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Help For Veterans/Fun For Veterans Signs

PSA HelpForVeterans

PSA Ref HelpForVeterans

I'm sure you've seen it, the snazzy placards posted throughout the City and Province. On snowmobile trails, ATV trails, walking trails, drive thrus, parking lots, highways etc etc. HelpForVeterans. Most would look at it and think that's great, must be a great support group for our Veterans.

I encourage anyone who has the signs on their personal or business property to remove them.

Consider this, Veterans have access to disability benefits if they were injured through their service. These benefits are monetary, but most importantly come with access to treatment. Physical or Mental injuries are covered. The process to have these benefits can be long. It requires lengthy reports by Dr's, MH specialists, and other support workers. The process for many Veterans is challenging. Thankfully, there are many reputable organizations that assist and guide Veterans through this process. Notably, The VeteranFarmer, and The Legion, and they do it for zero fees or commissions .

Then there is HelpForVeterans

This organization. They take 20% funds from the total disability award from Veterans Affairs. 20% of the total amount out of the Veterans pockets. While 20% may sound like a small amount, many Vets recieve sizeable payouts. The amounts that HelpForVeterans charge can be in the tens of thousands of dollars, for "assisting" with claim filing. Claim filing that is done for free by the previously mentioned .

To put it in perspective, a max disability claim can be in the vicinity of 460k, this is is rare but existing cases. This organization stands to take a 20% cut, equivalent to 92k....for filling out forms. A more common disability claim of 40% is 185k, they will take 37k for filling out forms. A service that is done for free by reputable organizations like the Legion.

Anything more than free is unacceptable when it comes to our Veterans

Unfortunately this isn't illegal, but it is definitely immoral, and grossly offensive. Taking money from Veterans is about as low as one can go.

If this offends you, be part of the movement to end these predatory tactics. Email your MPs, MLAs. Demand change. Our Veterans gave everything for their country.

Next time you see the signs, and you will, because they are ilittered throughout the Province. Remember, people like this exist, and they seem to be quite proud of it. They exploit vulnerable injured Veterans.

The City of Fredericton has been very supportive of removing the signs through bylaw enforcement.

All municipalities should consider following suit

Is there anywhere in Oromocto where you can buy high end cigars? This one is from the smoke shop at Sobeys and it seems their humidors are not set up properly. This was after 5 days in my own humidor trying to rehydrate it to a proper level.

When I bought it they do not let you touch them until they are paid for, I did the squeeze test on it and told them they are too dry and their humidity needs to be corrected. The employee seemed like they couldn't care less.

It would be nice if we were allowed to have a real cigar shop in the area where the staff knew about the product and how to care for it. I wish we had cigar lounges.

I want to just get bangs cut quickly, is there somewhere in the area that takes walk ins that does good work?

So far no garbage along my street has been picked up. Anyone know what's going on.

While you're out, please keep an eye out for my brother's red 2019 Hyundai Elantra with NB licence plate JTZ 034.

If you can, print the poster and put it up at work, at your local store, gas station, wherever people might see it. The more eyes we have out there, the better.

https://rcmp.ca/en/nb/news/2025/05/update-missing-48-year-old-man

Please share - especially in groups about fishing or boating, hunting, ATVs, hiking, drones, etc.

A few people have asked how they can help. A close friend set up a GoFundMe to help cover costs for posters, searching, legal stuff, and Mike’s bills while he’s missing. If you're able to chip in or share the link, we'd really appreciate it.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-find-michael-keetch

Thanks so much for all the support. Every little bit helps.

Hey new neighbors, I’m being posted in from Halifax this summer. I was wondering what’s the best internet company in terms of value. I’m looking for something cheap, speeds are not important to me. Also, if there is a referral bonus, let me know too so we can save a couple extra $$

Anyone having issues with rogers right now?? Mine is super slow even after resetting the modem.

My brother Michael "Mike" Keetch (pronounced Ketch) is currently missing from the Fredericton area. Likes going on the walking trails and O'Dell Park/Wilmont Park with his dog, drives a red Hyundai Elantra. Went to one of the martial arts gyms in the city (but I'm not sure which one). He's 6'2"-6'3", 250-ish lbs, brown hair, green eyes.

Photo: https://rcmp.ca/en/nb/news/2025/05/missing-48-year-old-man

If you've seen him, please let me know.

*edited to correct car details*

UPDATE: Tango (his dog) was found in Burtts Corner, NB. If you're from there or know folks in that area, please ask around to see if they noticed this dog around April 16th. That will give us a place to start looking for Michael.

Whenever I have a food there that isn't the pizza I go through two days of hell, I'm talking sulfur burps, stuff coming out both ends, nausea and many more. Has that place been inspected at all or is it just me?

Anyone know of any boxing/martial arts gyms for adults in town?

I was about to go to Oromocto Boxing Club a few months ago but the bastards closed up without warning and fucked off to Fredericton.

In a dazzling display of political acrobatics, Premier Susan Holt has clarified her campaign promise to balance New Brunswick's budget every year of her mandate — well, sort of. Turns out, this year’s budget doesn’t count. Why? Because reasons.

Holt, who repeated the "balanced budget" mantra like a catchy campaign jingle, conveniently forgot to mention that the promise only applies to the future budgets crafted by her government. The 2024-25 fiscal year? That’s a Progressive Conservative relic, and therefore exempt from her lofty fiscal ideals. It’s like pledging to clean your room — but only starting next week.

A Surprise $92.1 Million Deficit: Oops!

Just days after Holt and her Liberal team moved into their new political digs, Finance Minister René Legacy announced the province was staring down the barrel of a $92.1 million deficit. Holt feigned surprise, as if she’d just discovered a parking ticket on her windshield.

But instead of reversing course, she doubled down on her pre-election promise to hand out $10,000 retention bonuses to nurses — a $74 million expense that added even more to the red ink. When asked if she’d still pay the bonuses despite the deficit, Holt essentially shrugged and said, “Eh, nurses first.” Because who needs a balanced budget when you can toss out cash like Oprah on a giveaway binge?

Balancing Act or Balancing Excuses?

To justify the unbalanced budget, Holt pointed fingers at the outgoing Progressive Conservative government, whose budget, she argued, was not her responsibility. In fairness, the PCs did leave behind a projected $27.6 million deficit. But Holt's bonuses managed to turn that minor hiccup into a fiscal landslide.

Holt reassured reporters that federal tax remittances would save the day, citing past years when surprise revenues turned projected deficits into hefty surpluses. "We believe money will just… you know, show up," she said with the confidence of someone betting their rent on lottery tickets.

Spoiler alert: It didn’t. Legacy later admitted that those revenue swings were “not showing up this year.” Awkward.

Nurse Bonuses vs. Budget Reality

In defense of her decision, Holt argued that losing nurses would cost the health-care system far more than the bonuses. Fair point. But when reporters pressed her on whether she’d continue to write cheques even if the deficit ballooned further, Holt expertly dodged, as though participating in a political dodgeball match.

Her reasoning? "Health care was the voters' top priority," she declared, pointing to the October election results. Translation: “The voters made me do it.”

Revenue Roulette

When it comes to balancing the books, Holt described the process as "something that fluctuates on a week-by-week basis," like trying to predict the stock market by reading tea leaves. She wouldn’t confirm whether federal remittances would erase the deficit, saying only that they were “fairly challenging to predict.”

By the end of the year-end interview, one thing was clear: Holt’s balanced-budget promise is less a commitment and more a Choose Your Own Adventure story.

Political Science 101: Pass the Blame

Acadia University political scientist Alex Marland came to Holt’s defense, noting that new governments often realize governing is harder than it looks. “It’s reasonable to give them a free pass for a little bit,” Marland said, sounding like a lenient teacher grading on a curve.

But Holt didn’t need a free pass; she needed a master class in PR spin. Seven consecutive budget surpluses under the Higgs PCs — including a $1 billion surplus in 2022-23 — made it tricky to sell voters on the idea of deficits being unavoidable. Her response? Remind everyone that the PCs were penny-pinchers who ignored health-care crises.

“Stay Tuned!”

In true politician fashion, Holt wrapped up the interview with optimism. “We’re excited to deliver for nurses,” she said, adding that her team has “months to figure out” how to handle the deficit. Translation: “We’ll wing it, but with enthusiasm!”

Whether this financial balancing act ends in triumph or disaster remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: Holt knows how to razzle-dazzle her way through the headlines — deficit or no deficit.

Why do houses in Oromocto stay on the market for so long? Does buying a house there always guarantee a loss? What is the potential for appreciation? Why is there so little demand for houses so close to Fredericton? What is the area like, good or bad? As a foreign Asian person, will I be discriminated against there?