Latest / North Shore News / May 29th, 2026

Transcript

May 29th, 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 Township Council has agreed
0:28
to a request made by the Odessa Agricultural
0:31
Society to waive fees for emergency services
0:34
at the tractor pole and demolition derby during
0:37
the Odessa Fair taking place July 24th to 26th.
0:41
Secretary and volunteer with the society Stephanie
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Gimo spoke about the fair and the increase in
0:46
costs. The Odessa Fair has been a staple of Odessa
0:50
for 191 years and has traditionally relied on
0:53
emergency fire services at no cost us for fair
0:57
events. This by -law is a drastic increase to
1:00
our budget that we had not foreseen. As a non
1:04
-profit volunteer run organization, we do not
1:07
have the reserve funds to cover the substantial
1:11
cost increase to operate these community favourite
1:14
events at the annual fair. Gimo noted the breakdown
1:17
of costs for emergency services. Deputy Chief
1:20
Grenham stated that the Agricultural Society
1:23
would be required to pay for the Fire Emergency
1:26
Services for the tractor pull and demolition
1:29
derby at the annual Odessa Fair taking place
1:33
July 24th to 26th. Based on the hours, the Fire
1:37
Department was required for these events in 2025.
1:41
The cost would be $8 ,472 .20 for the tractor
1:46
pull and $3 ,230 .52 for the demolition derby,
1:53
totaling $11 ,000. These fees include the MTO's
1:59
apparatus hourly rate and the hourly wage of
2:02
each firefighter for these events. Alongside
2:06
partnering with the Township for events like
2:08
Trunk or Treat, Gimo spoke about how proceeds
2:10
from the fair are used and how important the
2:13
agricultural grounds are for the community. The
2:15
proceeds from the fair enable the Agricultural
2:18
Society to continue to maintain the agricultural
2:21
grounds and its buildings. The grounds offer
2:24
a park -like setting for the community to enjoy,
2:27
and the large palace building is a space for
2:29
the community to come together. The Lions Club
2:32
prepares the holiday baskets in this space, and
2:35
free events for families such as See and Learn
2:37
are held on the fairgrounds. With the original
2:40
staff recommendation being to receive the delegation
2:42
request from the Society, Councilor Jake Ennis
2:45
also added the motion to waive the fees. I would
2:48
move that Council receive the delegation request
2:51
from the Odessa Agricultural Society. and to
2:54
approve the request for waiver of emergency services
2:57
fees. So moved. Do I have a seconder? Councillor
2:59
Buechert. Ennis noted possible funding options
3:02
for the future. I think it's a long -standing
3:05
event, a community event that's worth supporting.
3:08
And I think perhaps if we support it this year,
3:13
the organization could look to the community
3:14
grant fund in the future as a possibility. But
3:18
I think it's a long -standing event that we...
3:20
should continue to support. Councillor Mike Budarek
3:23
spoke about the importance of supporting events
3:25
like the fair in the community. I believe too
3:27
that we should support anything that gets people
3:30
in our community out and such a long -standing
3:33
tradition of the Odessa Fair and even the track
3:36
pool is fantastic. Great crowds and it's great
3:41
to see. people in our community come out and
3:43
support things. Council also asked for a staff
3:45
report to help guide decisions for future events.
3:48
Councillor Paul Proderick noted why they want
3:50
the report. There's no doubt that over the years
3:52
this has been a very valuable, you know, 191
3:55
years. I think that's why all my grandparents
3:57
were at that fair when they lived in Railton.
4:01
And as we sort of move ahead we want to quantify
4:03
things just so we get an overall picture and
4:05
a staff report looking at that for next year
4:08
maybe there's a Back and forth questions that
4:10
can be answered, such as, you know, do you really
4:11
need six firefighters or whatever? Things like
4:14
that that can come out of a report. For Amherst
4:16
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
4:19
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
4:32
Township will be recognizing October 10th, 2026
4:35
as National Dental Care Day. Council heard from
4:37
founder of the day, Dr. Raj Kanuja, who spoke
4:40
about the importance of improving access to oral
4:42
health care. Kanuja explains how and why he started
4:45
the initiative. National Dental Care Day started
4:48
from one simple moment. Years ago, I met a single
4:52
mother who was living with severe dental pain.
4:55
She avoided treatment because she could not afford
4:58
it. She told me she was saving every dollar she
5:02
had so she could keep a promise to buy used hockey
5:05
equipment for her child. She chose her child
5:09
over herself. That moment stayed with me because
5:12
dental pain is not just about teeth. It affects
5:16
confidence, sleep, work, mental health. and dignity.
5:21
That is why National Dental Care Day was created.
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Kanuja speaks about how the initiative has grown
5:27
and notes numbers from last year. What started
5:30
as one free dental day has now grown into a national
5:34
movement after 13 years of volunteer care. Last
5:38
year alone, 219 Canadians received care across
5:42
the country through volunteer clinics. and professionals.
5:46
National Dental Care Day was proclaimed by 25
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municipalities, three premiers, and two lieutenant
5:53
governors. It was also spoken about in the Senate
5:57
of Canada by Senator Muhammad Iqbal Rawalia and
6:01
entered into the Hansard Parliamentary record.
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National Dental Care Day mobilizes volunteer
6:07
dental professionals, students, clinics, educators
6:10
and community partners across Canada to provide
6:13
essential dental care to underserved individuals
6:15
and families without cost, barriers or judgment.
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The initiative emphasizes the importance of oral
6:20
health as an essential component of overall health
6:23
and well -being. Kanuja explains the importance
6:25
of bringing National Dental Care Day to more
6:28
communities. The need for dental care is not
6:31
limited to one city. or one region. It exists
6:35
dentistry is expensive and care forces many people
6:42
t teeth, hide their smile a Loyalist Township
7:05
welcomes visitors to Doors Open Ontario on June
7:07
20th. Residents and visitors are invited to explore
7:10
the stories, places and people that helped shape
7:13
the community. Doors Open Ontario takes place
7:15
Saturday, June 20th from 10 a .m. to 4 p .m.
7:18
As part of the province -wide celebration, this
7:20
free community event offers a unique opportunity
7:23
to discover historic landmarks, cultural spaces,
7:26
museums, churches. farms, galleries and community
7:29
hubs throughout Loyalist Township. This year's
7:32
event features 20 participating sites across
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Bath, Odessa, Wilton, Amherstview and Amherst
7:37
Island, each offering visitors a chance to connect
7:39
with the township's heritage through guided tours,
7:41
exhibits, demonstrations, family -friendly activities
7:44
and behind -the -scenes experiences. Visitors
7:47
can experience everything from heritage architecture
7:49
and local history to art studios, agricultural
7:52
traditions, dry stone walls and live demonstrations.
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Featured activities include meeting rescue animals
7:58
at Second Chance Ranch, exploring hiking trails
8:01
from farm experiences at Topsy Farms, learning
8:04
about basket making at Babcock Mill and tasting
8:06
locally made cheese at the Wilton Cheese Factory.
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Admission is free at all participating sites.
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This year there is also a chance to win one of
8:13
two $100 prizes for anyone who visits five or
8:16
more sites. For event details, maps, and participating
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locations, visit loyalist .ca slash doors open.
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For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
8:26
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
8:29
News. The County of Lenox and Addington has started
8:41
a Schedule C municipal class environmental assessment
8:44
to review and improve key intersections along
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County Road 2. The study will look at options
8:49
to enhance safety, traffic flow, and long -term
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design at the intersections of County Road 1
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and County Road 2, as well as County Road 5 and
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County Road 2. Public information centers where
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residents can learn more and share feedback are
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planned for June and another in late fall. Dates
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and venues will be provided as part of a formal
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notice from the county. Attendees will be invited
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to review the information presented and provide
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feedback, questions and comments that will be
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considered as the study progresses. Once the
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study is complete, an environmental study report
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will be prepared and made available for comment.
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For more information, visit Lennox -Addington
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.on .ca. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
9:25
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
9:29
North Shore News. Community members in Loyalist
9:40
Township have come forward with a petition for
9:42
council to reconsider the closing of the Leisure
9:44
and Activity Center in Amersfield. In April,
9:47
staff met with a working committee made up of
9:49
residents who were looking to preserve services
9:50
at the center. During this meeting, staff received
9:53
the petition consisting of over 1 ,500 signatures.
9:56
After receiving the petition, staff received
9:57
a request from a member of council to add the
9:59
petition to their latest agenda. Council originally
10:02
approved a staff recommendation to formally close
10:04
the center as a direct programming space on August
10:06
1, 2026. This came after a close three to two
10:10
vote. Residents who use the space regularly have
10:12
brought concerns to Council including the size
10:14
of the new space, privacy and the costs associated.
10:17
The matter will come before Council again at
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their June 9th meeting. Loyalist Township resident
10:22
Lorna Thorne explained the petition and noted
10:24
the response from the community. We have collected
10:27
over 1 ,500 signatures for residents in Amherstview,
10:30
Odessa and Bath and the rural areas. Our petition
10:34
states that we would like Council to take the
10:36
necessary steps to make a reversal of the 3 -2
10:39
vote taken on March 10th regarding the decision
10:42
to close the lack and move existing programs
10:45
to the Henderson Community Centre. Going door
10:48
-to -door was a new experience and daunting for
10:50
many of us. We were overwhelmed with the positive
10:54
response we received from the constituents of
10:56
Loyalist Township. Resident of Loyalist Township
10:59
and former Recreation Director Cindy Lawson speaks
11:02
about the need for the Centre. Following my retirement
11:05
in 2013, the space was renovated and since then
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people of all ages have been enjoying a great
11:11
variety of programs. Disappointment is an understatement.
11:14
When I learned on March 10th, a staff report
11:16
recommended the closure of the Leisure and Activity
11:19
Centre and Council approved it. I cannot understand
11:22
how a facility that took over 25 years to acquire
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is no longer needed. This community is growing.
11:28
We currently have a space that serves us well.
11:31
Now is not the time to give it up, as we all
11:33
know to replace it is not in the foreseeable
11:35
future. Loyalist Township resident Barbara Usman
11:38
-Goldhar notes the importance of spaces like
11:40
the Leisure and Activity Centre within a community.
11:43
As a widow recovering from illness, I look to
11:46
find a centre where I could begin my healing
11:50
process. Being a retired physiotherapist with
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35 years experience and rehabilitation, I knew
11:57
the benefits of exercise. I looked for an exercise
12:01
center and found the lack just five minutes from
12:04
my home. I realized quickly that this was the
12:07
place that I needed. As I joined the exercise
12:10
classes, I found an energetic group of like -minded
12:13
people who were exercising to keep fit. For example,
12:17
to maintain diabetic control. blood pressure,
12:20
and weight gain, prevent aging complications
12:23
such as osteoporosis and dementia, and recover
12:26
from serious health issues. Morning classes with
12:30
instructors who educate and model are particularly
12:33
helpful as they establish routines, prevent stiffness,
12:37
and improve energy and mental clarity. The LAC
12:40
offers a cohesive center where participants get
12:43
to know each other, find support, and have fun.
12:46
Large, safe, and well -designed exercise centers
12:49
like the LAC are essential to accommodate group
12:53
classes effectively. It is vital to create a
12:56
community where people can live healthier, longer,
12:59
and more connected lives. Another resident, Carla
13:01
Rogers, explains the concerns residents have
13:04
brought to Council. We have provided Council
13:06
and staff with the petition, several documents,
13:09
foot and photos explaining the opposition to
13:12
the concept of moving the fitness programs to
13:14
a room that is half the size with low ceilings,
13:18
epoxy flooring, and as well as the downfalls
13:20
of reducing class sizes and spreading them throughout
13:23
the day. We have explained the shortcomings of
13:25
the proposed room for the purpose of the children's
13:28
programs due to the lack of cooking facilities
13:30
and the reduced space. Community recreation facilities
13:33
are not just line items. They are infrastructure
13:37
that support health, connection and equality
13:40
of life in our township. Councillor Jake Ennis
13:42
spoke about the potential reconsideration at
13:45
their June 9th meeting. I think residents have
13:47
been very clear about their concerns. I think
13:51
they've been very clear that they don't want
13:54
to see a reduction in service. I'm sympathetic
13:58
to those concerns. I think it's a positive step
14:03
that staff are looking at alternatives and I
14:05
think it's important for us. us to consider those
14:10
alternatives and for the public to consider those
14:12
alternatives in addition to a potential reconsideration
14:17
in June. Councilor Carol Park spoke about the
14:20
original decision and coming back to Council
14:23
in June. I believe that Council made the wrong
14:26
decision. That's my personal opinion. as a swing
14:31
vote that was part of that meeting, I do take
14:33
responsibility for that. So I do support this
14:36
motion and I look forward to this coming back
14:38
before council in June so that we can revisit
14:40
this. Deputy Mayor Nathan Townhoun spoke about
14:42
council's role in decision making and the importance
14:45
of municipal politics. We're elected to be decision
14:48
makers that make decisions based on... all of
14:52
the available information and have that be transparent
14:54
to the public and so you know from that point
14:57
of principle we're principally hamstrung until
15:01
until June 9th and and maybe council's decision
15:04
will be to reconsider and and to maintain status
15:08
quo. I won't comment on on on what that will
15:11
be that could be but the point is council needs
15:14
all the information available and the public
15:16
needs that information. Municipal politics is
15:20
incredibly important. It's the level of government
15:22
closest to the public and that's never more evident
15:25
than a chambers full of people concerned about
15:29
what's happening in their community and regardless
15:31
of where anybody stands on an individual issue,
15:35
that's incredibly important. For Amherst Island
15:37
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
15:40
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Construction
15:52
of the new pump track at Loyalist Park in Amherstview
15:55
has begun. The expected completion date is July
15:58
30th. Thanks to a confidential donation of $500
16:00
,000, the construction of the pump track will
16:03
not impact the Township's budget. It will be
16:05
developed at no cost to Loyalist Township other
16:08
than staff time to oversee it. The entire project,
16:11
including the skate park, is estimated to cost
16:13
approximately $1 million and is being completed
16:16
in two phases. Phase 1 is the construction of
16:18
the pump track, including a skate bowl, while
16:21
Phase 2 will include the completion of the remaining
16:23
skate park features, subject to securing additional
16:26
funding. Council heard a presentation in June
16:29
of 2025 from New Line Skateparks, an engineering
16:32
firm with expertise in skate park construction.
16:35
Now with approval, the company is beginning construction.
16:37
A public consultation process is currently taking
16:40
place on the Township's website. Vice President
16:42
and Director of Business Development with New
16:44
Line Skateparks Trevor Morgan spoke about the
16:47
benefits of the skateparks and pump tracks they
16:49
build and the one they're looking to build in
16:51
Loyalist Township. Very integrated, green space,
16:55
connections to pathways, colour, texture, art
16:59
installations that can be very exciting to...
17:02
Put a signature, I guess, of the community within
17:04
the architecture of the park, even through different
17:07
lighting schemes, if that's something that's
17:09
desired, and then accessibility. You're likely
17:11
to have folks from the adaptive community who
17:13
would like to ride this park. So yeah, every
17:15
park has its story and we hope there's a story
17:18
to be told here with the Township. Morgan noted
17:21
the potential boost in tourism the facility could
17:23
bring. A network of these parks are being created
17:26
in communities across Canada and across Ontario
17:29
and... There's a large population that will want
17:32
to experience each different unique park and
17:35
communities and they'll purposely travel around,
17:38
stop in these communities, visit, spend money
17:40
at local businesses, maybe even spend a night.
17:42
I know when I was 12 years old on the family
17:45
trip and I was avid skateboarder, I could be
17:48
very influential to spend an extra night in the
17:50
community if they had that one skate park. Morgan
17:52
spoke about the potential of events at the facility
17:54
as well. You're likely to have user groups and
17:58
community groups that will say, hey, we would
17:59
love to have some some level of organized events
18:02
there that could be lessons nights some community
18:06
-based contests and so forth and so we really
18:09
try to design a modern park with that in mind.
18:14
Councillor Paul Prodrick spoke about neighboring
18:15
communities and their skate parks as well as
18:17
what a new one in Amherstview could do for the
18:20
community. I think the closest one to us is Napanee
18:23
and then you go to Picton's got a great site
18:25
but again it's it's probably 20 years old now
18:28
I think it becomes a hub. for gathering and it
18:32
fits into the master recreation plan also an
18:36
opportunity to add something to the community
18:38
and I think we haven't had a recreational facility
18:42
addition in well over I'm going to say 40 years
18:45
and again it's just through the the leadership
18:48
of a community member who wishes to help out
18:51
in times where we don't have a lot of money to
18:53
do a lot of things that we'd like to do. Councillor
18:56
Jake Ennis spoke about the donation and choice
18:58
of the donor. It's a very generous donation.
19:02
They're very appreciative for the donation and
19:07
I think the donor is chosen well. It's an amenity
19:10
that focuses on youth and one that I think will
19:14
be very well used. Deputy Mayor Nathan Townand
19:16
showed his appreciation towards the donor as
19:19
well as what the project will do for youth in
19:21
the area. It's incredibly generous and provides
19:24
an amazing opportunity for us and to appreciate
19:28
the particular kinds of youth that something
19:32
like this can engage based on the whole lifestyle
19:35
and culture that goes with it. Not one I claim
19:37
to understand. I think it's not just youth engagement
19:42
writ large in some sort of big, broad context.
19:45
This is something quite specific that I think
19:47
will cater to members in our community that otherwise
19:51
don't have a facility like this. I do go by the
19:58
one in Napanee quite regularly and it is a gathering
20:00
place. You see all sorts of demographics and
20:04
ages and different usage of it so I fully support
20:07
this. Mayor Jim Hagedorn spoke about the progress
20:10
in access to skateboarding facilities and shared
20:12
a story from his youth. I was in my teens on
20:15
probably a $10 skateboard trying to go down the
20:19
largest hill where I lived at the time called
20:21
Big Hill and with blind corners. It's come a
20:24
long way. When I was young, I've actually seen
20:28
some of the like may dock, they have a nice one
20:31
there. I remember when they were building the
20:34
first phase. And I was kind of like, what is
20:37
going on in there? And now to see it now, it's
20:41
been developed into the whole park is basically
20:43
devoted to this now. And it's packed all the
20:47
time. It is something that is what I believe
20:49
will be well used. And this is a Great opportunity,
20:53
I think, for Lilas Township to be able to provide
20:56
another amenity new to the community that will
20:59
be used, very well used, I believe, for an extended
21:02
period of time. For Amherst Island Radio and
21:05
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
21:09
This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council
21:20
pre -approved $900 ,000 in the 2027 capital budget
21:24
for the purchase of a new tanker for the Amherst
21:26
View Fire Station. They will also use nearly
21:29
$85 ,000 from the 2026 capital budget for the
21:32
down payment. Council had already approved the
21:34
purchase of a new tanker for the Amherst Island
21:36
Fire Station in the 2026 capital budget and were
21:39
informed the tanker in Amherst View has reached
21:41
the end of its useful life. With fire apparatus
21:43
costs continuing to rise each year, staff noted
21:46
that delaying the purchase would see an increase
21:48
of at least $125 ,000 for 2027. Fire Chief Kent
21:53
Readman spoke about the importance of getting
21:55
pre -approval. There'll be no cost incurred this
21:58
year, no additional cost incurred this year by
22:00
the Township. This will be all on the 2027 capital
22:03
budget, so it will save 100. 25 ,000 plus in
22:09
next year's budget if we can do it this spring,
22:12
as opposed to waiting eight months. There's some
22:16
significant price increases coming down the pipe
22:18
here, and we're just trying to get ahead of it.
22:21
Councillor Mike Bodarek noted the importance
22:23
of trying to save money. Just appreciate that
22:25
the chief's trying to get ahead of this and save
22:27
us a little money, so it's always appreciated
22:29
with how tight times are these days. Councillor
22:32
Paul Proderick showed his support for the pre
22:34
-approval. A hundred thousand is a good savings
22:37
and given the experiences of the last few months.
22:41
The value of our emergency services cannot be
22:43
measured in dollars and move ahead with this
22:45
as soon as possible. The emergency services department
22:48
looks to order the same tanker that was ordered
22:50
for Amherst Island and remain consistent with
22:52
their fleet for the next 20 to 25 years. The
22:55
two old tankers will be sold and are expected
22:57
to generate nearly $75 ,000. This will be applied
23:01
to the fleet reserve for future apparatus purchases.
23:04
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
23:06
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
23:10
News. The Bath Museum and Visitor Center are
23:21
welcoming the community back this spring for
23:23
another season of Culture Talks, a speaker series
23:25
celebrating history, heritage, and storytelling.
23:28
Hosted at the museum, the series brings together
23:30
local historians, musicians, and researchers
23:32
who share unique perspectives on the region's
23:34
history. Held on the third Monday of the month
23:36
from 6 to 7 p .m., Culture Talks offer an opportunity
23:39
to explore fascinating cultural topics in an
23:42
intimate setting. Tickets are $5 per person,
23:44
and seating is limited. June 22nd, local historian
23:47
Lloyd Tarian will deliver an illustrated talk
23:49
examining the opening years of the War of 1812.
23:52
Tarian explores the Alliance's personalities
23:55
and decisions that shaped the conflict's early
23:57
course. His presentation provides insight into
23:59
how British, Canadian militia, and First Nations
24:01
forces defended Upper Canada during a pivotal
24:04
period. Culture Talks take place at the Bath
24:06
Museum, located at 434 Main Street in Bath. Tickets
24:10
for each talk can be purchased online. For more
24:12
information about Culture Talks and other upcoming
24:14
programs, visit Loyalist .ca. For Amherst Island
24:18
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
24:21
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. This has
24:26
been North Shore News and Interviews. If you
24:30
have an idea for a story or want to create stories
24:33
for the show, consider joining our volunteer
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team. Contact Amherst Island Radio for more details.