I swear I was out of town.

Isn't this a coincidence. 

You'll recall my very opinionated blog about Kingsclear Reformatory and what I think should be done with it?

It appears that someone else has the very same opinion and has actually taken it upon themselves to carry out the destruction of the place.

I just saw this on the CBC News web site.  

Kingsclear site again hit by fire

Last Updated: Sunday, March 21, 2010 | 6:28 PM AT Comments1Recommend1

CBC News

The site of the former Kingsclear Training School just outside Fredericton was the scene of another fire Sunday afternoon.

Crews from four nearby fire departments quickly brought the blaze under control. Last November, a fire destroyed the nearby former Kingsclear Adult Reformatory.

Keswick Valley Fire Chief Michael McCullough said the latest fire started on the centre's second floor and had to be fought from above.

Firefighters on top of the building broke through the roof with axes so they could let the smoke out and gain access to the fire.

"So fire procedure, you get [the roof] open so you can get the smoke out, so you can find the fire and that's what they were doing," McCullough said.

"As fires go, this was a good one. Now I haven't been in so I don't know the extent of the damage, but it was easily brought under control so it hadn't got into the structure."

McCullough said the building was empty and there were no injuries.

The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are not yet known.

Karl Toft, a former guard who worked at the facility from the mid-1960s until the 1980s, was sentenced in 1992 on 34 sex-related charges, and has since admitted to as many as 200 additional attacks.

In 1993, Justice Richard Miller presided over a lengthy inquiry into the management of the Kingsclear facility and Toft's abuse of young inmates.

I'm not saying I agree with arson by any means but...

Whatever it takes. 

I'm just saying.

In case anyone is wondering? I was out of town all weekend for a hockey tournament for my sons.  

Stay well,

Tim

This should be good - an email I got yesterday

For my friends or anyone reading this that are not in New Brunswick or following local politics out here I apologize that you may not be able to relate to this. 

It is a matter taking place in New Brunswick between the municipalities and the provincial government. 

This matter appears to be heating up and I will likely end up in the fray somewhere in my capacity as a Councillor. 

Or maybe not. There is always the possibility that the province and municipalities will see eye to eye and all be happy. We'll see what develops. 

I'm not going to say anymore here and let you read for yourself. 

(I was up for the boys' 6 a.m. hockey practice and I am seriously very very tired.)

Read this and talk amongst yourselves. I'll catch up later. 

  

 NEWS RELEASE

UMNB PRESIDENT COMMENTS ON PREMIER'S/MINISTERS REMARKS CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX

The President of the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick, Mayor David Hanson of Rexton, has taken issue with the remarks of Premier Shawn Graham and some of his Ministers that municipalities are to blame for high property taxes this year.

The comment from the Premier that only five municipalities followed the province's recommendations with respect to rates leaves a false impression with residents/voters that municipalities are totally to blame for high property taxes.

"Tax rates are set by the municipality based on assessments which is a provincial function and it is the assessments that are the problem", states President Hanson. "If the problem is to be fixed it is essential that all parties sit down with each other and work towards a solution which is workable and which meets everyone's needs. That was not the case last year when the province unilaterally decided to establish the Provincial Tax Accountability mechanism without any consultation."

"It is easy to cast blame," added President Hanson, "but that does not solve the issue. As president of UMNB I believe it is imperative to sit down together to come up with a solution which is workable and the sooner the better."

It is UMNB's position that the federal and provincial governments  continue to download responsibilities to municipalities but do not provide any additional funding.

For example, additional insurance for firefighters became mandatory this year at a considerable cost but no funds were provided.

Only eight cents out of every tax dollar collected by the provincial government comes back to the municipal level of government.

Service New Brunswick's Assessment office performs the assessment of all New Brunswick properties thus I recommend the following: For further clarification or questions,  contact the Service New Brunswick Assessment office at 453-2831, specifically Dave Morrison, Assessment Office Manager or 1-888-762-8600. You may also submit a request for review i.e. make an appeal of your property value outlining any concerns and comparison to other homes in your neighbourhood . This must be filed within 30 days of the mailing date of the Assessment and Tax Notice i.e. by March 31^st. I'm confident the Assessment Office will be able to answer any questions and the appeal process may be an avenue to consider pursuing.

Stay well,

Tim

Tim Scammell, PTech

What I wanted to say was this...

For some reason this text didn't post with the picture of Roberto Luongo and the Canadian flag.

Let's try this again;

I guess there really isn't too much that can be put into words about Sunday's Team Canada Olympic gold medal hockey victory over the United States.
That was one of the craziest roller coaster rides of a game that we had ever seen in our lives. Games like that certainly don't come along very often but when they do it's a classic in the making.
I have even heard today that Sunday's game rivals the 1972 Canadian victory over Russia.
Not quite. Close mind you but not quite.
Nothing will ever match that series as long as I live.
However, having the United States tie up the game with only 24 seconds left in the game was insanity.
I can imagine the feelings in the pit of every Canadian's stomach to see our dream game so close to being won and shattered by Parise's goal.
I know we felt it in our house.
There are many who really don't like games to get that close, and I am one of them.
At that point it can go either way and heavens knows we've been on the wrong side of that equation too many times.
But, our maritime Canadian boy Sidney Crosby took care of business and wrapped it up handily.
Outstanding.
Pretty darn proud to be Canadians aren't we?
(Except for the closing ceremonies to the games. Those were a tad embarassing.)
First off do not make the artists lip synch! It's not a good decision, trust me.
Secondly, include Canadian legends such as RUSH, Tragically Hip, Our Lady Peace, Stomping Tom and Gordon Lightfoot and everyone goes away happy.

Oh I almost forgot! I found out last Friday that I  still employed by the Province of New Brunswick for another 3 years. Yay for me!

Stay Well,
Tim

Tim Scammell, PTech

Whoa Canada!