Re: Boys Club (Editorial, June 23). As a publisher, you should know that facts matter.
For example, your recent editorial stated that I had served 12 years on Council, which is not true. I have only been serving for 8 years, so I couldn’t have said, “I have never supported a raise in 12 years.”
As for what is close to a full-time job, that is your view, not the consultants view who did the study. Perhaps you didn’t read the original report?
No one was arguing the fact that councillors deserve a raise. The issue was the timing. I believe it should be set by a new council as it is tied to the outcome of the upcoming ballot question and governance review.
As you are aware, the incumbent councillor has the advantage come election time, so, are we worried about what new candidates might earn, or are we more concerned with what we, as potential members of a new council, will earn?
I’ll leave you with this.
If being in the Boys Club means that I realize there is only one taxpayer footing the bill, then I am guilty as charged.
If being in the Boys Club means that when speaking to two different law firms for advice on a file, I don’t want to keep spending taxpayer dollars, then I am guilty as charged.
If being in the Boys Club makes me want to fight for Waring’s Creek then I am guilty as charged.
I have never asked for any campaign donation nor received any from County developers. I guess that would definitely make me part of the Boys Club. I am guilty as charged.
If being in the Boys Club means fighting for all taxpayers County wide, then I am guilty as charged.
There are two sides to every story. It’s too bad that you and your newspaper tend to only agree with one side every time. I hope in representing your newspaper, that you hunt for the truth instead of half truths and then think it is fair.
The taxpayers of Prince Edward County deserve better from you.
Roy Pennell, Councillor, Ameliasburgh
Ed. Note: The editorial Boys Club (June 23) quoted Councillor Roy Pennell as saying he had served 12 years on Council. In fact, it is Councillor Brad Nieman who has served 12 years. Mr. Pennell has served two terms, or 8 years. The Gazette regrets the error.
Re: Ford’s Dystopian Dreams (Editorial, July 1). The Picton Gazette’s July 1st editorial boasted a remarkable collection of febrile dreams inspired by Government of Ontario ads.
Though I agree with the aesthetic criticism, the ideological and political analysis stretches credibility. Hasn’t the federal (Liberal) government passed bail reform legislation because the system is not working? Isn’t it good to learn that Ontario will also be addressing the problem through new jails? What is wrong with a “scary looking” ad about safe injection sites near playgrounds and schools? Shouldn’t parents be pleased that a “Safer Ontario” will prohibit this danger?
Then there is the contrived ideological link between Doug Ford and Pierre Poilevre. Time to wake up from the dream: the Ontario Conservatives are not run by the Conservative Party of Canada, and they offered CPC little support in the last federal election. What a clumsy attempt to smear Polievre with dubious guilt by association as well as with forced references to MAGA and even Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl!
Gazette readers deserve more informed and less biased commentary.
Henri Garand, Big Island
I applaud the cast and production team behind the home-grown musical, “In the Key of Blue.”
What an achievement! Memorable moments, a plot with great ingredients – a hard-to-beat love story with a credible villain, and an ensemble of musicians who do the music of Blue Rodeo proud. Congratulations all around as they take the show on the road.
JC Sulzenko, South Marysburgh
My wife and I attended the July 4 performance of this wonderful musical without really knowing what to expect and were not disappointed!
Just goes to show you how a simple story can be bolstered and enhanced by fresh infusions of sparkling local talent, from the powerful vocal renditions of Jarrod Scott and Candice Darwell and the rest of the cast, to the highly energetic display of the amazing dancers.
The band ably handled Blue Rodeo’s compositions, much to the delight of the almost sold-out audience. It is indeed heart warming to experience home-grown talent performing at this level.
A superbly entertaining evening indeed!
Jay Darshanand, Picton
See it in the newspaper
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