Latest / North Shore News / October 3rd, 2026

Transcript

October 3rd, 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. Council and staff at Loyalist Township
0:29
are preparing for the 2026 fall term of their
0:31
2024 to 2027 strategic plan. Staff will continue
0:35
with planned initiatives and will have a final
0:37
report at the end of 2027. Objectives within
0:40
the plan followed strategic priorities such as
0:43
strong communities, organizational effectiveness,
0:46
balanced growth, as well as sustainable infrastructure
0:48
and services. CAO Rebecca Murphy spoke about
0:51
the term. This is the last report on the strategic
0:54
plan for this term of council. We're very pleased
0:57
with the progress that's been made with respect
0:59
to the initiatives that were set by council in
1:01
2024. And the strategic plan does go till the
1:06
end of 2027. So there's still about another year
1:09
of things that are going on. For the most part,
1:12
everything is in progress or planned to be completed.
1:18
Council should be very pleased. There is a very
1:20
long list of. of initiatives that under that
1:23
strategic plan that council and staff set. And
1:26
I'm pleased to say that we've accomplished most
1:28
of them there and looking forward to the next
1:33
strategic plan. So the plan would be for the
1:36
next term of council sometime next fall. We would
1:38
come back to council with an update and look
1:42
at reviewing and revising our strategic plan
1:45
if that's council's direction and then to set
1:47
another set of initiatives for the next term.
1:50
Several initiatives may be ongoing into 2027,
1:53
some of which may have impacts on future operating
1:56
budgets. Mayor Jim Hagedorn noted staff's work.
1:59
It was a very aggressive term along with some
2:03
pretty major projects, so it is good to get all
2:06
this work done and well done by staff. Staff
2:08
will be bringing a report back to council in
2:10
early 2027 to get direction for their next strategic
2:13
plan. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
2:16
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
2:19
North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council has
2:31
directed staff to look into laws and regulations
2:34
surrounding electric bikes in the Township. Councillor
2:36
Paul Proderick made a direct motion regarding
2:39
the matter. I would put a motion forward that
2:41
council direct staff to provide a report considering
2:43
the options relating to regulating the use of
2:45
e -bikes within Loyalist Township. The motion
2:47
was seconded by Councillor Mike Buderick and
2:49
passed by council. Proderick spoke about the
2:52
use of electric bikes in Loyalist Township. It's
2:54
becoming more and more prevalent in the community
2:57
that the use of these micro bikes or whatever
2:59
you want to generally call them, it's becoming
3:01
a safety issue. People on the sidewalks, on the
3:04
streets for the kids without helmets and so on
3:07
and so on. And I think the township needs to
3:09
come up with some kind of a statement, a regulation,
3:13
whatever you want to call it to pry and get that
3:16
under control. you know just as an aside we need
3:20
to engage the OPP at some point for you know
3:22
in terms of what they can do etc and the biggest
3:26
piece is going to be public education because
3:28
it's sort of the Wild West and whether we have
3:30
to get people out to schools etc etc but I'd
3:34
like to get that process started and not wait
3:36
another year or so to do it. Councillor Lorna
3:38
Willis noted the growing use of electric bikes
3:40
in the area. Having some connections with teachers
3:43
in the local schools I know that the e -scooters
3:46
are are an extreme concern so while they're illegal
3:49
they're widely used and and I think that you
3:53
know we have the potential for a tragedy in our
3:56
township so I would strongly encourage then that
3:59
we encourage the OPP to enforce that law. Councillor
4:03
Carol Park spoke about help from the OPP. The
4:06
OPP is actually going to be doing more enforcement
4:08
and education on this so we'll probably see some
4:11
things implemented on that end too which will
4:13
help support what we want to do. Staff will be
4:15
bringing a report back to council at a future
4:17
meeting. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
4:20
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
4:23
North Shore News. Staff at Loyalist Township
4:35
have announced the transition of the Loyalist
4:37
Link program to a demand -responsive transit
4:39
service model. Director of Community and Customer
4:42
Services, Lori McFarland, explains how the new
4:44
service will work. Right now, traditionally,
4:46
we have a regular route that the bus runs regularly
4:50
X amount of time. during the day and it just
4:53
runs its route and there's stops along the way.
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This one is basically an on -demand. So the bus,
5:01
if you're a rider, you're going to put in a request
5:04
for a pickup either on the app, on the website,
5:07
or there is a dispatch a phone number. You'll
5:10
identify where you want to go. You can do it
5:14
a number of different ways. You can do it by
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what time you want to be picked up, or you can
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do it by what time you want to arrive at your
5:20
final destination. You will then get feedback
5:24
as to what time your pickup is. The system then
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generates all of the other requests similar to
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that and it works efficiently through the route
5:35
to take you to your destination and it'll pick
5:38
people up along the way or drop people off as
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well. It should be in more efficient way for
5:45
us to deliver this type of service for people
5:48
and we're not going to have buses driving around
5:50
without people on them. McFarland spoke about
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the efficiency of the new model and explained
5:54
virtual stops. It has been used in other communities
5:58
similar to ours and it has been very successful
6:01
and it has increased ridership. We're also introducing
6:04
some virtual stops as well in different locations
6:07
where there aren't currently an actual bus stop,
6:10
but it's a spot where people could go and gather
6:13
that may be able to enhance. more rural spots,
6:20
but it's within the route right now that's there.
6:23
They're just not set specific spots. The report
6:26
also noted improvements to Route 10, opportunities
6:29
for intercity bus services, and better options
6:31
for buying transit passes. Route 10 service now
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has 30 minute frequency intervals for most periods
6:36
of operation. Loyalist Township and Lennox and
6:39
Addington County are also looking into potential
6:41
partnerships to establish intercity bus services
6:44
with trips to select major Ontario cities. Kingston
6:47
Transit Passes will be available for purchase
6:49
at the W .J. Henderson Community Centre. For
6:51
Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
6:54
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
6:57
News. Loyalist Township Council agreed to support
7:09
and circulate a letter calling for the provincial
7:11
government to increase the municipal rebate for
7:14
harmonized sales tax. The initiative, Building
7:16
Ontario Together, HST Reinvestment for Municipal
7:19
Infrastructure, was put together and released
7:21
by the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus. The group
7:24
is asking the government of Ontario to increase
7:26
the municipal rebate for the provincial portion
7:28
of HST from 78 % to 100%. This would eliminate
7:32
the current 1 .76 unrecoverable provincial HST
7:36
cost taken on by municipalities. They're hoping
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the provincial government will recognize this
7:41
measure as a fiscally responsible investment
7:43
that supports infrastructure renewal, housing
7:45
infrastructure, long -term asset management,
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and essential municipal services, while reducing
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pressure on local property taxpayers and businesses.
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Staff's report noted unrecoverable provincial
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HST represents millions of dollars annually that
7:58
could otherwise be reinvested into municipalities.
8:01
Returning the remaining provincial portion of
8:03
HST to municipalities would not increase taxes
8:05
for residents or businesses. Municipalities in
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Ontario currently receive a 100 % rebate of the
8:11
federal 5 % portion of HST, but only a 78 % rebate
8:14
of Ontario's 8 % provincial portion. This results
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in municipalities permanently absorbing the remaining
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22 % of the provincial share. This is equivalent
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to 1 .76 % of eligible municipal expenditures.
8:27
Mayor Jim Hagedorn speaks about the letter. So
8:29
this was something that has come through the
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EOWC and as being warden of the county, I'm a
8:35
member of the EOWC. The HST that the municipality
8:39
collects, the federal portion, we are able to
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retain all of it. So the EOWC looked at it and
8:46
with all of the initiatives that are being taken
8:50
right now, as well as once we've done our infrastructure
8:55
assessments and master plans and the deficit
8:59
that every municipality in Ontario is running.
9:02
with trying to keep up with their infrastructure.
9:04
EOWC figured this was a easy catch, is just if
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we could keep all of the provincial portion,
9:12
that would give us money back without actually
9:15
raising taxes at any level of government. Hagedorn
9:19
explained the intention of the letter and noted
9:21
their presentation to ministers. We presented
9:23
it at AMO to all the ministers that we met with,
9:28
both on the Conservative side and on the other
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sides so both sides of the house we presented
9:34
it to everyone that we had a delegation with
9:37
and we had I believe it was something eight or
9:39
ten delegations so they're well aware of what
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we're requesting so now we're just putting it
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out looking for endorsement from all the municipalities
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basically saying that you think this would be
9:51
a good idea what we were saying to them is we
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would expect that there would be a provision
9:56
to this funds to be reinvested in the infrastructure
10:00
within the municipality, not go into general
10:02
budget. So it would go towards like capital costs
10:06
or maintenance costs to maintain our infrastructure
10:09
in an acceptable manner. Councillor Paul Proderick
10:11
offered his thoughts on the initiative. Given
10:13
what I've read on the key asks from the Eastern
10:16
Ontario caucus is we need sustainable funding
10:19
and the government of Ontario is always looking
10:22
at reducing red tape. Here's a classic example
10:25
of all the red tape that would go to recover
10:27
1 .76%. It's got to be a savings everywhere and
10:31
a gain for all the municipalities. For Amherst
10:33
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
10:36
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The
10:48
future Sports Hall of Fame at the W .J. Henderson
10:50
Community Center will be named the Marion and
10:53
Mason -Buderich Sports Hall of Fame. This is
10:55
in recognition of the family's contributions
10:57
in the community and a $50 ,000 donation towards
11:00
the W .J. Henderson Community Center Renewal
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Project. Mason Buderich founded the current Amherst
11:05
Few Jets Junior Hockey Club in 1989. Following
11:08
his passing in 2005, his legacy has continued
11:11
through the Mason Buderich Memorial Fund, which
11:13
helps local children play hockey. Marion Buderich
11:15
has held leadership positions with the organization
11:17
in the past, including the president of the Amherst
11:20
Few Jets. The family's decades of volunteer service
11:22
and leadership have had a great impact. on the
11:24
local hockey community. Staff with the Township
11:26
will also be assisting the Amherst View Jets
11:28
in the management of a fundraising sub -campaign
11:31
looking to raise $50 ,000 to rename the Jets
11:33
dressing room in memory of Don Lee. Lee is remembered
11:36
for his passion, leadership, and community spirit.
11:39
He was a lifelong advocate for youth and sport
11:41
in the community. His dedication to the Jets
11:43
and developing young players in the community
11:45
has left a lasting impact both on and off the
11:48
ice. CAO Rebecca Murphy speaks about the fundraising
11:51
goal for the W .J. Henderson Community Centre
11:53
renewal project. We're very excited from the
11:56
fundraising campaign that we're nearing in our
11:58
goal. This contribution makes it... takes us
12:01
over the $1 .7 million mark. So we're over 85
12:03
% of the way there to our goal. And it's very
12:05
good. And we're trying to wrap up some loose
12:07
ends to be able to get us to the final goal.
12:10
So this is another one of our another announcement
12:13
that we're happy to make. And hopefully we get
12:15
there before October 4th grand opening. Murphy
12:18
noted the campaign for renaming the dressing
12:20
room. I know there's been lots of discussion
12:22
amongst the community to about naming something
12:25
after Don Lee and the Jets letters really supports.
12:30
Kind of marketing this and branding this naming.
12:34
Council is awaiting a final decision on the location
12:36
and eligibility requirements for the Hall of
12:38
Fame. Staff will be bringing a report to the
12:40
next term of Council with a new policy for the
12:42
space. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
12:45
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
12:48
North Shore News. Lenox and Addington County
12:59
staff will be looking into implementing road
13:01
signage to warn drivers about agricultural vehicles
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along county roads while also providing information
13:07
about local farms. Staff will be conducting a
13:10
safety study to determine areas that warrant
13:12
signage. Representative with the Lenox and Addington
13:14
Federation of Agriculture, Max Kaiser, explained
13:17
concerns that were raised and why he came to
13:19
council. Recently, we've had a member from North
13:22
Varensville. They farm just North Varensville,
13:24
but they also have properties up Maguire Road
13:27
and some of the other side. roads there so they're
13:29
on and off 41 with slow -moving vehicles as part
13:32
of their normal activities. Due to the new waste
13:34
management sorting facility at just south of
13:37
Roblin they've perceived an increase in heavy
13:40
truck traffic coming up and down their roadways
13:42
and that's adding to you know summertime, cottage
13:47
traffic and whatnot, going up and down 41. And
13:49
there's a pretty big speed discrepancy between
13:52
cars going up and down the road and then heavy
13:54
equipment like tractors and what you might be
13:56
pulling. Well, they've seen the signs in neighboring
13:58
municipalities. I know Tayananega has them on
14:00
some of their roads and Napanee has them on a
14:02
couple of our roads like Meach Road. So they'd
14:04
seen them and they knew they were out there and
14:05
they asked specifically if we could help. Kaiser
14:07
noted the area in question and spoke about a
14:09
previous concern raised. When you turn north
14:12
on 41 from the 401. That's a key spot where we
14:16
believe it's warranted as soon as you leave Napanee
14:18
or even north of Selby that those farms that
14:21
are using that road, we had another farmer who
14:23
expressed a concern a few years ago closer to
14:26
Napanee because of a closure of a small municipal
14:30
road that he was forced to go out on 41 and come
14:33
back in just to get to the north end of his farm,
14:35
which was on the other side of a creek. Director
14:36
of Parks, Recreation and Culture with the Town
14:38
of Greater Napanee, Chris Brown, explained that
14:41
the Traffic Advisory Committee wouldn't support
14:43
signs that are unwarranted. Brown spoke about
14:45
his suggestion for new signage. I think treating
14:48
all of our roads, um... equally is the fundamentals
14:52
of what we do. And just putting signs up that
14:55
are unwarranted aren't really supported by TAC
14:59
or staff. But what I would be recommending to
15:01
do is more of an information campaign and working
15:04
with our communications department, creating
15:06
not quite a billboard size, but the size for
15:10
our reconstruction, like a four by four, four
15:12
by eight signage, and doing an information about
15:16
agriculture and including the slow moving vehicles.
15:19
sign and notifying residents that there are a
15:22
lot of farm equipment in the area. Brown went
15:25
on to speak about the need for a safety study.
15:27
After reviewing this back through attack minutes
15:30
as well as with other municipalities at the county
15:33
level, the signs that we discussed are typically
15:37
used and warranted at certain specific criteria,
15:41
safety restrictions, sight lines, that sort of
15:44
thing. So I think that staff need to complete
15:48
like a safety audit of the area to ensure that
15:51
proper signage as approved by our policy which
15:53
is using the OTM book five and book six manuals
15:56
from the province and if that if those signs
15:59
are warranted we'll install those signs. Brown
16:01
explained how the new signs might work. If we
16:03
move that say two weeks or four weeks around
16:07
to different farming areas, and we would have
16:10
to work with the agricultural society to get
16:13
a list of participants of farmers that want to
16:16
participate. We could one, do a safety message
16:18
of here's where the signage today. and here's
16:22
what that farmer in the area produces and offers,
16:25
and where can you find it locally? Kaiser spoke
16:27
about possibilities for the signage. It actually
16:30
fits really well with sort of our mandate, which
16:32
is promoting agriculture, but also we're an advocacy
16:35
group for agriculture. We have produced some
16:37
signs. that we've installed on field edges that
16:41
say, you know, this is a field of soybeans, this
16:43
is what it's used for and whatnot. But I think
16:45
work on this sort of education and awareness
16:47
campaign, which kind of covers a lot more than
16:49
just the road safety. Maybe we can hit some targeted
16:52
areas. Councillor Brian Calver noted the importance
16:54
of road signage for safety. The amount of traffic
16:57
is really, really increasing. And so whatever
17:00
we can do to kind of help things out a little
17:02
bit, because you've got cottagers, you've got
17:05
Airbnbs all over the place. You've got a lot
17:07
of people. coming from cities, coming from different
17:10
countries to visit that aren't aware of these
17:13
big pieces of equipment and they don't stop on
17:17
a dime. So whatever we can do to get it out there
17:20
and let people know to try to help and save,
17:23
it's a good thing for sure. Deputy Warden Tony
17:26
Fritch noted safety as a priority. If you're
17:29
on one of those roads, you pray every time you
17:31
pull the tractor out. And you thank the Lord
17:34
every time you pull back in your driveway. So
17:37
it's just about that simple. For Amherst Island
17:39
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
17:42
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Two native
18:11
bird species listed as threatened under the Federal
18:13
Species at Risk Act. However, extensive encroachment
18:16
by gray dogwood and other shrub species had reduced
18:19
habitat suitability. The project will look to
18:21
reestablish a structurally native grass and forb
18:24
community suitable for bobalink, eastern meadowlark,
18:26
and other native ground -nesting grassland species
18:29
and pollinators. According to Cataraqui Conservation,
18:32
the restoration plan for this project has been
18:34
designed in accordance with the Migratory Birds
18:36
Convention Act and Species Conservation Act.
18:38
It will prioritize long - long -term habitat
18:40
function and ecological resilience, ensuring
18:42
the restored meadow develops the vegetation structure
18:45
and plant diversity required to support breeding
18:47
grassland birds. The timeline for the project
18:49
has been designed to have the least amount of
18:51
disturbance for species at risk. The project
18:53
will run until spring of 2027. The work has been
18:56
structured using an integrated pest management
18:59
approach. A range of available methodologies
19:01
have been combined to most effectively restore
19:03
the grassland habitat at the south end of Lemoyne
19:06
Point Conservation Area. The goal is to minimize
19:08
negative environmental impacts and use only the
19:10
minimum amount of chemical intervention necessary
19:12
to successfully remove gray dogwood and establish
19:15
the native grassland ecosystem. Certain activities
19:17
will require restricting access to the project
19:20
area and surrounding trail network. Restrictions
19:22
and closures will be limited to a few hours or
19:24
a few days. Closures will be posted on social
19:27
media and signage will be placed in parking areas
19:29
and trails to notify visitors. Cataract Way Conservation
19:32
notes the project will ultimately enhance biodiversity,
19:35
provide critical habitat to threatened species,
19:37
as well as improve the site's overall resilience
19:39
to climate change and invasive species. For Amherst
19:42
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
19:45
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore news. Loyalist
19:57
Township Council agreed to proclaim October 21st,
20:00
2026 as the 26th Annual Child Care Worker and
20:03
Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day. The
20:06
day is in recognition of the education, dedication,
20:09
and commitment of child care workers to children,
20:11
their families, and quality of life within their
20:13
community. The proclamation request noted that
20:16
trained and knowledgeable registered early childhood
20:18
educators are the key to quality in early years
20:21
and child care programs. It stated that early
20:23
learning and child care promotes the well -being
20:26
of children. and responds to the needs of families
20:28
as well as the broader community by supporting
20:30
quality of life. Each year, the day is proclaimed
20:32
by the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care,
20:35
the Canadian Union of Public Employees, as well
20:38
as municipalities and school boards across Ontario.
20:41
The day is marked by hundreds of child care centres,
20:43
unions and allies. Councillor Paul Proderick
20:46
showed his support for proclaiming the day. Having
20:49
spent 30 years in education, this is a... core
20:53
group both within the school system and within
20:55
child care that are vastly underpaid and underappreciated
20:59
at times, but their contribution to youth is,
21:02
it can't be measured. For Amherst Island Radio
21:05
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
21:08
Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township
21:20
will be recognizing October 10th, 2026 as National
21:23
Dental Care Day. Council heard from founder of
21:26
the day, Dr. Raj Kanuja, who spoke about the
21:28
importance of improving access to oral health
21:31
care. Kanuja explains how and why he started
21:33
the initiative. National Dental Care Day started
21:36
from one simple moment. Years ago, I met a single
21:40
mother who was living with severe dental pain.
21:43
She avoided treatment because she could not afford
21:46
it. She told me she was saving every dollar she
21:50
had so she could keep a promise to buy used hockey
21:53
equipment for her child. She chose her child
21:57
over herself. That moment stayed with me because
22:00
dental pain is not just about teeth. It affects
22:04
confidence, sleep, work, mental health. and dignity.
22:09
That is why National Dental Care Day was created.
22:13
Kanuja speaks about how the initiative has grown
22:15
and notes numbers from last year. What started
22:18
as one free dental day has now grown into a national
22:22
movement after 13 years of volunteer care. Last
22:26
year alone, 219 Canadians received care across
22:30
the country through volunteer clinics. and professionals.
22:34
National Dental Care Day was proclaimed by 25
22:37
municipalities, three premiers, and two lieutenant
22:41
governors. It was also spoken about in the Senate
22:45
of Canada by Senator Muhammad Iqbal Rawalia and
22:49
entered into the Hansard Parliamentary record.
22:53
National Dental Care Day mobilizes volunteer
22:55
dental professionals, students, clinics, educators
22:58
and community partners across Canada to provide
23:01
essential dental care to underserved individuals
23:03
and families without cost, barriers or judgment.
23:07
The initiative emphasizes the importance of oral
23:08
health as an essential component of overall health
23:11
and well -being. Kanuja explains the importance
23:13
of bringing National Dental Care Day to more
23:16
communities. The need for dental care is not
23:19
limited to one city. or one region. It exists
23:23
dentistry is expensive and care forces many people
23:30
t teeth, hide their smile a The Bath Museum and
23:53
Visitor Center is welcoming the community back
23:55
for another season of Culture Talks, a speaker
23:57
series celebrating history, heritage, and storytelling.
24:00
Hosted at the museum, the series brings together
24:02
local historians, musicians, and researchers
24:05
who share unique perspectives on the region's
24:07
history. Held on the third Monday of the month
24:09
from 6 to 7 p .m., Culture Talks offer an opportunity
24:12
to explore fascinating cultural topics in an
24:15
intimate setting. Tickets are $5 per person and
24:17
seating is limited. Monday, September 28th at
24:20
6 p .m., Steve and Bruce Med will be presenting
24:22
a combination of song ballads and storytelling.
24:25
The evening will cover historical events and
24:27
people in pre -Confederation Canada, including
24:29
indigenous connections, French explorers, loyalist
24:31
refugees of the American Revolution, The War
24:34
of 1812, and more. Stephen Bruce Med is a performing
24:37
songwriter of historical ballads and spiritual
24:39
songs. His songs are inspired by Canadian history,
24:42
the remote and beautiful landscapes he explored
24:44
as a geologist, and social issues of the day.
24:47
Monday, October 26 at 6 p .m., Phil Norton will
24:50
be telling his 2021 bicycle camping journey from
24:52
Prince Edward County to the Mexican border. Repeating
24:55
a journey he did in 1979 and 1980 as a 22 -year
24:59
-old, Norton set off again in 2021 at the age
25:01
of 63. Norton tells personal stories about his
25:04
adventure combined with the geography and people
25:06
he met along the way. Culture Talks take place
25:08
at the Bath Museum located at 434 Main Street
25:11
in Bath. Tickets for each talk can be purchased
25:14
online. For more information about Culture Talks
25:16
and other upcoming programs, visit Loyalist .ca
25:19
slash events. For Amherst Island Radio and the
25:22
Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This
25:25
is North Shore News. This has been North Shore
25:29
News and Interviews. If you have an idea for
25:32
a story or want to create stories for the show,
25:35
consider joining our volunteer team. Contact
25:39
Amherst Island Radio for more details.