ½-storey structure, which had perhaps been used as a stable. William and Helen Jaffrey reared three children in this house, and after her father’s death in 1942, Marion C. Jaffrey continued to reside here. Richard Boone Malloy, who had grown up across the street at 66 McKeen, purchased this dwelling during the early 1950s. At present, this house remains in the Malloy family.

123-125 MCKEEN STREET

This 2-storey Second Empire style dwelling was erected during the late 19th Century. The structure is located on a substantial lot on the west side of McKeen Street, immediately below the Walking Trail. The heritage value of this dwelling resides not only in its architectural style but in the significance of its ownership. This Second Empire style dwelling had been the first erected on the west side of McKeen Street between Union Street and the CPR tracks. The dwelling is situated on a large, open lot which once sported a tennis court on the southern portion of the property.

Lawyer Whitman A. Haines and his wife, Inez, resided in this house for many decades. Mr. Haines, who served as Town Clerk for Devon, operated his law office out of the former St. Mary’s Departmental Store, located at the foot of Cliffe Street. Mrs. Haines would pen a short history of St. Mary’s Ferry, now known as North Devon on Fredericton’s north side, which she delivered to the York-Sunbury Historical Society in 1933.

206 ODELL AVENUE

This 1½-storey Classical Revival inspired dwelling is situated on the east side of Odell Avenue between Brunswick and Charlotte Streets. Constructed in 1897, this wood frame dwelling is in view of Wilmot Park. The construction of this wood frame dwelling in 1897 testified to the continued development of Odell Avenue (originally known as Park Street) after the establishment of Wilmot Park. By the mid-1890s, settlement and housing development west of Smythe Street was virtually non-existent.

The opening of Wilmot Park in 1895 sparked a building boom in the immediate vicinity of the park grounds. The creation of a new street, coincident with the establishment of the park and therefore known as Park Street, redefined the western boundary of the town plat. The construction of this house expanded settlement beyond what had been considered the traditional city limits.

About the Register

Council approved the establishment of the Local Historic Places Register on July 21, 2003. The Local Historic Places Register is a list of places (buildings, archaeological sites, and areas or spaces) deemed to be of local historical significance and placed on a list with the permission of the property owner. The Local Historic Places Register was established as a result of a Federal Government Program called the "Historic Places Initiative" and designed to raise awareness of historic places and encourage conservation. For more information of the Local Historic Places Register, visit www.fredericton.ca.

Fredericton ranks eighth in the world for clean air

Fredericton (September 27, 2011) – A study released yesterday by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that the City of Fredericton has some of the cleanest air in the world. The study examined the presence of particles of 10 micrometers or less (PM10) in 1100 cities, across 91 countries, in an effort to measure air quality across the globe.

The City of Fredericton has long promoted its quality of life and its environmental sustainability. Of the top ten cities cited in the study, nine are from Canada, and one is from the United States. The other Canadian cities are in Yukon, British Columbia and Newfoundland. The sole US city is in California.

"We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful place, and have always worked hard to make sure that we maintain our natural assets that help to give us fresh air," says Mayor Brad Woodside. "Our significant green spaces and urban forest, lack of industrial pollution, and environmental consciousness all contribute to the clean air that we all enjoy."

The WHO study found that "persistently elevated levels of fine particle pollution are common across many urban areas, The great majority of urban populations have an average annual exposure to PM10 particles in excess of the WHO Air Quality guideline recommended maximum level of 20 µg/m³. On average, only a few cities currently meet the WHO guideline values".

"This highlights the importance of monitoring and educating on community and corporate greenhouse gas emissions," says Alycia Morehouse, the City’s Climate Change Coordinator. "One of the largest contributors to poor air quality is motor transport. Reducing our reliance on vehicles, and exploring alternative forms of transportation is very important, as is choosing cleaner forms of energy and electricity."

Over 2 million people die annually from breathing in the tiny particles present indoors, and outdoors, as the microscopic PM10 particles can penetrate lungs and the bloodstream, and can cause asthma, lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses.

For more information on the study, visit the WHO’s website.

New Multi-Use Sports Field Officially Opens at Scotiabank Park North

Fredericton (September 30, 2011) – The City of Fredericton has officially opened a new multi-use, artificial turf athletic field at Scotiabank Park North, 605 Cliffe Street. The field, made possible in part through a sponsorship agreement with Scotiabank, will be used by soccer, football, rugby, and ultimate Frisbee players.

"This area of the city represents one of the first major investments in new recreational resources made by the City of Fredericton in many years," said Mayor Brad Woodside, referring to Scotiabank Park North, which also includes the Willie O’Ree Place twin-pad arena complex and beach volleyball courts. "The area is growing into a major recreational hub and helping to spur community development."

"We are proud to have played a role in bringing this facility to Fredericton," said Scott Allen, Scotiabank District Vice-President for West New Brunswick. "Facilities like the one we’re officially opening today serve not only as a place to play sports, but also play a large role in bringing communities together. We hope that the Fredericton community enjoys many seasons of fun on the field at Scotiabank Park North."

Scotiabank’s sponsorship of the City’s recreational infrastructure was announced in January of this year. The $1.5 million agreement spans the next ten years. The new multi-use sports field was constructed by Philson Ltd., at a cost of $2,652,110. The field is 100 meters long by 60 meters wide, and was built to the official standards of FIFA, the world soccer governing body.

The primary users of the sports field will be the Fredericton District Soccer Association (FDSA), the Capital Area Minor Football Association (CAMFA) and teams at Leo Hayes High School.

In addition to Mayor Brad Woodside and Scott Allen, District Vice President, Scotiabank, the official opening ceremony was also attended by the Hon. Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Fredericton. Master of ceremonies for the evening was Fredericton City Councillor Mike O’Brien.

'We're tearing down the wall of resistance'

(excerpts from an article published int he Daily Gleaner, August 19th, 2011)

Fredericton developers are becoming more open to including rent-subsidized housing in their new apartment developments, says the chairman of Fredericton's affordable housing committee.

Fredericton developers are becoming more open to including rent-subsidized housing in their new apartment developments, says the chairman of Fredericton's affordable housing committee.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Submitted Photo

Federal Society Development Minister Sue Stultz and Coun. Mike O'Brien, the chairman of the city's affordable-housing committee, toured affordable-housing developments in Fredericton, including this one called The Tannery at Brookside Court project, developed by Avide Properties.

Coun. Mike O'Brien and members of the city's affordable housing group met recently with provincial Social Development Minister Sue Stultz - the provincial minister responsible for seniors, housing and community non-profit organizations.

O'Brien said the city's affordable housing committee has had enjoyed a great relationship with Social Development ministers over the years.

"We've met with each minister in the past and explained what our committee's mandate is and that we can't move forward without their continued assistance, and we have had tremendous co-operation from the Social Development ministers, deputies and executive staff over the years," O'Brien said.

During the meeting with Stultz, representatives from Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc., the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and the city's Community Action Group on Homelessness were able to talk with the minister, O'Brien said.

The minister visited six affordable-housing developments in the city, including The Tannery at Brookside Court project, developed by Avide Properties.

Over the past decade, Fredericton developers have become more accepting of including affordable housing in their mix of market-geared apartment construction, the councillor said.

The city's Lutheran Church built an affordable-housing development on Regent Street with the help of Avide Properties.

Another developer opened up a project on Cliffe Street. The John Howard Society built one on Main Street.

Two other projects are located in the Brookside Drive area, including a development to open in the fall. Other developers have included government rent-supported units in other buildings.

O'Brien said by having resident property managers, the developments are being maintained properly and tenant issues are addressed.

"I think we've seen a lot of successes, quality buildings, successful projects and improvements to neighbourhoods, and one by one, we're tearing down the wall of resistance," he said.

"In the past, the money allotted to the greater Fredericton area for programing was not being used for two reasons. Our developers were maybe timid of getting into these types of projects because of the perception and the stigma attached to them. And the other reason is they were just too busy building new homes, apartments and condos."

By organizing annual affordable-housing days hosted by the affordable-housing committee, the city has been gradually educating developers to the funding options available to them and easing their concerns about government red tape.

"We made them aware that they can get into these programs with less restrictions and headaches than they thought might exist," O'Brien said.

He believes there's a shift in public attitudes toward affordable housing.

"The community is more accepting and embracing of the need," O'Brien said.

"Also, the market for expensive homes and apartments is not infinite. You can build a quality, affordable-housing development and make money off of it, and that's not a dirty word at all."

Fredericton Non-Profit Housing is another group that has done a great job of taking existing housing stock and retrofitting it for affordable housing, O'Brien said.

To read the entire article, click on the following link: http://http//dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/cityregion/article/1433094

FREDERICTON DEVELOPERS OPEN TO MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS - COUNCILLOR (excerpts from article published in the Telegraph-Journal August 13, 2011)

Fredericton developers are becoming more open to including rent-subsidized housing in their new apartment developments, says the chairman of Fredericton's affordable-housing committee.

Coun. Mike O'Brien and members of the city's affordable-housing group met recently with federal Social Development Minister Sue Stultz, who is responsible for seniors, housing and community non-profit organizations.

During the visit, representatives from Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc., Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and the city's Community Action Group on Homelessness were able to talk with the minister, O'Brien said.

The minister toured six affordable housing developments in the city, including The Tannery at Brookside Court project developed by Avide Properties.

Over the past decade, Fredericton developers have been including affordable housing within their mix of market-geared apartment construction.

"I think we've seen a lot of successes, quality buildings, successful projects and improvements to neighbourhoods and one by one we're tearing down the wall of resistance," he said.

Tim Ross, co-ordinator of the Community Action Group on Homelessness, said the city's housing need is like an iceberg.

"The largest part of the problem is hidden from view," Ross said. "There's about 30,000 households in Fredericton and there are 6,105 households that are considered to be in distress. That's based on Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation data that reports on housing affordability, overcrowding and housing that's in need of major repair," Ross said.

The 6,105 households that, the action group says, face tough financial straits are spending more than 30 per cent of their income on housing. If most of the household income goes to pay for a roof and walls, then there's little left for healthy nutrition and other family needs.

Ross agrees with O'Brien that developers are opening up to the concept of affordable housing.

"We've been building very effective partnerships with developers on the delivery of affordable housing programing and we've also seen a significant drop in the not-in-my-backyard syndrome when developments come forward," Ross said.

"The goal at the end of the day is more mixed-income development where an individual's housing may be subsidized, but it's seamlessly blended into our community," Ross said. "Most residents wouldn't even know where affordable housing units are located in the city ... You may already be a neighbour of a subsidized unit."

Affordable Housing Visit by Minister Sue Stultz

Fredericton, NB – Hon. Sue Stultz, Minister of Social Development and Minister Responsible for Seniors, Housing and Community Non-Profit Organizations, along with several provincial officials was recently in Fredericton for an informal meeting with Coun. Mike O’Brien, Chair of the City of Fredericton’s Affordable Housing Committee and other committee representatives.

The city’s committee acts as an advocate for the homeless, the working poor and those with special housing needs to improve their quality of life through affordable housing in Fredericton. While in the city, the Minister also took the time to view some of Fredericton’s successful affordable housing developments.

Pictured,above, left to right, are Minister Stultz and Coun. Mike O’Brien at The Tannery at Brookside Court

COMMITTEE TO EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR YORK ARENA

(As publshed in the Daily Gleaner, August 9/11)

The chairman of an ad hoc committee on the future of the York Arena is planning to hear from special interest groups, the public and experts before drawing a conclusion on the fate of the northside ice hockey arena.

Coun. Mike O'Brien, who has been opposed to retaining the structure once the Grant * Harvey Centre is completed, said he's prepared to weigh all the facts with an unbiased eye.

He was appointed to head up the committee by Mayor Brad Woodside and city council after the Save the York Arena group wanted to make a fresh approach to city council touting the merits of saving the building. A second group, consisting of local runners who are looking for indoor training space, has also stepped forward.

City council Monday night appointed five people to serve with O'Brien on the ad hoc committee, including: its executive director of special projects Greg Cook; Rob Jackson and Gabriela Tymowski as community representatives; and Holly Hyslop of the joint city and local service district recreation advisory committee. The recreation advisory committee was formed when a number of local services districts and the Village of New Maryland voted to contribute taxes toward the cost of the city's two new arenas. Willie O'Ree Place opened in 2008. The city, in turn, waived all non-resident user fees for its sports facilities.

"We will hear presentations from groups that have a particular interest in York Arena, either for maintaining it for hockey or for some alternate use, so we will set time aside to meet with them personally and let them make presentations and the committee can then ask questions. Those will be open to the public," O'Brien said.

He plans to hold a public meeting to receive brief presentations for and against keeping York Arena open.

"We will also hear presentations from the dMA group that did the recreation master study (for the city) to try to pick their brains a bit more on per capita ice surface requirements and alternate recreational needs in the city that demands dollars," O'Brien said.

ADI Ltd., which conducted a structural audit of all the city's ice hockey arena's as part of a facilities 220-page evaluation study released in 2004, will be hired to present an update of its structural analysis of the York Arena.

"We will also engage Hockey New Brunswick to come in and give a presentation on hockey use and growth or the lack thereof. We'll get a broad perspective fiscally and we'll also get a presentation from city treasurer Tina Tapley on the fiscal costs of maintaining the York Arena and upgrading it or closing it," O'Brien said Monday night.

Recommendations from the city's community services division will be included, O'Brien said.

"We have a very good committee put together. I wanted to have a panel of people that were passionate and experts in their field, but who were also detached from the issue. Rob Jackson is a tennis Hall of Fame member and former president of Downtown Fredericton Inc. Gabriela Tymowski is an associate professor at the university (of New Brunswick), but she is also a well published scholar on participation and fighting obesity by having recreational opportunities," O'Brien said.

He said the startup meeting of the ad hoc committee will be held in October. O'Brien said he hopes to have a final report to council no later than February.

O'Brien said there are no budget implications to the city until at least the 2013 budget year.

Fredericton crime rate cut by repeat offenders list
(as published by CBC NB News on August 03/11)

Fredericton police say they have knocked down the city's crime rate by using a repeat offenders list to keep a close eye on those most likely to commit crimes.

There has been a 35 per cent drop in thefts this year compared to last year, police say.

Staff Sgt. Brian Ford credits that success to the list, which includes the names of people who have had more than 50 run-ins with the law in the last two years. Police knock on the doors of all those people to make sure they are abiding by court orders, he said.

There are 45 repeat offenders on the list and they are responsible for 87 per cent of the thefts in the city, Ford said, along with many other property crimes such as arson and vandalism.

"We make sure those court orders are enforced," Ford said. "For example, a curfew. We will actually be there checking on these people, their curfews, not just once a night but sometimes twice a night and they get to know us on a first name basis."

The new strategy also gives police a window into who commits what crimes and when, Ford said. "Looking at the [modus operandi] of the suspects gives us a good indication of where our crimes are being committed," he said. "They can even narrow down times that we can expect crimes to be committed, in some instances."

A repeat offender list was first used in the U.K. in 2004 where property crimes also declined by 30 per cent.

Committe Established to Determine York Arena's Fate
(excerpts from article published in the Daily Gleaner, July 16/11)

An ad hoc community on the future of York Arena has been created by Mayor Brad Woodside with Coun. Mike O'Brien at its helm. That's going to divert two groups looking to keep the building in the city's recreation inventory from council to that committee to pitch their case.

The Save The York Arena group, which wants barebones repairs made to keep the rink in the city's sports inventory to accommodate growing demand for ice time, was slated to speak to city council. Meantime, the Fredericton Athletics Association, which represents a group in runners looking for an indoor track, was booked to give a report to the city's community services committee this week.

"Council had asked staff to come back with an updated ADI report on the structure and the costs, and the staff were prepared to do that. Now, a group has come forward that represents the indoor runners club that they wanted to form. They've got what looks on paper like a viable option. The Save the York Arena group has been meeting diligently for the last year and has refined their numbers and research so they have information," O'Brien said.

"I myself had been fairly strong at one time saying, 'We can't afford this,' but have met with that group several times, and I have met with staff and it looks like there may be some untested options at the moment about how to reduce costs of operating that place and still make that a viable operation," the councillor said.

He said there's no rush because the city has already decided the York Arena isn't coming down.
"We'd have to reverse that if we ever did, and the York Arena definitely has to remain open next year," O'Brien said.

When the city rescinded the motion to demolish the arena, it was with the understanding it would be open for the next couple of years and it will be open for at least the next year, he said.

Scott Davis, acting chairman of the recently created Fredericton Athletics Association, said the group will meet and talk with the city on how to best present its information. "We know there's another proposal out there for refurbishment into a rink, but we kind of had this idea going when the Nashwaaksis Arena was demolished after the Willie O'Ree Centre was put up.

"Our thoughts are if the city is looking at two options, either refurbish it as a rink ... or the only other option is to demolish it. We'd like to have it known that we are looking for a facility, and a building this size would meet our needs, and there is an interest from our group to reuse that facility rather than demolish it."

Paved trails 'accessible to more people' - Transportation | City plans to pave more sections

(excerpt from article published in the Daily Gleaner, July 05/11)

Between walking to and from class, running and biking, Peter Adamson says he spends a lot of time on the trails in Fredericton. "I'm walking them every night," said Adamson, a third-year geological engineering student at the University of New Brunswick.

In fact, he prefers running on pavement. But while he's heard pavement is hard on the knees, he said hearing the city is planning to pave more sections of the trail doesn't bother him. "I don't know what the long-term effects are but it's better for grip, especially for biking. It's faster," he said. "I'm not 60. My knees are still pretty good."

Although city council's decision last week to spend $105,000 to pave another two kilometres of Fredericton's trail network ignited some complaints from runners, it didn't spark the same kind of reaction it did when plans for paving were announced in 2008.

In about two weeks time, the city will pave two more sections of Fredericton's 85-km trail system - along the Valley Trail on Woodstock Road and along the riverfront from the Lighthouse Adventure Centre to the pedway - bringing the total distance of paved trails in the city to 7.5 km.

Nicholas Larade, manager of the Fredericton Running Room, said when paving plans were revealed in 2008, a lot of people came to his store complaining.

He hasn't seen the same kind of reaction this time, but that could change when the machines roll out.

"Once they start paving more sections, I suspect we'll see more of an outcry and complaints," he said.

But although he understands some people are unhappy with the decision, Don Murray, city forester and acting parks and trees manager, said it's important to pave some sections of the trail because they're not just for recreational use.

But while the role of the trails as a transportation system is important, Murray said paving certain sections allows access to different groups who might not have been able to enjoy the trails before.

He said one particular instance after the first paving project was completed convinced him the city was doing the right thing.

"I was down at the trail visitor centre and I saw a van, I think it was from Pine Grove nursing home," he said.

"They were unloading some of the residents in their wheelchairs and they were driving from the south side over to the north side, the trail visitor centre, and they were taking the seniors from Pine Grove for a walk on that paved section.

"That convinced me right there we were doing the right thing. It made those trails so much more accessible."

To read the full article, click on the following link:

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/front/article/1420699

Mayor Accepts fDi American Cities of the Future Award In Washington, D.C.

Fredericton (July 5, 2011) – Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside was presented with the prestigious 2011-20012 fDi Magazine American Cities of the Future award during a recent ceremony in Washington, D.C. The award is in recognition of the City of Fredericton being named earlier this year as the top city in North, South and Latin America for Best Foreign Direct Investment Strategy in the Micro City Category; a runner-up in the Micro City over-all rankings; and sixth for Best Quality of Life in the Micro City Top Ten.

Mayor Woodside was one of more than 150 mayors and other government officials assembled in the U.S. capital for the awards ceremony.

“I am very pleased to accept this award on behalf of our partners in the Greater Fredericton Area who work tirelessly to make our community stand out on the world stage,” said Mayor Woodside. “We appreciate the recognition of those efforts by fDi Magazine, which shows us we are on the right track with our economic development strategies.”

fDi American Cities of the Future recognizes cities which have the best prospects for inward investment, economic development and business expansion. The results were released in the April / May issue of fDi Magazine, a publication of the Financial Times of London, England.

"The Americas are home to many of the world's most established investment destinations as well as some of the fastest emerging ones, making it a highly competitive and diverse region for Foreign Direct investment,” said Courtney Fingar, editor of fDi Magazine, commented. “Given the strength of the rankings methodology, large field of competitor cities and sheer scale of such a benchmarking exercise, those cities marked for recognition deserve to be proud of their efforts. fDi Magazine congratulates them."

The ‘American Cities of the Future rankings compared data from 405 cities in six categories: Economic Potential, Human Resources, Cost Effectiveness, Quality of Life, Infrastructure and Business Friendliness. A seventh category was added to the scoring – FDI promotion strategy. In this category, 100 cities submitted details about their promotion strategy and this was judged and scored by an independent judging panel.

The Financial Times Ltd. is one of the world’s leading business news organizations. It is recognized internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. Full results are available onwww.fdiintelligence.com/Rankings or in the April/May issue of fDi Magazine

City donates bikes to less fortunate

(Excerpt of article published in the Daily Gleaner, June 14/11)

The City of Fredericton has once again donated unclaimed, lost, stolen and abandoned bicycles to community volunteer agencies for use by at-risk youth, the disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens.

This year's beneficiaries of the city's bicycles for the community program include: Chrysalis House, the Community Clinic, Liberty Lane, the YMCA and the Department of Social Development. More bicycles will be donated during the summer as they become available.

"We are pleased to support the community groups and agencies by providing bicycles for the use of their clients," said Coun. Steven Hicks, chairman of the city's community services committee. "Bikes for the community is a very popular program and these lost or unclaimed bicycles will be put to good use."

Who's going to take the plunge?

(Daily Gleaner Editorial; June 15/11)

Who wants a new indoor pool?

The city certainly doesn't, at least not one to call its very own. It wants desperately to share any future pool with lots and lots of others. No surprise there. Municipalities everywhere have become almost allergic to building recreational facilities. They are money pits.

But with the University of New Brunswick's Max Aitken pool up for decommissioning, the new UNB Currie Center built without a pool and the YMCA pool a non-competitive size, this city will be without a pool that both meets international competitive standards and is deep enough for dive training.

However, the last thing the City of Fredericton needs is the building, staffing and maintenance of a new pool. That's the last thing taxpayers need as well. So the city's got a plan - get some partners involved, perhaps UNB and the local service districts surrounding the city.

It began the process on Monday night with approval for an $80,000 feasibility study. You can't solicit potential partners without handing them a document that tells them what they're getting into. It's a mighty expensive document, mind you, but a necessary foundation to begin this partnering process.

We believe UNB will need a pool, and we also believe nearby LSDs should seriously consider helping fund this project. Everyone likes to use the services, but that should also mean everyone helps pay for them. A $20 hike in an annual property tax bill isn't a big burden, but it would sure help maintain a pool.

We'd like to suggest that the swim groups involved begin this partnering process as well, by pitching to businesses. Corporate sponsorships can help tremendously. Swimming is excellent exercise and therapy for arthritic bodies. Surely businesses that serve senior citizens would be interested in getting a piece of this sponsorship action.

Here's another opportunity: sell the naming rights to the pool. Who cares if it ends up to be the McTims Memorial Pool? It will cost the taxpayers and the city less money even if the name is tacky. The City of Fredericton has invested heavily in infrastructure in the past few years. The convention centre and two arenas come to mind.

We are used to a city that minds its finances with great caution. We don't want that to change. That's why our tax rate is much lower than Saint John's or Moncton's. We benefit from that frugality. That's why we see a feasibility study of $80,000 as an investment. If this whole plan doesn't work and after years of negotiations no one wants to jump in with a fist full of money, then we've wasted $80,000, but at least we know the reality.

If, on the other hand, that $80,000 investment produces financial partnerships that make the building of a pool viable for Fredericton taxpayers, then it was worth the money.

It will probably be years, maybe even a decade, before a pool is built. This is just step one to test the waters.

Pension decision angers union leaders - Reforms | Overtime won't be part of pension income calculation, city rules

(Excerpts from article published in the Daily Gleaner, May 25/11)

The City of Fredericton has changed its employee pension plan, eliminating overtime in the calculation of pensionable income and capping annual cost-of-living adjustments at 1.5 per cent. Unionized employee groups, including firefighters, police officers and public works employees, had lobbied councillors not to do away with the overtime calculation. They argued they're routinely expected to work overtime to keep the city safe and roads clear in snowstorms.

The employees rallied at a family-style barbecue in the parking lot at city hall before heading to the council gallery to watch the vote. They held signs reading: "We just want a secure future for all" and "Invest in us, we are part of the city." When councillors voted in favour of the amendments package the workers stood up in the upper gallery, turned their backs to the councillors on the floor below and booed.

"We were under the understanding that there would be some discussion around it and that council had varying opinions. Some people were for this. Some people were thinking that there were better ways to address this," said Wade Kierstead, president of CUPE Local 3864, which represents technical and professional employees at the city.

Glenn Sullivan, vice-president of the city's firefighters union IAFF Local 1053, said the city blindsides its workers with changes. "They don't listen to the employees. It's the same thing over and over again. It's quite disheartening. We thought we'd have some support from some of the councillors," he said.

Sullivan said society needs to recognize that pension improvements are needed across the board, even the Canada Pension Plan, rather than leaving many seniors living hand to mouth. "It's time that people got on board with this and realized we need to protect our seniors and have a decent retirement," he said. Mayor Brad Woodside said workers made their pitch, but councillors didn't agree.

Coun. Mike O'Brien, who sat in on the pension reform discussions, said 17 options were considered during 20 meetings on pension reform and this is the best compromise that could be reached to try to reduce the $37.5-million deficit.

O'Brien, who had earlier voted against the pension amendments package, said with the elimination of overtime in the calculation of contributions, the city will save $115,000 in premiums. Since employees match the city dollar for dollar on premiums, workers will also pay $115,000 less per year on their share of the premiums.

"If you do the math, the net cost to the city now, is a little more favourable than what we looked at it in October with completely de-indexing the pension fund, so the taxpayers benefitted even better tonight. The employees, even though change is difficult, will now have a more stable pension plan. We don't have to revisit this for quite a few years."

O'Brien said 80 per cent of pension plans across the country don't allow overtime to be used in the calculation of pensionable earnings. The highest users of overtime - police and firefighters - also have higher levels of earnings annually compared to some of their city hall counterparts, he said. Employees made concessions and so did the city, he said.

In the days ahead, O'Brien said the city should look at additional pension reform, but any reforms should be undertaken on a go-forward basis with new city workers, leaving those contributing under the existing pension system intact.

To read the entire article, click on the following link: http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/front/article/1409351

Get well soon - In our view: Firefighters' mystery illness has damaged their integrity

(Daily Gleaner Editorial, May 27/11)

What sort of sudden illness could bring down 16 of 21 hearty firefighters all on the same day? Was it the hamburgers at the union barbecue held prior to the Tuesday evening council vote or was it a righteous sense of entitlement that's to blame?

Fredericton city council made a decision - unpopular with some employees - to tweak its employee pension plan. That means pension payroll deductions will rise and overtime hours will not be pensionable. The aim of this decision is to eliminate a $37.5-million deficit, thus keeping the plan healthy and sustainable for the long term.

On Wednesday morning, 16 of the day's 21 firefighters on duty came down with something and did not report for work, thus forcing a dozen off-duty firefighters to be called in at a taxpayer cost of $6,051 in overtime pay.

The city's pension decision was responsible, timely and absolutely necessary for past, current and future employees - including the mysteriously sick firefighters. This was not malicious power-mongering on the part of council. It was good stewardship to guard the integrity and viability of the pension fund.

But we have to wonder if the 16 suddenly ill firefighters actually see the big picture. Do they not understand that a bit of pain now leads to long-term financial security? Do they not understand that worldwide economic recession has affected the pensions of many, and we all have to suck it up, take a loss and do the best we can? Fredericton firefighters are not exempt from that reality.

Here are some other questions for the 16 firefighters:

* Are you so far removed from work-world reality that you fail to remember than many people have no pensions at all?

* Do you know that many people, when they work overtime, are lucky to get equal time off, not even time-and-a-half off?

* Do you know that many people, when they work overtime, get no extra pay or time off at all?

* Do you have any idea how many hundreds of people would trade places with you in a minute?

* Do you understand that your good reputation with the people you serve has been damaged by 16 questionable decisions?

* Do you appreciate that the people you serve have to pay the bill for your petulant indignation?

* Have you forgotten what you do for a living, who depends on you and who pays for it?

* And finally, do you foresee acting like spoiled children for much longer, because frankly, we don't believe the public will stand for it again?

We know you do a dangerous job and when you're on the job, you protect us well. We also understand you're angry. What we don't understand is why you chose to threaten the safety of the city and its citizens with your anger.

At the end of the day, the city and its taxpayers have a $6,000 overtime bill to cover for your sick days.

Some residents are no doubt anxious about the ability of the fire department to protect them, both on Wednesday, and in the future, should this continue. Plenty of people are angry that you chose this action to make your point. You have lost the respect of a lot of your supporters.

So, we ask one more question: Was it worth it?

Happy Trails

(Daily Gleaner Editorial, May 20/11)

The City of Fredericton has been planning on paving more of the capital's trail system, but residents from the city's west end have filed a petition against such a move. Some trail users feel a gravel trail is easier to walk on.

We can also see how the notion of placing a priority on paving trails in the city might be puzzling to some. It might seem odd that municipal officials are talking about paving walking trails at a time when there are potholes on city streets that could swallow compact cars (or so it seems at times).

But we agree with the mayor and other city officials who defended the plan for paving the trails. They argue - and quite successfully, we feel - that paving trails is an inclusionary practice, as it allows the disabled and people with children in strollers to enjoy the trail system with ease.

The more people who can avail themselves of the trails, the better, not just because everyone should be on an equal footing when it comes to municipal services and infrastructure, but because more people on the trails means more people are being active.

Paving the trails also opens the door to other kinds of physical activity as well. It's not just those walking or jogging on these trails. Paving them makes them viable options for cycling, in-line skating and skateboarding.

Not only do paved trails promote more fitness, they promote safety as well. Pedestrians, cyclists, skaters and skateboarders are removed from busy street traffic by using the trails while still being able to get around the city.

The relatively recent development of formalizing and managing the city's trail system has inarguably enhanced quality of life for Frederictonians, and a move to add to the trails' appeal is a good move on the part of city hall.