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Posted Nov 6, 2007, 3:02 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Grand Bay-Westfield :: NB
Posts: 3,088
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Minister shows cards on N.B. gaming plan
One or more casino projects, fewer VLTs among plans hinted at
By Jesse Robichaud
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Tuesday November 6th, 2007
Appeared on page A1
Finance minister Victor Boudreau is hinting that the Liberal government's much-anticipated gambling policy will give the green light to one or more casino projects in the province while at the same time cutting the number of VLTs located outside of gaming complexes.
In an opinion piece published in today's Times & Transcript, Boudreau suggests that the province's responsible gaming policy will be used as a catalyst in turning around the province's declining tourism numbers.
Citing a 25 per cent decline in visitors since 2002, Boudreau says reversing the trend is extremely important to the province's future economic fortunes.
"We need ways to make New Brunswick a destination of choice for visitors by offering more services, attractions, and entertainment choices," writes Boudreau.
Boudreau asks the question of how the long-awaited responsible gaming policy can help re-energize the province's tourism sector, and tips the government's hand as to a major focus of the policy.
"How can it help increase tourism and revenue to the communities where gaming takes place? It's an issue that has been carefully looked at by our government," writes Boudreau.
On Friday, a group in Saint John announced its preliminary plan to build a $20-million sporting and entertainment venue linked to the city's current harness racing venue, but the opinion piece does not drop any hints on where a possible casino, or casinos, could be located.
The policy is expected to outline the conditions and regulations under which gaming facilities could operate in New Brunswick. A call for proposals for gaming complexes is expected to follow the release of the policy, and the final decision on what areas will receive a gaming complex resides with the Liberal government.
While the Saint John group was the most recent to come forward publicly, other groups in Moncton and elsewhere are expected to announce their intentions to vie for similar projects once the policy announced.
Boudreau also suggested that the province will be cutting the number of video lottery terminals (VLTs) in the province, as well as the number of locations where VLTs are accessible to the public.
"We think there are too many and we have to cut the number of them," states Boudreau. "Another question: should there be a moratorium on new sites put in place? If so -- for how long?"
As justification behind removing the VLTs from private operators, Boudreau weighed in on the inability of VLT siteholders to recognize and respond to problem gamblers.
"Do VLT siteholders know how to recognize when a client has problems, and what they should do if they suspect there is a problem? Are siteholders properly trained on gaming issues?," he asked. "Our research and discussions lead us to believe that the answer to both these questions is "no". That also has to change."
Boudreau states that the province isn't doing enough to help those addicted to gambling and pledged action to correct the situation. "Do people who participate in gaming right now understand their odds, know their limits and how to play within them? We don't think so and we are going to change that," he said.
Boudreau states that the $757,000 currently invested in addiction services annually by the province is not enough, and pledges to direct more funds toward those who need it.
"Charitable gaming" is also discussed in the opinion piece, as Boudreau states the government's intention to allow charities to continue benefiting from fund-raising events.
"We are examining whether legislation should be introduced to provide regulatory-making authority with respect to charitable gaming activities," he writes.
"At the same time, the government will review ways of assuring red tape and costs for charities are controlled, to make sure funds raised go to those who need them the most without undue delay."
The Liberal government is expected to release its responsible gaming policy within weeks, after pushing the initial release date in June.
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Direct Buy members-only store coming to Metro
Times & Transcript
Published Tuesday November 6th, 2007
Appeared on page A3
A furniture, home and appliance store with a twist is coming to Metro Moncton, likely in December.
A spokeswoman for Direct Buy confirmed yesterday the members-only retail chain has a franchise showroom opening at 980 Mountain Road in the former Carsand Mosher building next to the Ponderosa Steakhouse. Prior to this, the only Direct Buy franchise in Atlantic Canada was in Dartmouth.
The company, founded in 1971, promises prices without retail mark-up, which is typically about 100 per cent. Members, however, must pay a sign-up fee and annual membership fees.
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Royal Oaks road work to begin
Times & Transcript staff
Published Tuesday November 6th, 2007
Appeared on page A7
The long delayed work to complete Royal Oaks Boulevard will begin immediately, now that Moncton city council has approved a $1.2-million payment to the project. The city's contribution is conditional on the developers of Royal Oaks completing $25 million worth of real estate development by 2012. The agreement also requires other milestone deadlines be met by the developer in the intervening years.
With each million dollars worth of property value generating $25,000 per year in tax revenue, the city expects to recoup its investment in under three years.
The decision came after considerable debate, with Deputy Mayor Merrill Henderson as well as councillors Kathryn Barnes and Brian Hicks voting against it.
Henderson argued making the decision just a few weeks before it could be considered in budget deliberations with every other item, "has made it our number one priority," something he heartily disagreed with.Mayor Lorne Mitton, supporting the motion, said, "this isn't something just hauled out of the sky. It's been in the capital works plan for several years."
Other councillors cited Royal Oaks golf course and community as a signature travel destination for the city and the fact developers have invested tens of millions of dollars already and will invest millions more. Barnes conceded that but pointed out the city too has already invested in the development over the years too. "There's already been substantial buy-in by the city. We've come to the rescue a few times," she said.
The new loop will mean relocating the golf course's main entrance to Royal Oaks Boulevard and take heavy summer traffic away from residential streets Kervin and Congressional.
In The boundaries of Moncton's downtown business improvement area officially grew much bigger at last night's meeting of Moncton city council. The council voted unanimously to take in the St. George Street area as part of the city represented by Downtown Moncton Centre Ville Inc. The decision came following a public hearing that saw two letters of objection and dozens of letters of support from St. George Street area businesses. The change takes effect January 1. Owners of commercial properties will be charged a levy of 16 cents per $100 worth of property value to pay costs.
n Moncton city council voted last night to offer a rare compensation package to residents on a stretch of Ryan Street between civic numbers 890 and 1100. The homeowners will each receive half the price, or $400, off the cost of the sewerage laterals the city has been installing. About 30 homeowners are affected.
The decision comes after council found the delays and inconveniences but especially an unusual amount of construction generated dust has left homeowners faced with the need to clean their homes inside and out.
Councillors stressed the exceptional circumstances and took pains to say such payouts would not become the norm. Ward councillors Brian Hicks and Steve Mitton moved and seconded the payment motion, Hicks saying he hoped city staff could recover the approximately $12,000 from the contractor. It was alleged the contractor failed to do enough to control dust during the work, which is now into its fifth month. Carol Budd, speaking on behalf of residents, called 2007 "a summer of hell."
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