When Speaking Up Gets You Attacked: The Mayor’s Cautionary Tale
Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson recently responded publicly to an online attack directed at him in the Globe and Mail comments section. In a June 19 response to a column by Tony Keller, a County resident compared Mayor Ferguson to dictators Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. The comment—posted under a real name—was both deeply inappropriate and profoundly personal. But if we want more respectful public debate, we have to create space where people feel safe contributing to it. That doesn’t start by demanding names. It starts by fostering a culture where voices are judged by the merit of their ideas—not by whether they’ve signed on the dotted line, as the Gazette implies it would like everyone to do. [Read more]
Sponsored by AI—After Warning You About It?
In its newsletter dated August 8, 2025, the Picton Gazette features a paid AI sponsorship promoting income-generation tips using artificial intelligence—just days after publishing opinion pieces warning readers about the risks of AI-generated news and a vicious attack on County First. This contradiction raises important questions about editorial integrity and transparency in local journalism. [Read more]
The Real Cost of Growth: Peel-Back on Local Developers
Prince Edward County is booming – and that boom comes with echoes. In recent years, our idyllic rural county has seen a surge of new development proposals: subdivisions on former farm fields, condo projects by the water, and historic sites eyed for redevelopment. Promises of more housing and economic growth abound. But peel back the glossy renderings, and a more complicated story emerges – one of environmental trade-offs, strained infrastructure, and community pushback. We investigate what rapid growth is costing PEC, and whether local government and developers are balancing progress with preservation. [Read more]
In Response to the Picton Gazette’s “County Fake”
The July 16 editorial published by the Picton Gazette—ironically titled “County Fake”—accuses County First and the Prince Edward County Residents Association (PECRA) of being anonymous, unaccountable, and misleading in our analysis of local media funding and bias in our article: Audit of Media Coverage in PEC. We believe these accusations demand a clear and public response. We stand by our conclusions: The media coverage of the Picton Gazette consistently aligns with those in power and development. Take a look at our detailed report. We challenge the Gazette to present us with evidence to the contrary. Might we also add The Picton Gazette is a for-profit corporation and yet also a government funded entity. [Read more]
Ethics Without Accountability? The Picton Gazette’s Promises Fall Short
On July 21, 2025, The Picton Gazette released a prominently featured “Code of Ethics,” outlining its commitment to transparency, fairness, and accountability. The document—adapted from the Canadian Newspaper Association—reads like a model of principled journalism. It pledges to acknowledge mistakes, invite reply from those criticized, and maintain editorial independence from commercial interests. [Read More]
Transparency Promised, But Not Delivered: Picton Gazette’s Missing Corrections Undermine Its Code of Ethics
In its “Code of Ethics” statement, the Picton Gazette publicly recommitted itself to a series of laudable journalistic principles—chief among them, a pledge to “promptly correct factual errors” and to ensure “accountability and transparency” in its reporting. But a closer look at the Gazette’s digital presence reveals a troubling gap between its editorial ideals and operational reality. [Read more]
About County
We are a young and growing grassroots coalition of dedicated volunteers committed to serving the collective interests of all full-time residents of Prince Edward County, Ontario. Our mission is to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community by promoting active civic engagement, ensuring transparent governance, and advocating for responsible development that reflects our shared values, heritage, and long-term needs. We are independent and do not answer to special interests nor do we accept advertising dollars from anyone. We welcome constructive criticism. The Prince Edward County Residents Association (PECRA) is a volunteer-driven initiative built by residents who are donating time, energy, and skills to elevate public dialogue in Prince Edward County. If you believe transparency, rigour, or journalistic integrity are lacking, join us. Help us raise the bar. [Read more]