Each week, the Gazette looks back on stories from the past. Here is what happened this week, by year…
1938
– Ross Spike, the president of the Eastern Ontario Electrical Association, said he believed the region was about to experience an industrial boom in respose to proposals to develop hydroelectric power facilities on the St. Lawrence River. He said he felt the region could outgrow western Ontario in industry.
– Edith Sharpless, a missionary worker in Japan, was to speak in Wellington. She said that country’s war with China has had a marked impact on the lives of its people.
-Picton council passed a resolution stating that T. Kostoff would have to find a way to fireproof a building being put up next to the town’s public utilities to conform with bylaw requirements or have it removed.
1948
– Choosing from among 22 applications, Picton council chose Sydney Smith as caretaker of Benson Park. The veteran of both World Wars would receive $720 annually for his work and free living quarters within the park. He was a carpenter by trade and had first aid training.
– Picton awarded an $180,000 debenture issue to Bakers Bond Corporation in order to finance its sewerage system. The town would make a premium $669.60 due to a slight premium offered on each $100 bond.
– Local residents were still being encouraged to send clothing to Great Britain where a shortage remained following the Second World War. Donations were being met with joy by those receiving them.
1978
– Wellington was prepared to build a new sewage treatment plant at a cost of $4,130,956. The Province was to pay $2,312,168 and the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation was to offer just over $1 million in grant funding. Residents would pay, on average $160.56 per year.
– Picton Santa Claus parade organizer Barbara Burford said without a substantial boost of interest from the community, there would be a good chance the jolly elf would not be visiting town before Christmas Eve.
– A coroner’s inquest was to be held into a fire that claimed the lives of Prince Edward Heights residents Gerard Bervaise and John Brown Sept. 30.Both men were trapped on the upper floor of a two-storey home.
1998
– The County committed $10,000 a year over a three-year term toward Taste The County as a marketing organization, provided the group promoting local businesses for mutual benefit engaged the services of an accredited professional marketer.
– Bloomfield’s John Hudson was named the first chair of the new Quinte Healthcare Corporation, which would manage the region’s four hospitals. County residents Dawn Cutler and Larry Matheson would also sit on the new hospital board.
– The Picton detachment of the OPP was investigating break-ins on 16 boats in the Picton harbour. Assorted property was reported stolen around 8:40 a.m. on Monday morning. Few details were known.