Latest / North Shore News / August 20th, 2026

Transcript

August 20th, 2026 · North Shore News

0:07
Welcome to North Shore News and Interviews on
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Amherst Island Radio. Each week we keep you updated
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on newsworthy events, happenings and conversations
0:17
that we've had with people in the local community
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and beyond. The East Lenox and Addington OPP
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Detachment Board marked 2025 as an important
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year as they presented their annual report to
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Loyalist Township Council. Community representative
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for Loyalist Township and the town of Greater
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Napanee, Jessica Jones, provided council with
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an overview of the work the board did in 2025.
0:45
Overall 2025 was an important year for East Lenox
0:47
and Addington OPP Detachment Board. Much of our
0:50
work has been about establishing the board. putting
0:54
the necessary governance pieces in place, completing
0:57
our training and developing the processes and
0:59
relationships that will allow us to effectively
1:02
represent our municipalities and communities
1:04
going forward. As we continue to develop, our
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focus will remain on ensuring that the communities
1:09
we represent have a meaningful voice in policing
1:11
priorities. and that we continue to foster a
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strong collaborative relationship between our
1:17
municipalities, our residents, and the OPP. Jones
1:19
detailed how they've worked to establish the
1:22
board. Because this is still a relatively new
1:25
board under the Community Safety and Policing
1:27
Act, a significant portion of our work has involved
1:30
establishing the governance structure necessary
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for the board to operate effectively, which includes
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a lot of bylaws and policies that are just the
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foundational work for the board moving forward.
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That's included developing and adopting our bylaws
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and policies in areas such as remuneration, misconduct,
1:47
and conflict of interest, as well as communications
1:50
and information sharing. And while governance
1:52
is an important part of our mandate, ultimately
1:54
our work comes back to community safety and policing.
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Our role is to ensure that there's a strong connection
1:59
between the communities we represent and the
2:02
OPP, providing policing services to them, and
2:05
that community needs and priorities continue
2:07
to be a part of those conversations. Jones further
2:10
explains the role of the The East Lenox and Addington
2:13
OPP Detachment Board represents the four municipalities
2:16
served by our OPP Detachment. Addington Highlands
2:19
Township, the Town of Greater Napanee, Loyalist
2:21
Township, and Stone Mills Township. Our role
2:24
is one of civilian governance and community representation.
2:27
We work collaboratively with the OPP detachment
2:30
commander to provide guidance and advice regarding
2:32
policing services and to help ensure that policing
2:34
priorities and initiatives reflect the needs
2:36
of the communities we represent. An important
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part of that role is supporting community safety
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while also promoting transparency and accountability
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and helping to maintain a positive relationship
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between the OPP and the communities that it serves.
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Our inaugural meeting was held on November 14th,
2:51
2024. and our meeting records are publicly available.
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We've also made the decision to rotate our meetings
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amongst the four municipalities represented by
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the board, which we think is very important.
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Although we operate as one detachment board,
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we represent four distinct municipalities, each
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with its own community, geography, priorities,
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and policing needs. Jones spoke about members
3:12
on the board and their training. Our board is
3:14
made up of six members, providing both municipal
3:17
and community representation across those four
3:20
municipalities. Here in Loyalist, Mayor Hagedorn
3:23
serves as our council's representative and I
3:26
have the privilege of serving as the joint community
3:28
representative for Loyalist Township and Greater
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Napanee. Our other members include Councillor
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Bob Norrie representing Greater Napanee, Councillor
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Sherrie Milligan representing Stone Mills. Tina
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Marie Chamberlain as the community representative
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for Addington Highlands and Stone Mills and Tony
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Fritch who's now representing the Addington Highlands
3:47
Council. All six board members have also completed
3:50
prescribed training developed by the Ministry
3:52
of the Solicitor General and it covered areas
3:55
including police governance, policing in Ontario,
3:58
the roles and responsibilities of the detachment
4:00
boards, and requirements relating to board appointments,
4:03
training, codes of conduct, and conflicts of
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interest. While some of that work is not necessarily
4:08
the most visible part of what we do, it has been
4:10
an important part of establishing a strong foundation
4:13
for the board and ensuring that we can carry
4:15
out our responsibilities appropriately and effectively.
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Mayor Jim Hagedorn noted the importance of community
4:21
representatives on the board. We are very fortunate
4:23
with the residents, representatives that we've
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got on the board. Very engaged, very knowledgeable,
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and they certainly do represent the residents
4:33
very well, I believe. For Amherst Island Radio
4:36
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
4:38
Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township
4:51
Council appointed former CAO Diane Pierce as
4:54
deputy mayor until the end of council's current
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term. Council heard from three candidates before
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nominating Pierce and passing the motion to appoint
5:01
her as deputy mayor. I never expected this to
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happen and I feel truly honored and I will do
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the best job I possibly can. Pierce read and
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signed a declaration of office. I, Diane Pierce,
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having been elected to the office of Deputy Mayor
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in the municipality of Loyalist Township, do
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solemnly promise and declare that I will truly
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faithfully and impartially exercise this office
5:26
to the best of my knowledge and ability. I have
5:29
not received and will not receive any payment
5:31
or reward or promise thereof for the exercise
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of this office on a biased, corrupt, or in any
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other improper manner. I will disclose any pecuniary
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interest, direct or indirect, in accordance with
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the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. I will
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be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty
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King Charles III. And I make this solemn promise
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and declaration, conscientiously believing it
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to be true and knowing that it is of the same
6:00
force and effect as it made under oath. The role
6:03
became vacant on June 15th following Nathan Townend
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taking on a staff position with Lennox and Addington
6:08
County. The clerk's division requested suggestions
6:11
from council regarding potential nominees to
6:13
fill the position. Nominees were then contacted
6:15
to confirm their interest. Those who expressed
6:17
interest besides Pierce were former mayor of
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Loyalist Township Bill Lowery and former councillor
6:22
John Ivey. Pierce's statement before council
6:24
made their decision outlined her work with the
6:26
township. My 39 -year career in municipal government
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was on the administration side, not the council
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side. I never expected to give a campaign speech.
6:36
That fact is different. me from the other nominees
6:40
whom I respect for their lengthy political service
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to the Township and whom I respect as individuals
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and former colleagues. They are worthy candidates.
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My fellow nominees and I have all served the
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Township in our time and made a meaningful contribution
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in our own sphere of operation and influence.
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As Deputy Mayor, Even for this temporary appointment,
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I would take my role seriously as the position
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deserves, and I would dedicate my time and talents
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fully. I would ask council to consider the ongoing
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involvement I have had in Township Matters since
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my retirement as a fundraiser. as a witness for
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the township before the Ontario Land Tribunal,
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and more extensively, as an active member of
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an advisory committee to council for several
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years. Former Mayor Bill Lowery explained his
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interest in the position during his statement.
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When I got the call to see if I wanted to volunteer
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to serve in the chair of deputy, it was the same
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way that I got into politics. My next door neighbor
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back in... 1999 came to me and said, did you
7:46
ever think about getting into politics? And I
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just looked at him and thought he was in space
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somewhere. But I went home and thought about
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it. And I was thinking about retiring and that
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road was going to come. And I wanted something
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to do. So because I was appointed, it was only
8:02
a two year term in a three year election. It
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just was all an immediate flashback when I got
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the call. the municipality to see if I want to
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put my name forward. And I just immediately felt
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that I did. There was no hesitation. You know,
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it was just, yes, they're asking me to do something
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and I'd like to do it. I also made note of the
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other candidates during his statement. I have
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time and I believe I have enough background to
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fill the position. And I was surprised to be
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remembered from that far back. I looked at the.
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the other candidates and they're very high level
8:40
people. Mayor Jim Hagedorn spoke about the qualifications
8:43
of all three candidates and how it wasn't an
8:45
easy decision. This is the tough one, but with
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all three very qualified, I basically had to
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come to the conclusion that whatever motion went
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on the floor, I have no reason to say no to whatever
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motion it is. The quality and qualifications
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of the people sitting here is amazing. It's outstanding
9:07
that a municipality has the brain trust, the
9:10
experience, and the willingness to step up and
9:14
help when the time is needed. and the township
9:17
is very blessed. To support a consistent and
9:20
transparent approach to filling council vacancies,
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staff developed a procedure for when a vacancy
9:24
occurs during a period in which a by -election
9:26
cannot be held. According to staff, the procedure
9:29
establishes a clear framework for council's consideration
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of appointments. After being appointed, Pierce
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joined council for the remainder of the meeting.
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Pierce will hold office during the September
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8th and September 22nd regular meetings of council.
9:41
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
9:44
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
9:47
News. A new design for the main level of Napanee
9:59
Town Hall has been approved by council and staff
10:01
will now move forward with the renovation. The
10:03
new design would include moving the lease space
10:05
for the Chamber of Commerce to the front of the
10:07
building. This space would then be used for storage.
10:10
Staff would be looking to then move washrooms
10:12
to the back of the building. The new washrooms
10:14
would include a barrier -free, fully accessible
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washroom and two standard washrooms. Staff's
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next report to council will include full construction
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drawings, as well as a breakdown of costs for
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the interior renovation. Further design work
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will continue beyond that, as well as stakeholder
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consultation with the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary
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Club of Napanee, and relevant advisory committees.
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The design includes a durable vinyl plank flooring
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chosen for its ease of care and to reflect the
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plank floors that buildings of the same age were
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originally constructed with. Mayor Terry Richardson
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spoke about the renovation. It's placing the
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Chamber of Commerce in the front of the building
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which has many many options. The back of the
10:50
building where they were going to be is a part
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of the facility that I think would be better
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suited be quite honest with you for storage.
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It's a part of the facility that was never abated
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and I think it'd be more appropriate if we us
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and then there's a numbe advantages, especially
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with the back as originally when t in this building,
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that's w I'm almost thinking that t holes and
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plumbing on the us in doing that. C. A. O. the
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committees that worked about some of the new
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fe design. That work has been the market square
11:28
advisory as well as the director of p a number
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of meetings and discussions and there's also
11:38
been input received from the Arts Committee and
11:42
as well from the Heritage Committee. So in essence
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they've talked about you know Clearing out the
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insides, ensuring that there is infrastructure
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to hang arts material, putting in a coffee bar.
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Staff provided council with various options for
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where washrooms would be located, as well as
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the location of the Chamber of Commerce offices.
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Grant spoke about the option council chose. The
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committees themselves didn't have the ability
12:08
to consider this fully given that where the Chamber
12:12
of Commerce is located was considered off limits
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in the planning exercise. I think having the
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chamber in the front solves their accessibility
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problems and people aren't going through the
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event space to get to their office. Councilor
12:24
Angela Hicks noted some of the reasoning behind
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Council's decision. I think it's a better use
12:28
of the space. I have never liked the idea of
12:31
the bathrooms at the front of the building because
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we lose the natural light coming through two,
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if not three. Well, it would have been all three.
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of those windows in the front. It also gives
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us the option for a closet. So the occupancy
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limit is 149 people, and we didn't consider where
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they'd all be hanging their coats in January.
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Richardson spoke about the future of the facility.
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I had some different ideas as well, but they've
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convinced me that this type of floor plan is
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the way we should go. So I, for one, am going
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to be very excited to see some of the progress
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that we're going to see downstairs, because I
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think it's going to be an absolutely marvelous
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and fabulous. facility for our community. For
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Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
13:13
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
13:17
News. Greater Napanee Council has unanimously
13:28
decided to suspend a grass cutting order until
13:30
staff can review the bylaw and bring back more
13:33
information. Staff will be looking to differentiate
13:35
between neglected lawns and naturalized lawns
13:38
in the bylaw. Mayor Terry Richardson explained
13:40
the process will likely involve public consultation.
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We at the Town of Greater Napa have recognized
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that the bylaw that we have should be updated.
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We have updated a vast amount of bylaws, a vast
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amount of... processes and policies over the
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past two and a half years. The lawn cutting by
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-law is one that we do need to address. We do
14:02
need to update it and we've just run out of time.
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It's going to require, I think, probably an awful
14:08
lot of public consultation, because for every
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conversation that we have, there's someone on
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the other side of the conversation that says,
14:15
well, what about this and what about that? So
14:17
I know it's it's it's one of those things that's
14:19
high on the priority list. So rest assured, we
14:21
will look at it. It's an issue that the municipality
14:25
has recognized. It's just just a timing thing.
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Richardson spoke about concerns regarding long
14:30
grass. It's very well known that the black legged
14:34
tick in Eastern Ontario, specifically in long
14:37
areas of Lake Ontario, They're very, very prominent
14:41
and probably a good portion of those ticks do
14:46
carry the Lyme disease. Most recently in the
14:49
news, we've heard about the Lone Star tick. I
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guess the concern with the long grass is the,
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first of all for me anyways, is the tick. problem
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because of the prominent tick problem that we
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have in Eastern Ontario. It should be a concern.
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CAO Matthew Grant spoke about the work staff
15:06
would be doing in the meantime. I think staff
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can come back and talk about what a review process
15:11
would look like. I think that this would require
15:13
reasonable amounts of public consultation. the
15:16
one of the number one complaints we get in bylaw
15:19
services is unkept lawns. So we could take a
15:23
look at the experience of others. We could provide
15:25
options at that time because of course, whatever.
15:28
we would recommend would be something that would
15:32
be extrapolated out to the broader community.
15:35
So one month's time to be able to put that together,
15:37
I think, is a reasonable ask. And until such
15:39
time, I'm happy to tell bylaw to suspend the
15:43
order. Residents came forward to ask council
15:45
to suspend the grass cutting order while they
15:47
update their bylaw. Resident Austin Lloyd spoke
15:50
about issues with the current bylaw. I believe
15:52
Greater Napanes grass cutting bylaw served our
15:55
community well when it was written 25 years ago.
15:58
But horticulture and environmental science has
16:01
changed and I believe our bylaws change too.
16:05
I want to be clear, I'm not suggesting that people
16:07
should be allowed to abandon their properties,
16:10
public safety, neighborhood appearance, and respect
16:12
for neighbors. matters. Vegetation should never
16:16
block sidewalks, roads, intersections, traffic
16:18
signs, hydrants, or spill into neighboring properties.
16:22
Naturalized landscapes should still have maintained
16:25
edges, clear pathways, and appropriate setbacks.
16:29
There is an important difference between neglected
16:32
property and an intentionally managed landscape.
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Right now I don't think our bylaw clearly recognizes
16:39
that difference. Lloyd noted more modernized
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bylaws that other communities across Ontario
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are adopting. Burlington recognizes naturalized
16:47
landscapes that are deliberately planted, regulated
16:49
and regularly maintained. Belleville also allows
16:52
naturalized gardens while continuing to require
16:56
proper maintenance, setbacks and removal of noxious
16:59
weeds. These communities haven't lowered their
17:01
standards. They have modernized them. Resident
17:04
Julie Bogdanovic tends to two properties on Dorland
17:07
Drive and received an order to comply with grass
17:09
cutting. Bogdanovic invited council to view her
17:11
properties and councillors who did noted the
17:14
importance of naturalized lawns and removing
17:16
noxious weeds. Bogdanovic explained what a new
17:18
bylaw could focus on. Many municipalities in
17:21
Ontario have modernized and fine -tuned their
17:24
bylaws. And so instead of bylaw requiring the
17:27
removal of tall grass, a bylaw can speak to the
17:30
health and safety and the removal of noxious
17:32
weeds. noxious plants. And I know firsthand how
17:34
cities can evolve, can evolve and modernize their
17:36
bylaws to be more specific about health, safety,
17:39
and sustainability. Councillor Bob Norrie spoke
17:41
about viewing Bogdanovic's properties and updating
17:44
the bylaw. My wife and I Sunday drove out here.
17:46
The noxious weeds are gone, which being on Quinty
17:48
Conservation, I learned a lot about. It doesn't
17:51
have to be a pristine garden of flowers. This
17:52
was quite something to see, so I... really think
17:55
we have to rethink this because maybe people
17:57
with backyards like where I live near the hospital
17:59
might want to have it looking like that, you
18:01
know, make it more for the butterflies and that.
18:03
Councillor Bill Martin spoke about what the new
18:05
bylaw might look like. That's what we really
18:07
want to get to is noxious weeds, not not whether
18:10
somebody's got a naturalized lawn. So, I mean,
18:13
I really think we need to amend our bylaw to
18:17
accept the fact that one size doesn't always
18:21
fit all. The order to mow um, I think should
18:24
be sus can look at the bylaw and be an appeal
18:31
process put gets a gets in order to do w it's
18:36
mowing or or whate be an appeal process. Ri enforcement
18:42
in the meantime job to do at times. So I know
18:47
that they're trying to use or I think that they've
18:50
tried to use some form of discretion in order
18:52
to find some type of resolution so that we can
18:55
at least keep peace in the neighborhood I guess
18:58
is the best way to put it. Staff will be coming
18:59
forward with more information for council at
19:01
their next meeting August 28th. For Amherst Island
19:04
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
19:07
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Lennox and
19:20
Addington County Council will be reducing the
19:22
speed limit along County Road 9 for a one -year
19:24
trial period. After much discussion, Council
19:26
chose this option to avoid removing the trees.
19:29
The three remaining trees on County Road 5 will
19:31
be removed due to their condition, while a guardrail
19:34
will be installed in front of the tree on County
19:36
Road 41. Council will also address plans in the
19:39
future for planting new trees in place of those
19:41
removed. The trees are primarily bur oak and
19:44
are approximately 250 years old. The lifespan
19:47
of bur oak trees in Ontario ranges from 200 to
19:50
300 years. In preparation for upcoming construction,
19:54
county staff identified trees located within
19:56
designated clear zones of the roadways. Residents
19:59
had previously come forward and asked Council
20:01
to not remove the trees. Director of Infrastructure
20:04
Services, Chris Wager, explained the work staff
20:06
did. Staff completed a further review of the
20:09
trees that were identified within the clear zone
20:12
on County Road 41 and on County Road 9. Additionally,
20:16
staff engaged two engineering firms to also complete
20:20
the safety analysis and look at options to preserve
20:23
the trees. These reports considered options such
20:27
as warning signs, regulatory signage. traffic
20:30
calming, protection barriers and even roadway
20:33
realignments. The reports included benefits and
20:37
concerns as well as potential costs. Staff also
20:41
included an example of a municipality where they
20:45
decided to use the lower clear zone or I guess
20:50
the lowest clear zone distance of three meters
20:52
in order to preserve the trees along their road.
20:56
Other than realigning the roadway and or removing
21:00
the trees in Counter Road 9, there's no other
21:02
options that improve safety and reduce liability
21:05
from the county. As per the Municipal Act, the
21:08
county has a duty of care to keep the roads in
21:11
reasonable state of repair, failure to remove
21:14
or properly deal with hazards, exposes the public
21:18
to danger, and opens the county to legal consequences.
21:23
Wager spoke about staff's original recommendation
21:25
to remove the trees and more about the county's
21:28
legal liability. Staff's recommendation to remove
21:30
the trees from last month's council is based
21:34
on engineering standards that are used by municipalities
21:38
across Ontario and Canada. These guidelines are
21:43
not legally binding, so council can go outside
21:48
of them. However, they are used by courts and
21:51
expert witnesses as evidence of the accepted
21:54
standards of engineering practice. In short,
21:58
a municipality can deviate from TAC, but they
22:01
need like a reason for the deviation and it needs
22:03
to be well documented and supported by engineering
22:06
rationale. Courts will look at whether the municipality
22:09
acted reasonably, whether the design reflected
22:13
engineering standards, and whether the risks
22:15
were foreseeable, and whether the municipality
22:18
has a rational base for the design decision.
22:20
Councilor Brian Calvert noted the importance
22:22
of looking into other options. I've kicked this
22:25
around 85 ways from Sunday. I understand the
22:28
distances, I get that. But I can't see why we
22:32
can't try something before we bring out the chainsaws.
22:35
Councilor Terry Richardson spoke about looking
22:37
into other options as well. I think there are
22:39
other options with respect to the signage that
22:42
I think we could take a look at. at least on
22:46
a trial basis to examine. My personal opinion
22:50
is that I don't think we've done enough and I
22:52
do think that there are other options that would
22:55
reduce liability and increase safety. Deputy
22:59
Warden Tony Fritz spoke about the effectiveness
23:01
of reducing speed limits. It's a very sensitive
23:04
subject. There's no one in the room that doesn't
23:06
want to preserve trees, but it's the habits of
23:10
drivers that I see every day where they don't...
23:12
believe in anything on the road, essentially.
23:16
Double lines, I'll pass anywhere, pass on hills,
23:19
do this, do that. Driver behavior today is just
23:24
not obedient in terms of speed limits, where
23:28
you can pass or what you can do. So I do struggle
23:32
with believing that we're begging them to slow
23:36
down through signage, so to speak. But I very
23:40
much struggle believing that they would actually
23:43
comply with that and that it will solve the problem.
23:47
Wager noted the differences between installing
23:49
stop signs or reducing the speed limit. Using
23:51
a stop sign does not remove any liability whatsoever
23:57
or in my opinion really improve safety at that
24:00
location. Reducing the speed limit like say posting
24:03
it at a 40 kilometer an hour or 50 kilometer
24:06
an hour that is a regulatory sign that is used
24:09
to control speed and that would not remove any
24:12
liability. It would marginally improve safety
24:16
because some traffic would slow down, but that
24:21
hazard still exists within the clear zone. But
24:24
reducing the speed limit, in my opinion, It still
24:28
has minor improvements, but the liability risks
24:32
are still there with the municipality as far
24:35
as insurance implications, but there is a marginal
24:38
increase in safety with a reduction of, with
24:42
a reduced speed. Wagga spoke about motorists
24:45
not following speed limits. We collect data on
24:47
our roads and design speed or the clear zone
24:50
distance is defined by the operating speed, which
24:53
is the 85th percentile of traffic. And we take
24:58
that even at a posted 50, the design speed might
25:03
come in around 70 if people aren't really slowing
25:05
down. Those trees are still within that clear
25:08
zone with that distance and still have the hazard.
25:11
An argument could be made that should there an
25:14
incident occur, that Council's not liable. The
25:19
county may still be liable, but staff and councils
25:21
that wouldn't be liable because they made an
25:23
engineering decision and there was a rationale
25:25
to lower speed there. But again, you're looking
25:30
at. That grove of trees is the real issue and
25:34
problem because they are so close to the road.
25:37
There's still a huge risk there. According to
25:42
the TAC manual, the operating speed would have
25:45
to be less than 50 kilometers an hour to remove
25:47
the trees from liability that are three meters
25:51
and greater. Any tree that is three meters or
25:55
less, which is that seven of the nine trees in
25:58
the grove, we're not removing any liability from
26:01
the from the municipality regardless of speed.
26:04
Typically what we what we see in our roads is
26:07
if you post a speed at 80 people are driving
26:10
15 to 20 kilometers above that if you post the
26:12
speed at 60 people are driving 10 to 15 kilometers
26:15
above that except in your urban higher urban
26:20
areas. Out there again people drive what they're
26:26
feel, what the feel of the road is and what they're
26:28
expected to drive. You could post that at 30
26:32
and still have speeds of 70. The clear zone calculation
26:35
and liability is then calculated by the actual
26:38
speeds and I just don't think they would come
26:40
down low enough regardless of whatever we post
26:42
out there. Waggers spoke about speed enforcement
26:45
and the work staff would do to implement the
26:47
speed reduction. We would notify the OPP that
26:50
there's a new signage going in. We'd change our
26:53
bylaw. We worked with the OPP at our TAC. They
26:58
would assign officers because it's a newly created
27:01
zone. So I would expect increased enforcement.
27:06
That said... enforcement is only available on
27:09
the available officers that are in the area.
27:13
The location of that, it's tough to get out there
27:16
and then respond to other calls and other needed
27:19
areas. So I do expect increased enforcement and
27:22
I can see increased enforcement. I would caution
27:25
that it's not going to be the enforcement that
27:28
the public would be looking for and complaints
27:30
and wanting enforcement would increase. Calvert
27:33
spoke about putting a guardrail in front of the
27:35
tree on County Road 41. I've been out there I've
27:38
looked at it and I fully believe it can be saved
27:41
by throwing a guardrail up there for that one.
27:43
You know the one and a half meter protection
27:45
zones there for the guardrail I don't see why
27:47
there can't be a guardrail put up to protect
27:49
that tree. They did cut one of the other trees
27:51
down recently about the same size and shape that
27:55
had some issues but that tree is... in my opinion
27:58
is 100 % healthy and worth looking after. Waggers
28:01
spoke about why they chose to remove the trees
28:03
on County Road 5. They are very similar to the
28:07
grove of trees on County Road 9. In fact I think
28:10
the one is even even closer than most of them.
28:13
So it's just these three trees that we're recommending
28:16
removal of. Should there be any wet condition
28:19
or... a driver not paying attention or any incidents
28:24
on the road, these trees are right in your line
28:26
of sight and again are a safety hazard due to
28:31
the proximity and within the clear zone. For
28:33
Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
28:35
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
28:39
News. Loyalist Township Council approved the
28:51
extension of the Loyalist Link pilot program
28:53
to September 3rd, 2027. This will maintain uninterrupted
28:57
service while the Township waits for the outcome
28:59
of their Ontario Transit Infrastructure Fund
29:02
application. Funding for the extension will be
29:04
provided through provincial gas tax allocations
29:07
as well as fares. Beginning in September, the
29:09
current 90A -90B service will transition to a
29:12
single connector route linking Bath, Odessa and
29:15
Mill Haven to the WJ Henderson Hub. will align
29:18
with the planned shift for Kingston Transit Route
29:20
10 to 30 minute intervals. According to staff,
29:23
the combined ridership of the two Loyalist link
29:25
routes was over 9 ,600 in 2025 and continues
29:29
to grow. Staff are looking to improve coverage,
29:31
flexibility and cost efficiency. They will be
29:34
reporting back to council with updated financial
29:36
projections and service performance metrics following
29:39
the release of the funding decision. Director
29:41
of Community and Customer Services Lori McFarland
29:44
noted plans for the future. There is plans to
29:47
increase ridership. You know, we're trying to
29:51
do that. Hopefully, you know, through the as
29:56
presented, we're looking at on demand, which
29:59
could bring some efficiencies. and might increase
30:03
ridership as well. Director of Corporate Services
30:05
Strategy and Innovation Jenna Campbell spoke
30:07
about waiting for the outcome of the funding
30:09
decision. We are limited right now in some of
30:12
our actions that we can take while we're waiting
30:14
to have the final OTF application submitted to
30:18
the province because we have to remain in pilot
30:22
status. So some of those opportunities may come
30:28
to fruition a little bit more in terms of encouraging
30:30
the growth of the ridership and that sort of
30:32
thing once we have an idea of whether we'll be
30:34
receiving that funding. Councillor Paul Broderick
30:37
showed his support for the program. I remember
30:39
going out for a early morning ride with Director
30:42
Campbell around the first few weeks and you know
30:45
sort of thinking we're going to be the only two
30:47
on here but the data supports some growth and
30:51
I think that was the original thing we were worried
30:53
about was Would people come thinking of this
30:56
is only going to last a year? You know, we're
30:58
not going to change our habits, but I think we're
31:00
heading in the right direction. And this is one
31:03
thing I'm really proud this council has done
31:05
is looked into that. And I hope that we can continue
31:07
this down the road. I think it's a viable service
31:10
and through personal experience. Anytime you
31:13
can get my kid on public transit, we're doing
31:15
something right. For Amherst Island Radio and
31:17
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
31:21
This is North Shore News. Cataract Way Conservation
31:32
is looking to restore nearly 23 hectares of degraded
31:35
meadow to functional native grassland habitat
31:38
at the south end of Lemoyne Point Conservation
31:40
Area. Previous monitoring of the site identified
31:43
nesting pairs of both bobalink and eastern meadowlark,
31:46
two native bird species listed as threatened
31:48
under the Federal Species at Risk Act. However,
31:51
extensive encroachment by gray dogwood and other
31:53
shrub species had reduced habitat suitability.
31:56
The project will look to reestablish a structurally
31:58
native grass and forb community for bobalink,
32:01
eastern meadowlark, and other native ground nesting
32:04
grassland species and pollinators. According
32:06
to Cataraqui Conservation, the restoration plan
32:08
for this project has been designed in accordance
32:10
with the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Species
32:13
Conservation Act. It will prioritize long -term
32:15
habitat function and ecological resilience, ensuring
32:18
the restored meadow develops the vegetation structure
32:21
and plant diversity required to support breeding
32:23
grassland birds. The timeline for the project
32:25
has been designed to have the least amount of
32:27
disturbance for species at risk. The project
32:29
will run until spring of 2027. The work has been
32:32
structured using an integrated pest management
32:34
approach. A range of available methodologies
32:37
have been combined to most effectively restore
32:39
the grassland habitat at the south end of Lemoyne
32:41
Point Conservation Area. The goal is to minimize
32:44
negative environmental impacts and use only the
32:46
minimum amount of chemical intervention necessary
32:48
to successfully remove gray dogwood and establish
32:50
the native grassland ecosystem. Certain activities
32:53
will require restricting access to the project
32:55
area and surrounding trail network. Restrictions
32:58
and closures will be limited to a few hours or
33:00
a few days. Closures will be posted on social
33:02
media and signage will be placed in parking areas
33:05
and trails to notify visitors. Cataract Way Conservation
33:08
notes the project will ultimately enhance biodiversity,
33:11
provide critical habitat to threatened species,
33:13
as well as improve the site's overall resilience
33:15
to climate change and invasive species. For Amherst
33:18
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
33:21
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The
33:33
Canadian Walk for Veterans Kingston takes place
33:36
Sunday, September 27th at the Kingston Military
33:38
Family Resource Centre at 32 Lundy's Lane. Veterans,
33:42
military members, families and community supporters
33:44
are invited to walk in support of those who have
33:46
served, those currently serving and the families
33:48
who support them. Registration is at noon and
33:51
the walk begins at 1pm. There are 5k and 2 .3k
33:55
walk options. Families, strollers and pets are
33:58
welcome. For more information and to register
34:00
visit kmfrc .com. For Amherst Island Radio and
34:05
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
34:08
This is North Shore News. will be at the Sunday
34:23
market in Bath. Bakers of all ages and skill
34:25
levels are invited to bring a cake to share and
34:28
spend the afternoon tasting creations from fellow
34:30
cake lovers. Cake Picnic Kingston is a student
34:33
-run community initiative raising money for local
34:35
charities. All proceeds from ticket sales and
34:37
donations will benefit Positive Impact, a local
34:40
charity that provides accessible low -cost spay
34:42
and neuter services, servicing low -income and
34:45
unhoused families. Attendees are asked to contribute
34:47
their own cake, any flavor or style, after purchasing
34:50
a ticket. Information and tickets are available
34:53
at positiveimpactinitiative .com. P -A -W -S
34:57
-I -T -I -V -E, impactinitiative .com. For Amherst
35:01
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
35:04
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
35:17
Township Council agreed to proclaim October 21st,
35:20
2026 as the 26th Annual Child Care Worker and
35:23
Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day. The
35:26
day is in recognition of the education, dedication,
35:29
and commitment of child care workers to children,
35:31
their families, and quality of life within their
35:33
community. The proclamation request noted that
35:36
trained and knowledgeable registered early childhood
35:38
educators are the key to quality in early years
35:41
and child care programs. It stated that early
35:43
learning and child care promotes the well -being
35:46
of and responds to the needs of families as well
35:48
as the broader community by supporting quality
35:51
of life. Each year, the day is proclaimed by
35:53
the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care,
35:55
the Canadian Union of Public Employees, as well
35:58
as municipalities and school boards across Ontario.
36:01
The day is marked by hundreds of child care centres,
36:03
unions and allies. Councillor Paul Broderick
36:06
showed his support for proclaiming the day. Having
36:08
spent 30 years in education, this is a... core
36:13
group both within the school system and within
36:15
child care that are vastly underpaid and underappreciated
36:19
at times, but their contribution to youth is,
36:22
it can't be measured. For Amherst Island Radio
36:25
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
36:27
Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township
36:40
will be recognizing October 10th, 2026 as National
36:43
Dental Care Day. Council heard from founder of
36:46
the day, Dr. Raj Kanuja, who spoke about the
36:48
importance of improving access to oral health
36:50
care. Kanuja explains how and why he started
36:53
the initiative. National Dental Care Day started
36:56
from one simple moment. Years ago, I met a single
37:00
mother who was living with severe dental pain.
37:03
She avoided treatment because she could not afford
37:06
it. She told me she was saving every dollar she
37:10
had so she could keep a promise to buy used hockey
37:13
equipment for her child. She chose her child
37:17
over herself. That moment stayed with me because
37:20
dental pain is not just about teeth. It affects
37:24
confidence, sleep, work, mental health. and dignity.
37:29
That is why National Dental Care Day was created.
37:32
Kanuja speaks about how the initiative has grown
37:34
and notes numbers from last year. What started
37:38
as one free dental day has now grown into a national
37:42
movement after 13 years of volunteer care. Last
37:46
year alone, 219 Canadians received care across
37:50
the country through volunteer clinics. and professionals.
37:54
National Dental Care Day was proclaimed by 25
37:57
municipalities, three premiers, and two lieutenant
38:01
governors. It was also spoken about in the Senate
38:05
of Canada by Senator Mohammed Iqbal Rawalia and
38:09
entered into the Hansard parliamentary record.
38:12
National Dental Care Day mobilizes volunteer
38:15
dental professionals, students, clinics, educators
38:18
and community partners across Canada to provide
38:20
essential dental care to underserved individuals
38:23
and families without cost, barriers or judgment.
38:26
The initiative emphasizes the importance of oral
38:28
health as an essential component of overall health
38:31
and well -being. Kanuja explains the importance
38:33
of bringing National Dental Care Day to more
38:35
communities. The need for dental care is not
38:38
limited to one city or one region. It exists
38:42
in every community. Dentistry is expensive. and
38:46
not being able to afford care forces many people
38:50
to live in pain, lose teeth, hide their smile,
38:54
and lose confidence and dignity. For Amherst
38:57
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
39:00
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The
39:12
Bath Museum and Visitor Center is welcoming the
39:14
community back for another season of Culture
39:16
Talks, a speaker series celebrating history,
39:19
heritage, and storytelling. Hosted at the museum,
39:21
the series brings together local historians,
39:23
musicians, and researchers who share unique perspectives
39:26
on the region's history. Held on the third Monday
39:28
of the month from 6 to 7 p .m., culture talks
39:31
offer an opportunity to explore fascinating cultural
39:33
topics in an intimate setting. Tickets are $5
39:36
per person and seating is limited. Monday, September
39:39
28th at 6 p .m., Stephen Bruce Med will be presenting
39:42
a combination of song ballads and storytelling.
39:44
The evening will cover historical events and
39:46
people in pre -Confederation Canada, including
39:48
indigenous connections, French explorers, loyalist
39:51
refugees of the American Revolution, the War
39:53
of 1812, and more. Stephen Bruce Med is a performing...
39:57
of historical ballads and spiritual songs. His
40:00
songs are inspired by Canadian history, the remote
40:02
and beautiful landscapes he explored as a geologist,
40:05
and social issues of the day. Monday, October
40:07
26th at 6 p .m., Phil Norton will be telling
40:10
his 2021 bicycle camping journey from Prince
40:12
Edward County to the Mexican border. Repeating
40:15
a journey he did in 1979 and 1980 as a 22 -year
40:18
-old, Norton set off again in 2021 at the age
40:21
of 63. Norton tells personal stories about his
40:24
adventure combined with the geography and people
40:26
he met along the way. Culture Talks take place
40:28
at the Bath Museum located at 434 Main Street
40:31
in Bath. Tickets for each talk can be purchased
40:34
online. For more information about Culture Talks
40:36
and other upcoming programs, visit Loyalist .ca
40:39
slash events. For Amherst Island Radio and the
40:42
Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This
40:45
is North Shore News. This has been North Shore
40:49
News and Interviews. If you have an idea for
40:52
a story or want to create stories for the show,
40:56
consider joining our volunteer team. Contact
40:59
Amherst Island Radio for more details.