Latest / North Shore News / July 9th, 2026

Transcript

July 9th, 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. Loyalist Townships Community Grant
0:29
Committee will be recommending that Council approve
0:31
just over $40 ,400 for an outdoor multi -sport
0:35
recreational space at Ernestown Intermediate
0:38
and Secondary School. Committee member Pierce
0:40
noted her support for the request. I think this
0:42
is another example of another agent of government
0:46
basically, the school board, doing something
0:49
for the community that has a benefit for the
0:51
whole community, not just the school community.
0:54
And it provides another facility within Odessa
0:57
where they are needed. and I think it's a great
0:59
idea. The committee will also be recommending
1:01
council approve just over $96 ,400 for the installation
1:05
of a new ramp, signage and roof repairs at Royal
1:08
Canadian Legion number 623. A representative
1:11
of the Legion, John Marshall, spoke about the
1:14
quotes they received for the work. Checked out
1:28
the investigation and found out that for the
1:31
next place up 80 ,000, this guy's been in business
1:33
for many years, guarantees, warranty on it, partnership
1:37
on it. So we'd rather have a better roof put
1:40
on the property the first time and only time,
1:42
and instead of having it approved for patio stone
1:46
on top of our flat roof. Cataraqui Conservation's
1:48
request for $77 ,000 to be used towards a pavilion
1:52
and privy at Parrots Bay Conservation Area will
1:54
be recommended for approval, as well as Odessa
1:56
Agricultural Society's request for $30 ,500 to
2:00
go towards facility upgrades. The committee will
2:03
be recommending that just over $7 ,500 will be
2:05
approved for Bath United Church's request of
2:07
$12 ,571. This will go towards maintenance upgrades
2:11
on the cemetery grounds. The committee denied
2:14
recommending approval of nearly $7 ,400 for mobile
2:17
heated dish dispensers at the Helen Henderson
2:19
Care Center. Catherine Reynolds with Helen Henderson
2:21
Care Center spoke about their request. It's two
2:24
pieces of equipment that will really serve the
2:28
community for a long time. It'll come through
2:31
our charitable foundation, directly improve the
2:34
quality of life for more than 300 residents.
2:38
We'll be using these for... quite a while, probably
2:42
10, 15 years. Our home does serve one of the
2:45
most vulnerable populations and we've been doing
2:47
it for more than 40 years. One of the... critical
2:51
aspects of our business, it really is mission
2:54
critical, is our Gibson Family Healthcare Charitable
2:57
Foundation. Funding is very limited with the
3:01
Ministry of Health and Long -Term Care. The foundation
3:05
allows us, and this is part of Helen Henderson
3:08
Care Center, to get other pieces of equipment,
3:12
do things that we wouldn't have the funding to
3:16
do. very important part of the day. It's a social
3:20
time. It adds structure to the day. But it's
3:23
going to also improve their dietary needs. Nutrition
3:27
manager with the centre, Sean Stevenson, noted
3:29
the importance of meal time for residents. Meal
3:32
time for them is very important. It's a very
3:34
large part of their day. And the plate warmers
3:37
allow that to be delivered in the higher quality
3:40
of the food temperature. And it also makes it
3:42
safer for the residents. It's something that
3:44
we've struggled with in the past. Just due to
3:47
the large volume of people that we're serving,
3:50
many large, large quality facilities have something
3:53
like this and just something we haven't been
3:55
able to procure lately. Committee member Shay
3:58
spoke about why she wouldn't support the request.
4:00
This is an awkward one because it's a private
4:03
corporation. It's an arm. The charitable foundation
4:05
is an arm of a private corporation and I just.
4:09
don't know that this is the correct use of our
4:13
grant monies. Committee member Pierce explained
4:15
another reason for not supporting the request.
4:18
It seems to me that serving hot meals should
4:19
be absolutely basic and it should be an operating
4:23
cost. The committee also denied recommending
4:25
approval of just over $38 ,000 for administrative
4:28
expenses related to Kinsman's 2027 Dream Home.
4:32
The committee will bring these recommendations
4:33
to Council's next meeting. For Amherst Island
4:36
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
4:39
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Lennox and
4:51
Addington County Council heard from residents
4:53
who opposed a staff recommendation to remove
4:56
historic oak trees in the area. Council decided
4:58
to wait for further information from staff before
5:01
going ahead with any removals. Staff's report
5:03
consists of 20 trees, both living and dead, located
5:06
within the designated clear zones along County
5:09
Roads 9 and 41. The report noted upcoming road
5:12
construction and excavation work within the critical
5:14
route zones, which is likely to result in significant
5:17
and lasting harm to the trees. Given the likelihood
5:20
of structural deterioration, staff advised council
5:22
that the trees be removed to prevent future safety
5:25
risks. Council and staff noted the liability
5:28
issues that the trees caused for the county.
5:30
Director of Infrastructure Services, Chris Wager,
5:32
spoke about staff's recommendation to remove
5:35
the trees. No one wants to see these trees removed.
5:38
It's basically liability and the decision on
5:42
how much liability the county wants to accept
5:45
at the end of the day. Staff have to recommend
5:47
the removal of the tree based on engineering
5:49
standards and the regulations and practices,
5:53
not just by our municipality but by all municipalities.
5:55
We looked at all options as indicated in the
5:58
report. We are doing the work this year. It's
6:01
in six to seven years out in Kenner Road 9 we'll
6:04
be doing additional significant work which may
6:06
impact the root system at that time. But we are
6:09
planning on doing work on Canada Road 9 this
6:12
year, and that's why the trees were recommended
6:14
for removal. Because as we do capital works,
6:18
that's when we identify the section of work being
6:21
done, and we have to bring that work or that
6:23
roadway up to standard that are present and current
6:26
to date. And that's what is accepted by the insurance,
6:31
engineering standards, and all municipalities.
6:35
Staff can be held personally liable if we are
6:38
negligent in our duties. County council members
6:41
can be held personally liable if it's proven
6:45
that they have acted negligible. However, if
6:48
you do pass a policy, council members are protected
6:52
through policy, but it does not remove the liability
6:55
from the county as a whole. We do recognize the
6:59
environmental impacts. in looking at our budget
7:03
and looking at ways to minimize those impacts.
7:07
Staff have proposed planting four trees and they're
7:10
not just saplings, they're 12 -14 foot tall trees.
7:14
And those are trees that can be easily sourced
7:17
and supplied by local arborists and planters
7:20
in the area. Again, we talk to municipalities,
7:23
Prince Edward County in particular, they did
7:26
designate their roadways and have heritage roadways.
7:29
They also removed trees within the clear zone
7:31
on those roadways. Most of the municipalities
7:33
that responded to us were actually shocked that
7:35
we still have trees this close to the road in
7:38
the clear zone and of that size. And again, I
7:41
will say like I grew up there. They're magnificent
7:44
trees. No one wants to take them down. It's a
7:49
duty that we have in the Municipal Act to ensure
7:52
that the roadways are safe for the traveling
7:54
public and it's a recommendation by staff to
7:58
remove the trees. Residents voiced concerns about
8:01
losing the historic trees and noted the trees
8:03
are no more dangerous than other stationary features
8:06
along the roadside such as cliffs or rocks. Resident
8:09
Julie Bogdanovic spoke about the importance of
8:11
the trees. The trees clearly have cultural heritage
8:14
value and I think that should be assessed through
8:17
future study. They were lovingly planted by our
8:19
ancestors and it's what drew our family to the
8:22
area. Our family owns property off of South Shore
8:24
Road and it's the kind of the natural character
8:26
and the heritage. of the area that's really quite
8:31
appealing. And that's what I think is being threatened
8:33
here. I understand that there have been two deaths
8:35
near these trees, and I don't want to minimize
8:38
those tragedies, but I do think that roadside
8:40
collisions are not uncommon. And I think that
8:43
the removal of these trees will not significantly
8:45
decrease future casualties. And I appreciate
8:47
that the goal is to generally improve roadsides
8:50
according to the TAC and MTO guidelines. However,
8:53
the removal of the trees in most cases is not
8:56
an issue. trees. However, the community has identified
9:00
that this is a very, very special grove of trees
9:02
that deserves protection, special attention,
9:05
and I think that an exception can be made in
9:07
this case. Bogdanovic spoke about potential plans
9:10
if the trees are to be removed. If the trees
9:13
are to be removed, I don't think it's acceptable
9:15
to chip these trees, which is typically what's
9:19
done in these cases. I'm requesting that the
9:22
lumber be milled responsibly. Potentially we
9:25
can explore creative solutions where woodworkers
9:27
can be engaged to produce. commemorative projects
9:30
using the wood. Resident and chair of the Lenox
9:32
and Addington Stewardship Council, Marilyn Murray,
9:35
shared her concerns about the removal of the
9:37
trees. We do not believe these heritage trees
9:40
present a driving hazard. Old growth trees are
9:43
irreplaceable, historical, ecological, and increasingly
9:47
rare landscape features. We know trees are our
9:50
biggest allies in the fight against climate change,
9:52
but these trees, remnants of an old -growth forest,
9:55
are in a class of their own. The services they
9:57
provide cannot be replaced by planting young
9:59
trees. These trees have environmental resilience.
10:02
They withstood the test of time, weather events,
10:04
including storms, drought, and disease. Some
10:07
for over two centuries. You cannot appreciate
10:09
the size of these trees until you're standing
10:11
beneath them. Trees of this size and age are
10:14
very, very rare, some of the oldest in L &A.
10:17
These trees are an asset. a gift worth protecting
10:19
and present an opportunity for Council to act
10:22
now, to be good stewards and preserve these trees.
10:25
for this and future generations. Don Mitchell,
10:28
a resident who started an online petition to
10:31
save the oak canopy on County Road 9, spoke about
10:33
the safety risks the trees pose along the roadways.
10:37
These trees are no more hazardous than other
10:39
roadside fixed objects. Across the county motorists
10:41
travel past deep ditches, utility poles, rock
10:44
faces, buildings, culverts, open water in some
10:47
points, and countless other roadside features
10:49
that are outside the clear zone. And many on
10:52
those roads with substantially higher traffic
10:54
volumes than this. this stretch of County Road
10:56
9. Municipalities are expected to manage risk
10:59
thoughtfully and responsibly, not to eliminate
11:02
every conceivable hazard at the expense of an
11:05
irreplaceable community asset. We respectfully
11:07
ask Council to pause before making an irreversible
11:11
decision, ensure that every possible alternative
11:14
has been reviewed, and choose a solution that
11:17
reflects both safety and stewardship. Once these
11:20
trees are removed, the option is gone. Taking
11:23
the time to make the most informed decision is
11:25
not delay. It's good governance. Resident Lori
11:28
Forrester spoke about a tree on County Road 41.
11:31
I'm here asking council to not cut any of the
11:34
trees but I'm speaking specifically to a 200
11:37
to 220 year old bur oak on County Road 41 midway
11:42
between Youngs Road and McLaughlin Road. It stands
11:44
on the side of the highway beside our farm. It's
11:48
a healthy grandmother tree and it has a lifespan,
11:52
healthy bur oaks have a lifespan of 400 to 450
11:55
years. It and the other trees can't be replaced
11:58
by the saplings proposed in the report. The tree
12:02
beside 41 stands beside an agricultural entrance
12:05
that allows my husband to have access to his
12:09
field. And he has told staff verbally and in
12:12
writing that he would happily give up the access
12:15
to that field at that point because he has another
12:17
access point to the field to save a giant of
12:20
a tree that his father said was a giant in the
12:23
1910s when he was a child. Forrester went on
12:25
to note how important the trees are for the future.
12:27
If we leave them alone to continue to provide
12:30
food and shelter for wildlife and to, you know,
12:33
make oxygen for us and store carbon, then they'll
12:36
still be here providing for the world that we've
12:38
left behind. once the only people alive are our
12:43
descendants and those descendants will be as
12:45
distant to us as the settlers that came here
12:47
are from us right now. Nine generations, it would
12:51
take nine generations for those replacement saplings
12:53
to look like they are now and none of our grandchildren
12:56
or great -grandchildren or great -grandchildren
12:58
would ever see them. Once those trees are cut,
13:01
they can't be replaced. Resident Joseph Reeve
13:04
shared his concerns about the removal of the
13:06
trees. There are thousands of miles of roadway
13:09
in Ontario with rock cuts, mailboxes, hydro and
13:13
telephone poles as close to the road and closer
13:17
than these oaks. There's no motive here. Nobody
13:20
wants them cut down. Everybody's afraid of insurance
13:23
liability, as John Wise said to me. It's a liability
13:27
issue, as if that was the answer to this destruction
13:30
of these magnificent oaks. Councillor Brian Calver
13:33
spoke about the trees and the importance of waiting
13:35
for more information. I understand the tree back
13:39
on 41 Highway. I don't see why it couldn't be
13:41
shielded by a guardrail. The landowner's willing
13:44
to give up his place there for his entrance way.
13:48
I fully believe it can be protected by a guardrail,
13:51
safely sound, keep everybody safe. The trees
13:54
on County Road 9, I don't see where putting a
13:58
guardrail is going to do the job. Some of the
14:01
trees on County Road 9 are a little questionable
14:03
when you start looking at the trunks and stuff.
14:06
Every single tree along County Road 9 has been
14:08
hit by something. Whether it's been a car, whether
14:10
it's been a snow plow, whether it's been a snowmobile
14:12
over the years. Lots of scar marks on those trees.
14:16
But when I look and see what MTO has done on
14:18
their own roads and now, as early as last week,
14:21
some new guide rails have been put in protecting
14:24
trees. There's even more trees along 33 Highway
14:27
that are closer in that zone by a steel guard
14:30
rail. You know, there's a lot of things that
14:33
I just want to make sure that we have not left
14:35
a single rock unturned before our chainsaw fires
14:38
up. Councillor Terry Richardson shared his thoughts
14:41
about removing the trees. The reality of it is
14:43
that all we're talking about is safety and liability.
14:46
And that's our job. Our job is to consider safety
14:49
and liability because that's what we're responsible.
14:52
That's what the public put us here to do. I think
14:54
it is upon us to exhaust each and every option
14:58
before we select the option that is the most
15:04
grave with respect to these trees, which is cutting
15:06
them down. We do have to keep in mind is that
15:10
there are some of the trees in that bank of trees
15:13
that I don't think are very healthy. And we do
15:17
have to, along with a lot of other trees out
15:19
along County Road 9, I see lots of them on my
15:21
way home, and they're most of them dead ash that
15:24
have to be removed from there because they are
15:27
causing liability and safety issues. Councillor
15:30
John Wise spoke about the risk the trees may
15:32
pose. I also have a great deal of reverence for
15:35
human life. No matter how small the risk, within
15:38
reason, we have to value that above all else.
15:42
Let's make sure that we're arguing from an honest
15:45
and legitimate point of view. We love these trees
15:49
because they're beautiful and because they represent
15:52
a heritage. You cannot dismiss fatalities. You
15:58
cannot exonerate them because in some other places
16:02
there are hazards that exist like rocks. We can't
16:05
remove cliffs. Hydropols that are in the clear
16:08
zone shouldn't be there and should be moved.
16:10
I don't believe we have that situation in our
16:12
county. We've got to get rid of the ash trees
16:14
that are dead within the clear zone and adjacent
16:17
to it on private land because they're a risk
16:19
of falling or of having branches drop. It's already
16:22
starting. The staff report says that the guardrail
16:25
itself becomes a hazard. That simply means because
16:29
it has now expanded an object in the clear zone.
16:33
It can itself become something that can be struck
16:36
that can possibly cause a flip. It changes the
16:42
risk, but it doesn't totally remove the risk.
16:45
It's also a significant cost, tens of thousands
16:47
of dollars. Warden Jim Hagedorn noted safety
16:50
always comes first. With my background, I have
16:53
attended scenes that once you see something,
16:55
you can never unsee it. So safety is always where
17:00
I start, and then I go from there. So with that,
17:04
I will support the motion because we're still
17:07
looking at options. But when it does come back,
17:11
just to be very clear, the most important thing
17:13
I'm going to look at is safety, maintaining lives
17:17
and making sure that our roadways are safe. Pliability
17:21
is an issue because of safety. Safety is my concern.
17:25
I want to make sure that everyone makes it home
17:27
and no families are disrupted. For Amherst Island
17:31
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
17:33
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Lennox and
17:46
Addington County has appointed Nathan Townand
17:49
as their new Director of Communications and Community
17:51
Development. Townand will start the new role
17:53
in August and has since stepped down from his
17:56
roles as Warden of the County and Deputy Mayor
17:58
of Loyalist Township. Townend served eight years
18:01
on Loyalist Township Council, as well as four
18:03
years on County Council. During that time, he
18:06
also held leadership positions with the Association
18:08
of Municipalities of Ontario, the Rural Ontario
18:11
Municipal Association, the Eastern Ontario Wardens
18:14
Caucus, and the Southeastern Health Unit. Loyalist
18:16
Township Council addressed the process on how
18:18
to fill the vacancy. At this time, staff and
18:21
council members may propose names of individuals
18:23
who have previously held a position on council
18:25
or senior leadership. Council members could then
18:27
choose to appoint or select an individual from
18:29
the proposed list. This was one of three options
18:32
council chose from. Councilors Lorna Willis and
18:35
Carol Parks explained their support for the option
18:37
council chose. I just think this is the cleanest
18:41
way to address it given how close we are to an
18:44
election and it leaves the current councillors
18:47
to do whatever they're going to do. I think this
18:49
is the best option that's available just because
18:52
of the tight time frame. The election's coming.
18:55
Town and spoke about taking on the new role.
18:57
Applying for a position of employment with the
19:00
county while being a sitting warden requires
19:03
an extra level of ethical vigilance. It was imperative
19:06
to protect the integrity of the hiring process
19:09
and therefore essential that I did not place
19:11
myself or my colleagues in a position where an
19:14
actual or perceived exertion of political influence
19:17
could be suggested. I consulted with the integrity
19:20
commissioner and have followed his advice from
19:23
beginning to end. I can also say with complete
19:26
and total confidence that I competed fairly for
19:28
the position as any other applicant, and for
19:31
me personally that has been extremely important.
19:34
Moreover, as an incoming Director of Communications
19:37
who wants to foster openness and accessibility
19:39
in how the county speaks to our citizens, I need
19:43
to close this chapter with my cards on the table.
19:46
Indeed, I recognize it is not every day a warden
19:49
gets hired in their own upper tier. But I hope
19:52
the public can be confident in both the process
19:54
and ultimately the outcome. Townand went on to
19:57
speak about his decision to apply for the position.
20:00
In truth, I expected to continue pursuing elected
20:03
office for the next 2026 to 2030 term. What has
20:08
transpired was not on my bingo card and the timing
20:12
of it all not within my control. I am sure there
20:15
are those would -be detractors who assume my
20:18
decision was purely self -interest. As I just
20:21
said, because I believe in being honest with
20:23
the public, I will not deny that a steady job
20:26
with a solid income and a nest egg for the future
20:30
was part of my consideration. Like many millennials,
20:33
I have spent my working life cobbling together
20:36
financial means with numerous precarious jobs
20:39
that take a lot of time and leave little for
20:42
the future. At 40 years old, it isn't unreasonable
20:45
for me to have considered what 20 to 30 years
20:48
down the line might look like. Townen noted the
20:50
work he was most proud of with Loyalist Township
20:53
Council and thanked community members. I am so
20:56
proud that after successive councils kicked it
20:58
down the road, we took the decision to rebuild
21:02
the WJ. It is a significant investment that will
21:05
serve generations to come and I will always be
21:08
proud that we did that. I'm also proud to have
21:11
had my personal stamp of initiation on our physician
21:13
recruitment program. and so grateful to Rebecca,
21:16
our CAO, for doing the work to make it the success
21:18
that it has been. I'm also proud to have helped
21:21
in the development of Loyalist Township's first
21:23
climate action plan. And of course, I want to
21:25
thank the people of our great township, our community
21:28
of communities. Over the past eight years, I
21:31
have only gained in respect and affinity for
21:34
our residents. It is truly a great privilege
21:37
and joy when you're in elected office that you
21:40
get to know your community more deeply than you
21:43
really do any other way. Our township is full
21:46
of community -minded, generous, kind people who
21:50
take care of one another, who care to make our
21:53
community better and give of themselves to make
21:55
it happen. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
21:58
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
22:01
North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council approved
22:13
the extension of the Loyalist Link pilot program
22:16
to September 3rd, 2027. This will maintain uninterrupted
22:20
service while the Township waits for the outcome
22:23
of their Ontario Transit Infrastructure Fund
22:25
application. Funding for the extension will be
22:27
provided through provincial gas tax allocations
22:30
as well as fares. Beginning in September, the
22:32
current 90A -90B service will transition to a
22:35
single connector route linking Bath, Odessa and
22:38
Millhaven to the WJ Henderson Hub. will align
22:41
with the planned shift for Kingston Transit Route
22:43
10 to 30 -minute intervals. According to staff,
22:46
the combined ridership of the two Loyalist link
22:48
routes was over 9 ,600 in 2025 and continues
22:52
to grow. Staff are looking to improve coverage,
22:54
flexibility and cost efficiency. They will be
22:57
reporting back to council with updated financial
22:59
projections and service performance metrics following
23:02
the release of the funding decision. Director
23:04
of Community and Customer Services Lori McFarland
23:07
noted plans for the future. There is plans to
23:10
increase ridership. You know, we're trying to
23:14
do that. Hopefully, you know, through the as
23:19
presented, we're looking at on demand, which
23:22
could bring some efficiencies. and might increase
23:26
ridership as well. Director of Corporate Services
23:28
Strategy and Innovation Jenna Campbell spoke
23:30
about waiting for the outcome of the funding
23:32
decision. We are limited right now in some of
23:35
our actions that we can take while we're waiting
23:38
to have the final OTF application submitted to
23:41
the province because we have to remain in pilot
23:45
status so some of those opportunities may come
23:51
to fruition a little bit more in terms of encouraging
23:53
the growth of the ridership and that sort of
23:55
thing once we have an idea of whether we'll be
23:58
receiving that funding. Councillor Paul Broderick
24:00
showed his support for the program. I remember
24:02
going out for a early morning ride with Director
24:05
Campbell around the first few weeks and you know
24:08
sort of thinking we're going to be the only two
24:10
on here but the data supports some growth and
24:14
I think that was the original thing we were worried
24:16
about was Would people come thinking of this
24:19
is only going to last a year. You know, we're
24:21
not going to change our habits, but I think we're
24:23
heading in the right direction. And this is one
24:26
thing I'm really proud this council has done
24:28
is looked into that. And I hope that we can continue
24:30
this down the road. I think it's a viable service.
24:33
And through personal experience, anytime you
24:36
can get my kid on public transit, we're doing
24:38
something right. For Amherst Island Radio and
24:41
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
24:44
This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council
24:56
has decided to go ahead with a new staff plan
24:58
to relocate programming from the Leisure and
25:01
Activity Center in Amherst View. Staff looked
25:03
at feedback from residents and completed a review
25:06
on the space. Staff's review confirmed recreation
25:09
service levels can be maintained through a combination
25:11
of municipal space and third -party facility
25:13
use. Based on program testing conducted in May
25:16
and June, staff found that the W .J. Henderson
25:18
Community Centre is only suitable for low -volume
25:21
fitness programming, but due to a number of factors
25:23
including room layout, ceiling height, acoustics,
25:27
privacy and overall functionality considerations,
25:30
high -volume fitness classes are better suited
25:32
to third party spaces. Staff noted that deferring
25:35
the closure beyond August 1st, 2026 would impact
25:38
ongoing discussions related to childcare in the
25:40
Township and space negotiations with BGC Southeast.
25:44
Members of the community were out to voice concerns
25:46
including programming, scheduling, cost and location.
25:49
This is our community centre. The dispensing
25:52
of programs in multiple locations takes a step
25:56
back. from the goal of centralizing programs
25:59
under one roof. It is not about the boys and
26:02
girls' deadline, but about making the correct
26:04
decision for the whole community. Council should
26:07
think carefully and not be pressured into making
26:10
this decision to fit the Kingston Boys and Girls
26:11
Club schedule. There's a saying, your emergency
26:14
is not my problem. This decision should be made
26:17
with complete information, careful consideration
26:19
and without haste. It took years to develop LAC.
26:23
I acknowledge the work to come up with a plan
26:25
in short. in a short period of time but this
26:27
plan is in no way ready to implement in such
26:30
short notice. I think it is great that the Boys
26:33
and Girls Club have a chance of obtaining a grant
26:35
to open a daycare and knowing this it gives me
26:38
no pleasure to say that I believe their benefits
26:41
should not be our losses. I believe renting these
26:45
spaces in different locations that is not under
26:47
one roof will be problematic. as it has been
26:50
in the past for staff and members. And these
26:52
programs will also be more vulnerable because
26:55
now We are not owners, we are renters. Manager
26:59
of Parks and Recreation with the Township Matthew
27:01
Sibolsky speaks about maintaining service levels.
27:04
In this report we have addressed that service
27:06
levels that are expected are maintained. So we
27:10
do have 20 hours of fitness classes that are
27:13
outlined in this report and 75 % of those programs
27:18
that are going to be moving to an alternative
27:19
location will be moving to Rhythm Dance Centre
27:21
and the other 25 % would be moving to the WJH
27:25
Community Room. as an alternative location. So
27:28
it does maintain our current service levels as
27:30
outlined in this report. Councillor Paul Broderick
27:33
spoke about residents concerns. I guess I've
27:35
been troubled since the start because the word
27:38
closure, I prefer the word relocation, but that's
27:41
just my English teaching background. In the surveys
27:45
that were presented to council, there was 152
27:49
submissions on this. Number one was program availability.
27:54
at 86 % and 93 % of the 152 respondents wanted
28:00
adequate programming. Proderick went on to speak
28:03
about the importance of daycare in Loyalist Township.
28:06
If you walk around parts of the township there
28:09
are lots of people looking for daycare. I think
28:12
most some of the questions have been answered.
28:14
The big question is can you have getting it all
28:17
under one roof and right now I don't see that
28:19
as an option. I firmly believe in daycare. I
28:28
think it's the right decision and it can only
28:34
help our growing township and I will stand by
28:37
that. Deputy mayor Nathan town and explain staff
28:40
and council's focus. I think throughout this.
28:44
This process over the last couple of months.
28:46
The word I would use to describe what. we have
28:49
been trying to do here in collaboration with
28:52
staff, obviously at ground level, is accommodation.
28:57
We are trying to accommodate the feedback that
29:01
we've had from residents and users of the LAC.
29:05
We're obviously trying to accommodate child care
29:08
spaces. We're trying to accommodate the provincial
29:12
government's timeline for the funding that will
29:15
make those spaces possible. And so from our side,
29:18
the work has been... accommodation. The flip
29:21
side to that from members of the public is is
29:25
compromise. And, you know, I want to acknowledge
29:27
that, you know, we are asking residents and users
29:30
to compromise, you know, we are asking users
29:33
to compromise the fact that the LAC has been
29:36
this particular space that has functioned a particular
29:40
way and meant a particular thing to those users.
29:43
And now we are changing that town and went on
29:46
to explain their decision. We have tried to accommodate
29:49
and staff in particular have worked hard to do
29:53
that. There were comments made about the change
29:56
in this report versus the original report and
30:00
things do change and the democratic process has
30:04
worked here in this situation. we heard the feedback
30:10
and we responded to the feedback and staff have
30:13
responded to the feedback and staff have worked
30:15
to make adjustments and change courses to try
30:20
and, as I say, accommodate. I do think this is
30:23
in overall the best interests of the township.
30:26
I don't want the narrative here to be that young
30:29
people were chosen over old people, that childcare
30:31
spaces were chosen over seniors. That is a politicized
30:36
and simplistic way of looking at it that I don't
30:38
feel is the case. We are trying to accommodate
30:42
our residents and the needs of our residents
30:45
and that requires some compromise. Councillor
30:49
Jake Ennis noted the importance of childcare
30:51
in the area. I'm sympathetic to the need for
30:56
childcare. My youngest is in junior kindergarten,
30:59
so I've been through the daycare process for
31:03
two children recently. It's not easy. It's expensive.
31:07
Where responsibility lies for making that happen
31:10
across various organizations and levels of government.
31:13
However, I also believe that a large portion
31:17
of the community sees this closure as a cut to
31:22
their recreation services. And I find it difficult
31:27
to argue with them in principle. Councillor Carol
31:31
Parks spoke about their decision making process.
31:34
From conversation with several residents in regards
31:37
to the lack closure. It really is, the deputy
31:41
has mentioned, a change of venue or consideration
31:45
for change of venue. And the original report
31:46
that came out, it was moving everything under
31:49
the WHC. So we did take that information back
31:54
from the residents that was brought forward about
31:55
the concerns about the location and changed course.
31:59
And I think staff has provided some fairly substantial
32:03
alternatives to the LAC to run the programming
32:07
between the Rhythm Dance Center and also through
32:10
the Presbyterian Church. In an effort to accommodate
32:13
the needs of everyone involved, council voted
32:15
in favor of the new plan. For Amherst Island
32:18
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
32:21
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
32:33
Township Council has agreed to a request made
32:35
by the Odessa Agricultural Society to waive fees
32:39
for emergency services at the tractor pole and
32:41
demolition derby during the Odessa Fair taking
32:44
place July 24th to 26th. Secretary and volunteer
32:48
with the society Stephanie Gimo spoke about the
32:51
fair and the increase in costs. The Odessa Fair
32:54
has been a staple of Odessa for 191 years and
32:58
has traditionally relied on emergency fire services
33:01
at no cost us for fair events. This by -law is
33:05
a drastic increase to our budget that we had
33:08
not foreseen. As a non -profit volunteer run
33:11
organization, we do not have the reserve funds
33:15
to cover the substantial cost increase to operate
33:18
these community favourite events at the annual
33:21
fair. Gimo noted the breakdown of costs for emergency
33:24
services. Deputy Chief Grenham stated that the
33:28
Agricultural Society would be required to pay
33:31
for the Fire Emergency Services for the tractor
33:34
pull and demolition derby at the annual Odessa
33:37
Fair taking place July 24th to 26th. Based on
33:41
the hours, the Fire Department was required for
33:44
these events in 2025. The cost would be $8 ,472
33:50
.20 for the tractor pull and $3 ,230 .52 for
33:57
the demolition derby, totaling $11 ,000. 703
34:02
.20. These fees include the MTO's apparatus hourly
34:06
rate and the hourly wage of each firefighter
34:10
for these events. Alongside partnering with the
34:13
Township for events like Trunk or Treat, Gimo
34:15
spoke about how proceeds from the fair are used
34:17
and how important the agricultural grounds are
34:20
for the community. The proceeds from the fair
34:22
enable the Agricultural Society to continue to
34:26
maintain the agricultural grounds and its buildings.
34:29
The grounds offer a park l community to enjoy
34:33
and th is a space for the communi The Lions Club
34:38
prepares th in this space and free ev such as
34:42
see and learn are grounds. With the origina being
34:47
to receive the deleg the society. Counselor Ja
34:51
added the motion to waiv move that council receiv
34:56
request from the Odessa A and to approve the
35:01
request for waiver of emergency services fees.
35:03
So moved. Do I have a seconder? Councillor Buechert.
35:06
Ennis noted possible funding options for the
35:08
future. I think it's a long -standing event,
35:12
a community event that we're supporting and I
35:14
think perhaps if we support it this year. The
35:19
organization could look to the community grant
35:20
fund in the future as a possibility but I think
35:25
it's a long -standing event that we should continue
35:27
to support. Councillor Mike Budarek spoke about
35:29
the importance of supporting events like the
35:31
fair in the community. I believe too that we
35:34
should support anything that gets people in our
35:37
community out and such a long -standing tradition
35:39
of the Odessa Fair and even the track bowl is
35:43
fantastic. Great crowds and it's Great to see
35:48
people in our community come out and support
35:49
things. Council also asked for a staff report
35:52
to help guide decisions for future events. Councillor
35:54
Paul Proderick noted why they want the report.
35:57
There's no doubt that over the years this has
35:59
been a very valuable, you know, 191 years. I
36:01
think that's why all my grandparents were at
36:04
that fair when they lived in Railton. And as
36:08
we sort of move ahead we want to quantify things
36:10
just so we get an overall picture and a staff
36:12
report looking at that for next year maybe there's
36:14
a Back and forth questions that can be answered
36:16
such as, you know, do you really need six firefighters
36:19
or whatever? Things like that that can come out
36:21
of a report. For Amherst Island Radio and the
36:23
Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This
36:27
is North Shore News. Loyalist Township will be
36:38
recognizing October 10th, 2026 as National Dental
36:42
Care Day. Council heard from founder of the day,
36:44
Dr. Raj Kanuja, who spoke about the importance
36:47
of improving access to oral health care. Kanuja
36:49
explains how and why he started the initiative.
36:53
National Dental Care Day started from one simple
36:56
moment. Years ago, I met a single mother who
36:59
was living with severe dental pain. She avoided
37:02
treatment because she could not afford it. She
37:05
told me she was saving every dollar she had so
37:08
she could keep a promise to buy used hockey equipment
37:12
for her child. She chose her child over herself.
37:16
That moment stayed with me because dental pain
37:19
is not just about teeth. It affects confidence,
37:23
sleep, work, mental health. and dignity. That
37:27
is why National Dental Care Day was created.
37:31
Kanuja speaks about how the initiative has grown
37:32
and notes numbers from last year. What started
37:36
as one free dental day has now grown into a national
37:40
movement after 13 years of volunteer care. Last
37:44
year alone, 219 Canadians received care across
37:48
the country through volunteer clinics. and professionals.
37:52
National Dental Care Day was proclaimed by 25
37:55
municipalities, three premiers, and two lieutenant
37:59
governors. It was also spoken about in the Senate
38:03
of Canada by Senator Muhammad Iqbal Rawalia and
38:07
entered into the Hansard Parliamentary record.
38:11
National Dental Care Day mobilizes volunteer
38:13
dental professionals, students, clinics, educators
38:16
and community partners across Canada to provide
38:18
essential dental care to underserved individuals
38:21
and families without cost, barriers or judgment.
38:24
The initiative emphasizes the importance of oral
38:26
health as an essential component of overall health
38:29
and well -being. Kanuja explains the importance
38:31
of bringing National Dental Care Day to more
38:33
communities. The need for dental care is not
38:37
limited to one city. or one region. It exists
38:40
in every community. Dentistry is expensive, and
38:44
not being able to afford care forces many people
38:48
to live in pain, lose teeth, hide their smile,
38:52
and lose confidence and dignity. For Amherst
38:55
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
38:58
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. This
39:03
has been North Shore News and Interviews. If
39:07
you have an idea for a story or want to create
39:10
stories for the show, consider joining our volunteer
39:13
team. Contact Amherst Island Radio for more details.