PECCTAC has been working with the Picton BIA and the Prince Edward/Lennox & Addington Community Futures Development Corporation to put together an OSTAR Application. This joint venture will assist the Picton BIA in their efforts to submit a 3-year pro-active drive to promote the Town of Picton and surrounding areas. This project plans to create and implement a focused marketing and merchandising effort in order to further stimulate business in Picton and the County. The PECCTAC projects include updating the website into an interactive website and create bicycle route maps. Both projects were developed to enhance The County’s exposure and provide a much needed service.
On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like to thank Jeanette Arsenault for allowing us the opportunity to use the lines from her latest song “Waiting To Welcome You” as the kick-off for our 2003 advertising campaign. The words in this song encapsulate all the wonderful reasons to come to Prince Edward County. Copies of her new CD are available through Lynne McMullan at 476-1211.

Lawrie Ackerman – President

2003 Annual General Meeting

Don’t miss the Prince Edward County Chamber of Tourism & Commerce Annual General Meeting to be held Wednesday, February 19, 2003 at 7:00 pm at The Devonshire Inn in Wellington. Mr. Ron Broadbridge, Manager of the Belleville Chamber of Commerce will speak and entertain us with his quick wit and Jeanette Arsenault will delight us with singing her latest hit “Waiting To Welcome You”. Come out and enjoy an evening with fellow business owners. Please RSVP by calling Babbs at 476-2421.

Welcome Centres

In June 2002 County Council made the decision to assume control of the management of the 2 Welcome Centres. PECCTAC believes the Welcome Centres have a viable use – assisting tourists to find the wonderful spots in Prince Edward County. On January 14th we met with the Corporate Services Committee to present 2 options that PECCTAC would like to be a part of. Whichever way the Council decides PECCTAC will fully support their final decision and assist in any way possible.

Changes to the Young Offenders Act

The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) takes effect on the 1st of April 2003. This legislation replaces the Young Offenders Act (YOA) and will bring about significant changes in how the Communities deal with Young Persons who have committed a criminal offence. One of the founding principals of the YCJA is that "extra judicial measures are often the most appropriate and effective way to address youth crime." (Sec. 4.a. YCJA). What does this mean?

A police officer shall consider, before starting any judicial proceedings or taking any other measures, whether it would be sufficient having regard to the principal of the act, they shall consider issuing a warning, issuing a Police caution or referring to a "Community Program'" or "Conferencing Program".

This will impact on a Retailer who apprehends a shoplifter.
The Police will not necessarily automatically charge the young person, they are now obligated to the most appropriate and effective way in dealing with the situation. Madame editor has informed me not to get to long-winded so I'll terminate my remarks at this time but I will be following up with more information as the implementation date of 1st of April approaches. If I might take the liberty as the Detachment Commander of the Prince Edward OPP I want to make the statement that there are many positive changes coming with the Young Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). It is a great improvement from the Young Offenders Act (YOA) and I strongly feel that our community and our young people will be better served by the changes.
Submitted by Bernie Gaw - Director

HQnet Information

A number of your PECCTAC Directors attended the recent information seminar on HQnet - Hastings & Quinte Connect a Community Broadband Networking Overview. The seed money for HQnet was through Taste the County; initiated by PECCTAC through the Rural Job Strategy Program. Much information was given about broadband capabilities and the proposed broadband network that would span from Prince Edward County to Bancroft. CYGNAL Technologies has been hired to put the proposal together. The proposal calls for 43 potential sites in the County at a cost of $2.5 million. Maintenance fees for each site are between $700.00 and $1100.00 per month. Although this network does not provide broadband access to residential or commercial businesses, it will provide the infrastructure to allow future access. The life span of fibre optic technology is 30 plus years. For more information on HQnet please see www.quinte.on.ca/HQnet

Returning Salmon

During the late 1980’s and early 1990’s large numbers of the salmon stocked at Wellington and Barcovan channels returned to these water to complete their life cycle of 3 to 5 years. Due to many factors including changes in wind patterns, currents and water levels this has not been happening for the past 8 to 10 years. The returning salmon provided a substantial magnet to draw both boat and shore fishermen to this area in late August through to early October and the subsequent benefits to the local economy. A local fishing club CLOSA (Central Lake Ontario Sports Anglers) has undertaken a project to once again get the fish returning to the harbours.

Working in conjunction with the Ministry of Natural Resources and obtaining approval from land owners, Ministry of the Environment, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, The Coast Guard, and the Municipality CLOSA will be placing pens near the two channels into which the MNR will be stocking 10,000 of the 25,000 salmon fry that are stocked each year in the two bodies of water. After some training at a hatchery, members of the club will feed (5 times a day) clean and generally over see the care and health of the fry for about a three week period until the fish have smolted. The pens will then be towed out into Lake Ontario and the small salmon will be released. This will accomplish a couple of things, it will allow the fish to imprint on home waters which will have the survived Ontario Ministry of Tourism is working with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in a consultation on the development of a tourism strategy to improve Ontario’s competitiveness. The discussion paper on the tourism strategy consultation can be found at www.tourism.gov.on.ca Feedback is encouraged from all Chamber members and input/comments can be made to Larry Till at the Ministry of Tourism via e-mail at larry.till@mczcr.gov.on.ca
Voice your concerns and offer your suggestions!

Don't Miss Out On The New Membership Benefit!

PECCTAC has agreed to partner with PAYweb, an Online Payroll service, to offer our members great savings in payroll accounting fees. The comparative analysis between PAYweb and other payroll companies shows incredible savings. In addition, as a member of PECCTAC the signup fee is waived! For further information on PAYweb go to their website at www.payweb.ca. Be sure to say you are a member of PECCTAC to get this great offer.

Welcome New Members!

Majesty Charters – Picton/Belleville
Hadden-Holme Guest House & B&B - Picton
Wellington on the Bay B&B – Wellington
Twin Birch Cottages - Wellington
Thank you for your support!

Coming Events - Don't Miss Out!

NEW DATE: On February 15th, 2003 The Prince Edward Arts Council will present at the Regent Theatre an evening of classical delights featuring the talents of bass-baritone Gidon Saks and dramatic soprano Celine Papizewska. For tickets contact the Regent Theatre box office.

Watch Your Televisions!

In July of 2002 we announced PECCTAC in cooperation with Belleville & District Chamber of Commerce and Trenton Chamber of Commerce would support the making of a 30-minute TV show on the Bay of Quinte promoting fly-fishing for bass. Resulting from this Prince Edward County “fishing experiences” will be featured on television on:

+ February 8th on TSN
+ March 8th on OLN

Breakfast Meeting!

Come out and join your partners in business at the first 2003 Breakfast Meeting. On Thursday March 13th starting at 7:30am at the Restaurant On The Knoll information/clarification will be given on Retail Sales Tax and GST. Ms. Lynn Witteveen of the Ministry of Finance will clarify Retail Sales Tax issues and Ms. Colleen Massett of CCRA will clarify GST issues. The “all-inclusive” price is:

+ Members: $12.00
+ Non-Members: $15.00

Please RSVP by March 10th by calling Babbs at 476-2421

Trashbash Day 2003

Once again the planning for this years’ Annual County “Trashbash Day ” is taking place. This event will take place on Saturday April 26th 2003. For details about Trashbash please visit their website at www.trashbash.ca

Advertising Opportunities

Bike Maps
As you have read PECCTAC is creating a new Prince Edward County “Bicycle Map”. Business card size ads are available. Please contact Babbs at 476-2421 for further details.

Free Radio Advertising
If you or your organization has an upcoming event that you would like to have advertised on radio let us know. This is a free service offered to PECCTAC members through the Ontario Travel Centre located in Barrie. They have a vast network of radio stations province-wide that broadcast these radio reports. Contact Babbs at 476-2421 if you want us to send in your event.

Check PECCTAC’s Website

The 1st steps to the implementation of PECCTAC’s Interactive website is being developed. All Members please check the “Business Directory” for your listing. We will keep you posted on all the new developments. Report any changes to Babbs at 476-2421. This newsletter and all previous newsletters are posted on www.pecchamber.com

The Revitalization Committee Wants To Hear Your Suggestions!

Enclosed with this newsletter is a survey asking what you would like to see happen downtown Picton. Take a few minutes and fill this survey out and drop it off at either the Picton Library or the Planning Office on King Street. The information will be part of the upcoming Picton Revitalization Project.
The event is planned for the weekend of March 14–16th , 2003.