From: "Hickey, David" <David.Hickey@saintjohn.ca>
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2020 14:00:31 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: I tried to tell you folks about this blog
before I file my next round of lawsuits
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
I will be out of the province from March 13th - 23rd with intermittent
access to email.
For immediate assistance you can reach me on my cellphone at 650-5777
or the Common Clerk’s office at 658-2862.
Best,
David
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---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2020 11:00:51 -0300
Subject: Fwd: I tried to tell you folks about this blog before I file
my next round of lawsuits
To: gary.sullivan@saintjohn.ca, ray.strowbridge@saintjohn.ca,
david.merrithew@saintjohn.ca, david.hickey@saintjohn.ca,
sean.casey@saintjohn.ca, greg.norton@saintjohn.ca,
blake.armstrong@saintjohn.ca, "jan.jensen" <jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2020 10:39:07 -0300
Subject: I tried to tell you folks about this blog before I file my
next round of lawsuits
To: "shirley.mcalary" <shirley.mcalary@saintjohn.ca>,
https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
"YO Mayor Don Darling we just met in person and you played dumb Correct?"
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/03/saint-john-harbour-mla-gerry-lowe.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/saint-john-mayor-don-darling-election-1.5493545
Saint John Mayor Don Darling drops out of election, cites personal 'toll'
Darling's decision not to seek 2nd term takes councillors and citizens by surprise
· CBC News · Posted: Mar 11, 2020 11:21 AM AT
Saint John Mayor Don Darling said in his blog post that he's also a dad, a husband, a son, a sibling, a friend 'and sometimes these get lost' in his role as mayor. (CBC)
Saint John Mayor Don Darling has withdrawn from the upcoming municipal election, citing personal reasons, just one month after he announced he would seek a second term.
"With deepest apologies to the people I have been proud to serve, my name will not be on the ballot on May 11, 2020," he posted on social media Wednesday morning.
The Twitter and Facebook posts linked to a blog post where Darling said, "something has not been right for [him]" since he announced his intention to seek re-election.
"This decision [to withdraw] was not made as a result of one event, meeting, or social media exchange," Darling wrote. "It is the result of a collection of experiences in a very challenging job."
The role, which he described as both "magical and ferocious," has "taken a toll on my family and on me personally," he said.
Deputy Mayor Shirley McAlary said she only learned of his decision via an email minutes before he made the public announcement.
"This news, I think to all of us, has been a bit of a shock," she said.
It's
been a challenging four-year term for Darling. The city has
faced increasing financial strain with $10-million deficits expected for
each of the next two years.
The
city is preparing for a restructuring that will likely continue through
the rest of the year and will see job losses and programming cutbacks.
Darling helped lay the groundwork for those cuts, tried to prepare the public for them and vigorously defended their necessity.
Deputy Mayor Shirley McAlary said news that Darling was dropping out of the election came as a shock. (CBC)
McAlary, who previously served as mayor for nine years, said the position requires "a thick skin."
"You
serve the public and you should do everything you can to make it work
for them. But you can't take it all personal. It's not a personal
business, it's a serving business," she said.
"You can't let what people say about you get to you."
No other mayoral candidates
McAlary said she thought Darling had "an excellent chance" of getting re-elected. In fact, she believed he might be unopposed.
No one else has publicly announced an intention to run for mayor yet. Nominations close April 9.
McAlary said
she plans to run for council again, but hasn't thought about running
for mayor. She was first elected to council in 1992 and served as
deputy mayor, then mayor from 1995 to 2004. She was re–elected in 2012
as a councillor–at–large and then re-elected in 2016 with more votes
than any other councillor, becoming deputy mayor.
Ward 3 Coun. Donna Reardon said Darling has been a "fantastic" mayor.
"He's
just been so positive, he's brought that positive energy to Saint John
and … it was at a time when we needed it," she said.
Reardon said Darling spread that message across the country and has a "great relationship" with the other levels of government.
With deepest apologies to the people I have been proud to serve, my name will not be on the ballot on May 11, 2020
My Turn
With deepest apologies to the people I have been proud to serve, my name will not be on the ballot on May 11, 2020…
medium.com
When Darling announced he would seek re-election, he said it was about finishing what he had started.
"A second term will allow us to work the plan we have in place, and then start to see the benefits for the community and region as a whole," he had said in a news release.
"This growth mindset is a journey we're on together. I'm committed to seeing it through, and I hope Saint John is too."
Citizens react
Citizen Karen Hatt said she's "surprised" Darling is not going to run."I thought he was really good. I liked that he had a good social presence and tried to explain things when things were, you know, maybe a little negative, and tried to explain why decisions were made, which I liked," she said.
Kevin Hughes said he's "sorry" Darling decided not to re-offer.
"I voted for him the last election, I think he's very proactive, very good for uptown business merchants," he said.
Chris Neal called it "disappointing."
"I think he's done a decent job. He certainly has the experience."
"The city's in a difficult position. Don understands it, he knows what we have to do. And it is very disappointing that we're going to have to elect a new mayor here and start this process over to a great degree."
Next step unclear
Darling, who was elected on May 9, 2016, could not be reached for comment Wednesday. His strategic advisor Patrick Beamish told CBC News he had nothing further to say beyond his social media post.In the post, Darling said he's proud of council's accomplishments during his term, such as developing the first-ever long-term financial plan and pushing for municipal reform.
"The barriers holding us from our full potential have been communicated, the numbers have been shared, and the path forward has been defined. I'm hopeful that the next group of passionate and focused leaders will pick up the baton and run with it," he said.
"This will not be easy, however, leadership rarely is."
Darling, a former small business owner and consultant in the construction industry, said he isn't sure what his future holds. But he's "excited by the next adventure."
72 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.David Amos
Methinks some folks must have heard Gerry Baby tell Chucky Leblanc yesterday that he sees old Abe nearly every day and that he ain't playing municipal politics again Too Too Funny N'esy Pas?
Donald Smith
I hope Reardon gets voted out.
David Amos
Reply to @Donald
Smith: Methinks you don't appreciate many politicians either However you
are selective about what party they support N'esy Pas?
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Donald
Smith: Of my two ward councillors, Reardon is the one I trust. I've
approached her with concerns in the past and she's always responded.
Sometimes the response has been, "I hear you, but here's the other side
of the issue," but I appreciate that she's taking the time.
Donald Gallant
Reply to @SarahRose Werner:
She lives in the past.
She lives in the past.
Kevin Cormier
I for one, want to thank Don for his service and dedication. As a proud Westsider, I found Don to be one of the most approachable people to have held the office (and I used to sit behind Elsie at the Flames games). I wish him all the best in the future!
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Kevin Cormier: Spin much???
Ray Bungay
Content disabled before I could save it
Reply to @David Amos:
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Ray Bungay: Spoken just like a retired Fed Methinks I should not be surprised N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Ray Bungay: Seems I can't reply to your insult Why is it that I am not surprised? Greg Miller
Why not just re-name the city Saint Irving and have the company appoint a mayor and be done with it. WHAT A MESS! I sincerely feel sorry for the residents of Saint John despite my sarcasm.
David Amos
Reply to @Greg
Miller: When my Yankee wife first flew into Saint John many moons ago
she asked if Saint John was in such a thing Irving County. I asked why
she asked. She said because their signs everywhere. Methinks everybody
knows why l laughed N'esy Pas?
Donald
Smith
Reply to @Greg
Miller: We're used to it Greg, [ lol ] The city is cursed. So much for
being the first Incorp City in Canada :>)
Bernard McIntyre
Reply to @Donald
Smith: Saint John used to be the 3rd largest city in Canada in 1901 then
declined from Confederation then the Irving came and stop all
competition from setting up in Saint John and now that's the end of
Saint john.
Ray Bungay
Reply to @Greg
Miller: Sorry, you should go back to 1985 and see what panic gets you.
The Mayor snd Council caved to the workers who were on strike because
the city would give the country a bad image during the Canada games. We
have been in a mess since.
David Amos
Reply to @Ray Bungay: Cry me a river
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Ray Bungay: Methinks you noticed your insult and my replies went "Poof" N'esy Pas?
Bernard McIntyre
I'd like to run but as most Canadian seniors to broke to.
David Amos
Reply to @Bernard McIntyre: I ran 7 times with no money at all
Bernard McIntyre
Reply to @David Amos: Stupid Question but how?
David Amos
Reply to @Bernard
McIntyre: Simple answer Whereas I was homeless and broke I borrowed the
money from friends slept on their couches etc while I debated my
political foes. I paid them back when Election Canada sent their money
back.
Methinks thats not rocket science and easy to understand N'esy Pas?
Methinks thats not rocket science and easy to understand N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Methinks the Saint John's not so little Darling reconsidered our encounter yesterday N'esy Pas?
Kevin Cormier
Reply to @David Amos: You have such a huge impact on people, you should run for office... oh, wait... yeah.
Elle St
Claire
Reply to @David Amos: whats with the "methinks" and the "n'esy pas".
..
..
David Amos
Reply to @Kevin
Cormier: You never answered my question are you THE Kevin Cormier
Higgy's library dude or just another SANB/liberal dude?
David Amos
Reply to @Elle St
Claire: Ask my fellow Independent Mr Gauvin why I do what i do with old
English and Chiac. Methinks you know as well as I that the former
Heritage Minister is the only Independent dude holding a public office
in NB right now N'esy Pas?
SarahRose Werner
I've lived in Saint John for 21 years and can't remember a time when people did anything except criticize and complain about the mayor. It seems to me like a pretty thankless job. I'll be interested to see which candidates step forward to try and take it on this time.
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Why don't you run???
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @David Amos:
Like I said, it seems to me like a pretty thankless job. Not sure why
any sensible person would want it.
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Evil will prevail if good people do nothing. Hence we get the governments we deserve Correct?
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @David Amos: Life's not about good vs evil. Life's mostly about muddling through.
Norman Albert Snr
Reply to @SarahRose
Werner: You need to be comfortable with the reality that Mayor and
council have limited authority within Irvingville. Not that difficult to
find fault as a monopolized people.
"Please sir, May I have some more?" If we ever get off our knees.....?
"Please sir, May I have some more?" If we ever get off our knees.....?
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: I strongly disagree
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @David Amos: You're entitled to your opinion.
Norman Albert Snr
If you don't have the intestinal fortitude to confront the Empire and their self centred dictatorial DNA stay home. We will not survive under current conditions.
David Amos
Reply to @Norman Albert Snr: I concur
Norman Albert Snr
I Honestly can't remember anyone having less impact on this city. Then I can't remember anyone doing more either. to be expected I guess when some else is pulling the strings.
Kevin Cormier
Reply to @Norman Albert Snr: Ivan Court?
David Amos
Reply to @Kevin Cormier: Say Hey to Ivan for me will ya?
Norman Albert Snr
Reply to @Kevin Cormier: Ivan promised to clean up the Glen. He failed. I liked Ivan and his brother before Ivan took the cities top job and rolled over when told to. Elsie tried but again..... what can you do with no real power to make changes.
Reply to @Kevin Cormier: Ivan promised to clean up the Glen. He failed. I liked Ivan and his brother before Ivan took the cities top job and rolled over when told to. Elsie tried but again..... what can you do with no real power to make changes.
Donald Smith
I'm not surprised. Hopefully a Full New Slate will be elected with the Brain Power to try and make Saint John good again, or at least better than what it is now. Some slashing to some services has to be done. The Big NB Liberal Bail Out didn't seem to work.
David Amos
Reply to @Donald Smith: Methinks you were not wise to make make fun of me yesterday N'esy Pas?
Donald Gallant
Reply to @Donald Smith:
What a delightfully appropriate
vicious remark !
Loved it !
What a delightfully appropriate
vicious remark !
Loved it !
David Amos
Reply to @Donald Gallant: Now you are talking to yourself Methinks its time for your nap N'esy Pas?
---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2020 15:35:53 -0300
Subject: YO Mayor Don Darling we just met in person and you played dumb Correct?
Fwd: Information Mr Gold Obviously I won't keep secrets with the Saint John cops
To: "Chuck.Thompson" <Chuck.Thompson@cbc.ca>, NHedges@entonegroup.com,
Don.Darling@saintjohn.ca, "carl.urquhart" <carl.urquhart@gnb.ca>,
"Anderson-Mason, Andrea Hon. (JAG/JPG)" <Andrea.AndersonMason@gnb.ca>,
andre <andre@jafaust.com>, Dan@polygraph-pro.com,
wayne.gallant@nbpolice.ca, "Roger.Brown" <Roger.Brown@fredericton.ca>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
< oldmaison@yahoo.com>, AgentMargaritaville@
Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, "steve.murphy" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>,
Nathalie Sturgeon <sturgeon.nathalie@
< news@dailygleaner.com>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>,
lisa.taylor@ryerson.ca
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2017 16:32:43 -0400
Subject: Fwd: Information Mr Gold Obviously I won't keep secrets with the Saint John cops
To: info@alandgoldlaw.com
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
Alan D. Gold
Called to the bar: 1973 (ON)
Gold, Alan D., Professional Corporation
Ste. 210
20 Adelaide St. E.
Toronto, Ontario M5C 2T6
Phone: 416-368-1726
Fax: 416-368-6811
Email: info@alandgoldlaw.com
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Darling, Don" <Don.Darling@saintjohn.ca>
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2019 17:25:44 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: I got tired of waiting for the Quispamsis Town Council
to get back to me so they can say Hey to Mayor Clark and the cops for me
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Thank you for your email. My intention is to send a response directly
or through the appropriate department. Doing so is very important to
me.
We do however, receive a significant number of emails and inquires.
Should you not receive a reply within 7 days, please resend your
correspondance.
To arrange appearances or meetings please contact Patrick Beamish with
my office at Patrick.beamish@saintjohn.ca<
Thank you for your message and please celebrate the best of our city.
This e-mail communication (including any or all attachments)
is intended only for the use of the person or entity to whom it is
addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. If
you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, any use, review,
retransmission, distribution, dissemination, copying, printing, or
other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this e-mail, is
strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please
contact the sender and delete the original and any copy of this e-mail
and any printout thereof, immediately. Your co-operation is
appreciated.
Le présent courriel (y compris toute pièce jointe) s'adresse
uniquement à son destinataire, qu'il soit une personne ou un
organisme, et pourrait comporter des renseignements privilégiés ou
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et d'éliminer l'original du courriel, ainsi que toute copie
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reconnaissants de votre collaboration.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Davidson, Stephen" <stephen.davidson@saintjohn.ca
Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2017 20:26:02 +0000
Subject: Information
To: "david.raymond.amos@gmail.com" <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
Mr. Amos,
On September-17, 2017, I was made aware that you placed a call to Mr.
Paul Veniot, a lawyer with Public Prosecutions, and left a voicemail
(attached to this email) on September 15th, 2017, regarding something
that you had read about in the news. In your message you are heard
saying, "You guys got some problems to iron out for me, for my
friend's son, again. I think I'm one of those problems."
I can only assume that you are referring to the upcoming re-trial of
Dennis Oland, please correct me if I am wrong. If so, as the
investigator assigned to this case, I am required to follow up on your
comments as to what you are referring to in your message to Mr.
Veniot, for any potential information you may have relating to the
case, or upcoming trial.
If you could, please provide me with the information you may have via
email, postal service, in person or telephone. The particulars for
contact are listed below,
Thank you,
Saint John Police Headquarters: One Peel Plaza, Saint John New Brunswick
Mailing address: Saint John Police Force, c/o Cst. Stephen Davidson -
PO Box 1971, One Peel Plaza, Saint John New Brunswick E2L 4L1
Major Crime Unit:(506) 648 3211
This e-mail communication (including any or all attachments)
is intended only for the use of the person or entity to whom it is
addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. If
you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, any use, review,
retransmission, distribution, dissemination, copying, printing, or
other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this e-mail, is
strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please
contact the sender and delete the original and any copy of this e-mail
and any printout thereof, immediately. Your co-operation is
appreciated.
Le pr?sent courriel (y compris toute pi?ce jointe) s'adresse
uniquement ? son destinataire, qu'il soit une personne ou un
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https://www.broadcastnow.co.
‘The Suspect has the stickiness that the SVoDs like and with the
real-life crime aspect and family story, it has global appeal’
Distributor eOne International Distribution
Producer eOne
Length 4 x 60 minutes
Broadcaster CBC (Canada)
This eOne production, in association with Seven Knots Media, is a
true-crime doc that follows the retrial of Dennis Oland, who in 2015
was found guilty of the murder of his millionaire father Richard.
The sixth generation of the family-owned Moosehead Beer dynasty,
Richard Oland was a prominent businessman in Nova Scotia with several
trucking companies and an investment firm to his name.
Unravelling in the quiet port city of New Brunswick in Canada, the
vicious murder of one of the area’s most prominent and wealthy
inhabitants captured the national headlines.
This 4 x 60-minute documentary follows Dennis Oland’s retrial, as well
as highlighting a justice system broken from its very foundation – it
is alleged that once the Saint John Police Department had identified
the younger Oland, who owed his father half a million dollars for a
loan that bankrolled a divorce from his first wife, as the main
suspect, tunnel vision set in and other avenues of investigation could
have been missed.
EOne executive vice-president of acquisitions Noel Hedges says the
project has finally been revealed after being under a large cloak of
secrecy for nearly two years.
Ahead of its TX next February on CBC in Canada, The Suspect will be
taken to Mipcom, where Hedges expects to receive attention from SVoD,
digital and PSB players.
“The Suspect has the stickiness that the SVoDs like and with the
real-life crime aspect and family story, it has global appeal,” says
Hedges.
“Real crime sells all over the world and is a popular genre with
women. We expect the series to do well in Latin America and
Scandinavia, and it will make up a key show within our real-crime
slate.”
Producer and distributor eOne has been pushing hard into factual
content in recent years after making its name as the vendor of dramas
such as The Walking Dead and producer of Rookie Blue, Designated
Survivor and Private Eyes.
The company was recently sold to toy firm Hasbro for $4bn (£3.3bn) – a
deal that will bolster reserves and allow its executives to double
down on premium fare such as The Suspect.
Hedges says the documentary takes viewers through the entire case,
digging into the aftermath of the murder and winding a path full of
twists and turns up to the retrial and its verdict.
“Richard Oland wasn’t a particularly liked person and came from a
community that was relatively poor,” says Hedges. “This series raises
questions over the son’s motivation and the police activity. It is a
really interesting story, which has plenty of questions left
unanswered at the end.”
Richard Oland’s wife had said her husband was never the same after
losing a bitter family battle for the helm of Moosehead to his
brother. He was described as a “verbally and emotionally” abusive
character who had an eight-year affair.
Hedges believes The Suspect is a primetime, primarily post-watershed
show that will attract both old and younger audiences as it ticks a
lot of boxes in terms of drama, intrigue and scandal.
“This is a ‘did they, didn’t they’ story with labyrinthine complexity
and it is very much a premium show,” said Hedges.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/liberal-lowe-mull-budget-1.5494117
Liberal MLA Lowe still mulling over his budget vote
'I’m going home this weekend to talk to the people I represent, and they’ll make up my mind for me'
· CBC News · Posted: Mar 11, 2020 4:22 PM AT
Saint John Liberal MLA Gerry Lowe said he will take the weekend to speak with constituents about how he should vote on this year's budget bill. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
The lone Liberal member of the legislature from Saint John says his city stands to benefit from measures in the Higgs government's new budget — but he's still not sure how he's going to vote on it.
Gerry Lowe told reporters that increases in social assistance rates, a planned reduction in the so-called "double taxation" on apartment buildings and a review of industrial property assessments are all positive for his riding and for Saint John.
"So there's some good points and some bad points. So I'm going home this weekend to talk to the people I represent, and they'll make up my mind for me," he said.
The first-term Saint John Harbour Liberal MLA's vote could be pivotal to whether the Progressive Conservative government can pass its budget next Friday. A defeat would trigger a provincial
The Liberal MLA from Saint John thinks his city can benefit from the PC budget but still isn't sure how he will vote. 2:07
Lowe shrugged off a threat from Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers that he'll be punished if he breaks the party line to vote with the PCs.
"Life goes on," he said. "He's the leader and if I go against the party, I'm sure there's consequences. … That's the man's job."
Premier Blaine Higgs responded by daring Vickers to let all Liberal MLAs vote freely on the budget.
Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers has said his party will vote against the budget. The question now is whether Lowe will join the rest of his colleagues. (CP/Andrew Vaughan)
"I would guess [Lowe's] colleagues feel the same way, that there's a lot of good things in the budget," Higgs said.
"Maybe [Vickers] will do something really unique and say 'I've got people that really think it's not that bad, and we'll do a free vote.'"
The numbers game
The PCs have 20 seats in the legislature following the resignation of Deputy Premier Robert Gauvin to sit as an independent.The Liberals have 19, though if they ask MLA Daniel Guitart to resign as speaker and rejoin their ranks, they'll gain one vote. If a PC member becomes speaker, they'll be down one.
Green Party Leader David Coon will wait until his budget response speech on Friday to announce how he will vote. (Philip Drost/CBC)
Gauvin has promised to vote against the budget and three People's Alliance MLAs say they'll support it, meaning Lowe and the three Green MLAs hold the balance of power.
Green Leader David Coon said Wednesday he will reveal his decision Friday, when he delivers his official response to the budget in a speech in the legislature.
Resources for riding
Lowe said on top of the budget measures he likes, there is $3 million left over in the province's capital budget that could go toward a badly-needed new school in his riding.The aging St. John the Baptist-King Edward School, a kindergarten-to-Grade 8 school in the city's south end, has been one of Lowe's top causes for years.
"It just grows on you," he said, adding a modern school "will change everything in the south end. Everything. And that's important to me."
The CBC's Jacques Poitras breaks down the possible scenarios that might trigger an election after the provincial budget Tuesday. 2:22
Last year Lowe introduced a non-binding motion calling on the government to examine ending a property tax exemption for heavy equipment at industrial facilities, which would give Saint John a potential revenue windfall.
The legislature held two days of hearings on it, but Finance Minister Ernie Steeves called it "a business crusher" and Saint John East PC MLA Glen Savoie said it was "regressive."
But this week Steeves said in his budget speech that the province was reviewing the issue.
Lowe has mused about leaving provincial politics and returning to Saint John city council. (Brian Chisholm, CBC)
Lowe also mused recently about leaving provincial politics to return to Saint John city council.
He said he'll take part in the budget vote expected Friday, March 20, "and then I'll decide my fate, one way or the other."
He also said the decision by Saint John Mayor Don Darling not to reoffer for a second term in municipal elections May 11 will be a consideration.
"Would I want to sit there with someone I don't respect as mayor? I don't think I would."
He ruled out running for mayor himself.
COVID concerns
Meanwhile, Higgs said the Liberals should think carefully about triggering an election given the likelihood of COVID-19 cases appearing in the province in the coming weeks or months."It's not if we're going to have a case, it's when," he said, citing public health officials. "And it's not how many are we going to have. It's going to be how we can control it."
Liberal MLA Roger Melanson called that "a separate issue" from what he called the loss of confidence in the PC government after its announcement, and cancellation, of health care reforms last month.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has warned other parties against triggering an election given the likelihood of COVID-19 cases appearing in the province in the coming weeks or months. (CBC)
But Melanson suggested the Liberals would pay attention to what public health officials have to say about an election.
"We leave it up to the experts. We need to hear from them. If it's a concern where elections should not occur, meaning also municipal elections and two by-elections, we will listen to that.
"But we believe New Brunswickers have lost confidence in this government, and we're going to respect that and express that on the floor of the legislature."
About the Author
47 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story. David Amos
Methinks the old adage is true about what a difference a day can make especially in New Brunswick politicking N'esy Pas?
Too Too Funny Indeed
"He also said the decision by Saint John Mayor Don Darling not to reoffer for a second term in municipal elections May 11 will be a consideration.
"Would I want to sit there with someone I don't respect as mayor? I don't think I would."
He ruled out running for mayor himself."
https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
Methinks it would be foolish of me to try to add my two bits to the this circus in light of the fact CBC would block me if I embarass their Liberal paymasters N'esy Pas?
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/03/saint-john-harbour-mla-gerry-lowe.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/lowe-vickers-higgs-budget-votes-1.5485599
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
"Content disabled"
Methinks two out three comments not going "Poof" aint bad N'esy Pas?
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/03/saint-john-harbour-mla-gerry-lowe.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/gerry-lowe-saint-john-mla-municipal-council-1.5483824
Saint John Harbour MLA Gerry Lowe considers return to municipal politics
Liberal MLA still mulling how he will vote on upcoming PC budget
· CBC News · Posted: Mar 04, 2020 6:00 AM AT
Saint John Harbour Liberal MLA Gerry Lowe recently said he may vote for the Progressive Conservative government's budget if it contains items he'd like to see for his riding, including a new school. (radio-canada.ca)
Saint John Harbour Liberal MLA Gerry Lowe says he's considering a return to municipal politics.
After sitting in opposition for 17 months, Lowe said he misses the municipal system.
"You can get so much more done as a councillor than you can as an MLA if you're in the opposition," he told CBC News.
"It's not my piece of cake, put it that way there."
Lowe has previously said he may not vote against the budget if it includes a long-awaited new school for his riding in Saint John's south central peninsula and/or property tax reform for heavy industry.
But if he does vote against the budget, it would increase the likelihood of the government being toppled in the budget vote March 20, forcing a provincial election.
The legislature would then be dissolved and Lowe would have time to file his municipal candidacy ahead of the Elections New Brunswick deadline, which is 31 days before the May 11 municipal election.
Budget vote 'prime concern'
Lowe said Tuesday he still hasn't decided which way he will vote. That's his "prime concern" right now, he said.To help him decide, he's following media reports, reading online comments, listening to constituents and talking to cab drivers to try to get a sense of "what the ordinary people think," he said.
Lowe expects to make a decision about his political future during that same period.
I think about it. And I dream about it. And I talk about it. And you know, eventually I'll make a decision.
- Gerry Lowe, Saint John Harbour MLA
Asked how he will make up his mind, he replied, "I really don't know.
"I think about it. And I dream about it. And I talk about it. And you know, eventually I'll make a decision."
Lowe, who only six months ago won
a lengthy and expensive legal challenge of his 10-vote victory over PC
candidate Barry Ogden, said he didn't get into provincial politics for
the money or the pension.
"I
just ran because I thought I could do better for the city and I'm
finding that, you know, that the co-operation that [Premier Blaine]
Higgs said there was going to exist, that doesn't exist," he said.
"It's a one-way train that, you know, if you're in the minority, you have very little to say."
No interest in being mayor
As a city councillor for five years, Lowe said he used to be able to deal directly with city staff on behalf of citizens. "You'd win some, you'd lose some, but at least you could actually touch it."Now, even though he's representing many of the same people in his provincial riding that his Ward 3 riding covered in the south end, Waterloo Village area, lower west side and part of the north end, everything has to go through Fredericton.
"It's so much harder to get it done."
Lowe, who is from Saint John and lived in the city his whole life, said if he does decide to run for council again, it would be as a councillor, where he can "get into the weeds of working with people."
He has "no interest whatsoever" in the mayor's seat, he said.
Mayor Don Darling announced last month he will seek a second term in the upcoming municipal election.
30 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos
Content disabled
Methinks two out three comments not going "Poof" aint bad N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Content disabled
"To help him decide,
he's following media reports, reading online comments, listening to
constituents and talking to cab drivers to try to get a sense of "what
the ordinary people think," he said." Too Too Funny indeed If that were remotely true then why doesn't Gerry Baby or his lawyers return calls or answer emails?
David Amos
Yea Right Methinks Gerry Baby has worn out his welcome within the liberal party Furthermore even if they kept him as a candidate in the next election I doubt he would win So he wants his old seat back tis all N'esy Pas?
Buddy Best
Reply to @David Amos: If there were a Liberal worth voting for it would be Mr. Lowe. There are no cons who carry that distinction
David Amos
Reply to @Buddy Best: Methinks you should ask your best buddy Gerry Baby why I ran in Saint John Harbour in 2006 N'esy Pas?
Buddy Best
Reply to @David Amos: PASS!!! I don't care
Buddy Best
"Mayor Don Darling announced last month he will seek a second term in the upcoming municipal election."
We would fair better with a Labrador Retriever as mayor. Mr Pollyanna is living in a dream he devised. As we sink he fiddles.
Buddy Best
Don't blame you a bit Gerry. How can you do good work within a gang system? You have no chance of getting anything done under the thumb of financial supporters. You have my support regardless.
Matt Steele
No doubt Mr. Lowe sees the writing on the wall , and knows that if the Higgs Govt. falls ; then his chances of being re-elected in Harbour Center as a Liberal are next to none ; plus it is probably not much fun being an MLA in the SANB controlled Liberal Party . If Mr. Lowe was wise , he would cross the floor , and join the Higgs PC govt. ; at least then he might be able to get things done for his riding , and have a decent political future . Right now , sitting as a Liberal MLA is a losing situation for him , with no future
David Amos
Reply to @Matt
Steele: Methinks the Irving Clan would never permit Higgy to do such a
silly as to allow their #1 critic Gerry Baby into his crew N'esy Pas?
Buddy Best
Reply to @Matt Steele: Higgs is worse than any liberal. Irving bought and paid for. Irving is 90% of our problem. "Please sir... may I have some more?"
John Pokiok
I don't think that there's a political party in NB that would do a right thing and reform industry tax. Maybe People Alliance party but I'm sure Irving would buy them out before they could do anything about it. NB is doomed one horse town.
Buddy Best
Reply to @John Pokiok: Sad but true. Those leaving do so for just that reason. The deck is stacked!!!!!!!
David Amos
Reply to @Buddy Best:
Methinks wiseguys with interesting names should try telling the folks
something they don't already know N'esy Pas?
David Peters
Those aren't liberal talking points, but, it's how liberals operate.
Tax and spend, spend and tax, tax and spend.
Buddy Best
Reply to @David
Peters: While the cons cut, cut, cut vital services while looking after
their friends. There are no good guys here. NONE!! NADA!! NOT ONE aside
from Mr Lowe who at least made the attempt at fairer taxation. we all
bleed red.
David
Peters
Reply to @Buddy Best:
Lowe wants to increase taxes on business so that he can fund his own pet projects.
Tax and spend. Spend and tax.
Imo, it would be better to lower all property taxes to what the Irvings pay, both commercially and residential. Make gov't shrink to live within it's means, and let citizens decide, with their own $, what pet projects they want to get involved in.
Liberty is the tide that rises all boats, more equally.
Lowe wants to increase taxes on business so that he can fund his own pet projects.
Tax and spend. Spend and tax.
Imo, it would be better to lower all property taxes to what the Irvings pay, both commercially and residential. Make gov't shrink to live within it's means, and let citizens decide, with their own $, what pet projects they want to get involved in.
Liberty is the tide that rises all boats, more equally.
David Amos
Reply to @Buddy Best: Yea Right
Buddy Best
Reply to @David Peters: BS
David
Peters
Reply to @Buddy Best:
Saying so doesn't make it so.
You off no counter argument, bc, there is no counter argument.
Saying so doesn't make it so.
You off no counter argument, bc, there is no counter argument.
Buddy Best
Reply to @David
Peters: "Lowe wants to increase taxes on business so....." so he can
take the stress off the rest of us. He is not asking for more than they
pay elsewhere. This has gone on for far too long. The empire continues
to hide its wealth and we make up the difference. still we come up short
on staffing essential services. I get that you are an empire lover but
they are long over due for participating in this provinces welfare. They
have gotten away with $B from the tax payers of this province. We pay
HIGH TAXES so they can hide their profits. I am on the hook for two
months income to cover residential property taxation. Irving pays squat
on their M$ holdings.
David
Peters
Reply to @Buddy Best:
Imo, all empires are corrupt. They use gov't high taxation, over-regulation, corporate welfare and special tax breaks to, very effectively, thwart competition.
You want to do something about one arm of the octopus, and then pretend the rest of the octopus doesn't exist.
Imo, all empires are corrupt. They use gov't high taxation, over-regulation, corporate welfare and special tax breaks to, very effectively, thwart competition.
You want to do something about one arm of the octopus, and then pretend the rest of the octopus doesn't exist.
michael levesque
Mr Lowe quickly realized the leader of his party is far removed from the realities of living in New Brunswick. He does not want his name to go down in history as a member of a party worst than Shawn Graham Government.
Gil Murray
Reply to @michael
levesque: More likely that Mr Lowe realized he was not going to get his
own way and is tired of the nagging by his constituents. He seems to
have only been in it to get a school built and I suspect there are other
areas that need school rebuilds as much as his riding, perhaps more.
Too bad he cannot get his head around that.
Dianne
MacPherson
Reply to @michael levesque:
The worst was the Gallant Govt. !!!!
The worst was the Gallant Govt. !!!!
Buddy Best
Reply to @Gil Murray:
LOL Not a news watcher are you. Gerry the Man!!! The only one to ever
confront the evil empire. God speed GL in what ever you decide to do.
michael levesque
Reply to @Buddy Best: sorry buddy i only live in NB 8 months of the year. currently at my winter home in Zambales.
Buddy Best
Reply to @Dianne
MacPherson: Hard to make that decision as to who was worse when neither
did anything for the real people of this province. Most go hungry or try
to live deep in debt while a very few pad their bank accounts. Worse
we the tax payers will be providing for some of these cor rupt officials
until they draw their last breath. That alone should be a crime worthy
of prison.
David Amos
Reply to @Buddy Best:
Methinks you should ask your best buddy Gerry Baby if his Postal Union
members ever found the tracked mail I sent the RCMP in 2004 before I was
falsely imprisoned in the USA N'esy Pas?
Buddy Best
Reply to @michael levesque: Vicky killed a man. That should be worth something....or not.
michael levesque
Reply to @David Amos: wow you were in a US prison please tell us more N'esy Pas.
David Amos
Reply to @michael levesque: It appears that i am not permitted to do so
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/lowe-vickers-higgs-budget-votes-1.5485599
Vickers ready to outbid Higgs to keep MLA's crucial vote onside
Liberal MLA Gerry Lowe unsure if he will vote with party to topple PC government
· CBC News · Posted: Mar 04, 2020 4:00 PM AT
Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers says he's confident Gerry Lowe won't break ranks, though he's prepared to meet the Saint John Harbour MLA's demands. (CBC)
Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers says he's prepared to intervene personally to get a new school in Saint John so he can keep MLA Gerry Lowe onside — and won't say what he'll do if Lowe breaks ranks to help the Higgs government stay in power.
Vickers seemed to give Lowe, the member for Saint John Harbour, plenty of latitude Wednesday on a key budget vote to be held on March 20.
He told reporters that while he will "whip" the vote, requiring all MLAs to vote the party line to try to defeat the budget and trigger an election, Lowe would ultimately make his own choice.
"At the end of the day, Gerry will have to make a decision as to what most likely is the best scenario for him to proceed with," he said. "I have confidence that he will stay and vote with us."
Vickers said there have always been times in political history when individual members have broken ranks.
"We live in a democracy, after all," Vickers said, "and those times are up to them to decide."
Lowe said last month he could vote for the Progressive Conservative budget if it includes a long-awaited new school in Saint John's south-central peninsula and property tax reform for heavy industry, two causes he has championed since winning election in 2018.
Liberal Gerry Lowe was declared the winner by just 10 votes over Progressive Conservative Barry Ogden in the last provincial election. (radio-canada.ca)
But that vote could doom Vickers's attempts to bring down the PC government, something he said is urgently needed to stop the Tories from reviving their plans for health reform.
"The stakes are high," Vickers said. "It's incumbent that the party bring the government down at the first opportunity."
Even so, he wouldn't say whether Lowe would face consequences if he votes with the PCs.
"We'll cross that bridge. That's all hypothetical at this time."
Vital vote
The PCs have 20 MLAs in the legislature, one more than the Liberals, at 19. The People's Alliance and the Greens have three each and there is one Independent, former PC cabinet minister Robert Gauvin.There are several scenarios in which one or two votes could be decisive, making Lowe a potential key to the PCs surviving the budget vote.
Premier Blaine Higgs said last month he won't "buy someone's vote" but added that Lowe's two issues have been "on our radar."
Asked what he'll do if Lowe demands a commitment on those issues to stay onside with the Liberals, Vickers suggested he'll outbid Higgs in trying to meet Lowe's demands.
"I would tell him I will do everything possible to ensure we get the votes necessary to bring down this government at the first opportunity and whatever I can do to make that possible, I would," he said.
While a new Liberal government would have to assess its priorities, "I would do, personally as leader of the party and should I become premier, everything in my power to ensure that school happened in Saint John south."
That followed Cardy's announcement in the first PC capital budget of a school in his Fredericton West-Hanwell riding, a decision he said was not politically motivated.
The minority government's second budget will be tabled next Tuesday, with a vote expected 10 days later.
Any budget vote is a confidence vote, so a defeat of the budget would trigger an immediate election.
Vickers says PCs will proceed with ER cuts
Vickers says he's determined to oust the PCs because he's convinced that health reforms cancelled by the government, including the planned nighttime shutdown of six small-hospital emergency departments, will be revived if there is a Tory majority."They have clear intention to proceed with these cuts whenever they have the numbers," he said.
Vickers has vowed to defeat the PC government over controversial health-care reforms introduced and stopped last month. (CBC)
But the Liberal leader again refused to lay out a detailed plan for how he'll address the staffing shortages and demographic changes that led the two regional health authorities to develop the reform plan.
They said it was essential to shift resources away from ERs that are under-used at night and toward areas of greater need.
Vickers said the Liberals would work on measures to improve citizens' health to reduce the causes of illnesses and would look at measures to get more doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners in rural New Brunswick.
"We'll have a strategy to ensure that does unfold," he said, suggesting a Liberal government would pay medical school tuition bills for doctors who commit to practising in rural areas.
He said hospital emergency departments "will always be available to citizens of New Brunswick regardless of where they live."
Vickers also said Wednesday he'll try to persuade Lowe to seek a second term in Saint John Harbour if an election happens. Lowe, a former city councillor, mused this week about leaving the legislature and returning to municipal politics.
"I'm going to encourage Gerry to stay with the Liberals here provincially," Vickers said. "He's an outstanding advocate for the people of Saint John."
131 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
Michael durant
I
would also ask for a brand new 3 quarter ton truck with off road
suspension and tow package, throw in a plow and make the deal a sure
thing.
Mack Leigh
Reply to @Michael durant: Vickers -- New Brunswicks' latest Santa Claus.
Marc Martin
Reply to @Mack Leigh: I tough that was Davis ?
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