As The Packet marks its 50th anniversary this year, we offer readers a look back at the local stories that made the news.
50 years ago
From the Dec. 5, 1968 edition
Clarenville shows $7,000 deficit for 1967
The Clarenville Packet has learned that the town of Clarenville had expenditures in excess of its revenue by $7,524.97 in the year ending Dec. 31st, 1967. This statement was $87,512.66 while the total revenue for the same period was $79,987.69.
The biggest single source of expenditure was the maintenance of roads which soaked up $18,196.08 of public funds. Close behind were general government expenditures with $15,975.05 and debt charges (principle and interest on debenture debt and longterm debt loans and interest on temporary borrowing $15,369.93).
Sanitation and waste removal cost the people of Clarenville $13,604.59 and capital expenditures out of revenue (land, sewer line, recreation center, snowblade assembly, truck and water line survey) $10,935.82.
On the revenue side of the ledger counsel handled $38,570.08 taken in taxes. Grants from the federal government made up another $34,951.81 with $28,712.45 of this total coming in the form of the province of Newfoundland revenue grant. The government of Canada centennial grant cane to $870.93.
40 years ago
From the Dec.7, 1978 edition
During Air Cadet week in Clarenville a banquet was held at the Legion Hall, Warrant officer Jacqueline Vokey and AC2 Michael Barry got together to cut the 25th anniversary cake during the banquet held on Friday night. Jackie is presently in her fifth year with the Squadron; Michael, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Barry of Clarenville, is a first year Cadet.
Packet file photo
20 years ago
From the Dec.7, 1998 edition
Christmas comes early for MHAs
In a unanimous vote in the house of assembly, MHAs voted to give themselves a 7 percent pay increase over the next three years. The raise is retroactive to April of this year, meaning that MHA’s will receive a healthy Christmas bonus of 2 percent of their salary for the last eight months. For those making the basic salary of just over $38,000 per year, as well as a $19,000 tax free allowance (to which the raise also applies) this back pay would be just over $700.
The reason for the retroactive increase has to do with the budget. In the last budget, MHA’s received a pay increase along with other public servants. However, all salary increases for MHA’s have to be passed in the house. Members are only now getting around to approving the raise.
10 years ago
From the Dec. 11, 2008
VD off Health minister’s list
House gets rid of outdated laws
Ross Wiseman no longer has the right to know who has venereal disease.
During this session of the House of Assembly, the house repealed the Venereal Disease Act.
That Act, which became law during the 1960s, stipulated that doctors were obliged to report directly to the Minister of Health anyone who had contracted sexually transmitted diseases.
Wiseman told the Dec. 4 session of the House of Assembly the legislation provided the provincial government with some powers that may actually infringe upon some national and international conventions and charters and the protection of the rights of individuals.
https://www.thepacket.ca/community/a-packet-of-past-moments-in-time-266358/
