Picton Gazette Jan 8 2015

Page 1

ProuDly servinG PrinCe eDwarD County sinCe 1830

The Picton Gazette THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2015

THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESS

VOLUME 1 8 5 , N O . 1

insiDe

thiS weeK

PRESERVING alexandre fida buys heritage house, plans to restore it PaGe 3

Emma and Tucker Goodman took to the lightly dusted slopes of the Mary Street parking lot hill at Delhi Park on New Year’s Day to be the first to test the popular Picton sled run. With heavier snow this past week, the hill should be a popular spot this weekend. (Jason Parks/Gazette staff)

PROACTIVE

Smith places county issues on agenda for 2015 PaGe 18

MacDonald lauded for his 45 years of service County shows its appreciation for long-serving Hallowell politician Jason Parks

Staff writer

PROUD

Peewee Kings fare well in Brantford tournament PaGe 13

seCtions

Looking back.......6 Weather.............6 Editorials.............7 Letters....................8 Sports....................12 Classifieds.............15 Puzzles.................18 CaNaDa’S OLDeSt COMMUNitY NewSPaPer

It was one last shining moment in the sun for Prince Edward County's longest standing elder statesman. Keith MacDonald, a longtime elected representative of the voters in Hallowell was honoured Thursday at the annual Prince Edward County New Year's Levee at Macaulay Museum. MacDonald was sent out to pasture from his seat at Shire Hall this past fall in the 2014 municipal election but only after representing the interest of his neighbours and constituents at the municipal and provincial levels for over four decades. MacDonald was presented with a certificate of recognition by longtime Sophiasburgh councillor Kevin Gale on behalf of council that commemorated MacDonald's 45 valued years of service and contribution to the local community. Now the current longest standing member of County council, Gale said it

to the Point Sophiasburgh councillor Kevin Gale makes a point with Keith MacDonald at the annual New Year’s Levee Thursday at Macaulay Museum. MacDonald was celebrated for his 45 years of service to County council. (Jason Parks/Gazette staff)

seemed just like yesterday it was he who stood in awe of MacDonald's political career. “It was 17 years ago and I was the rookie,” Gale said. “We've had some laughs and you've ripped me on a few small construction projects-” “Ripped you, one of them was for $3 million!” MacDonald shot back to laughter, instantly recalling a set-to the pair had.

P U L L - O U T

Carol Brough

R E A L

“The last four years, I've had the pleasure of sitting next to one of the most honest and reliable people you will ever meet and I've learned that underneath that firm handshake and that gruff exterior, is a kind man with a big heart,” Gale continued. Mayor Robert Quaiff shared a piece of anecdotal evidence to MacDonald's character, telling of a time when his father was play-

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ing against MacDonald in softball game in Wellington some years ago. With the game on the line in the late stages and Prince Edward County's most prolific sportsman at the plate, the elder Quaiff managed to track down a towering fly ball that would have won the game. Making the play more dramatic was Quaiff senior was tasked with snagging the fly ball in a ditch far out

S E C T I O N

in the outfield. “He told me he made the catch and he felt so proud,” Quaiff said. But those feelings were quickly erased by a sense of dread as MacDonald came roaring into the outfield with a full head of steam. “He said Keith looked just like a raging bull coming at me and when he got there, he stuck out is hand and said 'Hey, that was one hell of a catch,',” Quaiff said with a smile. “That story shows just how much respect Keith MacDonald has for each and every person in our community.” Quaiff said that it was a privilege to sit with MacDonald on council in the past decade when he served as councillor of North Marysburgh and added And I'm going to miss you because I was hoping to have the opportunity to throw you out of a meeting. In his remarks, MacDonald said he appreciated such an honour and felt overwhelmed at the occasion. He thanked his wife Eleanor Lindsay and the Lindsay and Ronan Families for their support over the past decade.

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