Latest / North Shore News / September 11th, 2026

Transcript

September 11th, 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. The City of Kingston has agreed to
0:28
take on the licensing and enforcement of taxi
0:30
cabs for Loyalist Township without cost. Loyalist
0:33
Township Council voted in favour of enacting
0:36
a new taxi by -law known as the Passenger Transportation
0:39
Services by -law. The Kingston Area Taxi Commission
0:41
had been responsible for licensing and enforcement
0:44
of taxi cabs in Loyalist Township and the City
0:46
of Kingston, but will be dissolved on September
0:48
30th. Without this new by -law and service agreement,
0:51
taxis could not operate within Loyalist Township.
0:53
According to staff's report, this would also
0:55
bar the Township from operating the Loyalist
0:57
Accessible Transportation program. The City will
1:00
administer the new by -law on the Township's
1:02
behalf, while service agreements will formalize
1:04
the arrangement for the City to license and enforce
1:06
taxi cab regulations in the Township. CAO Rebecca
1:09
Murphy spoke about the arrangement. There are
1:11
some liabilities of the Commission which will
1:13
have to be split and they're split based on population
1:16
with the City of Kingston, so we're... get quite
1:18
small obligation on that note. And we haven't
1:21
been advised of what the exact number is, but
1:24
it's probably tens of thousands of dollars. It's
1:27
based on population. So if we're 17 ,000 and
1:30
they're 140 ,000, we're, you know, less than
1:33
10%. They had some. some liabilities and some
1:36
court decisions that obligated them to pay some
1:38
money. So that final of counting will happen
1:41
when at the end of this month when the commission
1:44
is finally wrapped up and we get their final
1:45
financials. The agreement will have an initial
1:47
term of five years with the plan to extend for
1:50
Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
1:52
Initiative. I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
1:56
News. Staff at the town of Greater Napanee are
2:07
looking to include all in -town trails as part
2:09
of the town's sensitive use designation, but
2:11
will need to go through a larger review process
2:13
first. This expanded designation would mean the
2:16
trails will have encampment protocol restrictions.
2:19
CAO Matthew Grant spoke about the Trail Development
2:21
Advisory Committee's recommendations. The committee
2:24
itself felt that the new in -town trails should
2:28
have encampment protocol restrictions around
2:30
it. Now I point out The encampment protocol already
2:33
covers a significant portion of the in town trails.
2:36
We could expand sensitive use designations to
2:39
the periphery of in town trails. I think that
2:41
should be part of a broader review process. Grant
2:44
noted the impact and explained what future plans
2:46
might include. Not only the impact on the citizens,
2:49
but the impact on on the services that citizens
2:51
pay for is significant. And as well, the individuals
2:55
living there are also not having. great time
2:58
of it. There's a lot of concern. I would say
3:01
that Greater Napanee has gone further than most
3:04
in terms of protection. So conservation park
3:07
in its entirety. is off limits. And we've had
3:10
great success in making sure that we've minimized
3:15
conflicting use in those areas. We've been able
3:18
to partner with social service agencies and law
3:22
enforcement. And I would say that in the event
3:25
that there is a proper shelter option in town,
3:31
I'm cautiously optimistic we might see that in
3:33
the future. I know, you know, the Morningstar
3:35
mission is, and their move is looking at their
3:38
options. I think the county has been in on those
3:41
discussions and supportive of Morningstar missions.
3:45
broader mandate. So I'm keeping an eye on that
3:48
situation very closely and appreciating that
3:51
many council members would like to protect as
3:53
much area as we can. Councillor Bill Martin called
3:56
for the designation to include Springside Park
3:58
as well. I agree with most everything and thank
4:01
goodness that we're working towards finishing
4:03
the In -Town Trail. It's going to be wonderful.
4:05
Certainly agree with lighting and cameras. The
4:08
sensitive use issue is a big deal for me. I'd
4:11
love to see it as sensitive use on the trail
4:13
as well, but I got Springside Park that I'm really
4:17
concerned about right now. I'm always concerned
4:19
about the homeless situation in Springside Park,
4:22
so I'm finding, you know, if a trail can be designated
4:26
sensitive use, certainly our park can be too.
4:29
I'm really concerned about the children playing
4:31
down there right now. There's people walking
4:34
their dogs, children. running and playing in
4:37
our Springside Park. And that's not a sensitive
4:39
use area. It should be. So I'm saying if we're
4:43
going to put sensitive use on the trails, Springside
4:45
Park should be sensitive use as well. I mean,
4:48
we've got visitors going down there, hundreds
4:49
of them every day. I wouldn't even be surprised
4:52
if it would hit a thousand people down there.
4:54
I've picked up needles myself off the ground.
4:57
and took them to a needle drop -off. It's dangerous
5:01
for kids. It's dangerous for people being down
5:03
there in that park. I'm really, really ticked
5:06
off right now what's going on down there. And
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I know it's a problem everywhere. Residents,
5:11
taxpayers, they can't use their park because
5:14
of... of what's going on. And that's not fair
5:17
to them. Deputy Mayor Brian Calvert spoke about
5:19
the work of the Trail Development Advisory Committee.
5:21
Speaking on behalf of the Trail Development Advisory
5:24
Committee, we've got off got off our first meeting,
5:29
both feet hit the ground and running in our second
5:31
meeting we just held. We've appointed a chair
5:34
and a vice chair and we've come up with some
5:37
really good ideas. This trail committee is it's
5:40
just an honor to be sitting on it and working
5:42
with them because everybody's. all rowing in
5:45
the same direction. It's just a fabulous group
5:48
of people we've put together for this." Council
5:50
has also deferred the promotion or acceptance
5:52
of e -scooters and e -bikes on the trails until
5:54
they come up with a new bylaw. Staff will be
5:56
consulting with the OPP for security camera locations
5:59
on the trails and looking into estimates for
6:01
solar lighting. For Amherst Island Radio and
6:04
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
6:07
This is North Shore News. The town of Greater
6:18
Napanee has proclaimed September 28th, 2026 to
6:22
be recognized as National British Home Child
6:24
Day. Between 1869 and 1948, over 100 ,000 children
6:29
emigrated from all areas of the UK to Canada.
6:32
The children were used as a source of labor on
6:34
farms and in households. They are known today
6:36
as the British Home Children. Many of these children
6:39
settled into the Lennox and Addington area and
6:41
contributed to building the region. Councillor
6:43
Bill Martin spoke about the proclamation and
6:45
his own personal connection. the mayor and council
6:48
for actually doing the proclamation. It's always
6:51
my privilege. And because of my personal situation
6:55
with my own dad being one of the British home
6:57
children, I always every year enjoy doing this
7:00
to to honor not just my dad, but there was thousands
7:04
of people that came and settled right in the
7:06
Napanee and LNA area. So I just want to honor
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the those people who, like I say, settled here
7:13
in Napanee. Right now, there's literally I think
7:15
there's four or five million people. in Canada
7:18
that are descendants of the British home children.
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So my porch light will be on September 28th and
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I'm very proud and happy that everybody is doing
7:32
this proclamation. On September 28th, over 65
7:35
venues across Canada, Scotland and England will
7:37
be participating in the Beacons of Light for
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British Home Children and Child Migrants Tribute.
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Community members can participate by leaving
7:43
porch lights on or by placing a sunflower on
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the resting place of a British home child in
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the area. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
7:51
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
7:54
North Shore News. The Town of Greater Napanes
8:05
Waste Diversion Committee will be holding an
8:08
information session regarding recycling guidelines
8:10
on September 12th at Market Square. Councillor
8:13
Bill Martin, who is part of the committee, spoke
8:15
about what they'll be doing. September the 12th
8:17
here at Town Hall we'll be giving out blue boxes.
8:20
The Waste Diversion Committee is going to set
8:22
up a table with information, brochures on the
8:26
new items that can be recycled and we're going
8:29
to give out blue box containers to the first
8:31
100 people. that come that day to receive them.
8:34
That's all we have to give out. So I just want
8:36
to stipulate that everybody's not going to get
8:38
one. The market, farmers market will be going
8:40
at the same time. It's going to be September
8:43
the 12th here at the Market Square and the diversion
8:46
committee, myself included, will be set up here.
8:49
And we'll try to encourage you to do more recycling.
8:53
If you want to talk to us about ideas about composting,
8:57
anything you want to talk about, we'll be here
8:59
to discuss it. The market runs from 9 a .m. to
9:01
1 p .m. The Waste Diversion Committee regularly
9:04
assists and makes recommendations to Council.
9:06
Members research local needs as the committee
9:08
develops strategies for solid waste reduction,
9:11
recycling, and diversion programs. For Amherst
9:14
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
9:16
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Greater
9:29
Napany Council voted in favor of not changing
9:31
the town's grass -cutting bylaw, but directed
9:33
staff to review it before the next enforcement
9:36
season. Council also implemented a 10 -foot buffer
9:38
to be mowed in regard to a compliance order made
9:41
against a resident with a naturalized lawn. Originally,
9:44
the option was offered with a 15 -foot buffer.
9:46
At their previous meeting, Council heard from
9:48
the resident, Julie Bogdanovitz, requesting they
9:50
cancel the compliance order. She noted her property
9:53
was intentionally naturalized rather than neglected,
9:55
which is not reflected in the bylaw. Council
9:58
granted an extension and requested a report from
10:00
staff. Staff's report noted the bylaw department
10:03
received multiple requests for grass enforcement
10:06
in June and 20 compliance orders were issued.
10:08
On July 20th, a re -inspection was conducted
10:10
of the area and found all other 19 orders to
10:13
be compliant. Bogdanovic spoke about her position
10:16
on the matter. I will not be destroying my garden
10:18
and forced to mow. And if the town decides to
10:21
destroy the garden, I will have no choice but
10:23
to take legal action for damages. What I'm kind
10:25
of left wondering is that regardless of, you
10:28
know, the praise I received from the councillors,
10:31
staff continue to recommend upholding the order
10:33
to mow. And so again, here to request that the
10:37
order is canceled and to just confirm again that
10:40
this issue is causing a great amount of distress
10:42
for me and my family. Manager of Legislative
10:45
Services and Municipal Clerk Jessica Walters
10:48
explained the need for updating the bylaw. Staff
10:50
do acknowledge that the bylaw is over 25 years
10:53
old. When we look at our other comparators, it's
10:57
definitely the oldest bylaw in that list. And
11:00
we would recommend that it be looked at. However,
11:03
because it It affects everyone and we know that
11:06
there's very strong feelings and opinions about
11:09
what's important to have in a grass bylaw. We
11:11
think it's really important to do extensive public
11:14
consultation and get community input for a council
11:18
to hear what the residents of Greater Napanee
11:21
feel is important to them to have in a grass
11:23
bylaw, which is why we recommend that that decision
11:26
be. a recommendation that the next term of council
11:29
look at it very early, ideally before the next
11:32
enforcement season begins, but that that not
11:34
be something that we try to rush through in the
11:38
last couple months of this term. Just about every
11:41
property in town has some form of grass on it
11:43
and so it's something a lot of people, we should
11:45
give them the opportunity to participate in that
11:49
conversation. Bug Danowitz spoke about her findings
11:51
from staff's last report. One of the things in
11:54
the report that I found that was interesting
11:56
that I wanted to highlight was an interpretive
11:59
direction that pollinator gardens and naturalized
12:02
lawns could fall within the existing exemption
12:05
for ornamental grasses that currently exist in
12:07
the bylaw. And if that interpretation is taken,
12:10
that would protect our garden and others like
12:12
it as the bylaw update proceeds without requiring
12:16
council to wait until the next term to act. The
12:19
report recommends ends mowing along two of my
12:21
property lines, but it says that I don't need
12:24
to mow if the area is a wetland. And those property
12:28
lines contain cattails. And so in my interpretation,
12:31
this is part of a stormwater swale. The report
12:35
also suggests that the order is canceled. However,
12:40
it kind of suggests that it could be opened up
12:42
again before the next term of council. And so
12:45
again, I'm here to humbly ask that the decision
12:47
that is made closes the issue for us until the
12:50
bylaw can be updated. Walters noted that grass
12:52
cutting is one of the most frequently requested
12:54
enforcement areas, accounting for approximately
12:56
20 % of cases so far in 2026. We're seeing an
13:00
increasing trend across the board in requests
13:02
for enforcement of bylaws as people become become
13:06
more familiar with using the E -1 -1 tool to
13:09
submit requests. The GRAS does remain one of
13:12
our consistently in our top five areas where
13:15
residents request. enforcement action to be taken.
13:20
Bogdanovich spoke about concerns regarding ticks.
13:22
The topic of ticks and pests came up at the last
13:25
meeting, and I wanted to refer to the letter
13:28
that council has received by Joyce Hostlin, who
13:31
is a Thousand Islands Master Gardener. She wanted
13:34
to, I guess, point council to a number of scientific
13:38
papers that have been written on the issue. And
13:40
in particular, just to quote her her letter,
13:43
she says that black -legged ticks and their abundance
13:45
is driven by deer access. white -footed mice
13:48
populations and woodland proximity, and plant
13:52
height and mowing schedules do not quite, you
13:55
know, contribute to tick populations. Deputy
13:57
Mayor Brian Calver explained his concern regarding
14:00
ticks. I'm just a little concerned. I mean, we
14:02
have bylaws in place for a reason. And I'm just
14:06
concerned myself. I know with our property that
14:09
we maintain and look at 100 plus acres of land.
14:12
and we have trails as well and we do have ticks
14:16
on the property as well and it's a non -stop
14:19
fight to try to keep them and we keep everything
14:21
cut back on our trails and so on and so forth
14:24
but yeah I'm just a little concerned when you
14:26
say that the long grass doesn't doesn't inhibit
14:29
these ticks because we have them too and they're
14:32
everywhere especially in southeastern Ontario
14:35
there's these ticks are all over the place I
14:38
still believe our bylaws are are still good and
14:41
should be followed. Walters referred to staff's
14:43
report and spoke about bylaw enforcement. We
14:45
do note in the report that Eastern Ontario does
14:48
have a higher prevalence of Lyme disease and
14:50
black -legged ticks than maybe other areas of
14:53
the province, and that is certainly a valid consideration
14:55
in a grass bylaw. A lot of bylaw enforcement
14:59
is making sure that neighbours can live with
15:01
each other, that one person's right to use their
15:04
own property doesn't cause negative... impacts
15:07
or unreasonably negative impacts to the people
15:09
who are also living in that same area. Councillor
15:13
Bill Martin noted the importance of naturalized
15:16
lawns. I just think if there's going to be a
15:18
staff review, this order to mow should be suspended
15:21
and until that's done and we have a new bylaw
15:25
in place. I just feel that naturalization has
15:29
to has to have some weight in this. Some people
15:34
I know are worried about ticks and they're worried
15:36
about noxious weeds, but sometimes you have to
15:38
go beyond those things. I mean, it's very important
15:42
that we also have pollination with our bees and
15:44
with our butterflies. So I'm the opposite of
15:48
some people's view on this. Mayor Terry Richardson
15:51
spoke about offering a 10 -foot buffer zone as
15:53
opposed to 15. I think what we're doing here
15:56
is taking a very measured approach. I don't think
15:59
we are in a position to completely discredit
16:03
the risk. of the black -legged tick. It's become
16:06
a public safety issue at some point because back
16:09
in April of 2025, the Southeastern Health Unit
16:15
put out a release that identified that the risk
16:17
of encountering the black -legged ticks in the
16:20
southeast region, which where we are, is very
16:23
high compared to the rest of the province. I
16:25
think we need to do our due diligence on this
16:27
at this point. provide some form of a buffer,
16:30
which I think 10 feet is probably the fair amount,
16:33
as we've heard in previous reports that the 15
16:37
-foot buffer zone is a buffer zone that is being
16:40
used by a municipality that's close to us, which
16:43
would be fine, but I think the 10 -foot buffer
16:45
zone would be sufficient in order to provide
16:47
the public safety that I think we need to provide.
16:51
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
16:54
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
16:58
News. Lenox and Addington County staff will be
17:09
looking into implementing road signage to warn
17:11
drivers about agricultural vehicles along county
17:14
roads while also providing information about
17:16
local farms. Staff will be conducting a safety
17:19
study to determine areas that warrant signage.
17:22
Representative with the Lenox and Addington Federation
17:24
of Agriculture, Max Kaiser, explained concerns
17:27
that were raised and why he came to council.
17:29
Recently we've had a member from North Varensville,
17:32
they farm just North Varensville, but they also
17:34
have properties up Maguire Road and some of the
17:36
other side. roads there so they're on and off
17:38
41 with slow moving vehicles as part of their
17:41
normal activities due to the new waste management
17:44
sorting facility at just south of roblin they've
17:47
perceived an increase in heavy truck traffic
17:49
coming up and down their roadways and that's
17:53
adding to you know summertime cottage traffic
17:56
and whatnot, going up and down 41. And there's
17:59
a pretty big speed discrepancy between cars going
18:01
up and down the road and then heavy equipment
18:03
like tractors and what you might be pulling.
18:05
They've seen the signs in neighboring municipalities.
18:08
I know Tainanaga has them on some of their roads
18:10
and Napanee has them on a couple of our roads
18:12
like Meach Road. So they'd seen them and they
18:13
knew they were out there and they asked specifically
18:15
if we could help. Kaiser noted the area in question
18:18
and spoke about a previous concern raised. When
18:20
you turn north on 41 from the 401. That's a key
18:23
spot where we believe it's warranted as soon
18:26
as you leave Napanee or even north of Selby that
18:29
those farms that are using that road, we had
18:31
another farmer who expressed a concern a few
18:33
years ago closer to Napanee because of... closure
18:37
of a small municipal road that he was forced
18:41
to go out on 41 and come back in just to get
18:43
to the north end of his farm, which was on the
18:44
other side of a creek. Director of Parks, Recreation
18:46
and Culture with the town of Greater Napanee,
18:48
Chris Brown, explained that the Traffic Advisory
18:51
Committee wouldn't support signs that are unwarranted.
18:53
Brown spoke about his suggestion for new signage.
18:56
I think treating all of our roads equally is
19:00
the fundamentals of what we do. And just putting
19:03
signs up that are unwarranted aren't really supported
19:07
by TAC or staff. But what I would be recommending
19:09
to do is more of an information campaign and
19:13
working with our communications department, creating
19:15
not quite a billboard size, but the size for
19:19
our reconstruction, like a four by four, four
19:21
by eight signage, and doing an information about
19:25
agriculture and including the slow moving vehicle
19:28
sign and notifying residents that there are a
19:31
lot of farm equipment in the area. Brown went
19:34
on to speak about the need for a safety study.
19:36
After reviewing this back through attack minutes
19:39
as well as with other municipalities at the county
19:42
level, the signs that we discussed are typically
19:46
used and warranted at certain specific criteria,
19:50
safety restrictions, sight lines, that sort of
19:53
thing. I think that staff need to complete like
19:57
a safety audit of the area to ensure that proper
20:00
signage as approved by our policy which is using
20:03
the OTM book five and book six manuals from the
20:06
province and if that if those signs are warranted
20:08
we'll install those signs. Brown explained how
20:11
the new signs might work. If we move that say
20:14
two weeks or four weeks around to different farming
20:17
areas. And we would have to work with the Agriculture
20:20
Society to get a list of participants of farmers
20:24
that want to participate. We could one, do a
20:27
safety message of here's where the signage today.
20:30
And here's what that farmer in the area produces
20:34
and offers. And where can you find it locally?
20:36
Kaiser spoke about possibilities for the signage.
20:38
It actually fits really well with sort of our
20:41
mandate, which is promoting agriculture, but
20:43
also we're an advocacy group for agriculture.
20:45
We have produced some signs. that we've installed
20:49
on field edges that say, you know, this is a
20:50
field of soybeans. This is what it's used for
20:53
and whatnot. But I think work on this sort of
20:55
education and awareness campaign, which kind
20:57
of covers a lot more than just the road safety.
21:00
Maybe we can hit some targeted areas. Councillor
21:02
Brian Calver noted the importance of road signage
21:04
for safety. The amount of traffic is really,
21:07
really increasing. And so whatever we can do
21:10
to kind of help things out a little bit, because
21:12
you've got cottagers, you've got Airbnbs all
21:15
over the place. You've got a lot of people. coming
21:17
from cities, coming from different countries
21:20
to visit that aren't aware of these big pieces
21:23
of equipment and they don't stop on a dime. So
21:27
whatever we can do to get it out there and let
21:29
people know to try to help and save, it's a good
21:33
thing for sure. Deputy Warden Tony Fritch noted
21:36
safety as a priority. If you're on one of those
21:38
roads... You pray every time you pull the tractor
21:41
out and you thank the Lord every time you pull
21:44
back in your driveway. So it's just about that
21:47
simple. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
21:49
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
21:53
North Shore News. The East Lenox and Addington
22:04
OPP Detachment Board marked 2025 as an important
22:07
year as they presented their annual report to
22:10
Loyalist Township Council. Community representative
22:12
for Loyalist Township and the town of Greater
22:14
Napanee, Jessica Jones, provided council with
22:17
an overview of the work the board did in 2025.
22:20
Overall 2025 was an important year for East Lenox
22:23
and Addington OPP Detachment Board. Much of our
22:26
work has been about establishing the board. putting
22:29
the necessary governance pieces in place, completing
22:33
our training and developing the processes and
22:35
relationships that will allow us to effectively
22:37
represent our municipalities and communities
22:39
going forward. As we continue to develop, our
22:42
focus will remain on ensuring that the communities
22:44
we represent have a meaningful voice in policing
22:47
priorities. and that we continue to foster a
22:50
strong collaborative relationship between our
22:52
municipalities, our residents, and the OPP. Jones
22:55
detailed how they've worked to establish the
22:57
board. Because this is still a relatively new
23:00
board under the Community Safety and Policing
23:03
Act, a significant portion of our work has involved
23:06
establishing the governance structure necessary
23:09
for the board to operate effectively, which includes
23:12
a lot of bylaws and policies that are just the
23:15
foundational work for the board moving forward.
23:17
That's included developing and adopting our bylaws
23:20
and policies in areas such as remuneration, misconduct
23:23
and conflict of interest, as well as communications
23:26
and information sharing. And while governance
23:28
is an important part of our mandate, ultimately
23:30
our work comes back to community safety and policing.
23:32
Our role is to ensure that there's a strong connection
23:35
between the communities we represent and the
23:37
OPP, providing policing services to them and
23:41
that community needs and priorities continue
23:43
to be a part of those conversations. Jones further
23:45
explains the role of the The East Lenox Nottington
23:49
OPP Detachment Board represents the four municipalities
23:52
served by our OPP detachment. Addington Highlands
23:54
Township, the Town of Greater Napanee, Loyalist
23:57
Township, and Stone Mills Township. Our role
23:59
is one of civilian governance and community representation.
24:03
We work collaboratively with the OPP Detachment
24:05
Commander to provide guidance and advice regarding
24:07
policing services and to help ensure that policing
24:10
priorities and initiatives reflect the needs
24:12
of the communities we represent. An important
24:14
part of that role is supporting community safety
24:16
while also promoting transparency and accountability
24:19
and helping to maintain a positive relationship
24:21
between the OPP and the communities that serves.
24:24
Our inaugural meeting was held on November 14,
24:27
2024. and our meeting records are publicly available.
24:31
We've also made the decision to rotate our meetings
24:33
amongst the four municipalities represented by
24:36
the board, which we think is very important.
24:38
Although we operate as one detachment board,
24:41
we represent four distinct municipalities, each
24:44
with its own community, geography, priorities,
24:46
and policing needs. Jones spoke about members
24:48
on the board and their training. Our board is
24:50
made up of six members, providing both municipal
24:53
and community representation across those four
24:56
municipalities. Here in Loyalist, Mayor Hagedorn
24:59
serves as our council's representative and I
25:01
have the privilege of serving as the joint community
25:04
representative for Loyalist Township and Greater
25:07
Napanee. Our other members include Councillor
25:09
Bob Norrie representing Greater Napanee, Councillor
25:12
Sherrie Milligan representing Stone Mills. Tina
25:14
Marie Chamberlain as the community representative
25:17
for Addington Highlands and Stone Mills and Tony
25:20
Fritch who's now representing the Addington Highlands
25:23
Council. All six board members have also completed
25:26
prescribed training developed by the Ministry
25:28
of the Solicitor General and it covered areas
25:30
including police governance, policing in Ontario,
25:33
the roles and responsibilities of the detachment
25:35
boards, and requirements relating to board appointments,
25:39
training, codes of conduct, and conflicts of
25:41
interest. While some of that work is not necessarily
25:44
the most visible part of what we do, it has been
25:46
an important part of establishing a strong foundation
25:49
for the board and ensuring that we can carry
25:51
out our responsibilities appropriately and effectively.
25:53
Mayor Jim Hagedorn noted the importance of community
25:56
representatives on the board. We are very fortunate
25:59
with the residents, representatives that we've
26:02
got on the board, very engaged, very knowledgeable,
26:05
and they certainly do represent the residents
26:09
very well, I believe. For Amherst Island Radio
26:11
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
26:14
Evans. This is North Shore News. A new design
26:26
for the main level of Napanee Town Hall has been
26:28
approved by council and staff will now move forward
26:31
with the renovation. The new design would include
26:33
moving the lease space for the Chamber of Commerce
26:35
to the front of the building. This space would
26:37
then be used for storage. Staff would be looking
26:39
to then move washrooms to the back of the building.
26:42
The new washrooms would include a barrier -free,
26:44
fully accessible washroom and two standard washrooms.
26:47
Staff's next report to Council will include full
26:49
construction drawings, as well as a breakdown
26:51
of costs for the interior renovation. Further
26:54
design work will continue beyond that, as well
26:56
as stakeholder consultation with the Chamber
26:58
of Commerce, Rotary Club of Napanee, and relevant
27:00
advisory committees. The design includes a durable
27:03
vinyl plank flooring chosen for its ease of care
27:05
and to reflect the plank floors that buildings
27:07
of the same age were originally constructed with.
27:10
Mayor Terry Richardson spoke about the renovation.
27:12
It's placing the Chamber of Commerce in the front
27:15
of the building which has many many options.
27:18
The back of the building where they were going
27:19
to be is a part of the facility that I think
27:24
would be better suited be quite honest with you
27:25
for storage. It's a part of the facility that
27:30
was never abated and I think it'd be more appropriate
27:33
if we use that for storage. And then there's
27:35
a number of different advantages, especially
27:37
with the bathrooms in the back as originally
27:38
when the bathrooms put in this building, that's
27:41
where they were. So I'm almost thinking that
27:43
there's probably still holes and plumbing on
27:45
the floor that would assist us in doing that.
27:48
CAO Matthew Grant noted the committees that worked
27:50
on the project and spoke about some of the new
27:52
features of the design. That work has been undertaken
27:55
with the Market Square Advisory Committee and
27:58
as well as the Director of Parks, Recreation
28:00
and Culture. been a number of meetings and discussions,
28:05
and there's also been input received from the
28:09
Arts Committee and as well from the Heritage
28:12
Committee. So in essence, they've talked about,
28:16
you know... Clearing out the insides, ensuring
28:20
that there is infrastructure to hang arts material,
28:23
putting in a coffee bar. Staff provided Council
28:25
with various options for where washrooms would
28:27
be located, as well as the location of the Chamber
28:29
of Commerce offices. Grant spoke about the option
28:32
Council chose. The committees themselves didn't
28:34
have the ability to consider this fully given
28:38
that where the Chamber of Commerce is located
28:42
was considered off limits in the planning exercise.
28:45
I think having the chamber in the front solves
28:46
their accessibility problems and people aren't
28:49
going through the event space to get to their
28:51
office. Councilor Angela Hicks noted some of
28:54
the reasoning behind Council's decision. I think
28:56
it's a better use of the space. I have never
28:58
liked the idea of the bathrooms at the front
29:01
of the building because we lose the natural light
29:05
coming through two, if not three. Well, it would
29:08
have been all three. those windows in the front.
29:10
It also gives us the option for a closet. So
29:14
the occupancy limit is 149 people. We didn't
29:18
consider where they'd all be hanging their coats
29:20
in January. Richardson spoke about the future
29:22
of the facility. I had some different ideas as
29:25
well, but they've convinced me that this type
29:27
of floor plan is the way we should go. So I,
29:29
for one, am going to be very excited to see some
29:32
of the progress that we're going to see downstairs,
29:34
because I think it's going to be an absolutely
29:36
marvelous and fabulous facility for our community.
29:39
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
29:42
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
29:45
News. Loyalist Township Council approved the
29:57
extension of the Loyalist Link pilot program
30:00
to September 3rd, 2027. This will maintain uninterrupted
30:04
service while the Township waits for the outcome
30:06
of their Ontario Transit Infrastructure Fund
30:09
application. Funding for the extension will be
30:11
provided through provincial gas tax allocations
30:13
as well as fares. Beginning in September, the
30:16
current 90A -90B service will transition to a
30:19
single connector route linking Bath, Odessa and
30:22
Mill Haven to the WJ Henderson hub. will align
30:25
with the planned shift for Kingston Transit Route
30:27
10 to 30 -minute intervals. According to staff,
30:30
the combined ridership of the two Loyalist link
30:32
routes was over 9 ,600 in 2025 and continues
30:35
to grow. Staff are looking to improve coverage,
30:38
flexibility and cost efficiency. They will be
30:41
reporting back to council with updated financial
30:43
projections and service performance metrics following
30:45
the release of the funding decision. Director
30:48
of Community and Customer Services Lori McFarland
30:50
noted plans for the future. There is plans to
30:53
increase ridership. You know, we're trying to
30:57
do that. Hopefully, you know, through the as
31:03
presented, we're looking at on demand, which
31:05
could bring some efficiencies. and might increase
31:09
ridership as well. Director of Corporate Services
31:12
Strategy and Innovation Jenna Campbell spoke
31:14
about waiting for the outcome of the funding
31:16
decision. We are limited right now in some of
31:19
our actions that we can take while we're waiting
31:21
to have the final OTF application submitted to
31:25
the province because we have to remain in pilot
31:29
status. So some of those opportunities may come
31:34
to fruition a little bit more in terms of encouraging
31:37
the growth of the ridership and that sort of
31:39
thing once we have an idea of whether we'll be
31:41
receiving that funding. Councillor Paul Broderick
31:43
showed his support for the program. I remember
31:46
going out for a early morning ride with director
31:49
Campbell around the first few weeks and you know
31:52
sort of thinking we're going to be the only two
31:54
on here but the data supports some growth and
31:58
I think that was the original thing we were worried
32:00
about was Would people come thinking of this
32:02
is only going to last a year? You know, we're
32:04
not going to change our habits, but I think we're
32:07
heading in the right direction. And this is one
32:09
thing I'm really proud this council has done
32:11
is looked into that. And I hope that we can continue
32:14
this down the road. I think it's a viable service
32:17
and through personal experience. Anytime you
32:19
can get my kid on public transit, we're doing
32:21
something right. For Amherst Island Radio and
32:24
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
32:27
This is North Shore News. Cataraqui Conservation
32:39
is looking to restore nearly 23 hectares of degraded
32:42
meadow to functional native grassland habitat
32:45
at the south end of Lemoyne Point Conservation
32:47
Area. Previous monitoring of the site identified
32:49
nesting pairs of both bobalink and eastern meadowlark,
32:52
two native bird species listed as threatened
32:55
under the Federal Species at Risk Act. However,
32:58
extensive encroachment by gray dogwood and other
33:00
shrub species had reduced habitat suitability.
33:03
The project will look to reestablish a structurally
33:05
native grass and forb community suitable for
33:07
bobalink, eastern meadowlark, and other native
33:10
ground -nesting grassland species and pollinators.
33:12
According to Cataract Way Conservation, the restoration
33:15
plan for this project has been designed in accordance
33:17
with the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Species
33:20
Conservation Act. It will prioritize long -term
33:22
habitat function and ecological resilience, ensuring
33:25
the restored meadow develops the vegetation structure
33:27
and plant diversity required to support breeding
33:30
grassland birds. The timeline for the project
33:32
has been designed to have the least amount of
33:34
disturbance for species at risk. The project
33:36
will run until spring of 2027. The work has been
33:39
structured using an integrated pest management
33:41
approach. A range of available methodologies
33:43
have been combined to most effectively restore
33:46
the grassland habitat at the south end of Lemoyne
33:48
Point Conservation Area. The goal is to minimize
33:50
negative environmental impacts and use only the
33:52
minimum amount of chemical intervention necessary
33:54
to successfully remove gray dogwood and establish
33:57
the native grassland ecosystem. Certain activities
34:00
will require restricting access to the project
34:02
area and surrounding trail network. Restrictions
34:05
and closures will be limited to a few hours or
34:07
a few days. Closures will be posted on social
34:09
media and signage will be placed in parking areas
34:11
and trails to notify visitors. Cataract Way Conservation
34:14
notes the project will ultimately enhance biodiversity,
34:17
provide critical habitat to threatened species,
34:19
as well as improve the site's overall resilience
34:22
to climate change and invasive species. For Amherst
34:25
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
34:27
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The
34:40
Canadian Walk for Veterans Kingston takes place
34:42
Sunday, September 27th at the Kingston Military
34:45
Family Resource Centre at 32 Lundy's Lane. Veterans,
34:48
military members, families and community supporters
34:51
are invited to walk in support of those who have
34:53
served, those currently serving and the families
34:55
who support them. Registration is at noon and
34:58
the walk begins at 1pm. There are 5k and 2 .3k
35:01
walk options. Families, strollers and pets are
35:05
welcome. For more information and to register,
35:07
visit kmfrc .com. For Amherst Island Radio and
35:11
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
35:15
This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council
35:27
agreed to proclaim October 21st, 2026 as the
35:30
26th Annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood
35:33
Educator Appreciation Day. The day is in recognition
35:36
of the education, dedication, and commitment
35:38
of child care workers to children, their families,
35:41
and quality of life within their community. The
35:43
proclamation request noted that trained and knowledgeable
35:46
registered early childhood educators are the
35:48
key to quality in early years and child care
35:51
programs. It stated that early learning and child
35:53
care promotes the well -being of and responds
35:56
to the needs of families as well as the broader
35:58
community by supporting quality of life. Each
36:00
year, the day is proclaimed by the Ontario Coalition
36:03
for Better Child Care, the Canadian Union of
36:05
Public Employees, as well as municipalities and
36:08
school boards across Ontario. The day is marked
36:10
by hundreds of child care centres, unions and
36:13
allies. Councillor Paul Proderick showed his
36:15
support for proclaiming the day. Having spent
36:18
30 years in education, this is a... core group
36:22
both within the school system and within child
36:24
care that are vastly underpaid and underappreciated
36:28
at times, but their contribution to youth is,
36:31
it can't be measured. For Amherst Island Radio
36:34
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
36:36
Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township
36:49
will be recognizing October 10th, 2026 as National
36:52
Dental Care Day. Council heard from founder of
36:55
the day, Dr. Raj Kanuja, who spoke about the
36:57
importance of improving access to oral health
36:59
care. Kanuja explains how and why he started
37:02
the initiative. National Dental Care Day started
37:05
from one simple moment. Years ago, I met a single
37:09
mother who was living with severe dental pain.
37:12
She avoided treatment because she could not afford
37:15
it. She told me she was saving every dollar she
37:19
had so she could keep a promise to buy used hockey
37:22
equipment for her child. She chose her child
37:25
over herself. That moment stayed with me because
37:29
dental pain is not just about teeth. It affects
37:33
confidence, sleep, work, mental health. and dignity.
37:37
That is why National Dental Care Day was created.
37:41
Kanuja speaks about how the initiative has grown
37:43
and notes numbers from last year. What started
37:46
as one free dental day has now grown into a national
37:51
movement after 13 years of volunteer care. Last
37:55
year alone, 219 Canadians received care across
37:59
the country through volunteer clinics. and professionals.
38:03
National Dental Care Day was proclaimed by 25
38:06
municipalities, three premiers, and two lieutenant
38:10
governors. It was also spoken about in the Senate
38:13
of Canada by Senator Mohammed Iqbal Rawalia and
38:18
entered into the Hansard Parliamentary record.
38:21
National Dental Care Day mobilizes volunteer
38:23
dental professionals, students, clinics, educators
38:27
and community partners across Canada to provide
38:29
essential dental care to underserved individuals
38:32
and families without cost, barriers or judgment.
38:35
The initiative emphasizes the importance of oral
38:37
health as an essential component of overall health
38:40
and well -being. Kanuja explains the importance
38:42
of bringing National Dental Care Day to more
38:44
communities. The need for dental care is not
38:47
limited to one city or one region. It exists
38:51
in every community. Dentistry is expensive and
38:55
not being able to afford care forces many people
38:58
to live in pain, lose teeth, hide their smile.
39:03
and lose confidence and dignity for Amherst Island
39:06
radio and the local journalism initiative. I'm
39:09
Ted Evans. This is North Shore news. The Bath
39:21
Museum and Visitor Center is welcoming the community
39:24
back for another season of Culture Talks, a speaker
39:26
series celebrating history, heritage, and storytelling.
39:29
Hosted at the museum, the series brings together
39:31
local historians, musicians, and researchers
39:33
who share unique perspectives on the region's
39:36
history. Held on the third Monday of the month
39:38
from 6 to 7 p .m., Culture Talks offer an opportunity
39:41
to explore fascinating cultural topics in an
39:43
intimate setting. Tickets are $5 per person and
39:46
seating is limited. Monday, September 28th at
39:48
6 p .m. Stephen Bruce Med will be presenting
39:51
a combination of song ballads and storytelling.
39:53
The evening will cover historical events and
39:55
people in pre -Confederation Canada, including
39:57
indigenous connections, French explorers, loyalist
40:00
refugees of the American Revolution, the War
40:02
of 1812, and more. Stephen Bruce Med is a performing
40:05
soloist of historical ballads and spiritual songs.
40:09
His songs are inspired by Canadian history, the
40:11
remote and beautiful landscapes he explored as
40:13
a geologist, and social issues of the day. Monday,
40:16
October 26th at 6 p .m., Phil Norton will be
40:18
telling his 2021 bicycle camping journey from
40:21
Prince Edward County to the Mexican border. Repeating
40:23
a journey he did in 1979 and 1980 as a 22 -year
40:27
-old, Norton set off again in 2021 at the age
40:30
of 63. Norton tells personal stories about his
40:33
adventure combined with the geography and people
40:35
he met along the way. Culture Talks take place
40:37
at the Bath Museum, located at 434 Main Street
40:40
in Bath. Tickets for each talk can be purchased
40:42
online. For more information about Culture Talks
40:45
and other upcoming programs, visit loyalist .ca
40:48
slash events. For Amherst Island Radio and the
40:51
Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This
40:54
is North Shore News. This has been North Shore
40:57
News and Interviews. If you have an idea for
41:01
a story, or want to create stories for the show,
41:04
consider joining our volunteer team. Contact
41:08
Amherst Island Radio for more details.