Port of Belledune prospers

The Port of Belledune had a stellar year in 2007, its June 19 AGM revealled.

The port showed revenue from operations in the amount of $6,995,335 in 2007, plus investment income of $344,815, for total earnings of $7,340,150. Expenses totalled $4,125,707 for operating expenses and $1,283,361 for interest expense, for total expenses of $5,409,068. Net earnings for 2007 were thus $1,931,082, an increase of $727,594 or 60.5 per cent over 2006.

The port’s total equity also went up in 2007, from $45,379,031 to $46,639,552, an increase of 2.8 per cent. This was largely due to building and other capital improvements at the port. The port’s long-term debt was reduced from $15,445,553 in 2006 to $12,947,697 in 2007, a reduction of just over 16 per cent.

Harry W. Williamson, QC, chairman of the board in 2007 and currently chair of the port’s Business Development and Law and Governance committees, reviewed the port’s successes in 2007 including the opening of the Shaw Group’s new $9 million pellet plant, which will make fuel pellets from sawdust and wood chips for shipment to Europe. The first shipment is due to leave the port on June 20.

He noted that in the last year the port constructed a new bulk dry handling facility and a new warehouse for perlite. The warehouse was needed for production from the new Blue Note Caribou Mine. In addition, the pipeline was extended from the tank farm to Terminal Two, allowing fully loaded ships with deeper drafts to use the port. The port also purchased more vacant land next to the port for $550,000, with over a million dollars worth of infrastructure on it.

Williamson gave credit to president and CEO Rayburn Doucett, noting that since Doucett had taken over, the net earnings of the port had gone from $85,000 to the current level of close to two million dollars in just a few years.

Doucett, for his part, noted that shipping had increased by 10 per cent in 2007 over 2006 due to increased bulk shipping. Increased container, aggregate, petroleum coke, and project cargo are expected this year, besides shipments from the pellet plant and the Blue Note Caribou Mine.

Doucett said the greatest challenge the port faces in 2008 is to increase the port’s infrastructure and to become part of Atlantic Gateway. Doucett said that the port would actively pursue these in 2008.

Français: Le port de Belledune a eu une augmentation de 60.5% de ses revenus nets en 2007 comparé en 2006. Le port a augmenté son développement en 2007 et cette année, le port commencera l'expédition des granulés de bois en Europe provenant du usine Shaw Group.

Charlo company gets financial help

A half-million dollar investment will help Design Built Mechanical Ltd. create 12 new jobs over a three-year period.

Premier Shawn Graham was in Charlo to announce the investment made through the Regional Development Corporation.

Design Built Mechanical employs about 85 people. The company produces specially made metal products for industrial installations, supplying firms around the Maritimes and as far away as Alberta.

Following the announcement, Graham was given a demonstration of a new machine that uses a computerized system to cut metal to exact measurements and designs.

The local MLA, natural resources minister Donald Arseneault, said that when the provincial cabinet visited the area earlier this year, Graham had been given a tour of Design Built Mechanical’s operation in Charlo and heard of the plans.

He said that following this, the Premier had indicated that the province should help make it possible.

“The Premier made a commitment to the community,” Arseneault said. “He’s living up to that commitment.”

Design Built Mechanical was created by the late Victor Bernard and is related to Victor Bernard and Son, a plumbing and heating firm.

Français: Un investissement d’un demi-million de dollars aidera Design Built Mechanical Ltd. à créer 12 nouveaux emplois sur une période de trois ans.

Ici on parle anglais?

According to a study done by the Societe des Acadiens et Acadiennes du Nouveau Brunswick (SAANB), more French needs to be offered to customers shopping in Restigouche.

A recent study of commercial establishments in Restigouche shows that there is a decreased level of French-speaking employees on the payrolls of local businesses, particularly in Restigouche East (Dalhousie) and Restigouche Centre (Campbellton).

The local president of the SAAB, Philippe Bourgeois, said hiring an outside firm to conduct the study was to see if people’s right to be served in the language of their choice was being observed. It concentrated on 12 specific businesses in the two municipalities, four from Dalhousie and eight in Campbellton.

Surveyors visited the stores on three separate occasions, checking signage, oral and written customer service, and products offered. Of the four Campbellton area businesses visited, only three offered service in French each visit.

It was also noted that there is a vast difference in the amount of educational or other type of materials (video tapes, books or magazines etc.) found in English compared to French. However all offered bilingual flyers and six had French signage inside the store, including all four in Dalhousie and all four offered service in French.

However, all stores had at least one bilingual employee.“I was born in Campbellton but I find it difficult at times to get service in French. I have seen some changes but there is still work to be done,” said Bourgeois.

The majority of respondents were not pleased that those employees who were bilingual weren’t easily identifiable and the less-than-ideal amount of products available in French, but 78 per cent believed there was sufficient Francophone exterior signage.

Bourgeois said it has always been easier for Anglophones to find service in English rather than Francophones getting service in French even though, according to the study, the majority of the population is French.

Français: Selon une étude de la Société des Acadiens et Acadiennes du Nouveau-Brunswick (SAANB), le français doit être offert davantage aux clients qui magasinent au Restigouche.

DNR funds river group

The Department of Natural Resources has entered into an agreement with the Restigouche River Watershed Management Committee to manage recreational facilities along the Restigouche.

On Monday, natural resources minister Donald Arseneault explained that the committee will receive $98,300 for its efforts. This will allow them to work with users of the river and to promote best practices and ensure that users have safe and enjoyable experiences.

The committee will maintain overnight rest stops, clean up garbage and encourage users to clean up after themselves. They will attempt to foster respect among the various users, including anglers and recreational canoeists.

As well, the committee will prepare a management plan for the future management of recreational facilities.

This agreement is based on one already in place on the province’s other Canadian Heritage River, the St. Croix. The department is responsible for recreational facilities along the river.

Français: Le Conseil de gestion du bassin-versant de la rivière Restigouche a signé une entente avec le ministère des Ressources naturelles visant l’administration des installations récréatives longeant le cours d’eau.

Port gets new manager

The Port of Dalhousie Inc. has appointed a new manager.

David Walker has been working in transportation since 1984, mainly with railways. That includes experience with steamship lines as a port agent. He came to this area about 10 years ago to serve with the New Brunswick East Coast Railway.

Walker says that his short-term goals are to bring more traffic to the port and to ensure that all infrastructure remains in place. That includes the rail line leading to the port.

He said that he would like to see the port get back to the level it was at in 1995, when a total of 54 ships docked in Dalhousie. He said he is a strong supporter of local communities and would like to see developments that will help keep young people in the area.

Walker is married and has two children.

Français: Le Port de Dalhousie inc. a un nouveau directeur général en la personne de David Walker. Ce dernier œuvre dans le domaine du transport depuis 1984, principalement avec les chemins de fer.

ETF funds scarce here

Last week, the provincial environment minister, Roland Hache announced just under $4 million in funding under the Environmental Trust Fund, but of the 164 projects approved, only two were specific to Restigouche County.

The Restigouche Solid Waste Corporation will receive $20,000 for its Diversion and Recycling Campaign. This will allow the corporation to “continue an education program to increase participation in the region’s recycling program, expand on recycling streams and offer Household Hazardous Waste days for the region.”

The Restigouche River Watershed Management Council will receive $10,000 for identification of sediment sources on the Restigouche River. Sediment can cause serious problems and interfere with successful spawning of salmon and trout. The council will monitor sediment loading in the Restigouche and its tributaries.

The $30,000 for these two projects amounts to three-quarters of one per cent of the total awarded. Some of the other projects are province-wide or involve large parts of New Brunswick, meaning that some of the benefits may come to this region.

A major change in this year’s ETF awards is that no funding was awarded for municipal beautification. In the past, municipalities and organizations like the Business Improvement Area Corporations received funding that was used for planting flowers in downtown areas and similar activities.

Français: Des 164 projets, dont les fonds se chiffrent à moins de 4 $ millions, approuvés en vertu du Fonds en fiducie pour l’environnement, seulement deux d’entre eux visent le comté de Restigouche.

Town to build pump station

The Town of Dalhousie will spend $60,000 to build a new pumping station.

Yesterday (Tuesday) Mayor Clem Tremblay announced the project, saying that it is the town’s way of showing support for the progressive projects recently announced, particularly the condominium project at Bon Ami Point, but also including the farmers’ market and the redevelopment of Rotary Memorial Park.

Tremblay said that this is a lot of money for the town, but that it is important as it is their way of telling the province that, while the town has been hit hard by industrial closures, the town believes in progress.

More details about this project will be included in next week’s paper.

Français: La Ville de Dalhousie contribuera 60 000 $ envers la construction d’une nouvelle station de pompage.