Each week, the Beaver looks back on stories from the past. Here is what happened this week, by year…
1952
– Napanee residents would not have to vote in an election as all the positions on council, the public utilities commission, and the school board were acclaimed to their positions. Mayor Arthur Kimmerly, reeve Alvin Wartman, and deputy-reeve Carl Clark were set to serve. R.A. Ballantyne, E. Loucks, and W.R. McGreer would be the newcomers to council, while former reeve George Chalk planned to return to a council seat alongside returning town councillors Doug Alkenbrack, Lorne Smart, H.D. Wightman, G.C. Herrington, and Ward Hodgston.
– A well-known Napanee automotive dealer was arrested by Toronto detectives on a fraud charge. George Kingston paid for a $3,900 automobile in the Ontario capital in October. He paid by cheque and the dealer who sold him the car claimed the cheque was worthless.
– Many of the top municipal jobs in area municipalities were also decided by acclamation. Earning reeveships were J.R. Johnston (Adolphustown), Fred McConnell (Camden), Mel Card (Newburgh), and Arthur Graham (Richmond). In Ernestown, T.D. Creighton would face Erwell Huff in an election campaign. Thomas S. Scott was also acclaimed as the mayor of Deseronto.
1987
– The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office recommended a single fire department for Napanee, North Fredericksburgh, and Richmond Township after completing a municipal fire protection survey. The report called for a new fire hall to be built in Napanee north of the CN Rail underpass to accommodate three pumper trucks, one aerial pumper truck, one rescue vehicle, two water tanks, a meeting room, and offices for staff. Long-term planning was also a consideration with calls for a five-year master plan and vehicle replacement and training programs.
– A plan for a 220-home development on Church Street that had been on hold since 1981 appeared to be back before Napanee council. Clerk-administrator Jack McNamee said if all went well, proponent Standard Rollins could begin building single family homes and apartments early in 1988.
– The Lennox and Addington County Board of Education finalized a $612,000 list of priority capital improvements for 1988. While the board wanted to move ahead with roof repairs, its top priority for the year was a $300,000 investment in alterations to the science lab and automotive shop at North Addington Education Centre.