Bancroft this Week

Bancroft scrums together rugby team

The Bancroft Blackflies have been resurrected — this time for boys and girls rugby fanatics.

Protests gathering momentum

Gnomes for Social Justice and Equality, Kerry Leslie and other supporters held a protest outside of Club 580 during Bancroft’s council meeting on Tuesday. They were challenging the recent 53 per cent combined rate increase in water and sewer. This is the third protest that Leslie has led concerning this issue.

Kudos to Hastings Highlands council

After navigating around the deep potholes on South Baptiste Lake Road in the rain, the deplorable condition of this road speaks for itself.

Time flies when you’re having fun

There’s something particularly interesting about being journalist in your hometown — especially when that town is a small community like Bancroft. It almost goes without saying that everyone here has been immensely welcoming.

Cottagers returning to Bancroft

According to the Red Cross, floods are the most frequent natural disaster in Canada. If you’re returning to a flooded property, remember to watch for damage that may have compromised the structure of your home or cottage. The Red Cross recommends looking “for buckled walls and floors and sagging ceilings. If you see any of these, leave the home and contact authorities.” Your water may also be compromised with contaminants. The Red Cross states, “Do not use your tap water for drinking, cooking and washing dishes until it has been tested and/or confirmed safe for use by local authorities.”

School board action trouble for thrift shop

Wollaston township council learned during the May 9 regular meeting that the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) will not renew the lease for the “Little White School House” in Coe Hill, which for many years has been the home of the Coe Hill Community Thrift Shop

Bancroft budget talks continue

Bancroft held an important council meeting last week, headed up by Acting Mayor Paul Jenkins. In his opening statements, Jenkins thanked the staff responsible for the relocation of the municipal office. He praised their hard work in making the move a smooth and easy process.

Bancroft presents budget to public, taxes to rise 2.11 per cent

A full house attended the town’s presentation Tuesday, May 16. The proposed tax rate has changed. Goals have been set to develop town growth and cut debt in half by the mid 2020s. The town will not be rolling back water and wastewater rates in the near future.

Hydro rates will ‘skyrocket:’ MPP

The province has brought forward legislation for its promised hydro bill reduction, but other provincial party representatives aren’t lining up behind it.