Category: Saint John

Common Council has a decision to make today….spend an extra million dollars the city is getting from the province or lower property taxes with it.

The Telegraph-Journal reports councillors had set next year’s operating budget before knowing exactly how much it would be getting from the provincial government. Turns out the total was more than a million dollars more than expected.

Staff outlined Friday where the money could be spent, including on the raises for the council. But at least one councillor Gary Sullivan wants them to lower the tax rate instead.

Colleen Beesley is back at Brunswick Square for the holidays playing her piano. She’s been doing it for over 30 years now and is a holiday fixture.

The Telegraph-Journal reports 83 year old Beesley plays every weekend during December bringing smiles to the faces of harried shoppers who stop and enjoy her carols for a few minutes before rushing off to buy more gifts.

She said she started playing after they asked her to. She had raised her children and wanted something to do.  She’s been playing piano since she was 7 and Christmas carols were among the first things she learned. This year she’s also playing Hallelujah in honour of Leonard Cohen who recently passed away.