Each week, the Beaver looks back on headlines from past years…
70 Years Ago
– Wilbert Hart requested Napanee council issue a permit allowing him to construct a 65-foot-by-45-foot garage and office on Dundas Street in a residential area. He said the garage would house used cars at night and he had no intention of operating a service station on the premises.
Neighbours C.M. Stratton and Lynn Crossman raised their concern about the project. Stratton said such a structure in a purely residential district would have a negative effect on property values. The matter was referred to the town’s planning committee for discussion and a recommendation.
– Wilson’s Hardware in Napanee had a long-distance order. A woman from British Columbia called the store asking for five pounds of lath nails. The woman indicated she had driven about 300 miles in British Columbia and she could only secure five points. Supply of the nails across all of Western Canada was reportedly scarce.
– Napanee’s fire department responded to two separate calls in one day. A morning chimney fire at Charles McConnell’s residence took considerable time to put out, but there was no damage. A 9 p.m. fire at Webster’s Grocery on Front Street ignited the adjoining Lewis’ Meat Market.
Firemen had considerable difficulty controlling the fire as their hose nozzles froze in minus-10 degree weather. The building suffered considerable smoke and structure damage.
40 Years Ago
– The Lennox and Addington County Board of Education faced emotionally charged parents at three separate meetings regarding proposed boundary changes the board believed could save it $200,000 annually.
The largest crowds turned out in Centreville as 300 people expressed concern over a number of recommendations, including the closure of Yarker Public School. Some wondered why that decision, which was expected to save between $6,000 and $10,000 annually was a priority with an elementary schools operating budget of $8 million.
– Water and sewer rates in Napanee, Richmond, and North Fredericksburgh were increased by 15.5 per cent. Napanee deputy-reeve Graham Strong told councillors the Greater Napanee Water Supply and Pollution Control Board made the decision to adopt the increase to allow it to pay for $25,000 of new water mains to replace those damaged by pipe corrosion.
A nine-per-cent hike that had been considered would only cover salary increases and operating expenses, but no capital upgrades.