Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the contribution of well-known Ottawa Valley newspaperman, Fred Runge, who after nearly 30 years in the business received an offer he could not refuse: selling his 17 newspapers to big city based Metroland.
It was no secret that Fred's father, prominent Pembroke businessman Donald F. Runge, believed in helping his children. The elder Runge was quite happy to see his son Fred return to the Ottawa Valley to run a local newspaper after being in southern Ontario.
Once at The Renfrew Mercury newspaper, Fred totally immersed himself in the newspaper business, growing the business from three papers and a press to the substantial business it became.
While fathers usually look to their sons to follow them into the family business, in the case of Fred, his interest in fine wines was passed on to his son Graham, who has a successful career with a southern Ontario distillery. It may be Fred following Graham.
I say to Fred and his wife, Barbara, to enjoy their retirement while they can, because I know their community in Renfrew is not going to let a man of his talents sit idle.