70 Years Ago
May 26, 1948
– The Ontario government announced a five-year plan to spend $5 million assisting rural townships and villages to build athletic fields, skating rinks, swimming pools, and other recreational facilities. Agriculture minister Thomas L. Kennedy also announced the maximum grants available under the Community Halls Act would be increased to $5,000 and a broader range of facilities would be eligible for the grant money than ever before.
– A Kingston man was charged with driving drunk after his dump truck was involved in a collision near Erinsville that instantly killed a 22-year-old Cloyne man and injured two other occupants in the car. Police believe the dump truck either stopped or slowed down in the centre of the road. Upon impact, the top of the car was shorn off before the car rolled over several times.
– Newburgh merchants formed their own branch of the Lennox and Addington Chamber of Commerce with 17 members joining at an inaugural meeting. The membership resolved to form a committee to establish a children’s playground next to the village’s existing skating rink. It also authorized directors to speak with Lennox and Addington County representatives to see if they could attract a bank branch to open within the village.
40 Years Ago
May 24, 1978
– Deseronto council was pushing the province for additional subsidies toward a $3.6-million water works system. While the town received a 75-per-cent grant, taxpayers were still left paying annual bills of between $90 and $161 over a five-year period. Councillors noted, originally, the cost to build the entire system was $1.3 million. Environment minister George McCague replied that the rates Deseronto taxpayers were expected to pay were reasonable compared to others across the province and the region for similar work.
– Napanee officials charged the manager of the Dominion grocery store for displays of goods and merchandise extending more than 18 inches onto the sidewalk. It ruled the display of plants, fertilizers, and gardening implements was in violation of its streets bylaw. The fine was $10 for a first offence and $25 for subsequent offences.
– Adolphustown Township expressed interest in forming a mutual aid fire protection system with South Marysburgh and asked for a meeting to discuss the provision of joint protective services.
– Some 650 NDSS alumni returned to the school for a 25th anniversary reunion. There was a dance, athletic games, and festival events throughout town.