80 Years Ago
November 30, 1938
-Two young Napanee boys arrested on charges of theft and breaking-and-entering at Shaver’s Paint Shop and Boyle & Son’s Hardware were sentenced to attend the Bowmanville Industrial School for an indefinite period of time.
-Nearly 200 people attended a card party and dance in support of the Beaver Santa Claus Fund, which provided Christmas gifts and dinners for families in need in the Napanee area. Despite the successful fundraiser, it was reported that more citizens than usual needed help to make the holiday a happy time. Organizers were urging the community to donate as early as possible so that they might have an idea how much they could offer to boost spirits for the holiday season.
-R.B. Bennett, Canada’s 11th prime minister, announced he’d not only be resigning his Calgary seat in the House of Commons, he’d be leaving Canada immediately to live in Surrey, England. While leading Canada through the Great Depression, it was reported Bennett frequently worked 18-hour days to meet the emergency.
40 Years Ago
November 29, 1978
-The Lennox and Addington County Board of Education reached a contract agreement with secondary school teachers at NDSS, Ernestown, and North Addington that would see the teachers receive a five-per-cent wage increase across the board and further incremental increases based on seniority. Salaries ranged from $12,670 to $27,330. The contract would cost the board $262,833 more in 1978-1979.
-Some 35 businesses approved a $20,000 budget for the Napanee Business Improvement Area. Some 50 per cent of that budget was allocated for beautification projects, 40 per cent for business promotion, and the final 10 per cent for administrative costs including a part-time manager. The money would be collected through a special tax of $20 per $1,000 of assessment on the 116 businesses within the area. Napanee Business Association president Lloyd Cowle said it would amount to about $3 per week for 80 per cent of the affected businesses.
– The television show Ombudsman was to feature the Tyendinaga Mohawk Terrirtory. Researcher Barbara Simons said the program was contacted by Donald Maracle who said tests showed that many residents did not have potable water due to high bacteria and fecal counts — often a sign of contamination from septic tanks. The show would investigate who was responsible for addressing the program.
– The union representing Emerson Electrical workers also bargained for a new two-year contract. It would increase wages by 17.2 per cent.