Proudly servIng PrInCe edward County sInCe 1830
The Picton Gazette THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014
VOLUME 1 8 4 , N O . 3 4
InsIde
tHiS week
Festival prides itself on outside-the-box thinking Jazz afficionados keep coming to Picton for creative performances
Benson Park not for parking
Jason Parks
Staff writer
HALL
tender awarded for new Consecon fire station Page 4
HOOPLA
Circus performers show their stuff in Hillier park Page 14
HOPEFULS
wellington Dukes get look at prospects as camp opens Page 18
seCtIons
Looking back.......6 Weather.............6 Editorials.............7 Letters....................8 Sports....................18 Classifieds.............22 Puzzles................RE CaNaDa’S OLDeSt COMMUNitY NewSPaPer
It was a jazzed up week in Prince Edward County. The 14th annual Prince Edward County Jazz Festival played to packed venues spread throughout the municipality as hundreds of fans enjoyed soulful and relaxing notes whether they audibly emanated from a guitar, piano or horn (or sometimes all three). Festival creative director Brian Barlow said the 14th edition was a hit on a pair of levels. “It was a really big success and I mean that in terms of both attendance and artistically as well,” Barlow told the Gazette Tuesday. “We achieved all we wanted to achieve in the artistic department so that really makes me happy when we can accomplish both those goals.” To see how this festival continues to evolve, grow and remain popular, one doesn't have to look any farther than Friday's marquee concert at the Regent Theatre where Lorne Lofsky, David Occhipinti, Rob Piltch and Reg Schwager were united on stage in a tribute concert to the late Jim Hall. The American jazz guitar legend was honoured as four of Canada's best performed his original offerings. “Aside from the fact those four had never played together on the same stage was remarkable in its own right, but to bring in a string section and play Jim Hall's music was very unique and I don't know of any other festival in Canada that would do that,” Barlow explained. It's outside the box thinking in lineups and arrangements that keep people coming back year after year. Venues play a role in popularity as well as over 30 locations were utilized in the five day festival, a move that ensured no one had to travel too far to hear a rejuvenating wail of a guitar or the brassy blare of a trumpet. “Well it is the Prince Edward County Jazz Festi-
Councillors dismiss recommendation for 15-20 new spots
Chad Ibbotson
Staff writer
rememberIng JIm Renowned Canadian jazz guitarist Rob Piltch preforms Friday evening at Picton’s Regent Theatre as part of a tribute concert to the legendary Jim Hall, staged by the Prince Edward County Jazz Festival. (Jason Parks/Gazette staff)
val so it's important that we have events all over the county and we really work to do that. When these people put together a restaurant or winery, it's important we support them,” Barlow explained. And not just your runof-the-mill businesses or wineries. The Glenwood Cemetery chapel was jammed for jazz Saturday morning
P U L L - O U T
R E A L
as Schwager and violinist Lenny Solomon got together in a unique duo. While unique and inspiring, jazz in a cemetery chapel does serve to stereotype fans of the genre. But looking closer, the Festival is getting younger. The Robi Botos Trio After-hours jam sessions at the Beck & Call were very popular as was anything
E S TAT E
involving Hannah Barstow, who haunted the Waring House with her dulcet and velvety tones for much of the week. “We really made a concerted effort to involve young people and there were more young people performing and in attendance. The idea that these concerts are going to have an older audience just isn't the case,” Barlow said.
S E C T I O N
A staff recommendation to convert the tennis courts in front of Benson Hall in Picton into paved parking was met with much opposition from council and the community at last week's committee-of-the-whole meeting. The recommendation didn't gain any traction among councillors and was lost. The measure came forward in a staff report with recommendations to improve access to parking in Picton's downtown core. Staff had made several recommendations, including converting the south side of Picton Main Street — from Lake Street to the Royal LePage property — to metered parking, which was deferred for more staff consideration and community consultation. Also deferred were recommendations to convert Market Lane to pay and display metered parking and to identify property on York Street for parking expansion. So too were recommendations to investigate further parking management changes, including replacing traditional meters with pay and display meters, weekend parking enforcement, and an increase in parking rates. Councillors did support a pair of the recommendations — endorsing the creation of a cash-in-lieu of parking bylaw, and directing staff to investigate opportunities to purchase land in Picton and Wellington for parking expansion. But it was the Benson Hall proposal that raised the ire of community members — many of whom condemned paving over one of the town's few core recreation spaces. Picton resident Catherine Lyon said she has several problems with the proposal.
See PARKING, page 2
I N S I D E !
Carol Brough
Sales Representative
Master’s Diamond Club
Lanthorn Real Estate Ltd. Brokerage
Call Lesley today in our Picton office for all of your insurance needs. Picton 613.476.2776 - Wellington 613.399.3620
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