Council supports bar owner's summer plans
An idea, which has sparked business success in almost every city across Canada, is being formulated into reality in Nackawic.
Rob Kitchen, owner of Bobby's Rec Room, attended the Nackawic Town Council meeting on Monday, May 5, to request an addition to his business. Kitchen vacated the town hall following his presentation, and, at the end of the meeting, council agreed to allow him to build an outdoor patio directly in front of the Rec Room door entrance.
Coun. Jacques Laroche put a motion through to accept the businessman's request as long as the patio is set up in accordance with provincial laws. Deputy Mayor Rowena Simpson seconded the motion.
"My first thought was, ‘This shouldn't happen in Nackawic,'" she added. "But after hearing his proposal here tonight, and noting he has established a good business, we should give him the opportunity to try it."
One councillor did not agree with the motion. Coun. Brian Grant said, because the bar is located in the town's mall, council should have more input from neighbouring merchants. Coun. Laroche pointed out the opinions of the merchants would be taken into consideration in the future, but, at this time, Kitchen was only seeking permission from council. During his presentation, Kitchen said he was planning to hold a meeting with mall merchants the following week.
"Their thoughts, being up to now, is they're okay with it and want me to have a successful business," Kitchen explained. "The local merchants are also entrepreneurs and they understand ... And it's not going to affect their business."
Coun. Grant also had concerns for the general public's ability to walk by the patio. Kitchen said the patio would be 30' by 13' with fencing around the whole perimetre approximately four-feet high, and the design would still provide walking access for shoppers.
"It would be similar to patios in Fredericton," he explained. "And life goes on in Fredericton; people walk by the patio."
Kitchen would need a revised liquor license to allow outdoor-drinking privileges. If the concept is approved by all parties involved, eight to 10 tables will be situated on a wooden patio with liquor being served according to liquor laws, which includes the use of plastic cups.
Mayor Bob Connors said Kitchen runs his business professionally, and council should give him permission, along with terms and conditions.
"Let's give him an opportunity to see what can happen here," he said.
Following council's approval, Kitchen has to obtain a letter of approval from his landlord and present it to the liquor commission. He also has to obtain input from the Fire Marshall's Office before the patio could be constructed.
Kitchen noted the overall decision would affect whether or not he would renew his lease at the mall, which could affect two upcoming fundraisers he has planned, including a beach volleyball tournament in the mall parking lot and a hockey team fundraiser he hopes will become an annual event.
Metalfab earns fire truck tender
In a special town council meeting on May 1, Mayor Connors reviewed a letter from the Nackawic Fire Department regarding the tender submissions for a new pumper/tanker fire truck.
The mayor said the fire department recommended the tender be awarded to Centreville's Metalfab Ltd. as they provided the lower bid and met the specifications outlined in the tender package.
The motion "that Metalfab Ltd. be engaged to supply and deliver a new pumper/tanker fire truck as outlined in RFQ-08-07 with the recommended upgrades at a cost of $225,562 plus HST," was carried.
At Monday's meeting, Fire Chief William Hopkins said the department will also need four bunker suits and 10 new helmets at a cost of $6,290.
Chamber accepting nominations
The Mactaquac Country Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) requested town council place nominations and attend the eighth annual MCCC Business Recognition Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 29, at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Resort in Mactaquac.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception, followed by dinner and words from guest speaker Danny Crain, president of Outreach Productions. The awards ceremony will end off the evening and will feature Established Business of the Year, Customer Service Award of the Year, Corporate Citizen of the Year and New Business of the Year.
Nominations and registration for dinner must be returned to the chamber by Thursday, May 15.
Government seeks nominations
Citizenship and Immigration Canada is seeking nominations for the prestigious 2008 Citation for Citizenship Awards.
Town council received a letter stating, the award honours Canadians who have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through their tireless work and generosity to help newcomers successfully integrate into Canadian society or who have worked diligently to promote Canadian citizenship.
Twenty individuals from across Canada will be recognized by the Government of Canada and will receive Citation for Citizenship at special ceremonies held in their communities during Canada's Citizenship Week, which will take place from Oct. 13 to 19.
The closing date for nominations is May 16.
New directory to help animals
At Monday's town council meeting, council read an e-mail from New Brunswick SPCA Resource Directory editor Vanessa Packman stating NBSPCA has released its first resource directory.
"We believe it will be useful for N.B. municipalities as we address animal welfare concerns in our province," the e-mail stated. "This document is a first for the provincial organization and, we believe, the Canadian animal welfare scene. It is geared towards front-line workers, such as animal protection officers and animal shelters, with plenty of practical information and resources that will gradually be expanded upon.
"You will find a link to download an electronic copy free of charge on our www.spca-nb.ca site, in the top right corner of the front page. The directory is being translated, and the French version should be available within the next month.
"We would be pleased if you were to share this directory with N.B. communities."
Participate in Walk and Roll
In a letter to town council, everyone was asked to participate in Disability Awareness Week by hosting a Walk and Roll event to coincide with a province-wide Walk and Roll Challenge, which will be held on Friday, June 6, at noon.
Muscular Dystrophy Canada is supporting New Brunswick Disability Week from June 1 to 7 with the theme Disability Supports Create Self-Sufficiency. The goal of the week is to promote access to supports for people with disabilities in New Brunswick.
"The Walk and Roll is not a fundraising event," the letter stated. "It should take place in an accessible area so that participants can walk or roll for 15 minutes."
Council received a registration form for the event and additional information on other upcoming events.
More News
Search Articles
More CE Network Sites & Partners:
