Photo By Carol Randall
Word from the Wards Dan Keenan City Councillor Ward 1 Well, it looks like we’ve made it through another winter! As the weather turns warm make sure you get out to enjoy our beautiful trail system. We’ve been named one of the most walkable cities in the Country. Speaking of awards, there’s lots to mention here. Two Ward 1 residents were recognized with Unsung Hero awards recently. These awards recognize community leaders who tirelessly give back to their communities, often under the radar. Tara Noseworthy was recognized for her volunteer work with the Navy League Cadet program teaching various skills. Sue King was recognized for her work with At Risk Youth/Adults At Risk for Homelessness, Aids NB and other volunteer work she does in the community. Congratulations ladies! Let me know of achievements of others in our Ward and we’ll get them mentioned here. On another note, Fredericton was recognized as the most cost competitive city in Canada to do business! Combined with our great quality of life it reminds me of a quote from our Mayor. “If I didn’t live here already, I’d move here”. Kind of sums it up. On the construction side, Hartt Street is planned for a rebuild this summer. There will be other areas in Ward 1 also receiving sidewalk and curb upgrades but the detailed list wasn’t available as I wrote this. If you didn’t get a chance to vote in the advance polls make sure you vote on May 9th. Enjoy the warm weather!
Bruce Gandy City Councillor Ward 2 It has been an honor and pleasure to represent the over 7000 residents of Ward 2 at City Council these past 12 years. With the changes to the ward boundaries, half of the existing Ward 2 and half of the existing Ward 3 previously represented by Mike O’Brien have now been combined to form the new Ward 3 which is a truer representation of the Fulton Heights area. There have been a number of events and exciting activities on the Northside this past winter. Winterfesthiver was held at the Brookside Mall and Fredericton’s first outdoor Winter Classic, the FYHA and Business Fredericton North sponsored Timbit Classic, was held at Fredericton’s only outdoor artificial rink at Mitch Clark Park. Main Street is undergoing a number of changes with the adoption of a new strategic plan for the future and a number of new businesses that will open very soon. Remember to shop local and support our Northside businesses! The future looks bright on Fredericton’s Northside!
In Season Care of Perennials Perennials are a great choice when planting because of their fantastic foliage, beautiful blooms and relatively easy maintenance. Although many very low maintenance perennials are available, most perennials require some maintenance to perform at their best. The experts at Kent’s Garden Center are here to help and suggest you consider a few key things when caring for your perennials during the season: Mulching is advantageous: Mulching keeps the moisture in the soil; it keeps the weeds out and as the mulch decays, it adds organic matter to the soil. Watering is important: If Mother Nature is not helping with watering your perennials, you need to take the time to water them yourself. If you do need to add water, then do so in the early parts of the day. This allows for the foliage of the plants to dry out and it will also help conserve water because it will have less chance of evaporating. You should always ensure that enough water is added so that the roots that are deep in the ground get water too. Remember to direct the water towards the soil and try if possible to not wet the foliage. Fertilizing: Fertilizing most perennials is not a huge requirement. Once a year you can add a little bit of fertilizer, we recommend a 10-0-10 into the soil or an organic 5-0-5. Your plants will be forever grateful. DO NOT OVER FERTILIZE! Over fertilizing is a waste of time and money and your plants do not appreciate it. Support: Your perennial might need some support, especially if they are tall and could be blown over by the wind like a Delphinium or if they have a huge heavy flower that they just can’t hold up like a Peony. There are two approaches to flower support: preventive and remedial. Preventative supports are designed for plants that are known to droop, the key is to get these supports in place before the plant grows tall enough to need them. That way the plant is integrated into the support and the support becomes almost invisible. Remedial supports are used when you have forgotten to integrate the support when you first planted or if your plant droops unexpectedly. Supports such as linking stakes, stem supports and of course garden twine can be made of natural or man made materials and all you need is a little creativity.
25 Two Nations Crossing
Airflow: If your garden is too full of leafy vegetation an infestation of pest and disease may set in. You may need to thin the plants out a bit. This will also let more sunshine in and promote strong healthy stems and larger more vigorous flowers. Deadheading: This is the process of removing spent flowers and should be done as soon as the flower begins to fade. Deadheading allows the plant to focus on something else and direct its energy into something more efficient like sending up a new flower. Regular deadheading, results in healthier plants and continued bloom. Also, your plants will look much nicer. While you are deadheading you might as well remove any tired foliage. Cutting Back: When should you cut back depends on the perennial, Spring or Fall? A good way to determine when to cut your plants back in spring is to monitor them closely for new growth. When you start to see new shoots, you know you can remove the old foliage so the plants can focus all their energy into what’s emerging. Then in the fall while you are doing your fall yard clean up, this is a great time to cut back most perennials to about 2 to 3 inches from the ground. Remember, as long as your plants are doing well and are healthy, cutting back your perennials really depends on what works best for your garden and your schedule – the garden police will not show up at your door if you chose one season over the other or if you do it in both seasons. At Kent Garden Center we are here to help answer all your gardening questions. Whether it is how to plan a perennial flower bed, how to plant the new tree you just purchased or what plants will thrive in your yard’s environment, our staff is here to help and we look forward to helping you with all your gardening needs!
Mon-Sat: 8am - 9pm Sun: 10am - 5pm
Ph: (506) 474-7000
The Ville
The Ville is the transformation of what many knew as the Alexander Gibson Memorial School. Originally built in 1926 and operated as a school the majority of the building’s life, it was decommissioned in 2014 by the province when a new elementary school was built. The building remained empty for approximately 1 ½ years before being sold to a private developer who initially considered the building for an IT or community college purpose.
It was during this time that Jeff MacFarlane a newcomer to Marysville, saw a different vision for the property he had fallen in love with. He saw an opportunity for the property to enrich the community at large and decided to put a business plan together and present it to the new owner for consideration. The concept was to develop programming that would bring measureable assets back into the community. Some of the social issues The Ville is already tackling include food security, renewable energy, arts/culture, and physical literacy – all of which Jeff demonstrates to be absent in our communities and schools. When it comes to changing the narrative in New Brunswick, Jeff believes that sustainable non-profits, like The Ville Cooperative, are key. In June of 2015, The Ville was able to put a small staff in place with Jeff taking on the role of Executive Director. In August 2015 they launched The Ville Cooperative KickStarter campaign and raised $20,000 for a youth drop in centre, climbing wall, edible landscape projects and the plan was set in motion! The Ville Cooperative operates under a Board of Directors, using what Jeff calls a circular concept with a rotating chairperson. There are variable levels of decision making according to Mr. MacFarlane, with the board acting in a more visionary capacity versus the traditional not-for-profit model – as a result of the cooperative business component of The Ville. The organization is fluid and dynamic, always adapting to the needs and changes of their tenants and the public. Designed for all demographics, the goal of The Ville is to bring groups and individuals out of their silos and provide a facility where they can collaborate under one roof. In the six months since opening, the building is full. Madeleine Berrevoets, member on the Board of Directors, says it is a “true community centre”, where people are gaining a store front for their ventures and interests. Businesses are being created that wouldn’t have the same opportunities without the support being provided. It has been a snowball effect and the diversity of the users and excitement surrounding this vision are both increasing.
Already there are sewing guilds for quilting, crocheting and knitting, the Bonnie Kilburn Dancers, Red Rock Adventures, Maker Space, McCrea Music Studios, Black Fly Studios, Yoga, Martial Arts and various sporting organizations have all made The Ville their home. In addition to the space rented by businesses The Ville also has community rooms available that the public can rent. The ultimate goal is that the users of The Ville will help make it a sustainable operation by calling the building their home and contributing to the maintenance and operations of the historic building itself. Mr. MacFarlane indicated that they will be launching a membership for the cooperative in summer 2016 which will bring additional revenue into the building. This revenue will be used to create The Ville Community Fund that the public can access without the burden of excessive paperwork, to help offset the cost of taking classes within the building. The plans for the grounds of The Ville are equally as ambitious. The full transformation will take time and Jeff and Madeleine envision that 30 years down the road the entire property is void of grass and instead is covered in herbs, fruit trees, raised garden beds and edible perennials. The Ville will be a place where people can come to learn how to grow food, prepare it, make money and save money from sustainable food production. There are two kitchens in the building and work is being done on attracting a food service component as well. The goal would be to ensure that the café or restaurant at The Ville would live and breathe the farm to table movement. Ms. Berrevoets notes the wonderful thing about The Ville is that although a person may be coming to use one of the services initially, they are exposed to a variety of other opportunities and experiences that bring different social groups together, “building community” around existing and new interests. The biggest challenge has been informing people of all the things happening with The Ville and getting people trusting in community again. The goal has always been to bring back trust, compassion and humility to the community, where people are being heard and are able to make a difference. The Ville is making a difference one person at a time by inviting people in, making The Ville part of their home and reinforcing their personal assets and abilities. MacFarlane would like to open other Ville locations in Fredericton and New Brunswick and looks forward to the additional partnerships that will help to accomplish a bigger vision that benefits people locally, “Let’s not be afraid to fail”. The doors to The Ville are open to the public. If you are interested in finding out more about the existing programs and services, drop in and take a tour of the facility or ask questions about what is happening or how you can become involved. There are a number of committees’ people can become involved with, including a youth mentorship program that will have high school youth mentoring middle school youth who will then mentor elementary school youth. The committees will provide the direction for the community spaces. For more information, drop into The Ville or visit www.theville.ca
Northsiders Making A Difference
Written by Trina MacDonald
Born in Nashwaakis, Wesley Clowater grew up in his family home at the corner of Douglas Avenue and Main Street. He was one of eight children. Wesley met his wife-to-be, Helen, during High School and they began dating after graduation and eventually married in 1968. They made their home in Nashwaaksis, spending the first 5 years of marriage in an apartment house they built and then moving to a home where they have lived and raised their family for the past 43 years. Married for 48 years, the Clowater’s have 3 children and 5 grandchildren, two of their children and 3 grandchildren have also made Nashwaaksis their home. In 1944 Wes’s father, Ernest, started the family’s plumbing business. Wes recalls his father travelling by bicycle with the pipes laid across the basket to service his customers. Wes, like his brothers, worked in the plumbing business while they were attending high school because everyone needed to help out. Upon graduating high school, Wesley and his two brothers Donald and Gordon, created their own company and purchased the business from their father in 1964. Wes worked alongside his brothers, in some cases working 7 days a week in order to serve their clients needs. In the years that followed, Wes’s wife Helen joined the staff of Care Disposal Ltd another business started by Wes. One of the biggest challenges for Wes and the company came the long weekend in May 1986 when a devastating fire destroyed the building on Main Street that operated as the location for their plumbing business and was once their family home. Within an hour of the fire Wes took charge of the situation, he immediately had a temporary location set up at the dining-room table of his own home in order to carry on their work. Wes remembers how the community came together to help the Clowater’s. Their competitors, such as Beairsto’s and Leachman’s, offered their plumbing supplies so the Clowater’s could continue to operate. Family and friends immediately offered help; they renovated the house next to the building where the fire had levelled. Wes’s mother, Edith, fed everyone from her home across the street. Within four short days, E. W. Clowater and Sons was in their new location and fully operational again. Wes and Helen note the amazing resourcefulness shown by the entire community during that difficult time and Wes’ determination to ensure they were open, made it happen.
In 2012, Wesley’s daughter (Jill Dickinson) and Gordon’s son (Jeff Clowater) purchased the business, passing the operation to the third Clowater generation. Wes worked until his retirement in 2013, a total of 49 years in the family business. Today, Clowater’s has been in operation for 71 years. Whether a fourth generation of Clowaters will chose to continue in the family business remains to be seen, but whatever his grandchildren chose to do will be just fine with Wes as long as they are happy.
Wesley Clowater Although Wesley was busy with his family and business, he also saw a need to become involved in his community organizations. He was a member of the Construction Association of NB and a board member of the Fredericton Exhibition Ltd. Wesley was a board member of the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital Foundation; Wes understood the importance of helping create a lasting legacy for the work of the Foundation. While on the board of the Foundation; Wes and the GM of the foundation visited a program in Kingston Ontario called the Festival of Trees which was used to raise money in the area. They decided they wanted to establish a similar event in Fredericton to aid in fundraising for the Foundation. Wesley did not hesitate and took on the role of the first chairperson, leading the event organization and fundraising efforts. The DECH Foundation used the money raised from their Festival of Christmas Magic for various projects to enhance the DECH and this fundraiser continued for many years. Wesley’s dedication to his Northside business community also set him apart. In 1986, Wesley was on the Board of the Fredericton Chamber, during this time he and Bill Matthews (Chamber President at the time) joined forces to establish a BIA for Main Street. Wes spoke in support of this initiative and the Chamber of Commerce Board was persuaded to adopt championing a BIA for Main St. The BIA concept was new at the time, the purest form of economic development, they were asking commercial property owners to levy themselves (take money out of their own pockets voluntarily) and reinvest in the business area for the betterment of everyone. Wes helped make presentations to Main Street business owners and gain their support for a BIA, he then helped set about incorporating MSBDA, completing administrative details, selecting the tax rate, creating a Board of Directors and Wesley took the reigns as the associations first President. Amongst Wes’s Board’s first tasks was funding and initiating the first Main St. Development Plan, a huge project which spanned over the first several years of the BIA’s history. Now known as Business Fredericton North, his vision of a strong BIA has reinvested and leveraged millions of dollars back into the Northside community. Wesley participated on BFN’s Past Presidents committee and worked to raise the funds needed to see the completion of the Mitch Clarke Nasis’ Park, with Clowater’s Plumbing & Heating contributing directly to this project. Wesley has made lasting impacts in both the business community and the community at large; however, family has always been the most important thing to him. Wesley hosted an annual family pot luck style reunion at his farm in Stanley, NB each Thanksgiving Sunday for 15 years. He knew it was important for his brothers, sister and their families to get together; this was an opportunity for everyone young and old to spend a day together, enjoying each others company and for all the generations to get to know one another. This event truly signifies who Wesley is, he is a man who deeply values family and the importance of family members knowing they are not alone. Wesley is a Northsider who has made a difference in business, community and most importantly, with his family.
Word from the Wards Marilyn Kerton City Councillor Ward 6
Mike O’Brien City Councillor Ward 3
I have been waking up to the cheery sound of robins singing outside my bedroom window for the past 3 weeks now, a reminder that summer will soon be here. Summer brings us wonderful memories of backyard BBQs, vacations, children home from school and time relaxing in the sun with family & friends.
It is said we have two official seasons: Winter and Construction. Winter is now behind us, so construction season must be soon. The big project this year is the replacement of the bridge over the Vanier Hwy at the top of Regent St. This will last at least three months beginning in early June. At the same time, the City will upgrade the Prospect/Regent intersection and will replace old water & sewer lines along Regent St between Prospect and Priestman Street. Traffic will be seriously impacted while the Province and City undertake this much needed work.
Unfortunately, it also brings us the necessary evil of road construction, dust, noise, detours and city work that has to be done in the summertime and in good weather. By now hopefully everyone should be aware of the major construction project taking place at the top of Regent Street by the Province and the City of Fredericton from June 1st to Sept 1st. I have requested numerous times for the work to be done in the evenings & weekends to shorten the construction time frame, but it doesn’t look like it will happen usless they are behind schedule. Council has granted an exemption to the noise Bylaw to allow for the work to take place in the evenings & on weekends. I would suggest that you plan any trips to that area in non peak times or shop the Northside! Ward 6, the Ward I represent, has been expanded to included South Devon along with Barkers Point and Lower St Mary’s. I find this very exciting because South Devon was my early childhood home before moving to Barkers Point and as a newlywed I resided in Lower St Marys. We have numerous projects budgeted for Ward 6 this year such as the Carleton Park Masterplan, sidewalk extensions in Lower St Mary’s, completing Greenwood Drive and replacing/repairing curbs and sidewalks throughout the city. We are in the processing of hiring more police officers who will be focusing on driving violations such as speeding and distracted drivers. We take this very seriously as it is the number one complaint I hear from you. Hope you have a happy and safe summer while making lots of memories with your families & friends.
When I first offered for Council in 2001, one of my objectives was to secure a commitment from the Province for an overpass at Two Nations Crossing over the Ring Rd. It took awhile, but as you are aware, MLA Horsman recently announced the design work will be done this year and the actual construction next year. Allowing southbound vehicles to access Two Nations from the Ring Rd will take hundreds of cars per day away from the already busy Ring Road and Maple St intersection...a major safety improvement. It will also provide easier customer access to the businesses on Two Nations and will provide a new east/west traffic route from Marysville to the Ring Road. On a final note, the municipal election is on Monday, May 9th. Make sure to vote. For information on voting, polls, candidates, check the Elections NB site at www.electionsnb.ca.
“It’s been a busy and productive year and a half since I was elected and I thank ‘Your Northside” for the opportunity to bring you up to date on just a few of the many things we’ve already accomplished.”
Reaction has been overwhelmingly positive to having temporary traffic lights made permanent at the north end of the Princess Margaret Bridge. We continue to monitor the effectiveness of warning lights installed on Route 105 approaching the Brookside Drive intersection, but early indications are they have improved safety at one of Fredericton’s most dangerous intersections. Also, at our urging, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has shortened passing striping on Route 105 between Royal Road and Claudie Road. These improvements are important to me….not only as the MLA for Fredericton North but also as the Minister of Public Safety. I’m also pleased to report that the government has set aside funding this year to start planning and design work on the much-awaited interchange that will allow south bound traffic on the Ring Road to access Two Nations Crossing.”
During 2015, Ignite Fredericton, the community’s economic development organization driving Vision 2020, further strengthened the ‘*entrepreneurial hub’ through the co-location of partners in Knowledge Park. Essentially, there is now a single point of contact for entrepreneurs and access to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, which we call the ‘Subway’.
During 2015, Ignite Fredericton and Planet Hatch helped 33 new startups resulting in 156 new jobs, including three FDI wins (57 jobs), to the Fredericton Region. During the first quarter of 2016, there were 126 new jobs reported including the major IBM expansion, plus 16 new startup companies established. *Entrepreneurial Hub located at Knowledge Park:
The concept of ‘Subway’ is being driven by Ignite’s Startup Task Force comprising all of the entrepreneurial organizations in the community. No matter where an entrepreneurs stops along their journey - they have access to this large ecosystem of services and enablers.
Ignite Fredericton - Community’s Economic Development catalyst agency focussed on business growth and attraction, population growth (student retention, immigration, repatriation), and various strategic initiatives to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystem.
One of the most significant changes at Ignite was moving all of its startup-related services to Planet Hatch, enabling Ignite to focus on local business growth/export, investment attraction and population growth-related initiatives.
Planet Hatch - Offering startup services including business acceleration program, advisory services, coaching, mentorship, startup network, learn/inspire events, and Canada’s new Startup Visa program to attract and retain international entrepreneurs.
Recently to enhance population growth efforts, Ignite Fredericton launched the community-driven Local Immigration Partnership of Fredericton (LIPF). As a first of its kind in New Brunswick, the LIPF is a community-driven solution to address immigrant integration. Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the LIP program was established in 2008 as a means to systematize local engagement at the municipal, provincial, federal and community levels, with respect to immigration settlement. A very important element of this initiative was the compilation of a newcomer services map to help our newcomers and community navigate all of the available immigration related services.
Knowledge Park - NB’s only technology and research park, which is a clustering environment for knowledge-based companies, and member of the national Association of University Research Parks (AURP). Opportunities New Brunswick - The provincial economic development office for central/southern New Brunswick offering various funding and support services to businesses.
Skye Lyons
Skye Lyons grew up in St. Stephen and moved to Fredericton North with her mother when she was 15 and entering grade 10. The size difference of the communities and schools made this a very difficult move for her because she didn’t know anyone, making that first year a big adjustment and transition. After her first year of transition at LHHS, Skye made new friends and began to feel more at home in Fredericton. Skye recalls always having a passion for art when she was growing up, so moving to a larger school did have some advantages, in particular the quality of the LHHS art department. As a child Skye’s passion for art was fuelled by her father, a tattoo artist, who would give Skye paper and crayons to draw with while he worked. She loved the beauty of her father’s works and she recalls him telling her to draw whatever came to her mind, encouraging her creativity. In elementary school she unknowingly entered an art competition when her teacher asked her for one of her art pieces. She had no idea it was for a competition until it won first place in her age category. This affirmation of her work increased her confidence and she began painting acrylics at roughly age 7. By 15 years old, Skye realized she wanted to be an art teacher and inspire children just like her teacher had done with her in elementary school. She spoke to Mr. Breen and Mr. Leger at LHHS about becoming their Co-Op student in the Art Department and they agreed. As a Co-Op student Skye assisted in teaching other students in the classroom, learning additional techniques and experienced what being an art teacher was really like. Her duties included teaching classes, unloading and loading the kiln and other basic duties around the classroom. During this time her mentors helped her improve on her own work as well, when the teachers would demonstrate a new technique to the class, Skye would take the initiative to do the class work as well and would receive constructive criticism on how to improve. When asked who inspires her Skye says it was definitely her art teacher from elementary school and Vincent van Gogh. Her art teacher because she was always pushing her to pursue her talent and van Gogh because of the way he applied himself to his art. Skye notes she wants to have that same passion to apply herself to her art, no matter what anyone thinks. Skye does not pigeon hole herself into one type of painting style, she paints what she feels and tries to challenge herself with each painting she does. Her friends say Skye is a perfectionist who is too critical of her artwork, they say her creations inspire others and she should feel good about the beautiful gift she has as an artist. Skye has sold two of her works and is looking forward to a time when she can hold a full showing or see her paintings hanging in a gallery. In addition to going to school full time, Skye works part time as a cashier and is focused on achieving her goals. In August, Skye will be starting a Bachelor of Applied Art at NBCC College of Craft and Design in Fredericton for two years and then transferring to UNB for the final two years of the program. Following her first degree, she plans to continue her studies at UNB with a Bachelor of Education. She is hoping there will be opportunity for scholarships and is exploring those avenues. Her ultimate goal is to become an elementary school art teacher because Skye believes this is where she can “sprout a child’s love for art” and where she will have the most impact in the lives of others. A Future Leader most definitely who will be shaping the creative minds of children by helping develop a love for art!
Drew Howe
Drew Howe is a unique and special young man whose love of music has already set him apart. Born in Miramichi originally, Drew and his family moved to Fredericton when he was 2 years old and he has grown up in that same family home. He attended Park Street, Nashwaaksis Middle and moved on to Leo Hayes where he is finishing grade 11. At an early age Drew tried his hand at piano lessons but really didn’t take to it. However, upon finishing elementary school, Drew’s renewed interest in music was sparked by his father and sister. Drew’s father shared stories of how he played trumpet as a young man in high school and his sister who was also a trumpet player was becoming an accomplished musician. It was their love and appreciation for playing music that made him want to try playing music again. He attended the UNB Summer Music Camp just before entering middle school where he learned the basics of playing the euphonium and the trombone and as you say the rest is history. In grade 6, Drew was invited to play with the band at the Leo Hayes Graduation which was extremely rare. Mrs. Keating, the LHHS Music teacher, invited Drew the opportunity to join the Leo Hayes Concert Band when he was only in grade 8 and still in middle school. He has continued to play in the Concert Band and Jazz Band during his time at LHHS. Outside LHHS, Drew has been an Air Cadet for 6 years and his musical accomplishments have reached into this experience as well. He plays in the squadron band locally. As well, every summer he visits the airbase at Greenwood and plays in their band for six weeks. He has also played multiple times in the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo held in Halifax. During this event Drew stayed in Halifax for three weeks and played daily with professional musicians followed by a week of performances. The Tattoo is considered the largest indoor show in the World and Drew was only 14 when he first appeared on this stage. He plans to play in the Tattoo again in 2016 but will graduate early from Air Cadets and then join the Saint John Reserve Band. He would become a registered member of the Canadian Armed Forces as a member of the SJRB where he would be learning from professionals and earning money while he practices and continues playing. His leadership qualities are also evident in the role he has taken as teacher with the Second Chances Band. This is a beginner band for adults who have gone beyond the age of the traditional High School band and are looking to learn how to play an instrument and start playing an instrument again they may have played in their youth. He has taken on the lower brass section which teaches them how to play their instruments as well as directing the sectionals. As if Drew was not busy enough he also plays in the Thomists Dance Band and the Fredericton Concert and Marching Band. As for the future, Drew would like attend Mount Allison University where he would obtain a Bachelor of Music Degree with a major in euphonium and minor in political science. He has already experienced the Mount Allison honour band program which offers High School students a chance to meet the professors, attend workshops and receive one on one teaching. This Bachelor of Music will provide Drew a University education that will integrate his musical interests and provide options for future endeavours such as obtaining a second degree in Law as an alternative to a music career. Although he excels and enjoys music, Drew notes life long careers in music are not always an option so his next choice would be a career in Law. Drew Howe’s modest manner and focused determination sets him apart, whether music becomes his future career or not, it will always be a part of his life and we are all better for it.
Word from the Wards Steve Hicks City Councillor Ward 5
Eric Megarity Deputy Mayor Ward 4
With winter now a distant memory it’s time to enjoy several months of outdoor enjoyment. From family bbq’s to sitting around the fire pit with friends, there’s nothing better than summer in the Ville. It is going to be an exciting summer in Marysville which will culminate with the National Senior Baseball Championship being hosted on Baseball Hill in late August. Although there will be some disruptions to local area residents, it’s a tremendous opportunity to show off our community to people from all across the country.
As the last remnants of winter blow through the ward, new signs of spring are beginning to show. A longer day is one of those signs. The winter was a mild winter and a lot less snow then the previous one. With the mid-winter thaws, there will be more pot holes to contend with this spring. The crews are now ready and will be out soon doing the necessary patching jobs.
And what would be summer without some road construction delays. This summer’s biggest project will be the Regent Street Renewel Project which is expected to last three months starting in early June. At least it is not another bridge closure. Marysville will again see a number of projects which will have little to no impact on day to day travels. Continued upgrades to the Marysville Trunk Sanitary Sewer will occur but the majority of work will be off-road. Smaller projects include Asphalt Resurfacing and minor upgrades to the end of Cochrane Street. Curb and Sidewalk Renewal is slated for Elliot Street, Page Street, Perry Court and Lapointe Street. We will also continue with our annual Roadway Reconstruction along River Street. Friendly reminder that the Fredericton Fire Department provides free on-site permits for outdoor fire pits. Simply contact the Northside Fire Station and they will send someone out to ensure fire pit is placed in a safe location. Have a great summer!
It is now municipal election time where on May 9th, we go to the polls and elect a new municipal government. The Ward 4 and Ward 6 boundaries have changed. The new Ward will be called Ward 6 which includes South Devon, Barkers Point and Lower Saint Mary’s. Since the last Word from the Wards report, the Princess Margaret Bridge Traffic lights are still in operation and seem to be doing a good job. A new set of Crosswalk lights have been installed on Union Street, near the walking bridge providing a safe crossing for pedestrians. The new school on the Neills farm is now open. See you in the Ward!