Each year PECCTAC requests submissions from our community to recognize a business and citizen of the year. On June 21st at the Glenbridge Restaurant a sumptuous lunch was enjoyed to recognize the 2002 Business Achievement & Citizen of the Year.

Majesty Charters was given the “Business Achievement” award and Jeanette Arsenault the “Citizen of the Year”. Black Creek Cheese Factory was also given a “Business Achievement” award to replace the one given to them in 1990 that was lost in the fire. It is an honour to have you in our community. Rest Assured – by Ian Scrimshaw, Vice President PECCTAC
Once again a great deal of talk is making the rounds about problems with consuming the fish harvested from the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario. Making my living on these 2 bodies of water I personally do not give much credence to the rumour.

In addition, PECCTAC wanted to recognize the businesses that have been members for 50 years! Those businesses are:

Baycrest Lodge and Marina, Martin’s River Company, Sunset Farm and Cabins, West Lake Resort, Merland Park, Fairfields Resort, and Lake on the Mountain Resort.

Congratulations to all and thank you for your continued support.

OSTAR Application

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 proactive drive to promote the Town of Picton. 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 created to enhance The County’s exposure and provide a needed service. We will keep you posted on this very exciting development.

Lawrie Ackerman - President

R.S.T. Rates and the Hospitality Business

As you know the hospitality businesses must submit RST on rooms, food, beverages and other products that are sold. The problem is not the tax itself but rather the varying RST rates that must be calculated depending on what is sold and what package it is sold with. The rules are not only difficult to understand and create havoc to the business owner but in the end increases the cost of doing business.

PECCTAC has written to the honourable Ernie Parsons, MPP in order to bring the issue of varying and ambiguous RST rates to the Provincial Governments attention.

In response to our letter Mr. Parsons has sent his own letter to the Minister’s of Finance and Tourism & Recreation. We will keep you posted on any changes and hopefully improvements.

Taste The County Update

Just to keep our members advised about the status of Taste the County - this co-sponsored project with the local Federation of Agriculture officially ended last January. Almost $500,000.00 was received from OMAFRA during this project – right on target.

Everyone is commended for their work during the 3-year program and the earlier planning period. Receipt of the last milestone remittance from OMAFRA and the 10% holdback has leftover $100,000.00 to be re-invested in community projects consistent with the original plan proposed by the sponsors.

The PECCTAC Board of Directors is working diligently with the Prince Edward Federation of Agriculture to ensure the project money will be invested in our community.

PECCTAC's New Website

In anticipation of updating PECCTAC’s website many changes have been made to include having our own domain name. www.pecchamber.com is the beginning of our initiative to create an interactive website for members and visitors.

Rest Assured – by Ian Scrimshaw, Vice President PECCTAC
Once again a great deal of talk is making the rounds about problems with consuming the fish harvested from the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario. Making my living on these 2 bodies of water I personally do not give much credence to the rumour.

The vast majority of pollutants that accumulate in fish, if any, do so in the areas where the fish store their fat. The 2 principle areas are around the dorsal fin and the belly meat. When cleaning the fish remove the meat from around the dorsal by cutting from 1 inch in front and behind the fin and 1 inch down and trim off the belly meat. Every year the Ministry of the Environment takes and tests samples of all species for all bodies of water in the Province. The results of these tests are published annually and are available to the public free of charge and are usually available wherever fishing licenses are sold.

I would suggest that anyone with concerns acquire a copy of “Guide to Eating Ontario Sports Fish” and we can inject some scientific reality into the rumour mill.

In Support

PECCTAC in cooperation with Belleville & District Chamber of Commerce and Trenton Chamber of Commerce will support the making of a 30-minute TV show on the Bay of Quinte promoting fly-fishing for bass. In addition the show will cover topics like the ecosystems, which sustain fish and all aquatic life. The emphasize will also note the sustainability of the walleye in the Bay and put a positive spin on what a superb place the Bay of Quinte is to fish and what a great area it is to visit. This show will be aired on OLN in Canada and on PBS in the USA during 2002-2003 seasons.

Watch your Phone Bills

Recently I noticed on my phone bill a miscellaneous charge of $4.95. The only other clue I was given was on the backside of the bill it stated “First Rate TM”. Not knowing what this charge was for I called 310-BELL. The charge is for Bell’s special rate program at a cost of $4.95 per month. If you as a Bell customer do not state you Do Not want this service, Bell will automatically sign you up!

Office Statistics

Although the summer had a very slow start visitors to our Tourist Information Office total 1287 as of June 30th. That is only down 185 visitors from last year. July has taken off and we are very happy to report we have extra help this year.

In the office at 116 Main Street we have Bobby Joe Handley & Gloria Dunn helping Babbs. In the Welcome Centres at Rossmore we have Lindsay Brown and at Westfall, Sharon Boyce & Cassandra Jewell helping out. Thanks to you all!

Target Marketing!

Next newsletter will be in October. Any member can submit a 1-page information sheet at a cost of $50.00 that will go out to all members. Great target marketing! Need your submission by October 4th please.

Welcome New Members!

Vision Quest Windelectric Inc. - contact Jason Edworthy - Calgary Alta.

Have You Noticed?

Resulting from the terrible March windstorm, PECCTAC’s Information sign was demolished. A new internationally recognized “Information” sign has been erected in its place along with an “OPEN” flag.