Year in Review in photos – March 2018

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Year in Review in photos – March 2018

Effective Feb. 28 the ATM machine at the former CIBC branch in Bloomfield is gone.

Customers who use the ATM at CIBC in Bloomfield were surprised to find the machine had been removed without warning as the former branch location was sold. Customers learned last March the branch would close in September – one week short of 62 years at the 257 Main Street location.

The Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan worked with volunteer citizen scientists equipped with smart phones to help locate and monitor Osprey’s nests around the Bay of Quinte. The goal is to establish a long-term monitoring program to ensure the Osprey population remains healthy and abundant. “Ospreys eat fish almost exclusively, they are considered indicators of water quality health,” said Sarah Midlane-Jones, of the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan. “Changes in the number of nesting pairs and number of chicks produced and fledged can reflect changes in aquatic ecosystem health.”

Celebrating federal and provincial public transit funding were, from left, Quinte West Deputy Mayor Jim Alyea, Prince Edward County Mayor Robert Quaiff, Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher, Bay of Quinte MP Neil Ellis, with Belleville Manager of Transit Operations Paul Buck and Belleville councillor Garnet Thompson.

Prince Edward County will use a transit grant of more than $100,000 from the federal and provincial governments to expand services offered through Quinte Access.

It’s been more than 70 years since the ponies ran in harness races at the Picton Fairgrounds track, but people might soon go through their paces if a proposal to make a walking track takes hold. Julia Miller told Committee of the Whole members that the Picton Recreation Committee has plans to see if the track surrounding the community centre could be utilized for walking and running year-round.

Advanced care paramedic Graham Bent and Chief Doug Socha demonstrate lifting a stretcher into an ambulance for seniors attending a special ‘Know your Emergency Providers’ event hosted by the Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors at the new Fire and Rescue station on McDonald Drive in Picton. – Sharon Harrison photo

Bay of Quinte MP Neil Ellis with members of the Bay of Quinte Youth Council as they launch a ‘Spring Showers’ collection of toiletries for three local foodbanks.

– SSJI photo from along PEC’s South Shore

County residents and supporters of the protection for public lands and off-shore waters along South Shore were invited to the inaugural meeting of the new South Shore Joint Initiative (SSJI). The SSJI received support of County council earlier this month in the passing of a motion supporting the group’s goals and objectives to protect the Prince Edward County south shore Important Bird Area (IBA) and to maintain, or increase, the biodiversity of its terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

Maple on snow (taffy) was a big hit at Waupoos Estates Winery.

Warm days and cold nights make for perfect maple syrup production and the crowds that poured in for Maple in the County celebrations were pleased with what they tasted. Now in its 17th year, Maple in the County featured 12 sugarbushes and 23 other businesses including wineries, breweries and one artisanal distillery. – Sharon Harrison photo

Local radio broadcaster Tim Durkin, 32, announced he is seeking the Conservative Party of Canada nomination to represent the Bay of Quinte riding in the 2019 federal election.

Joanne Belanger

New Democrats named school chaplain and community leader Joanne Belanger as the NDP candidate for the upcoming provincial election in the riding of Bay of Quinte.

“I am thrilled to be joining Andrea Horwath’s NDP team,” said Belanger. “The Wynne Liberals – and Conservatives before them – have done enough damage to the public services that families depend on, while driving up our cost of living.

The County Clippers U12 girls basketball team captured silver at an Ontario Cup Provincial Championship. Clippers coach Bill Latchford noted he was incredibly proud and impressed by the basketball played by the team following a 10-10 season record.

Wellington residents concerned about the lack of affordable housing in Prince Edward County met to share ideas, options and to brainstorm. Led by Wellington resident and businessman Barry Davidson, the meeting at Wellington Pentecostal Church drew several dozen citizens interested in hearing options – including co-op housing, town houses, multi-units, apartment – and whether they should be for sale, or for rent. – Sharon Harrison photo