Each week, the Gazette looks back on stories from the past. Here is what happened this week, by year…
1928
-Politicians from Prince Edward County and Belleville made a joint deputation to Premier Howard Ferguson to ask for relief in payment of their portion of the $800,000 Bay Bridge. Each municipality was to pay 20 per cent of the total cost. Following the meeting, it was suggested a grant may be offered and the payment period could be spread over 40 years instead of 20.
– Prince Edward County’s publicity committee was offering $5 to anyone who could come up with a better slogan than “Quinte Lakes” to use in promotions.
– A new 52-foot long wooden framed ferry would replace the 40-year-old boat running between Glenora and Adolphustown. The vessel could carry eight cars or 30 tons.
1948
– Five-year-old R. Linden Hook died after being buried by earth when a sewer excavation trench in front of his Ferguson Street home caved in. Three other children escaped. Mary Young, 12, was deemed a heroine for digging out friend Nancy Wright’s face to help her breathe.
– Bloomfield residents voted in favour of spending up to $10,000 to purchase new fire equipment following a decision by Picton council to not allow its fire trucks outside of town. They also voted 61-52 in favour of spending $800 per year for garbage collection within the village.
-With a poor maple syrup harvest predicted, many farmers were focusing their attention on trapping marsh animals.
1978
-The Hastings-Prince Edward Counties Health Unit wouldn’t hire any new staff or add any extra programming in1978, but it did increase its budget by nine per cent. Chief medical officer of health Dr. Michael Fisher said a reason for the increase was to pay a full year’s salaries for three new staff positions hired in late 1977.
– Picton cab drivers said they didn’t want to lose a stand in front of the Royal Hotel after councillor Russell Alexander suggested it be moved off Main Street. They said they pay $60 a year each for the stand.
– Picton firefighters were poised to get a $7 increase in their annual shoe allowance pending budget approval. The increased allocation would move to $32 from $25.
1998
– Prince Edward-Hastings MPP Gary Fox said he’d listen to the board of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital and advocate for its wishes with respect to restructuring, even if that was at odds with the position of his party and the Health Services Restructuring Commission.
– The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board advised its principals and vice-principals to return to the teaching ranks protect their seniority given a provision in Bill 160 that would require them to choose between being teacher federation members and administrators.
– The Prince Edward County Midget B Kings were one win away from a provincial title after beating St. Mary’s twice.