Letters: August 26

Parham Fair and local musicians, Shawn McCullough

Work Wanted? Nancy Fradenburgh

Parham Fair and local musicians

I am writing this letter to the editor once again to bring this to the attention of the residents of Parham/Sharbot Lake and the surrounding area. The fair board has again chosen to ignore all local bands and musicians and has hired from outside of the area. As you all know there is a wealth of great musicians and bands right here in our own community. My name is Shawn McCullough. I grew up in Parham and have been a life long musician, but I am speaking out not for myself but for the countless other musicians in the area. We are the ones who come without question to play for fundraisers and benefits, yet the fair board decides to hire entertainment from Kingston. Nothing against the bands from Kingston, but there are a number of bands from this area that are just as good or better than what you are bringing in from Kingston. What I want to know is, who decides what bands are hired? Just throwing this out there but whoever is doing the hiring might want to do a little explaining. I recall getting a call about 6 years ago from a board member who asked me for a price to bring in my band. Long story short, the board hired Ambush for 3-times-the price. Hmmm.....

The next year I was asked for a price and again they hired Ambush, and to make matters more insulting they are hiring other bands from out of the area and to my knowledge no-one from our area is even getting a call. As a society we are encouraged to buy local and support local business because without local support these businesses will not survive. What about musicians?? I make a large portion of my income as a musician as well as many others in this area. Let me ask this. If you want a pizza, do you drive all the way to Kingston and get it, or do you drive within minutes of your house and buy a great pizza at one of the many local restaurants? I don’t care if I ever get a call to play the fair again. As far as that goes I've been insulted too many times, but at least hire someone from our area. I received many calls and messages from people thanking me for my editorial on his subject last year, and I encourage any one who can take the time to help get this message across by contacting the fair board and complaining (that is if you can find them) or submitting a letter to the editor in support of local talent. I know this letter is going to tick some people off, but someone had to say something. So to the Parham Fair on behalf of local musicians, "Thanks For Nothing"!!!!

Shawn McCullough

Work Wanted?

I overhear conversations in my shop frequently about the lack of work up here, and how the economy is so bad and so on. I used to be sympathetic, now I’m starting to think it’s just an excuse to not work. We are currently looking for a contractor to do some work at our store, and have called seven local contractors and left phone messages regarding the job’s requirements. Not one has returned my call. I am a firm believer in supporting the local economy, however, in this case, I have a deadline to meet and can’t wait for the local companies to call back. So I have begun contacting contractors in the Napanee area and after calling two contractors this morning, I already have two appointments set up.

If you are a renovation contractor in the Northbrook area, call me soon.

Nancy Fradenburgh,