Each week, the Gazette looks back on stories from the past. Here is what happened this week, by year…
1928
– The T. Eaton Company Ltd. bought 21 properties from the Canadian Department Stores Ltd. including a Picton location. While the company didn’t intend to change the branding of the locations right away, it indicated it would offer its strong purchasing power to improve the quality and price of goods available to customer.
– The Bay of Quinte Baseball League was preparing to start the season with teams in Picton, Wellington, Rednersville, and Point Anne. Teams were set to vote on whether to accept a Napanee entry as well.
– The Picton Girl Guides celebrated their second anniversary with a party at the Armouries. It was noted the Guides had done much good in their first two years.
1948
– Famous orchestra leader Guy Lombardo told the The McFarland Construction Company swept the streets of Picton and applied an oil primer to rid them of dust. H.J. McFarland wasn’t pleased with the results, so he agreed to pay the several hundred dollars himself, rather than charge the town.
-Prince Edward-Lennox Progressive Conservatives decided to nominate James Hepburn for a return to the Ontario Legislature. Hepburn had served as Speaker of the previous legislature at Queen’s Park.
– Picton council approved expenditures of up to $625,000 to install its sewage system after learning about unexpected cost overages. Engineer Proctor and Redfearn estimated a cost of $449,490, but lateral connections came in higher than expected.
1978
-The North Marysburgh Recreation Committee announced plans to build a $25,000 recreation field. The site would include a ball diamond, tennis court, and shuffleboard on land Richard Wilkinson agreed to offer for lease for $500 a year over 15 years.
– The Prince Edward County Board of Education disclosed its salaries to the public. Education director Harry Jacobs was the top paid official at $41,000. PECI principal C. Paul Burd was the highest paid employee within a school, making $36,950.
– Ameliasburgh ratepayers voiced strong opposition to the township’s plans to spend $1 million to build its own arena and sports complex. Many said the cost outweighed the need for the facilities locally.
1998
– Councillor Frank Smith called upon Mayor James Taylor to resign after suggesting Taylor held council in contempt for delaying to sign a hospital governance agreement and relay information in a draft report about the Glenora ferry to councillors. Smith later dropped his request.
– Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital administrator Monty Boultbee indicated he appreciated the “feistiness” of the community, but said he planned to participate in the provincially mandated process to amalgamate four hospitals in the region.
– The Canadian Nature Federation was poised to designate Prince Edward Point as an Important Bird Area as part of Birdlife International’s conservation network.