Latest / North Shore News / July 30th, 2026

Transcript

July 30th, 2026 · North Shore News

0:07
Welcome to North Shore News and Interviews on
0:10
Amherst Island Radio. Each week we keep you updated
0:14
on newsworthy events, happenings and conversations
0:17
that we've had with people in the local community
0:20
and beyond. Greater Napanee Council has unanimously
0:28
decided to suspend a grass cutting order until
0:31
staff can review the bylaw and bring back more
0:33
information. Staff will be looking to differentiate
0:35
between neglected lawns and naturalized lawns
0:38
in the bylaw. Mayor Terry Richardson explained
0:40
the process will likely involve public consultation.
0:43
We at the Town of Greater Napa have recognized
0:46
that the bylaw that we have should be updated.
0:50
We have updated a vast amount of bylaws, a vast
0:54
amount of... processes and policies over the
0:57
past two and a half years. The lawn cutting bylaw
0:59
is one that we do need to address. We do need
1:02
to update it and we've just run out of time.
1:06
It's going to require I think probably an awful
1:08
lot of public consultation because for every
1:11
conversation that we have, there's someone on
1:13
the other side of the conversation that says,
1:15
well, what about this and what about that? So
1:17
I know it's it's it's one of those things that's
1:19
high on the priority list. So rest assured, we
1:21
will look at it. It's an issue that the municipality
1:25
has recognized. It's just just a timing thing.
1:28
Richardson spoke about concerns regarding long
1:30
grass. It's very well known that the black legged
1:34
tick in Eastern Ontario, specifically in long
1:37
areas of Lake Ontario, They're very, very prominent
1:41
and probably a good portion of those ticks do
1:46
carry the Lyme disease. Most recently in the
1:49
news, we've heard about the Lone Star tick. I
1:52
guess the concern with the long grass is the,
1:56
first of all for me anyways, is the tick. problem
1:58
because of the prominent tick problem that we
2:01
have in Eastern Ontario. It should be a concern.
2:04
CAO Matthew Grant spoke about the work staff
2:06
would be doing in the meantime. I think staff
2:08
can come back and talk about what a review process
2:11
would look like. I think that this would require
2:13
reasonable amounts of public consultation. the
2:17
one of the number one complaints we get in bylaw
2:19
services is unkept lawns. So we could take a
2:23
look at the experience of others. We could provide
2:25
options at that time because of course, whatever
2:28
we would recommend would be something that would
2:32
be extrapolated out to the broader community.
2:35
So one month's time to be able to put that together,
2:37
I think, is a reasonable ask. And until such
2:39
time, I'm happy to tell bylaw to suspend the
2:43
order. Residents came forward to ask council
2:45
to suspend the grass cutting order while they
2:47
update their bylaw. Resident Austin Lloyd spoke
2:50
about issues with the current bylaw. I believe
2:52
Greater Napanes grass cutting bylaw served our
2:55
community well when it was written 25 years ago.
2:58
But horticulture and environmental science has
3:01
changed and I believe our bylaws change too.
3:05
I want to be clear, I'm not suggesting that people
3:07
should be allowed to abandon their properties,
3:10
public safety, neighborhood appearance, and respect
3:12
for neighbors. matters. Vegetation should never
3:16
block sidewalks, roads, intersections, traffic
3:18
signs, hydrants, or spill into neighboring properties.
3:22
Naturalized landscapes should still have maintained
3:25
edges, clear pathways, and appropriate setbacks.
3:29
There is an important difference between neglected
3:32
property and an intentionally managed landscape.
3:36
Right now I don't think our bylaw clearly recognizes
3:39
that difference. Lloyd noted more modernized
3:41
bylaws that other communities across Ontario
3:44
are adopting. Burlington recognizes naturalized
3:47
landscapes that are deliberately planted, regulated
3:50
and regularly maintained. Belleville also allows
3:52
naturalized gardens while continuing to require
3:56
proper maintenance, setbacks and removal of noxious
3:59
weeds. These communities haven't lowered their
4:01
standards. They've modernized them. Resident
4:04
Julie Bogdanovic tends to two properties on Dorland
4:07
Drive and received an order to comply with grass
4:09
cutting. Bogdanovic invited council to view her
4:12
properties and councillors who did noted the
4:14
importance of naturalized lawns and removing
4:16
noxious weeds. Bogdanovic explained what a new
4:19
bylaw could focus on. Many municipalities in
4:21
Ontario have modernized and fine -tuned their
4:24
bylaws. And so instead of a bylaw requiring the
4:27
removal of tall grass, a bylaw can speak to the
4:30
health and safety and the removal of noxious
4:32
weeds. And I know firsthand how cities can evolve
4:35
and modernize their bylaws to be more specific
4:38
about health, safety, and sustainability. Councillor
4:40
Bob Norrie spoke about viewing Bogdanovic's properties
4:43
and updating the bylaw. My wife and I Sunday
4:46
drove out here. The noxious weeds are gone, which
4:48
being on Quinty Conservation, I learned a lot
4:50
about. It doesn't have to be a pristine garden
4:52
of flowers. This was quite something to see,
4:54
so I... really think we have to rethink this
4:56
because maybe people with backyards like where
4:58
I live near the hospital might want to have it
5:00
looking like that, you know, make it more for
5:02
the butterflies and that. Councillor Bill Martin
5:04
spoke about what the new bylaw might look like.
5:06
That's what we really want to get to is noxious
5:09
wheeze, not not whether somebody's got a naturalized
5:12
lawn. So, I mean, I really think we need to amend
5:15
our bylaw to accept the fact that one size doesn't
5:20
always fit all the order to mow. um, I think
5:24
should be sus can look at the bylaw and be an
5:31
appeal process put gets a gets in order to do
5:36
w it's mowing or or whate an appeal process.
5:40
Richar enforcement in the meantime job to do
5:46
at times. So I know that they're trying to use
5:48
or I think that they've tried to use some form
5:51
of discretion in order to find some type of resolution
5:54
so that we can at least keep peace in the neighborhood
5:57
I guess is the best way to put it. Staff will
5:59
be coming forward with more information for council
6:01
at their next meeting August 28th. For Amherst
6:04
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
6:07
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Lennox
6:19
and Addington County Council will be reducing
6:22
the speed limit along County Road 9 for a one
6:24
-year trial period. After much discussion, Council
6:26
chose this option to avoid removing the trees.
6:29
The three remaining trees on County Road 5 will
6:31
be removed due to their condition, while a guardrail
6:34
will be installed in front of the tree on County
6:36
Road 41. Council will also address plans in the
6:39
future for planting new trees in place of those
6:41
removed. The trees are primarily bur oak and
6:44
are approximately 250 years old. The lifespan
6:47
of bur oak trees in Ontario ranges from 200 to
6:50
300 years. In preparation for upcoming construction,
6:54
county staff identified trees located within
6:56
designated clear zones of the roadways. Residents
6:59
had previously come forward and asked council
7:01
to not remove the trees. Director of Infrastructure
7:04
Services, Chris Wager, explained the work staff
7:06
did. Staff completed a further review of the
7:09
trees that were identified within the clear zone
7:12
on County Road 41 and on County Road 9. Additionally,
7:16
staff engaged two engineering firms to also complete
7:20
the safety analysis and look at options to preserve
7:23
the trees. These reports considered options such
7:27
as warning signs, regulatory signage. traffic
7:30
calming, protection barriers and even roadway
7:33
realignments. The reports included benefits and
7:37
concerns as well as potential costs. Staff also
7:41
included an example of a municipality where they
7:45
decided to use the lower clear zone or I guess
7:50
the lowest clear zone distance of three meters
7:53
in order to preserve the trees along their road.
7:56
Other than realigning the roadway and or removing
8:00
the trees in Counter Road 9, there's no other
8:02
options that improve safety and reduce liability
8:05
from the county. As per the Municipal Act, the
8:08
county has a duty of care to keep the roads in
8:11
reasonable state of repair, failure to remove
8:14
or properly deal with hazards, exposes the public
8:18
to danger, and opens the county to legal consequences.
8:23
Wager spoke about staff's original recommendation
8:25
to remove the trees and more about the county's
8:28
legal liability. Staff's recommendation to remove
8:31
the trees from last month's council is based
8:34
on engineering standards that are used by municipalities
8:39
across Ontario and Canada. These guidelines are
8:43
not legally binding, so council can go outside
8:48
of them. However, they are used by courts and
8:52
expert witnesses as evidence of the accepted
8:54
standards of engineering practice. In short,
8:58
municipalities can deviate from TAC, but they
9:01
need like a reason for the deviation and it needs
9:03
to be well documented and supported by engineering
9:06
rationale. Courts will look at whether the municipality
9:09
acted reasonably, whether the design reflected
9:13
engineering standards, and whether the risks
9:16
were foreseeable, and whether the municipality
9:18
has a rational base for the design decision.
9:20
Councillor Brian Calvert noted the importance
9:23
of looking into other options. I've kicked this
9:25
around 85 ways from Sunday. I understand the
9:28
distance is dotty dot. I get that. But I can't
9:31
see why we can't try something before we bring
9:34
out the chainsaws. Councillor Terry Richardson
9:36
spoke about looking into other options as well.
9:39
I think there are other options with respect
9:41
to the signage that I think we could take a look
9:43
at and and. at least on a trial basis to examine.
9:49
My personal opinion is that I don't think we've
9:51
done enough and I do think that there are other
9:53
options that would reduce liability and increase
9:58
safety. Deputy Warden Tony Fritz spoke about
10:00
the effectiveness of reducing speed limits. It's
10:03
a very sensitive subject. There's no one in the
10:06
room that doesn't want to preserve trees, but
10:08
it's the habits of drivers that I see every day
10:11
where they don't... believe in anything on the
10:15
road, essentially. Double lines, they'll pass
10:17
anywhere, pass on hills, do this, do that. Driver
10:22
behaviour today is just not obedient in terms
10:27
of speed limits, where you can pass or what you
10:29
can do. So I do struggle with believing that
10:34
we're begging them to slow down through signage,
10:37
so to speak. But I very much struggle believing
10:41
that they would actually comply with that and
10:44
that it will solve the problem. Wager noted the
10:48
differences between installing stop signs or
10:50
reducing the speed limit. Using a stop sign does
10:54
not remove any liability whatsoever or in my
10:58
opinion really improve safety at that location.
11:01
Reducing the speed limit like say posting it
11:04
at a 40 kilometer an hour or 50 kilometer an
11:06
hour that is a regulatory sign that is used to
11:09
control speed and that would not remove any liability.
11:13
It would marginally improve safety because some
11:17
traffic would slow down, but that hazard still
11:22
exists within the clear zone. But reducing the
11:25
speed limit, in my opinion, It still has minor
11:29
improvements, but the liability risks are still
11:32
there with the municipality as far as insurance
11:36
implications, but there is a marginal increase
11:38
in safety with a reduction of, with a reduced
11:43
speed. Wagher spoke about motorists not following
11:45
speed limits. We collect data on our roads and
11:48
design speed or the clear zone distance is defined
11:51
by the operating speed, which is the 85th percentile
11:55
of traffic. and we take that even at a posted
12:00
50, the design speed might come in around 70
12:04
if people aren't really slowing down. Those trees
12:07
are still within that clear zone with that distance
12:09
and still have the hazard. An argument could
12:12
be made that should there an incident occur,
12:17
that Council's not liable. The county may still
12:19
be liable, but staff and council that wouldn't
12:21
be liable because they made an engineering decision
12:24
and there was a rationale to lower speed there.
12:28
Um, but again, you're looking at that grove of
12:32
trees is the real, the real issue and problem
12:34
because they are so close to the road. Um, there's
12:37
still a, still a huge risk there. Wager explained
12:39
it might be difficult to find the correct speed
12:41
limit. According to the tact manual. The operating
12:44
speed would have to be less than 50 kilometers
12:46
an hour to remove the trees from liability that
12:50
are three meters and greater. Any tree that is
12:54
three meters or less, which is that seven of
12:57
the nine trees in the Grove, we're not removing
13:00
any liability from the municipality regardless
13:03
of speed. Typically, what we see in our roads
13:06
is if you post a speed at 80, people are driving
13:10
15 to 20 kilometres above that. If you post the
13:12
speed at 60, people are driving 10 to 15 kilometres
13:15
above that, except in your urban, higher urban
13:20
areas. Out there, again, people drive what they
13:25
feel, what the feel of the road is and what they're
13:28
expected to drive. You could post that at 30
13:32
and still have speeds of 70. The clear zone calculation
13:35
and liability is then calculated by the actual
13:38
speeds and I just don't think they would come
13:40
down low enough regardless of whatever we post
13:43
out there. Waggers spoke about speed enforcement
13:45
and the work staff would do to implement the
13:47
speed reduction. We would notify the OPP that
13:50
there's a new signage going in. We'd change our
13:53
bylaw. We work with the OPP at our TAC. They
13:58
would assign officers because it's a newly created
14:01
zone. So I would expect increased enforcement.
14:06
That said... enforcement is only available on
14:10
the available officers that are in the area.
14:13
The location of that, it's tough to get out there
14:17
and then respond to other calls and other needed
14:19
areas. So I do expect increased enforcement and
14:22
I can see increased enforcement. I would caution
14:25
that it's not going to be the enforcement that
14:28
the public would be looking for and complaints
14:30
and wanting enforcement would increase. Calvert
14:33
spoke about putting a guardrail in front of the
14:35
tree on County Road 41. I've been out there I've
14:38
looked at it and I fully believe it can be saved
14:41
by throwing a guardrail up there for that one.
14:43
You know the one and a half meter protection
14:45
zones there for the guardrail I don't see why
14:47
there can't be a guardrail put up to protect
14:49
that tree. They did cut one of the other trees
14:51
down recently about the same size and shape that
14:55
had some issues but that tree is... in my opinion
14:58
is 100 % healthy and worth looking after. Waggers
15:01
spoke about why they chose to remove the trees
15:03
on County Road 5. They are very similar to the
15:07
grove of trees on County Road 9. In fact I think
15:10
the one is even even closer than most of them.
15:13
So it's just these three trees that we're recommending
15:16
removal of. Should there be any wet condition
15:19
or... A driver not paying attention or any incidents
15:24
on the road, these trees are right in your line
15:26
of sight and again are a safety hazard due to
15:31
the proximity and within the clear zone. For
15:33
Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
15:35
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
15:39
News. Loyalist Township Council agreed to proclaim
15:50
October 21st, 2026 as the 26th Annual Child Care
15:54
Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation
15:57
Day. The day is in recognition of the education,
16:00
dedication, and commitment of child care workers
16:02
to children, their families, and quality of life
16:04
within their community. The proclamation request
16:07
noted that trained and knowledgeable registered
16:09
early childhood educators are the key to quality
16:12
in early years and child care programs. It stated
16:15
that early learning and child care promotes the
16:17
well -being of children and responds to the needs
16:19
of families as well as the broader community
16:21
by supporting quality of life. Each year, the
16:23
day is proclaimed by the Ontario Coalition for
16:26
Better Child Care, the Canadian Union of Public
16:28
Employees, as well as municipalities and school
16:31
boards across Ontario. The day is marked by hundreds
16:34
of child care centres, unions and allies. Councillor
16:37
Paul Broderick showed his support for proclaiming
16:39
the day. Having spent 30 years in education,
16:43
this is a core group both within the school system
16:46
and within child care that are vastly underpaid
16:49
and underappreciated at times, but their contribution
16:53
to youth is, it can't be measured. For Amherst
16:56
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
16:59
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
17:11
Township Council approved the extension of the
17:14
Loyalist Link pilot program to September 3rd,
17:17
2027. This will maintain uninterrupted service
17:20
while the Township waits for the outcome of their
17:22
Ontario Transit Infrastructure Fund application.
17:25
Funding for the extension will be provided through
17:27
provincial gas tax allocations as well as fares.
17:30
Beginning in September, the current 90A -90B
17:33
service will transition to a single connector
17:35
route linking Bath, Odessa and Millhaven to the
17:38
WJ Henderson hub. will align with the planned
17:41
shift for Kingston Transit Route 10 to 30 minute
17:44
intervals. According to staff, the combined ridership
17:46
of the two Loyalist link routes was over 9 ,600
17:49
in 2025 and continues to grow. Staff are looking
17:53
to improve coverage, flexibility and cost efficiency.
17:56
They will be reporting back to council with updated
17:58
financial projections and service performance
18:00
metrics following the release of the funding
18:02
decision. Director of Community and Customer
18:05
Services Lori McFarland noted plans for the future.
18:08
There is plans to increase ridership. You know,
18:12
we're trying to do that. Hopefully, you know,
18:17
through the as presented, we're looking at on
18:20
demand, which could bring some efficiencies.
18:24
and might increase ridership as well. Director
18:26
of Corporate Services Strategy and Innovation
18:28
Jenna Campbell spoke about waiting for the outcome
18:31
of the funding decision. We are limited right
18:33
now in some of our actions that we can take while
18:36
we're waiting to have the final OTF application
18:40
submitted to the province because we have to
18:43
remain in pilot status. So some of those opportunities
18:48
may come to fruition a little bit more in terms
18:52
of encouraging the growth of the ridership and
18:54
that sort of thing once we have an idea of whether
18:56
we'll be receiving that funding. Councillor Paul
18:59
Broderick showed his support for the program.
19:01
I remember going out for a early morning ride
19:04
with director Campbell around the first few weeks
19:07
and you know sort of thinking we're going to
19:09
be the only two on here but the data supports
19:13
some growth and I think that was the original
19:15
thing we were worried about was Would people
19:17
come thinking of this is only going to last a
19:19
year? You know, we're not going to change our
19:21
habits, but I think we're heading in the right
19:23
direction. And this is one thing I'm really proud
19:26
this council has done is looked into that. And
19:28
I hope that we can continue this down the road.
19:31
I think it's a viable service. And through personal
19:34
experience, anytime you can get my kid on public
19:36
transit, we're doing something right. For Amherst
19:39
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
19:42
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
19:54
Township will be recognizing October 10th, 2026
19:57
as National Dental Care Day. Council heard from
20:00
founder of the day, Dr. Raj Kanuja, who spoke
20:02
about the importance of improving access to oral
20:05
health care. Kanuja explains how and why he started
20:08
the initiative. National Dental Care Day started
20:11
from one simple moment. Years ago, I met a single
20:14
mother who was living with severe dental pain.
20:18
She avoided treatment because she could not afford
20:21
it. She told me she was saving every dollar she
20:24
had so she could keep a promise to buy used hockey
20:28
equipment for her child. She chose her child
20:31
over herself. That moment stayed with me because
20:35
dental pain is not just about teeth. It affects
20:38
confidence, sleep, work, mental health. and dignity.
20:43
That is why National Dental Care Day was created.
20:47
Kanuja speaks about how the initiative has grown
20:49
and notes numbers from last year. What started
20:52
as one free dental day has now grown into a national
20:56
movement after 13 years of volunteer care. Last
21:00
year alone, 219 Canadians received care across
21:05
the country through volunteer clinics. and professionals.
21:08
National Dental Care Day was proclaimed by 25
21:12
municipalities, three premiers, and two lieutenant
21:15
governors. It was also spoken about in the Senate
21:19
of Canada by Senator Muhammad Iqbal Rawalia and
21:23
entered into the Hansard Parliamentary record.
21:27
National Dental Care Day mobilizes volunteer
21:29
dental professionals, students, clinics, educators
21:32
and community partners across Canada to provide
21:35
essential dental care to underserved individuals
21:37
and families without cost. barriers or judgment.
21:41
The initiative emphasizes the importance of oral
21:43
health as an essential component of overall health
21:45
and well -being. Kanuja explains the importance
21:48
of bringing National Dental Care Day to more
21:50
communities. The need for dental care is not
21:53
limited to one city or one region. It exists
21:56
in every community. Dentistry is expensive, and
22:00
not being able to afford care forces many people
22:04
to live in pain, lose teeth, hide their smile.
22:08
and lose confidence and d Island radio and the
22:13
loc Construction of the new pump track at Loyalist
22:29
Park in Amherstview is complete. Thanks to a
22:31
confidential donation of $500 ,000, the construction
22:34
of the pump track will not impact the township's
22:37
budget. The entire project, including the skate
22:39
park, is estimated to cost approximately $1 million
22:41
and is being completed in two phases. Phase 1
22:45
is the construction of the pump track, including
22:47
a skate bowl. while Phase 2 will include the
22:50
completion of the remaining skate park features,
22:52
subject to securing additional funding. Council
22:55
heard a presentation in June of 2025 from New
22:57
Line Skateparks, an engineering firm with expertise
23:00
in skate park construction. Vice President and
23:03
Director of Business Development with New Line
23:05
Skateparks, Trevor Morgan, spoke about the benefits
23:07
of the skateparks and pump tracks they build
23:09
and the one they're looking to build in Loyalist
23:12
Township. Very integrated, green space, connections
23:16
to pathways. color, texture, art installations.
23:21
That can be very exciting to put a signature,
23:24
I guess, of the community within the architecture
23:26
of the park, even through different lighting
23:28
schemes, if that's something that's desired.
23:30
And then accessibility. You're likely to have
23:32
folks from the adaptive community who would like
23:34
to ride this park. So yeah, every park has its
23:37
story and we hope there's a story to be told
23:39
here for the Township. Morgan noted the potential
23:42
boost in tourism the facility could bring. A
23:45
network of these parks are being created in communities
23:48
across Canada and across Ontario and there's
23:51
a large population that will want to experience
23:54
each different unique park and communities and
23:56
they'll... purposely travel around, stop in these
23:59
communities, visit, spend money at local businesses,
24:02
maybe even spend a night. I know when I was 12
24:04
years old on the family trip and I was avid skateboarder,
24:07
I could be very influential to spend an extra
24:10
night in the community if they had that one skate
24:12
park. Morgan spoke about the potential of events
24:14
at the facility as well. You're likely to have
24:17
user groups and community groups that will say,
24:19
hey, we would love to have some level of organized
24:23
events there that could be lessons nights, some
24:26
community -based contests and so forth and so
24:29
we really try to design a modern park with that
24:33
in mind. Councillor Paul Prodrick spoke about
24:35
neighbouring communities and their skate parks
24:37
as well as what a new one in Amherstview could
24:40
do for the community. I think the closest one
24:42
to us is Napanee and then you go to Picton's
24:45
got a great site but again it's it's probably
24:47
20 years old now. I think it becomes a hub. for
24:51
gathering and it fits into the master recreation
24:55
plan. Also an opportunity to add something to
24:58
the community and I think we haven't had a recreational
25:02
facility addition in well over I'm going to say
25:05
40 years and again it's just through the leadership
25:09
of a community member who wishes to help out
25:12
in times where we don't have a lot of money to
25:14
do a lot of things that we'd like to do. Councillor
25:16
Jake Ennis spoke about the donation and choice
25:19
of the donor. It's a very generous donation.
25:22
They're very appreciative for the donation and
25:27
I think the donor is chosen well. It's an amenity
25:31
that focuses on youth and one that I think will
25:34
be very well used. Deputy Mayor Nathan Townand
25:37
showed his appreciation towards the donor as
25:39
well as what the project will do for youth in
25:41
the area. It's incredibly generous and provides
25:45
an amazing opportunity for us and to appreciate
25:49
the particular kinds of youth that something
25:52
like this can engage based on the whole lifestyle
25:55
and culture that goes with it. Not one I claim
25:57
to understand. I think it's not just youth engagement
26:03
writ large in some sort of big, broad context.
26:06
This is something quite specific that I think
26:08
will cater to members in our community that otherwise
26:11
don't have a facility like this. I do go by the
26:19
one in Napanee quite regularly, and it is a gathering
26:21
place. You see all sorts of demographics and
26:24
ages and different usage of it. So I fully support
26:28
this. Mayor Jim Hagedorn spoke about the progress
26:30
in access to skateboarding facilities and shared
26:33
a story from his youth. And now to see it now,
27:01
it's been developed into the whole park is basically
27:04
devoted to this now. And it's packed all the
27:07
time. It is something that is what I believe
27:10
will be well used. And this is a great opportunity,
27:13
I think, for Loyalist Township to be able to
27:15
provide another amenity new to the community
27:19
that will be used, very well used, I believe,
27:22
for an extended period of time. For Amherst Island
27:25
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
27:28
Tad Evans. This is North Shore News. This has
27:33
been North Shore News and Interviews. If you
27:36
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