Latest / North Shore News / September 27th, 2026

Transcript

September 27th, 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. Councillor Paul Proderick made a
0:36
direct motion regarding the matter. I would put
0:38
a motion forward that Council direct staff to
0:40
provide a report considering the options relating
0:42
to regulating the use of e -bikes within Loyalist
0:44
Township. The motion was seconded by Councillor
0:46
Mike Buderick and passed by Council. Proderick
0:49
spoke about the use of electric bikes in Loyalist
0:51
Township. It's becoming more and more prevalent
0:54
in the community that the use of these micro
0:57
bikes or whatever you want to generally call
0:58
them. It's becoming a safety issue. People on
1:01
the sidewalks on the streets for the kids without
1:03
helmets and so on and so on. And I think the
1:07
Township needs to come up with some kind of statement,
1:10
regulation, whatever you want to call it to try
1:13
and get that under control. And, you know, just
1:17
as an aside, we need to engage the OPP at some
1:20
point for, you know, in terms of what they can
1:22
do, etc. And the biggest piece is going to be
1:25
public education because it's sort of the Wild
1:27
West and whether we have to get people out to
1:30
schools, et cetera, et cetera. But I'd like to
1:32
get that process started and not wait another
1:34
year or so to do it. Councillor Lorna Willis
1:37
noted the growing use of electric bikes in the
1:39
area. Having some connections with teachers in
1:42
the local schools, I know that the e -scooters
1:44
are are an extreme concern. So while they're
1:47
illegal, they're widely used. And I think that,
1:51
you know, we have the potential for a tragedy
1:54
in our township. So I would strongly encourage
1:57
then that we encourage the OPP to enforce that
2:01
law. Councillor Carol Park spoke about help from
2:03
the OPP. The OPP is actually going to be doing
2:05
more enforcement and education on this. So we'll
2:08
probably see some things implemented on that
2:11
end too, which will help support what we want
2:12
to do. Staff will be bringing a report back to
2:14
council at a future meeting. For Amherst Island
2:17
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
2:19
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Staff at
2:32
Loyalist Township have announced the transition
2:34
of the Loyalist Link program to a demand responsive
2:37
transit service model. Director of Community
2:39
and Customer Services Lori McFarland explains
2:42
how the new service will work. Right now traditionally
2:44
we have a regular route that the bus runs regularly
2:48
X amount of time during the day and it just runs
2:51
its route and there's stops along the way. This
2:54
one is basically an on -demand so the bus If
2:59
you're a rider, you're going to put in a request
3:02
for a pickup either on the app, on the website,
3:05
or there is a dispatch a phone number. You'll
3:08
identify where you want to go. You can do it
3:12
a number of different ways. You can do it by
3:14
what time you want to be picked up, or you can
3:16
do it by what time you want to arrive at your
3:18
final destination. You will then get feedback
3:22
as to what time your pickup is. The system then
3:26
generates all of the other requests similar to
3:30
that and it works efficiently through the route
3:33
to take you to your destination and it'll pick
3:36
people up along the way or drop people off as
3:40
well. It should be in more efficient way for
3:43
us to deliver this type of service for people
3:46
and we're not going to have buses driving around
3:48
without people on them. McFarland spoke about
3:50
the efficiency of the new model and explained
3:52
virtual stops. It has been used in other communities
3:56
similar to ours and it has been very successful
3:59
and it has increased ridership. We're also introducing
4:02
some virtual stops as well in different locations
4:05
where there aren't currently an actual bus stop,
4:08
but it's a spot where people could go and gather
4:11
that may be able to enhance more rural spots,
4:18
but it's within the route right now that's there.
4:21
They're just not set specific spots. The report
4:24
also noted improvements to Route 10, opportunities
4:27
for intercity bus services, and better options
4:29
for buying transit passes. Route 10 service now
4:32
has 30 -minute frequency intervals for most periods
4:34
of operation. Loyalist Township in Lennox and
4:37
Addington County are also looking into potential
4:39
partnerships to establish intercity bus services
4:42
with trips to select major Ontario cities. Kingston
4:45
transit passes will be available for purchase
4:47
at the WJ Henderson Community Centre. For Amherst
4:50
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
4:52
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore news. Loyalist
5:06
Township Council agreed to support and circulate
5:08
a letter calling for the provincial government
5:10
to increase the municipal rebate for harmonized
5:12
sales tax. The initiative, Building Ontario Together,
5:16
HST Reinvestment for Municipal Infrastructure,
5:18
was put together and released by the Eastern
5:20
Ontario Wardens' Caucus. The group is asking
5:23
the government of Ontario to increase the municipal
5:25
rebate for the provincial portion of HST from
5:27
78 % to 100%. This would eliminate the current
5:31
1 .76 unrecoverable provincial HST costs taken
5:35
on by municipalities. They're hoping the provincial
5:37
government will recognize this measure as a fiscally
5:40
responsible investment that supports infrastructure
5:42
renewal, housing infrastructure, long -term asset
5:45
management, and essential municipal services,
5:47
while reducing pressure on local property taxpayers
5:50
and businesses. Staff's report noted unrecoverable
5:53
provincial HST represents millions of dollars
5:55
annually that could otherwise be reinvested into
5:57
municipalities. Returning the remaining provincial
6:00
portion of HST to municipalities would not increase
6:03
taxes for residents or businesses. Municipalities
6:06
in Ontario currently receive a 100 % rebate of
6:09
the federal 5 % portion of HST, but only a 78
6:12
% rebate of Ontario's 8 % provincial portion.
6:15
This results in municipalities permanently absorbing
6:17
the remaining 22 % of the provincial share. This
6:20
is equivalent to 1 .76 % of eligible municipal
6:23
expenditures. Mayor Jim Hagedorn speaks about
6:26
the letter. So this was something that has come
6:29
through the EOWC and as being warden of the county,
6:32
I'm a member of the EOWC. The HST that the municipality
6:37
collects, the federal portion, we are able to
6:41
retain all of it. So the EOWC looked at it and
6:44
with all of the initiatives that are being taken
6:48
right now, as well as once we've done our infrastructure
6:53
assessments and master plans and the deficit.
6:57
that every municipality in Ontario is running
7:00
with trying to keep up with their infrastructure.
7:02
EOWC figured this was an easy catch, is just
7:06
if we could keep all of the provincial portion,
7:10
that would give us money back without actually
7:13
raising taxes at any level of government. Hagedorn
7:17
explained the intention of the letter and noted
7:19
their presentation to ministers. We presented
7:21
it at AMO. um to all the ministers that we met
7:25
with both on the conservative side and on the
7:29
other sides so both sides of the house we presented
7:32
it to everyone that we had a delegation with
7:35
and we had i believe it was something eight or
7:37
ten delegations so they're well aware of what
7:40
we're requesting so now we're just putting it
7:42
out looking for endorsement um from all the municipalities
7:46
basically saying that You think this would be
7:49
a good idea? What we were saying to them is we
7:51
would expect that there would be a provision
7:54
to this funds to be reinvested in the infrastructure
7:58
within the municipality, not go into general
8:00
budget. So it would go towards like capital costs
8:04
or maintenance costs to maintain our infrastructure
8:07
in an acceptable manner. Councillor Paul Proderick
8:09
offered his thoughts on the initiative. Given
8:11
what I've read on the key asks from the Eastern
8:14
Ontario caucus is we need sustainable funding.
8:17
And the government of Ontario is always looking
8:20
at reducing red tape. Here's a classic example
8:23
of all the red tape that would go to recover
8:25
1 .76 percent. It's got to be a savings everywhere
8:28
and a gain for all the municipalities. For Amherst
8:31
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
8:34
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The
8:46
future Sports Hall of Fame at the W .J. Henderson
8:48
Community Center will be named the Marion and
8:51
Mason Booterich Sports Hall of Fame. This is
8:53
in recognition of the family's contributions
8:55
in the community and a $50 ,000 donation towards
8:58
the W .J. Henderson Community Center Renewal
9:00
Project. Mason Buderich founded the current Amherst
9:03
Few Jets Junior Hockey Club in 1989. Following
9:06
his passing in 2005, his legacy has continued
9:09
through the Mason Buderich Memorial Fund, which
9:11
helps local children play hockey. Marion Buderich
9:13
has held leadership positions with the organization
9:15
in the past, including the president of the Amherst
9:18
Few Jets. The family's decades of volunteer service
9:20
and leadership have had a great impact. on the
9:22
local hockey community. Staff with the Township
9:24
will also be assisting the Amherst View Jets
9:26
in the management of a fundraising sub -campaign
9:29
looking to raise $50 ,000 to rename the Jets
9:31
dressing room in memory of Don Lee. Lee is remembered
9:34
for his passion, leadership, and community spirit.
9:37
He was a lifelong advocate for youth and sport
9:39
in the community. His dedication to the Jets
9:41
and developing young players in the community
9:43
has left a lasting impact both on and off the
9:46
ice. CAO Rebecca Murphy speaks about the fundraising
9:49
goal for the W .J. Henderson Community Center.
9:52
We're very excited from the fundraising campaign
9:55
that we're nearing in our goal. This contribution
9:58
takes us over the $1 .7 million mark, so we're
10:01
over 85 % of the way there to our goal, and it's
10:03
very good, and we're trying to wrap up some loose
10:05
ends to be able to get us to the final goal,
10:08
so this is another announcement that we're happy
10:11
to make, and hopefully we get there before our
10:14
October 4th grand opening. I know there's been
10:19
lots of discussion. amongst the community too
10:22
about naming something after Donley and the Jets
10:26
letters really supports kind of marketing this
10:30
and branding this naming. Council is awaiting
10:32
a final decision on the location and eligibility
10:34
requirements for the Hall of Fame. Staff will
10:37
be bringing a report to the next term of council
10:39
with a new policy for the space. For Amherst
10:41
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
10:44
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The
10:57
City of Kingston has agreed to take on the licensing
10:59
and enforcement of taxi cabs for Loyalist Township
11:02
without cost. Loyalist Township Council voted
11:05
in favour of enacting a new taxi bylaw known
11:07
as the Passenger Transportation Services Bylaw.
11:10
The Kingston Area Taxi Commission had been responsible
11:12
for licensing and enforcement of taxi cabs in
11:15
Loyalist Township and the City of Kingston, but
11:17
will be dissolved on September 30th. Without
11:19
this new bylaw and service agreement, taxis could
11:21
not operate within Loyalist Township. According
11:24
to staff's report, this would also bar the Township
11:26
from operating the Loyalist Accessible Transportation
11:29
program. The City will administer the new bylaw
11:31
on the Township's behalf while service agreements
11:33
will formalize the arrangement for the City to
11:35
license and enforce taxi cab regulations in the
11:38
Township. CAO Rebecca Murphy spoke about the
11:41
arrangement. There are some liabilities of the
11:43
Commission which will have to be split and they're
11:45
split based on population with the City of Kingston
11:47
so we're... get quite small obligation on that
11:51
note. And we haven't been advised of what the
11:53
exact number is, but it's probably tens of thousands
11:56
of dollars. It's based on population. So if we're
11:59
17 ,000 and they're 140 ,000, we're, you know,
12:03
less than 10%. They had some. some liabilities
12:06
and some court decisions that obligated them
12:08
to pay some money. So that final of counting
12:11
will happen when, at the end of this month, when
12:13
the commission is finally wrapped up and we get
12:15
their final financials. The agreement will have
12:17
an initial term of five years with the plan to
12:19
extend. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
12:22
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
12:26
North Shore News. Staff at the town of Greater
12:37
Napanee are looking to include all in -town trails
12:39
as part of the town's sensitive use designation,
12:41
but will need to go through a larger review process
12:44
first. This expanded designation would mean the
12:46
trails will have encampment protocol restrictions.
12:49
CAO Matthew Grant spoke about the Trail Development
12:51
Advisory Committee's recommendations. The committee
12:54
itself felt that the new in -town trails should
12:58
have encampment protocol restrictions around
13:00
it. Now I point out The encampment protocol already
13:03
covers a significant portion of the in town trails.
13:07
We could expand sensitive use designations to
13:09
the periphery of in town trails. I think that
13:12
should be part of a broader review process. Grant
13:14
noted the impact and explained what future plans
13:16
might include. Not only the impact on the citizens,
13:19
but the impact on the services that citizens
13:22
pay for is significant. And as well, the individuals
13:25
living there are also not having. great time
13:28
of it. There's a lot of concern. I would say
13:31
that Greater Napanee has gone further than most
13:34
in terms of protection. So conservation park
13:37
in its entirety. is off limits. And we've had
13:41
great success in making sure that we've minimized
13:45
conflicting use in those areas. We've been able
13:48
to partner with social service agencies and law
13:52
enforcement. And I would say that in the event
13:55
that there is a proper shelter option in town,
14:01
I'm cautiously optimistic we might see that in
14:04
the future. I know, you know, the Morningstar
14:05
Mission and their move is looking at their options.
14:09
I think the county has been in on those discussions
14:12
and supportive of Morningstar Mission's broader
14:16
mandate. So I'm keeping an eye on that situation
14:19
very closely and appreciating that many council
14:22
members would like to protect as much area as
14:24
we can. Councillor Bill Martin called for the
14:27
designation to include Springside Park as well.
14:29
I agree with most everything, and thank goodness
14:31
that we're working towards finishing the in -town
14:34
trail. It's going to be wonderful. Certainly
14:36
agree with lighting and cameras. The sensitive
14:38
use issue is a big deal for me. I'd love to see
14:42
it as sensitive use on the trail as well. But
14:44
I got Springside Park that I'm really concerned
14:47
about right now. I'm always concerned about the
14:50
homeless situation in Springside Park, so I'm
14:53
finding You know, if a trail can be designated
14:57
sensitive use, certainly our park can be too.
15:00
I'm really concerned about the children playing
15:01
down there right now. There's people walking
15:04
their dogs, children running and playing in our
15:08
Springside Park. And that's not a sensitive use
15:10
area. It should be. So I'm saying if we're going
15:13
to put sensitive use on the trails, Springside
15:15
Park. should be censored use as well. I mean,
15:18
we've got visitors going down there, hundreds
15:19
of them every day. I wouldn't even be surprised
15:22
if it would hit a thousand people down there.
15:25
I've picked up needles myself off the ground
15:27
and took them to a needle drop off. It's dangerous
15:31
for kids. It's dangerous for people being down
15:33
there in that park. I'm really, really ticked
15:36
off right now what's going on down there. And
15:38
I know it's a problem everywhere. Residents,
15:41
taxpayers, they can't use their park because
15:45
of of what's going on. And that's not fair to
15:47
them. Deputy Mayor Brian Calvert spoke about
15:49
the work of the Trail Development Advisory Committee.
15:52
Speaking on behalf of the Trail Development Advisory
15:54
Committee, we've got off got off our first meeting,
15:59
both feet hit the ground and running in our second
16:01
meeting we just held. We've appointed a chair
16:04
and a vice chair and we've come up with some
16:08
really good ideas. This trail committee is it's
16:10
just an honor to be sitting on it and working
16:13
with them because everybody's all rowing in the
16:16
same direction. It's just a fabulous group of
16:18
people we've put together for this." Council
16:20
has also deferred the promotion or acceptance
16:22
of e -scooters and e -bikes on the trails until
16:24
they come up with a new bylaw. Staff will be
16:27
consulting with the OPP for security camera locations
16:29
on the trails and looking into estimates for
16:31
solar lighting. For Amherst Island Radio and
16:34
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
16:37
This is North Shore News. Greater Napany Council
16:49
voted in favor of not changing the town's grass
16:51
-cutting bylaw, but directed staff to review
16:53
it before the next enforcement season. Council
16:56
also implemented a 10 -foot buffer to be mowed
16:58
in regard to a compliance order made against
17:00
a resident with a naturalized lawn. Originally,
17:03
the option was offered with a 15 -foot buffer.
17:05
At their previous meeting, council heard from
17:07
the resident, Julie Bogdanowicz, requesting they
17:09
cancel the compliance order. She noted her property
17:12
was intentionally naturalized rather than neglected,
17:14
which is not reflected in the bylaw. Council
17:17
granted an extension and requested a report from
17:19
staff. Staff's report noted the bylaw department
17:22
received multiple requests for grass enforcement
17:24
in June and 20 compliance orders were issued.
17:27
On July 20th, a re -inspection was conducted
17:29
of the area and found all other 19 orders to
17:32
be compliant. Bogdanowicz spoke about her position.
17:59
on the matter. Services and Municipal Clerk Jessica
18:06
Walters explain the need for updating the bylaw.
18:09
Staff do acknowledge that the bylaw is over 25
18:12
years old. When we look at our other comparators,
18:15
it's definitely the oldest bylaw in that list
18:18
and we would recommend that it be looked at.
18:22
However, because it affects everyone and we know
18:25
that there's very strong feelings and opinions
18:27
about what's important to have in a grass bylaw,
18:30
we think it's really important to do extensive
18:32
public consultation and get community input for
18:36
a council to hear what the residents of Greater
18:39
Napanee feel is important to them to have in
18:41
a grass bylaw, which is why we recommend that
18:44
that decision be. a recommendation that the next
18:47
term of council look at it very early, ideally
18:50
before the next enforcement season begins, but
18:53
that that not be something that we try to rush
18:56
through in the last couple months of this term.
18:59
Just about every property in town has some form
19:01
of grass on it and so it's something a lot of
19:03
people we should give them the opportunity to
19:06
participate in that conversation. Bug Danowitz
19:09
spoke about her findings from staff's last report.
19:12
One of the things in the report that I found
19:14
that was interesting that I wanted to highlight
19:16
was an interpretive direction that pollinator
19:20
gardens and naturalized lawns could fall within
19:22
the existing exemption for ornamental grasses
19:25
that currently exist in the bylaw. And if that
19:28
interpretation is taken, that would protect our
19:30
garden and others like it as the bylaw update
19:33
proceeds without requiring council to wait until
19:36
the next term to act. The report recommends mowing
19:39
along two of my property lines but it says that
19:42
I don't need to mow if the area is a wetland
19:45
and those property lines contain cattails and
19:49
so in my interpretation this is you know part
19:52
of a stormwater swale. The report also suggests
19:56
that the order is cancelled. However, it kind
19:59
of suggests that it could be opened up again
20:01
before the next term of council. And so again,
20:04
I'm here to humbly ask that the decision that
20:06
is made closes the issue for us until the bylaw
20:09
can be updated. Walters noted that grass cutting
20:11
is one of the most frequently requested enforcement
20:13
areas, accounting for approximately 20 % of cases
20:16
so far in 2026. We're seeing an increasing trend
20:19
across the board in requests for enforcement
20:22
of bylaws as people become more familiar with
20:26
using the E -1 -1 tool to submit requests. The
20:29
grass does remain one of our consistently in
20:32
our top five areas where residents request. enforcement
20:37
action to be taken. Pogdanowicz spoke about concerns
20:40
regarding ticks. The topic of ticks and pests
20:43
came up at the last meeting, and I wanted to
20:46
refer to the letter that Council has received
20:48
by Joyce Hostlin, who is a Thousand Islands Master
20:52
Gardener. She wanted to, I guess, point Council
20:55
to a number of scientific papers that have been
20:58
written on the issue. And in particular, just
21:00
to quote her letter, she says that black -legged
21:03
ticks and their abundance is driven by deer access.
21:06
white -footed mice populations and woodland proximity.
21:10
And plant height and mowing schedules do not
21:12
quite contribute to tick populations. Deputy
21:16
Mayor Brian Calver explained his concern regarding
21:19
ticks. I'm just a little concerned. I mean, we
21:21
have bylaws in place for a reason. And I'm just
21:25
concerned myself, I know, with our property that
21:28
we maintain and look at 100 plus acres of land.
21:31
and we have trails as well and we do have ticks
21:34
on the property as well and it's a non -stop
21:38
fight to try to keep them and we keep everything
21:40
cut back on our trails and so on and so forth
21:42
but yeah I'm just a little concerned when you
21:45
say that the long grass doesn't doesn't inhibit
21:48
these these ticks because we have them too and
21:51
they're everywhere especially in southeastern
21:53
Ontario there's these ticks are all over the
21:56
place I still believe our bylaws are are still
21:59
good and should be followed. Walters referred
22:01
to staff's report and spoke about bylaw enforcement.
22:04
We do note in the report that Eastern Ontario
22:07
does have a higher prevalence of Lyme disease
22:09
and black -legged ticks than maybe other areas
22:11
of the province and that is certainly a valid
22:13
consideration in a grass bylaw. A lot of bylaw
22:17
enforcement is making sure that neighbours can
22:19
live with each other, that one person's right
22:22
to use their own property doesn't cause negative...
22:25
impacts or unreasonably negative impacts to the
22:28
people who are also living in that same area.
22:32
Councilor Bill Martin noted the importance of
22:34
naturalized lawns. I just think if there's going
22:36
to be a staff review, this order to mow should
22:39
be suspended until that's done and we have a
22:43
new bylaw in place. I just feel that naturalization
22:47
has to have some weight in this. Some people
22:52
I know we're worried about ticks and they're
22:55
worried about noxious weeds, but sometimes you
22:57
have to go beyond those things. I mean, it's
23:00
very important that we also have pollination
23:02
with our bees and with our butterflies. So I'm
23:06
the opposite of some people's view on this. Mayor
23:09
Terry Richardson spoke about offering a 10 -foot
23:11
buffer zone as opposed to 15. I think what we're
23:14
doing here is taking a very measured approach.
23:16
I don't think we are in a position to completely
23:20
discredit the risk. of the black -legged tick.
23:24
It's become a public safety issue at some point
23:26
because back in April of 2025, the Southeastern
23:33
Health Unit put out a release that identified
23:35
that the risk of encountering the black -legged
23:38
ticks in the southeast region, which where we
23:41
are, is very high compared to the rest of the
23:43
province. I think we need to do our due diligence
23:45
on this at this point. provide some form of a
23:49
buffer, which I think 10 feet is probably the
23:51
fair amount as we've heard in previous reports
23:54
that the 15 -foot buffer zone is a buffer zone
23:58
that is being used by a municipality that's close
24:01
to us, which would be fine, but I think the 10
24:03
-foot buffer zone would be sufficient in order
24:06
to provide the public safety that I think we
24:09
need to provide. For Amherst Island Radio and
24:12
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
24:15
This is North Shore news. Lennox and Addington
24:27
County staff will be looking into implementing
24:29
road signage to warn drivers about agricultural
24:31
vehicles along county roads while also providing
24:34
information about local farms. Staff will be
24:37
conducting a safety study to determine areas
24:39
that warrant signage. Representative with the
24:41
Lennox and Addington Federation of Agriculture,
24:44
Max Kaiser, explained concerns that were raised
24:46
and why he came to council. Recently, we've had
24:49
a member from North Varensville. They farm just
24:51
North Varensville, but they also have properties
24:54
up Maguire Road and some of the other side. roads
24:56
there. So they're on and off 41 with slow moving
24:58
vehicles as part of their normal activities.
25:01
Due to the new waste management sorting facility
25:04
at just south of Roblin, they've perceived an
25:07
increase in heavy truck traffic coming up and
25:09
down their roadways and that's adding to, you
25:13
know, summertime cottage traffic and whatnot
25:15
going up and down 41. And there's a pretty big
25:18
speed discrepancy between cars going up and down
25:21
the road and then heavy equipment like tractors
25:23
and what you might be pulling. They've seen the
25:25
signs in neighboring municipalities. I know Tainanaga
25:27
has them on some of their roads and Napanee has
25:29
them on a couple of our roads like Meach Road.
25:31
So they'd seen them and they knew they were out
25:33
there and they asked specifically if we could
25:34
help. Kaiser noted the area in question and spoke
25:37
about a previous concern raised. When you turn
25:39
north on 41 from the 401. That's a key spot where
25:43
we believe it's warranted as soon as you leave
25:45
Napanee or even north of Selby that those farms
25:48
that are using that road, we had another farmer
25:51
who expressed a concern a few years ago. closer
25:53
to Napanee because of a closure of a small municipal
25:58
road that he was forced to go out on 41 and come
26:01
back in just to get to the north end of his farm,
26:03
which was on the other side of a creek. Director
26:04
of Parks, Recreation and Culture with the town
26:06
of Greater Napanee, Chris Brown, explained that
26:09
the Traffic Advisory Committee wouldn't support
26:11
signs that are unwarranted. Brown spoke about
26:13
his suggestion for new signage. I think treating
26:16
all of our roads equally is the fundamentals
26:20
of what we do. And just putting signs up that
26:23
are unwarranted aren't really supported by TAC
26:26
or staff. But what I would be recommending to
26:29
do is more of an information campaign and working
26:32
with our communications department, creating
26:34
not quite a billboard size, but the size for
26:38
our reconstruction, like a four by four, four
26:40
by eight signage and doing an information about
26:44
agriculture and including the slow moving vehicle
26:47
sign and Notifying residents that there are a
26:50
lot of farm equipment in the area Brown went
26:52
on to speak about the need for a safety study
26:55
after reviewing this back through attack minutes
26:58
as well as with other municipalities at the county
27:01
level the signs that we discussed Are typically
27:05
used and warranted at certain certain specific
27:08
criteria safety restrictions sightlines That's
27:11
that sort of thing. So I think that staff need
27:15
to complete like a safety audit of the area to
27:17
ensure that proper signage as approved by our
27:21
policy which is using the OTM book five and book
27:23
six manuals from the province and if that if
27:26
those signs are warranted we'll install those
27:28
signs. Brown explained how the new signs might
27:30
work. If we move that say two weeks or four weeks
27:34
around to different farming areas. And we would
27:37
have to work with the agricultural society to
27:40
get a list of participants of farmers that want
27:43
to participate. We could one, do a safety message
27:46
of here's where the signage today. And here's
27:50
what that farmer in the area produces and offers.
27:53
And where can you find it locally? Kaiser spoke
27:55
about possibilities for the signage. It actually
27:58
fits really well with sort of our mandate, which
28:00
is promoting agriculture, but also we're an advocacy
28:03
group for agriculture. We have produced some
28:05
signs that we've installed on field edges that
28:09
say, you know, this is a field of soybeans. This
28:10
is what it's used for and whatnot. But I think
28:13
work on this sort of education and awareness
28:15
campaign, which kind of covers a lot more than
28:17
just the road safe. maybe we can hit some targeted
28:20
areas. Councillor Brian Calver noted the importance
28:22
of road signage for safety. The amount of traffic
28:25
is really, really increasing and so whatever
28:28
we can do to kind of help things out a little
28:30
bit because you've got cottagers, you've got
28:33
Airbnbs all over the place, you've got a lot
28:35
of people coming from cities, coming from different
28:38
countries to visit that aren't aware of these
28:41
big pieces of equipment. they don't stop on a
28:44
dime. So whatever we can do to get it out there
28:48
and let people know to try to help and save,
28:51
it's a good thing for sure. Deputy Warden Tony
28:54
Fritch noted safety as a priority. If you're
28:56
on one of those roads, you pray every time you
28:59
pull the tractor out and you thank the Lord every
29:03
time you pull back in your driveway. So it's
29:05
just about that simple. For Amherst Island Radio
29:08
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
29:10
Evans. This is North Shore News. Catarock Way
29:24
Conservation is looking to restore nearly 23
29:26
hectares of degraded meadow to functional native
29:29
grassland habitat at the south end of Lemoyne
29:31
Point Conservation Area. Previous monitoring
29:34
of the site identified nesting pairs of both
29:36
bobalink and eastern meadowlark, two native bird
29:39
species listed as threatened under the Federal
29:41
Species at Risk Act. However, extensive encroachment
29:44
by gray dogwood and other shrub species had reduced
29:47
habitat suitability. The project will look to
29:49
reestablish a structurally native grass and forb
29:52
community for bobalink, eastern meadowlark, and
29:54
other native ground nesting grassland species
29:57
and pollinators. According to Cataraqui Conservation,
29:59
the restoration plan for this project has been
30:01
designed in accordance with the Migratory Birds
30:03
Convention Act and Species Conservation Act.
30:06
It will prioritize long -term habitat function
30:08
and ecological resilience, ensuring the restored
30:11
meadow develops the vegetation structure and
30:13
plant diversity required to support breeding
30:15
grassland birds. The timeline for the project
30:17
has been designed to have the least amount of
30:19
disturbance for species at risk. The project
30:21
will run until spring of 2027. The work has been
30:24
structured using an integrated pest management
30:26
approach. A range of available methodologies
30:29
have been combined to most effectively restore
30:31
the grassland habitat at the south end of Lemoyne
30:33
Point Conservation Area. The goal is to minimize
30:36
negative environmental impacts and use only the
30:38
minimum amount of chemical intervention necessary
30:40
to successfully remove gray dogwood and establish
30:43
the native grassland ecosystem. Certain activities
30:45
will require restricting access to the project
30:47
area and surrounding trail network. Restrictions
30:50
and closures will be limited to a few hours or
30:52
a few days. Closures will be posted on social
30:54
media and signage will be placed in parking areas
30:57
and trails to notify visitors. Cataract Way Conservation
31:00
notes the project will ultimately enhance biodiversity,
31:03
provide critical habitat to threatened species,
31:05
as well as improve the site's overall resilience
31:07
to climate change and invasive species. For Amherst
31:10
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
31:13
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
31:25
Township Council agreed to proclaim October 21st,
31:28
2026 as the 26th Annual Child Care Worker and
31:31
Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day. The
31:34
day is in recognition of the education, dedication,
31:37
and commitment of child care workers to children,
31:39
their families, and quality of life within their
31:41
community. The proclamation request noted that
31:44
trained and knowledgeable registered early childhood
31:46
educators are the key to quality in early years
31:49
and child care programs. It stated that early
31:51
learning and child care promotes the well -being
31:54
of and responds to the needs of families as well
31:56
as the broader community by supporting quality
31:58
of life. Each year, the day is proclaimed by
32:01
the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care,
32:03
the Canadian Union of Public Employees, as well
32:06
as municipalities and school boards across Ontario.
32:09
The day is marked by hundreds of child care centres,
32:11
unions and allies. Councillor Paul Broderick
32:14
showed his support for proclaiming the day. Having
32:16
spent 30 years in education, this is a... core
32:20
group both within the school system and within
32:23
child care that are vastly underpaid and underappreciated
32:27
at times, but their contribution to youth is,
32:30
it can't be measured. For Amherst Island Radio
32:33
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
32:35
Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township
32:48
will be recognizing October 10th, 2026 as National
32:51
Dental Care Day. Council heard from founder of
32:54
the day, Dr. Raj Kanuja, who spoke about the
32:56
importance of improving access to oral health
32:58
care. Kanuja explains how and why he started
33:01
the initiative. National Dental Care Day started
33:04
from one simple moment. Years ago, I met a single
33:08
mother who was living with severe dental pain.
33:11
She avoided treatment because she could not afford
33:14
it. She told me she was saving every dollar she
33:18
had so she could keep a promise to buy used hockey
33:21
equipment for her child. She chose her child
33:25
over herself. That moment stayed with me because
33:28
dental pain is not just about teeth. It affects
33:32
confidence, sleep, work, mental health. and dignity.
33:37
That is why National Dental Care Day was created.
33:40
Kanuja speaks about how the initiative has grown
33:42
and notes numbers from last year. What started
33:46
as one free dental day has now grown into a national
33:50
movement after 13 years of volunteer care. Last
33:54
year alone, 219 Canadians received care across
33:58
the country through volunteer clinics. and professionals.
34:02
National Dental Care Day was proclaimed by 25
34:05
municipalities, three premiers, and two lieutenant
34:09
governors. It was also spoken about in the Senate
34:12
of Canada by Senator Muhammad Iqbal Rawalia and
34:17
entered into the Hansard parliamentary record.
34:20
National Dental Care Day mobilizes volunteer
34:23
dental professionals, students, clinics, educators
34:26
and community partners across Canada to provide
34:28
essential dental care to underserved individuals
34:31
and families without cost, barriers or judgment.
34:34
The initiative emphasizes the importance of oral
34:36
health as an essential component of overall health
34:39
and well -being. Kanuja explains the importance
34:41
of bringing National Dental Care Day to more
34:43
communities. The need for dental care is not
34:46
limited to one city or one region. It exists
34:50
in every community. Dentistry is expensive. and
34:54
not being able to afford care forces many people
34:57
to live in pain, lose teeth, hide their smile,
35:02
and lose confidence and dignity. For Amherst
35:05
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
35:08
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The
35:20
Bath Museum and Visitor Center is welcoming the
35:22
community back for another season of Culture
35:24
Talks, a speaker series celebrating history,
35:27
heritage, and storytelling. Hosted at the museum,
35:29
the series brings together local historians,
35:31
musicians, and researchers who share unique perspectives
35:34
on the region's history. Held on the third Monday
35:36
of the month from 6 to 7 p .m., culture talks
35:39
offer an opportunity to explore fascinating cultural
35:41
topics in an intimate setting. Tickets are $5
35:44
per person and seating is limited. Monday, September
35:47
28th at 6 p .m. Stephen Bruce Med will be presenting
35:50
a combination of song ballads and storytelling.
35:52
The evening will cover historical events and
35:54
people in pre -Confederation Canada, including
35:56
indigenous connections, French explorers, loyalist
35:59
refugees of the American Revolution, the War
36:01
of 1812, and more. Stephen Bruce Med is a performing
36:05
of historical ballads and spiritual songs. His
36:08
songs are inspired by Canadian history, the remote
36:10
and beautiful landscapes he explored as a geologist,
36:13
and social issues of the day. Monday, October
36:15
26th at 6 p .m., Phil Norton will be telling
36:18
his 2021 bicycle camping journey from Prince
36:20
Edward County to the Mexican border. Repeating
36:23
a journey he did in 1979 and 1980 as a 22 -year
36:26
-old, Norton set off again in 2021 at the age
36:29
of 63. Norton tells personal stories about his
36:32
adventure combined with the geography and people
36:34
he met along the way. Culture Talks take place
36:36
at the Bath Museum, located at 434 Main Street
36:39
in Bath. Tickets for each talk can be purchased
36:42
online. For more information about Culture Talks
36:44
and other upcoming programs, visit loyalist .ca
36:47
slash events. For Amherst Island Radio and the
36:50
Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This
36:53
is North Shore News. This has been North Shore
36:57
News and Interviews. If you have an idea for
37:00
a story or want to create stories for the show,
37:04
consider joining our volunteer team. Contact
37:07
Amherst Island Radio for more details.