Latest / North Shore News / June 26th, 2026

Transcript

June 26th, 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. Lennox and Addington County has appointed
0:28
Nathan Townand as their new Director of Communications
0:31
and Community Development. Townand will start
0:33
the new role in August and has since stepped
0:35
down from his roles as Warden of the County and
0:38
Deputy Mayor of Loyalist Township. Townend served
0:41
eight years on Loyalist Township Council as well
0:43
as four years on County Council. During that
0:46
time, he also held leadership positions with
0:48
the Association of Municipalities of Ontario,
0:50
the Rural Ontario Municipal Association, the
0:53
Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus, and the Southeastern
0:56
Health Unit. Loyalist Township Council addressed
0:58
the process on how to fill the vacancy. At this
1:01
time, staff and council members may propose names
1:03
of individuals who have previously held a position
1:05
on council or senior leadership. Council members
1:07
could then choose to appoint or select an individual
1:10
from the proposed list. This was one of three
1:12
options council chose from. Councilors Lorna
1:15
Willis and Carol Parks explained their support
1:17
for the option council chose. I just think this
1:20
is the cleanest way to address it given how close
1:23
we are to an election and it leaves the current
1:27
councillors to do whatever they're going to do.
1:29
I think this is the best option that's available
1:31
just because of the tight time frame the elections
1:35
coming. Townand spoke about taking on the new
1:37
role. Applying for a position of employment with
1:40
the county while being a sitting warden requires
1:43
an extra level of ethical vigilance. It was imperative
1:47
to protect the integrity of the hiring process
1:49
and therefore essential that I did not place
1:52
myself or my colleagues in a position where an
1:55
actual or perceived exertion of political influence
1:58
could be suggested. I consulted with the integrity
2:01
commissioner and have followed his advice from
2:04
beginning to end. I can also say with complete
2:06
and total confidence that I competed fairly for
2:09
the position as any other applicant, and for
2:12
me personally that has been extremely important.
2:15
Moreover, as an incoming Director of Communications
2:17
who wants to foster openness and accessibility
2:20
in how the county speaks to our citizens, I need
2:24
to close this chapter with my cards on the table.
2:27
Indeed, I recognize it is not every day a warden
2:30
gets hired in their own upper tier, but I hope
2:33
the public can be confident in both the process
2:35
and ultimately the outcome. Townand went on to
2:38
speak about his decision to apply for the position.
2:40
In truth, I expected to continue pursuing elected
2:44
office for the next 2026 to 2030 term. What has
2:49
transpired was not on my bingo card and the timing
2:53
of it all not within my control. I am sure there
2:55
are those be detractors who assume my decision
2:59
was purely self -interest. As I just said, because
3:02
I believe in being honest with the public, I
3:04
will not deny that a steady job with a solid
3:08
income and a nest egg for the future was part
3:11
of my consideration. Like many millennials, I
3:14
have spent my working life cobbling together
3:16
financial means with numerous precarious jobs
3:20
that take a lot of time and leave little for
3:23
the future. At 40 years old, it isn't unreasonable
3:26
for me to have considered what 20 to 30 years
3:28
down the line might look like. Townen noted the
3:31
work he was most proud of with Loyalist Township
3:33
Council and thanked community members. I am so
3:37
proud that after successive councils kicked it
3:39
down the road, we took the decision to rebuild
3:42
the WJ. It is a significant investment that will
3:46
serve generations to come and I will always be
3:49
proud that we did that. I'm also proud to have
3:51
had my personal stamp of initiation on our physician
3:54
recruitment program. and so grateful to Rebecca,
3:57
our CAO, for doing the work to make it the success
3:59
that it has been. I'm also proud to have helped
4:01
in the development of Loyalist Township's first
4:04
climate action plan. And of course, I want to
4:06
thank the people of our great township, our community
4:09
of communities. Over the past eight years, I
4:12
have only gained in respect and affinity for
4:15
our residents. It is truly a great privilege
4:18
and joy when you're in elected office that you
4:21
get to know your community more deeply than you
4:23
really do any other way. Our township is full
4:27
of community -minded, generous, kind people who
4:31
take care of one another, who care to make our
4:33
community better and give of themselves to make
4:36
it happen. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
4:39
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
4:42
North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council approved
4:54
the extension of the Loyalist Link pilot program
4:57
to September 3rd, 2027. This will maintain uninterrupted
5:01
service while the Township waits for the outcome
5:03
of their Ontario Transit Infrastructure Fund
5:06
application. Funding for the extension will be
5:08
provided through provincial gas tax allocations
5:10
as well as fares. Beginning in September, the
5:13
current 90A -90B service will transition to a
5:16
single connector route linking Bath, Odessa and
5:19
Millhaven to the WJ Henderson hub. will align
5:22
with the planned shift for Kingston Transit Route
5:24
10 to 30 minute intervals. According to staff,
5:27
the combined ridership of the two Loyalist link
5:29
routes was over 9 ,600 in 2025 and continues
5:33
to grow. Staff are looking to improve coverage,
5:35
flexibility and cost efficiency. They will be
5:38
reporting back to council with updated financial
5:40
projections and service performance metrics following
5:43
the release of the funding decision. Director
5:45
of Community and Customer Services Lori McFarland
5:47
noted plans for the future. There is plans to
5:50
increase ridership. You know, we're trying to
5:54
do that. Hopefully, you know, through the as
6:00
presented, we're looking at on demand, which
6:02
could bring some efficiencies. and might increase
6:06
ridership as well. Director of Corporate Services
6:09
Strategy and Innovation Jenna Campbell spoke
6:11
about waiting for the outcome of the funding
6:13
decision. We are limited right now in some of
6:16
our actions that we can take while we're waiting
6:18
to have the final OTIF application submitted
6:22
to the province because we have to remain in
6:25
pilot status so some of those opportunities may
6:31
come to fruition a little bit more in terms of
6:34
encouraging the growth of the ridership and that
6:35
sort of thing once we have an idea of whether
6:38
we'll be receiving that funding. Councillor Paul
6:40
Broderick showed his support for the program.
6:42
I remember going out for a early morning ride
6:45
with director Campbell around the the first few
6:48
weeks and you know sort of thinking we're going
6:50
to be the only two on here but the data supports
6:54
some growth and I think that was the original
6:56
thing we were worried about was Would people
6:58
come thinking of this is only going to last a
7:01
year. You know, we're not going to change our
7:02
habits, but I think we're heading in the right
7:04
direction. And this is one thing I'm really proud
7:07
this council has done is looked into that. And
7:10
I hope that we can continue this down the road.
7:12
I think it's a viable service and through personal
7:15
experience. Anytime you can get my kid on public
7:18
transit, we're doing something right. For Amherst
7:20
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
7:23
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
7:36
Township Council has decided to go ahead with
7:38
a new staff plan to relocate programming from
7:41
the Leisure and Activity Center in Amherst View.
7:43
Staff looked at feedback from residents and completed
7:46
a review on the space. Staff's review confirmed
7:49
recreation service levels can be maintained through
7:51
a combination of municipal space and third -party
7:54
facility use. Based on program testing conducted
7:56
in May and June, staff found that the W .J. Henderson
7:59
Community Center is only suitable for low -volume
8:02
fitness programming, but due to a number of factors
8:04
including room layout, ceiling height, acoustics,
8:07
privacy, and overall functionality considerations,
8:10
high -volume fitness classes are better suited
8:12
to third -party spaces. Staff noted that deferring
8:15
the closure beyond August 1st, 2026 would impact
8:18
ongoing discussions related to child care in
8:21
the Township and space negotiations with BGC
8:23
Southeast. Members of the community were out
8:26
to voice concerns including programming, scheduling,
8:29
cost and location. This is our community centre.
8:32
The dispensing of programs in multiple locations
8:35
takes a step back. from the goal of centralizing
8:39
programs under one roof. It is not about the
8:42
boys and girls' deadline, but about making the
8:45
correct decision for the whole community. Council
8:48
should think carefully and not be pressured into
8:50
making this decision to fit the Kingston Boys
8:52
and Girls Club schedule. There's a saying, your
8:54
emergency is not my problem. This decision should
8:57
be made with complete information, careful consideration
9:00
and without haste. It took years to develop LAC.
9:03
I acknowledge the work to come up with a plan
9:06
in short. in a short period of time but this
9:08
plan is in no way ready to implement in such
9:11
short notice. I think it is great that the Boys
9:14
and Girls Club have a chance of obtaining a grant
9:16
to open a daycare and knowing this it gives me
9:19
no pleasure to say that I believe their benefits
9:22
should not be our losses. I believe renting these
9:25
spaces in different locations that is not under
9:28
one roof will be problematic as it has been in
9:31
the past for staff and members and these programs
9:33
will also be more vulnerable because now We are
9:37
not owners, we are renters. Manager of Parks
9:40
and Recreation with the Township Matthew Sobalski
9:42
speaks about maintaining service levels. In this
9:45
report we have addressed that service levels
9:47
that are expected are maintained. So we do have
9:51
20 hours of fitness classes that are outlined
9:54
in this report and 75 % of those programs that
9:59
are going to be moving to an alternative location
10:00
will be moving to Rhythm Dance Centre and the
10:03
other 25 % would be moving to the WJH Community
10:06
Room. ACH as an alternative location. So it does
10:09
maintain our current service levels as outlined
10:11
in this report. Councillor Paul Proderick spoke
10:14
about residents' concerns. I guess I've been
10:16
troubled since the start because the word closure,
10:20
I prefer the word relocation, but that's just
10:22
my English teaching background. In the surveys
10:26
that were presented to council, there was 152
10:30
submissions on this. Number one was program availability
10:34
at 86%. and 93 % of the 152 respondents wanted
10:41
adequate programming. Proderick went on to speak
10:43
about the importance of daycare in Loyalist Township.
10:47
If you walk around parts of the township, there
10:49
are lots of people looking for daycare. I think
10:52
most, some of the questions have been answered.
10:55
The big question is can you have getting it all
10:57
under one roof? And right now I don't see that
11:00
as an option. I firmly believe in daycare and
11:05
But I'm firm on the daycare. And if it costs
11:09
me, if I should run again for election, so be
11:11
it. I think it's the right decision. And it can
11:14
only help our growing township. And I will stand
11:18
by that. Deputy Mayor Nathan Townand explains
11:20
staff and council's focus. I think throughout
11:23
this process over the last couple of months,
11:27
the word I would use to describe what we have
11:29
been trying to do here in collaboration with
11:33
staff, obviously at ground level, is accommodation.
11:38
You know, we are trying to accommodate the feedback
11:40
that we've had from residents and users of the
11:45
LAC. We're obviously trying to accommodate child
11:48
care spaces. We're trying to accommodate the
11:53
provincial government's timeline for the funding
11:55
that will make those spaces possible. And so
11:57
from our side, the work has been accommodation.
12:01
The flip side to that from members of the public
12:04
is compromise. And I want to acknowledge that
12:08
we are asking residents and users to compromise.
12:12
We are asking users to compromise the fact that
12:15
the LAC has been this particular space. that
12:20
has functioned a particular way and meant a particular
12:22
thing to those users and now we are changing
12:25
that. Townand went on to explain their decision.
12:28
We have tried to accommodate and staff in particular
12:32
have worked hard to do that. There were comments
12:35
made about the change in this report versus the
12:40
original report and things do change and the
12:43
democratic process has worked here in this situation.
12:49
We heard the feedback and we responded to the
12:52
feedback and staff have responded to the feedback
12:55
and staff have worked to make adjustments and
12:58
change courses to try and, as I say, accommodate.
13:02
I do think this is in. overall the best interests
13:06
of the township. I don't want the narrative here
13:08
to be that young people were chosen over old
13:11
people, that childcare spaces were chosen over
13:13
seniors. That is a politicized and simplistic
13:17
way of looking at it that I don't feel is the
13:19
case. We are trying to accommodate our residents
13:24
and the needs of our residents and that requires
13:28
some compromise. Councillor Jake Ennis noted
13:31
the importance of childcare in the area. I'm
13:34
sympathetic to the need for childcare. My youngest
13:39
is in junior kindergarten, so I've been through
13:41
the daycare process for two children recently.
13:45
It's not easy. It's expensive. Where responsibility
13:48
lies for making that happen across various organizations
13:53
and levels of government. However, I also believe
13:55
that a large portion of the community sees this
14:01
closure as a cut to their recreation services.
14:05
And I find it difficult to argue with them in
14:10
principle. Councillor Carol Parks spoke about
14:12
their decision making process. From conversation
14:15
with several residents in regards to the lack
14:19
closure. It really is, the deputy has mentioned,
14:23
a change of venue or consideration for change
14:26
of venue. And the original report that came out,
14:28
it was moving everything under the WHC. So we
14:32
did take that information back from the residents
14:35
that was brought forward about the concerns about
14:37
the location and changed course. And I think
14:40
staff has provided some fairly substantial alternatives
14:45
to the LAC to run the programming between the
14:49
Rhythm Dance Center and also through the Presbyterian
14:52
Church. In an effort to accommodate the needs
14:54
of everyone involved, council voted in favor
14:56
of the new plan. For Amherst Island Radio and
14:59
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
15:03
This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council
15:15
has agreed to a request made by the Odessa Agricultural
15:17
Society to waive fees for emergency services
15:21
at the tractor pole and demolition derby during
15:23
the Odessa Fair taking place July 24th to 26th.
15:27
Secretary and volunteer with the society Stephanie
15:30
Gimo spoke about the fair and the increase in
15:33
costs. The Odessa Fair has been a staple of Odessa
15:36
for 191 years and has traditionally relied on
15:40
emergency fire services. at no cost us for fair
15:44
events. This by -law is a drastic increase to
15:47
our budget that we had not foreseen. As a non
15:50
-profit, volunteer -run organization, we do not
15:54
have the reserve funds to cover the substantial
15:57
cost increase to operate these community favourite
16:00
events at the annual fair. Gimo noted the breakdown
16:03
of costs for emergency services. Deputy Chief
16:07
Grenham stated that the Agricultural Society
16:10
would be required to pay for the fire emergency
16:13
services, for the tractor pull and demolition
16:16
derby at the annual Odessa Fair taking place
16:19
July 24th to 26th. Based on the hours, the fire
16:23
department was required for these events in 2025.
16:28
The cost would be $8 ,472 .20 for the tractor
16:33
pull and $3 ,230 .52 for the demolition derby,
16:39
totaling $11 ,000. These fees include the MTO's
16:46
apparatus hourly rate and the hourly wage of
16:49
each firefighter for these events. Alongside
16:53
partnering with the Township for events like
16:54
Trunk or Treat, Gimo spoke about how proceeds
16:57
from the fair are used and how important the
16:59
agricultural grounds are for the community. The
17:02
proceeds from the fair enable the Agricultural
17:04
Society to continue to maintain the agricultural
17:08
grounds and its buildings. The grounds offer
17:11
a park -like setting for the community to enjoy
17:13
and the large palace building is a space for
17:16
the community to come together. The Lions Club
17:18
prepares the holiday baskets in this space and
17:21
free events for families such as see and learn
17:24
are held on the fairgrounds. With the original
17:27
staff recommendation being to receive the delegation
17:29
request from the society, Councilor Jake Ennis
17:32
also added the motion to waive the fees. I would
17:34
move that Council receive the delegation request
17:37
from the Odessa Agricultural Society and to approve
17:41
the request for waiver of emergency services
17:43
fees. So moved. Do I have a seconder? Councilor
17:46
Buerger. Ennis noted possible funding options
17:49
for the future. I think it's a long standing
17:51
event, a community event that we're supporting
17:54
and I think perhaps if we support it this year.
17:59
The organization could look to the community
18:01
grant fund in the future as a possibility, but
18:05
I think it's a long -standing event that we should
18:07
continue to support. Councillor Mike Budarek
18:09
spoke about the importance of supporting events
18:11
like the fair in the community. I believe too
18:14
that we should support anything that gets people
18:17
in our community out and such a long -standing
18:19
tradition of the Odessa Fair and even the track
18:23
pool is fantastic. Great crowds and it's Great
18:28
to see people in our community come out and support
18:30
things. Council also asked for a staff report
18:32
to help guide decisions for future events. Councillor
18:35
Paul Proderick noted why they want the report.
18:38
There's no doubt that over the years this has
18:39
been a very valuable, you know, 191 years. I
18:42
think that's why all my grandparents were at
18:44
that fair when they lived in Railton. And as
18:48
we sort of move ahead we want to quantify things
18:50
just so we get an overall picture and a staff
18:52
report looking at that for next year maybe there's
18:55
a Back and forth questions that can be answered
18:57
such as, you know, do you really need six firefighters
18:59
or whatever? Things like that that can come out
19:01
of a report. For Amherst Island Radio and the
19:04
Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This
19:07
is North Shore News. Loyalist Township will be
19:19
recognizing October 10th, 2026 as National Dental
19:22
Care Day. Council heard from founder of the day,
19:25
Dr. Raj Kanuja, who spoke about the importance
19:27
of improving access to oral health care. Kanuja
19:30
explains how and why he started the initiative.
19:33
National Dental Care Day started from one simple
19:36
moment. Years ago, I met a single mother who
19:40
was living with severe dental pain. She avoided
19:43
treatment because she could not afford it. She
19:46
told me she was saving every dollar she had so
19:49
she could keep a promise to buy used hockey equipment
19:53
for her child. She chose her child over herself.
19:56
That moment stayed with me because dental pain
20:00
is not just about teeth. It affects confidence,
20:04
sleep, work, mental health. and dignity. That
20:07
is why National Dental Care Day was created.
20:11
Kanuja speaks about how the initiative has grown
20:13
and notes numbers from last year. What started
20:16
as one free dental day has now grown into a national
20:21
movement after 13 years of volunteer care. Last
20:25
year alone, 219 Canadians received care across
20:29
the country through volunteer clinics. and professionals.
20:33
National Dental Care Day was proclaimed by 25
20:36
municipalities, three premiers, and two lieutenant
20:40
governors. It was also spoken about in the Senate
20:43
of Canada by Senator Muhammad Iqbal Rawalia and
20:48
entered into the Hansard Parliamentary record.
20:51
National Dental Care Day mobilizes volunteer
20:53
dental professionals, students, clinics, educators
20:57
and community partners across Canada to provide
20:59
essential dental care to underserved individuals
21:02
and families without cost. barriers or judgment.
21:05
The initiative emphasizes the importance of oral
21:07
health as an essential component of overall health
21:10
and well -being. Kanuja explains the importance
21:12
of bringing National Dental Care Day to more
21:14
communities. The need for dental care is not
21:17
limited to one city or one region. It exists
21:21
in every community. Dentistry is expensive and
21:25
not being able to afford care forces many people
21:28
to live in pain, lose teeth, hide their smile.
21:32
and lose confidence and dignity for Amherst Island
21:36
radio and the local journalism initiative. I'm
21:39
Ted Evans. This is North Shore news. Construction
21:51
of the new pump track at Loyalist Park in Amherstview
21:54
has begun. The expected completion date is July
21:57
30th. Thanks to a confidential donation of $500
21:59
,000, the construction of the pump track will
22:02
not impact the Township's budget. It will be
22:04
developed at no cost to Loyalist Township other
22:07
than staff time to oversee it. The entire project,
22:10
including the skate park, is estimated to cost
22:12
approximately $1 million and is being completed
22:15
in two phases. Phase 1 is the construction of
22:17
the pump track, including a skate bowl, while
22:20
Phase 2 will include the completion of the remaining
22:22
skate park features, subject to securing additional
22:25
funding. Council heard a presentation in June
22:28
of 2025 from New Line Skateparks, an engineering
22:31
firm with expertise in skate park construction.
22:34
Now with approval, the company is beginning construction.
22:36
A public consultation process is currently taking
22:39
place on the Township's website. Vice President
22:41
and Director of Business Development with New
22:43
Line Skateparks, Trevor Morgan, spoke about the
22:46
benefits of the skateparks and pump tracks they
22:48
build and the one they're looking to build in
22:50
Loyalist Township. Very integrated, green space,
22:54
connections to pathways, colour, texture, art
22:58
installations that can be very exciting to...
23:01
Put a signature, I guess, of the community within
23:03
the architecture of the park, even through different
23:06
lighting schemes, if that's something that's
23:08
desired, and then accessibility. You're likely
23:10
to have folks from the adaptive community who
23:12
would like to ride this park. So yeah, every
23:14
park has its story and we hope there's a story
23:17
to be told here with the Township. Morgan noted
23:20
the potential boost in tourism the facility could
23:22
bring. A network of these parks are being created
23:25
in communities across Canada and across Ontario
23:28
and... There's a large population that will want
23:31
to experience each different unique park and
23:34
communities and they'll purposely travel around,
23:37
stop in these communities, visit, spend money
23:39
at local businesses, maybe even spend a night.
23:41
I know when I was 12 years old on the family
23:44
trip and I was an avid skateboarder, I could
23:46
be very influential to spend an extra night in
23:48
the community if they had that one skate park.
23:51
Morgan spoke about the potential of events at
23:53
the facility as well. You're likely to have user
23:55
groups and community groups that will say, hey,
23:58
we would love to have some some level of organized
24:01
events there that could be lessons nights some
24:05
community -based contests and so forth and so
24:08
we really try to design a modern park with that
24:11
in mind. Councillor Paul Prodrick spoke about
24:14
neighboring communities and their skate parks
24:16
as well as what a new one in Amherstview could
24:18
do for the community. I think the closest one
24:21
to us is Napanee and then you go to Picton's
24:24
got a great site but again it's it's probably
24:26
20 years old now. I think it becomes a hub. for
24:29
gathering and it fits into the master recreation
24:33
plan also an opportunity to add something to
24:36
the community and I think we haven't had a recreational
24:40
facility addition in well over I'm going to say
24:43
40 years and again it's just through the the
24:47
leadership of a community member who wishes to
24:50
help out in times where we don't have a lot of
24:52
money to do a lot of things that we'd like to
24:54
do. Councillor Jake Ennis spoke about the donation
24:57
and choice of the donor. It's a very generous
25:00
donation. They're very appreciative for the donation
25:05
and I think the donor is chosen well. It's an
25:09
amenity that focuses on youth and one that I
25:12
think will be very well used. Deputy Mayor Nathan
25:15
Townand showed his appreciation towards the donor
25:17
as well as what the project will do for youth
25:20
in the area. It's incredibly generous and provides
25:23
an amazing opportunity for us and to appreciate
25:27
the particular kinds of youth that something
25:31
like this can engage based on the whole lifestyle
25:33
and culture that goes with it. Not one I claim
25:36
to understand. I think it's not just youth engagement
25:41
writ large in some sort of big, broad context.
25:44
This is something quite specific that I think
25:46
will cater to members in our community that otherwise
25:50
don't have a facility like this. I do go by the
25:57
one in Napanee quite regularly and it is a gathering
25:59
place. You see all sorts of demographics and
26:03
ages and different usage of it. So I fully support
26:06
this. Mayor Jim Hagedorn spoke about the progress
26:09
in access to skateboarding facilities and shared
26:11
a story from his youth. and now to see it now
26:39
it's been developed into the whole park is basically
26:42
devoted to this now and it's packed all the time.
26:46
It is something that is what I believe will be
26:48
well used and this is a great opportunity I think
26:52
for Lilah's Township to be able to provide another
26:55
amenity new to the community that will be used
26:59
very well used I believe for an extended period
27:02
of time. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
27:05
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
27:08
North Shore News. This has been North Shore News
27:13
and Interviews. If you have an idea for a story
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or want to create stories for the show, consider
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joining our volunteer team. Contact Amherst Island
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