Latest / North Shore News / February 26th, 2026

Transcript

February 26th, 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's Township Council heard
0:29
a presentation about two formal complaints alleging
0:32
that Councillor Jake Ennis contravened the Township's
0:34
Code of Conduct while supporting the appeal of
0:36
a recent ward boundary bylaw. The Final Integrity
0:39
Report found that Ennis did not contravene the
0:42
code. In May 2025, Council enacted a bylaw to
0:45
establish a new ward boundary configuration.
0:48
The bylaw was then appealed to the Ontario Land
0:50
Tribunal by a township resident, and in December
0:52
2025, the tribunal repealed the bylaw. Integrity
0:56
Commissioner with Aird and Burlesse LLP John
0:59
Mascarin explained the complaints. There were
1:02
two complaints that were filed on September the
1:06
17th and 18th. They were formal complaints. filed
1:10
under the Code of Conduct. Both complaints raised
1:15
virtually identical allegations against the Councillor.
1:19
They asserted that he contravened two sections,
1:22
sections 2 .2 and section 4 .1h of the Code,
1:27
by publicly opposing the bylaw and actively supporting
1:33
the appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Specifically,
1:40
the complaints allege that the counselor promoted
1:43
fundraising efforts, including a GoFundMe campaign,
1:46
to finance the appeal of the bylaw before the
1:50
tribunal. There are allegations that the complainant,
1:55
sorry, that the councillor attempted to find
1:58
a straw person to file the appeal and that his
2:04
wife led the fundraising efforts. The complainants
2:08
asserted that the councillor member's conduct
2:11
in doing all of these things demonstrated a lack
2:16
of respect for council's decision -making process.
2:20
and amounted to a covert attempt to undermine
2:23
a council decision that he did not support. Ms.
2:27
Guerin talked about their decision making process.
2:30
We refer to the standard of proof. It's on a
2:34
civil standard, which is a balance of probabilities.
2:39
So it's not like a criminal standard where it's
2:42
beyond a reasonable doubt. All we have to do
2:44
is find that we believe that the member may be
2:48
more likely than not have contravened the code
2:51
and we could find a contravention. In this case,
2:56
we did not find that. We found that it was the
2:59
opposite. Our review of the materials and the
3:03
evidence appear to point to the member being
3:06
entitled to do what he did without contravening
3:10
the code. Ms. Guerin talked about another case
3:12
that influenced their decision. One of the main
3:15
reasons that we've made our determination is
3:19
based on an Ontario divisional court decision
3:22
in Jubinville versus Chatham -Kent and that involved
3:27
a decision of the of the municipality of Chatham
3:33
-Kent and Councillor Jubinville fighting against
3:37
the decision and continuing to disagree with
3:40
the decision afterwards. That was brought before
3:47
the integrity commissioner in Chatham -Kent.
3:52
The integrity commissioner made a determination
3:55
on a provision that is very, very similar to
4:00
the one that is at play in this matter. And in
4:04
that case, the integrity commissioner felt that
4:06
Councillor Jubinville's efforts to fight against
4:11
the decision of council to seek an overturning
4:15
of council's decision was wrong and unreasonable.
4:20
And that went to court. And the court said the
4:24
integrity commissioner's determination was itself
4:28
unreasonable and overturned the decision. Ms.
4:32
Garan explains why this case may be even stronger.
4:35
In this particular case, it's an even stronger
4:39
indication because there is an as of right appeal
4:44
to any person to be able to file an appeal. We
4:48
believe that the determination in Jubinville
4:53
aligns very, very closely. to this particular
4:58
instance. And in fact, this case may be even
5:02
stronger because there is an as of right appeal
5:05
to bring forward an appeal to the Ontario Land
5:10
Tribunal from a ward boundary review bylaw. Ms.
5:15
Scarin detailed their final conclusion. Our ultimate
5:18
determination is that Councillor Innis did not
5:22
breach the code of conduct section 4 .1 H and
5:28
that is our determination. We did not feel that
5:32
he disrespected counsel's decision. He had a
5:35
different view and he attempted to use his rights
5:40
at law to counter that, whether it was working
5:44
with someone and helping forward with the matter.
5:51
Our conclusion is on a balance of probabilities.
5:55
We are not satisfied that Councillor Anas failed
5:59
to respect Council's decision -making process
6:02
in accordance with the specific wording of the
6:06
of the code of conduct. His conduct consisted
6:10
solely of publicly expressing disagreement and
6:13
supporting a lawful appeal process and perhaps
6:17
efforts to propagate a different view from council.
6:22
And it speaks about the importance of the decision.
6:25
I think the commissioner's decision is an important
6:28
one. It offers needed clarity on the code for
6:32
members and for members of the public. I think
6:36
the opportunity probably exists or may exist
6:39
for Loyalist staff and council at some point
6:43
in the future to consider updating Loyalist Code
6:46
of Conduct to ensure that its language is clear
6:49
and current in light of this decision and in
6:52
comparison to the codes of other municipalities.
6:55
I think it's worth noting that it's not just
6:58
this complainant that had this notion that once
7:02
council makes a decision, counselors are compelled
7:04
to agree with it or remain silent. I can remember
7:07
doing AMO introduction to being a counselor type
7:12
training in my first year and the instructor
7:15
there referred to the same old notion. Even then,
7:19
I didn't obviously agree with the notion. For
7:23
me, it was clear and it's clear that I did not
7:26
run for counsel to remain silent when I disagree
7:29
with the majority of counselor and for counsel
7:31
too. in my view, represent the public interest.
7:34
I think this decision and the related OLT or
7:39
bylaw decision are two important positives for
7:43
the advancement of democratic principles in Loyalist
7:46
Township. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
7:49
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
7:53
North Shore News. While ALTO looks to bring a
8:04
high -speed train through rural parts of Ontario,
8:07
a citizen -led committee in the area has been
8:09
compiling concerns and complaints from area residents.
8:12
The committee, Save South Frontenac, has a group
8:14
on Facebook and a website where residents can
8:16
voice their concerns. Mainly, the committee is
8:19
against the idea of bringing the high -speed
8:20
train through the area altogether. They also
8:23
voice concerns about property rights, environmental
8:25
impacts, and noise levels. ALTO is currently
8:28
looking for public input about the project with
8:30
ways to participate on their website. They say
8:32
they're committed to working with communities
8:34
to identify potential impacts and address them
8:36
through design and mitigation. The company also
8:39
noted the importance of the participation and
8:41
involvement of indigenous peoples at every stage
8:43
to support the federal government's commitment
8:45
to advance reconciliation. With trains reaching
8:48
speeds of 300 kilometers per hour or more on
8:51
approximately 1 ,000 kilometers of mainly electrified
8:53
tracks, Alto claims it will connect millions
8:56
of people living along the Toronto to Quebec
8:58
City corridor. The company says its priority
9:00
is to minimize impacts on private property by
9:02
following existing corridors, such as highways,
9:06
railways, utility corridors, and lot lines whenever
9:08
possible. Once an alignment is defined, the company
9:11
says it will be able to identify the properties
9:13
that could be involved. Katie Koopman, one of
9:15
the committee leaders, spoke about their concerns.
9:18
Our concern as citizens of this community we
9:22
love has a lot to do with how the building of
9:27
such a project will affect both people and place.
9:31
People in terms of having properties, expropriated
9:35
livelihoods. devastated the use and enjoyment
9:40
of the spaces we love, the trail systems like
9:44
the Cataraqui trail, but then also the idea of
9:47
place. We move here for a reason, for peace,
9:51
for some quiet and to raise children and what
9:56
we might think is a safer environment to be more
10:00
integrated into nature. And so we think about
10:03
how this project is going to devastate the Frontenac
10:07
Arch Biosphere, which is a UNESCO heritage site.
10:14
The idea of this has stirred a lot of emotions,
10:18
including grief, thinking about the loss of all
10:21
of this. And listening to community members share
10:26
their stories with us as a committee, people
10:29
are losing sleep. They're not sure if they should
10:34
be renovating their house. They're worried about
10:38
losing investments. And so what our community
10:41
or our committee is trying to do is to create
10:47
a platform for South Frontenac residents to be
10:52
able to voice their opinions and their concerns,
10:58
but also to provide advocacy tools. to make some
11:01
noise and let the government know that this is
11:05
not acceptable by us. Koopman spoke about Alto's
11:08
public consultation process. They were only hosting
11:12
open houses in the cities that were going to
11:15
get an actual stop or station. So we made some
11:19
noise and they heard us and they honored a request,
11:22
which was great, to have an open house here in
11:26
South Frontenac. Gord Bolton and I are committee
11:29
leads of, say, South Frontenac. So we have phone
11:33
chats almost every single day. looking at what
11:35
our, you know, re -evaluating what our role and
11:38
goal is, purpose as a committee, how we can extend
11:41
our reach. I reached out personally to Peter
11:46
Paz from Alto and they were very receptive of
11:51
our idea. Coopman detailed the outcome of the
11:54
committee's meeting with Alto and spoke about
11:56
their experience at Alto's open house in South
11:58
Frontenac. We had a meeting and their team was
12:02
very receptive. allowing for us to not even just
12:07
bridge that sort of divide and share space, but
12:11
also to have free range. We were able to conduct
12:14
our own survey with community members. We were
12:17
able to identify ourselves as Save South Frontenac
12:22
team members at the event. to be able to engage
12:27
freely and to also put our own posters up advertising
12:32
our own open house. It was very cordial. The
12:36
turnout was. Impressive. There was probably close
12:40
to 600 people that went through the first half,
12:43
I think, is what I heard. Alto noted where property
12:47
rights are required for the project, owners will
12:49
be compensated at market value for the property
12:51
being acquired, as well as for potential losses
12:54
and reasonable third -party fees incurred. Noting
12:57
concerns about environmental impacts, Alto said
12:59
the project will be subject to a federal impact
13:01
assessment that will evaluate environmental effects
13:04
and mitigation measures before any final alignment.
13:06
The company also noted that field studies are
13:09
underway to establish baseline noise levels and
13:12
additional data will be collected as route selection
13:14
progresses. Kingston City Council recently voted
13:17
9 -2 in support of having the high speed rail
13:19
built in Kingston with a local station added
13:21
to the line. But as council discussed the proposal
13:23
and heard from senior representatives of Alto,
13:26
support grew for a new route along the Highway
13:28
401 corridor. The company told Kingston City
13:31
Council that the current public consultation
13:32
period is part of a development phase that is
13:35
set to last until to the federal government the
13:40
final decision to con not. Koopman spoke abou
13:45
decision. Their tone at t brought some relief.
13:50
I thi understand the implicat that could harm
13:58
their nor they started to take that in their
14:05
current position on where a train should be located.
14:10
We know that Kingston needs reliable rail. We
14:14
want to take advantage of that ourselves, but
14:17
we want the least impact possible and the maximum
14:21
benefit. Because if there was a train that went
14:24
through the southern corridor, South Frontenac
14:27
residents will not benefit at all. We will be
14:31
in the loss. For Amherst Island Radio and the
14:34
Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This
14:37
is North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council
14:49
agreed to support Quinty Conservation in applying
14:51
for funding from the Green Municipal Fund as
14:54
part of Growing Canada's Community Canopies Initiative.
14:57
Outreach and Stewardship Coordinator with Quinty
14:59
Conservation, Lindsay Nash, explains what the
15:01
organization is looking to do with the funding.
15:04
Quinty Conservation, alongside the Quinty Urban
15:07
Forest Network, is proposing to be the lead applicant
15:10
for the GMF fund. By doing this, we are providing
15:15
our 18 member municipalities the option to leverage
15:20
funding and staff support. for planting projects,
15:24
both existing and proposed, as long as the trees
15:28
haven't been planted by the time that we obtain
15:31
the funds. So as lead, Queenie Conservation will
15:35
focus on planting a diverse range of native tree
15:38
and shrub species. Nash spoke about what Queenie
15:41
Conservation expects from its partners. Queenie
15:43
Conservation's expectations in working with municipal
15:47
partners and private interest groups would include
15:50
a letter of support from council, a financial
15:52
contribution of 50%, a tree planting budget with
15:55
the source of funding identified, the identification
15:58
of existing and proposed programs, so I can apply
16:02
it to the grant. And then identification of sites
16:06
where an increase in tree canopy would be beneficial
16:09
either on private or public lands and any data
16:12
or current tree canopy studies to support or
16:15
identify the need for trees. So in exchange,
16:18
Queenie Conservation will coordinate administrative
16:20
and logistical aspects of the application. We
16:23
will assist with leveraging additional funding
16:25
where possible. We'll act as a liaison between
16:28
municipalities, local interest groups, and the
16:31
funders. and then we will also submit the final
16:34
reporting. Nash explained the application timeline.
16:37
My timeline for this grant is right now I'm going
16:41
to municipal councils to obtain support to apply
16:45
it as lead applicant. This is important because
16:48
I cannot apply for this grant as lead without
16:51
support of council. We can partner with other
16:55
private interest groups like schools. Rotary,
17:00
stewardship councils, churches, those kinds of
17:03
groups who usually do tree planting projects
17:07
regularly. So by the end of March is when I'd
17:11
be looking for municipalities to respond to me
17:13
with project participation and a general project
17:17
outline what they want to do and what they have
17:20
going on. And then by the end of April, I'm planning
17:23
on formally applying for the fund with a professionally
17:26
reviewed planting plan and an urban forestry
17:29
grant coach, which would be supplied by the GMF
17:33
fund. Nash went on to note when things would
17:35
move forward. So there's about a six to eight
17:38
month waiting period. after applying before hearing
17:42
back, which would put us at tree planting for
17:45
fall of 2026 or spring of 2027. Now we do have
17:50
a period of two years before to use up the grant.
17:53
So we do have a little bit of wiggle room in
17:55
that regard. And then for the following years,
17:58
we would maintain and monitor the planted trees.
18:01
Nash spoke about eligible initiatives under the
18:03
grant. Funding opportunities are for long term
18:07
and permanent tree tree planting and forestry
18:10
intention and it's actually a really wide range
18:13
of tree planting projects that would qualify
18:17
for this grant and that includes street tree
18:19
planting, urban planting, park tree planting,
18:23
riparian planting, forest restoration, and reforestation
18:27
on both public and private lands. A maintenance
18:31
plan and a survival assessment report are required
18:34
following each project. So as long as they can
18:37
be assessed after planting, then that would make
18:41
it eligible. Nash noted why it makes sense to
18:44
work with a number of municipalities. So this
18:46
is a 50 % match cost share grant with a minimum
18:50
project cost of $50 ,000. Now, a lot of our municipalities
18:55
and private interest groups don't have $50 ,000
18:57
to put forth for tree planting, which is the
19:01
benefit of all grouping together for this grant.
19:05
So half of the budget would be covered by the
19:08
GMF fund, and the other half could come from
19:10
either municipal budget. Other funds could come
19:13
from private interest groups that may do fundraising.
19:17
And other grants, we can stack grants as long
19:21
as they're not funded by the Two Billion Trees
19:24
program or Trees Canada. Nash explained why tree
19:27
planting initiatives are good for the community.
19:29
Implementing a watershed -wide tree planting
19:32
initiative through different levels of partnership
19:34
creates capacity for the community to work together
19:37
while supporting climate resilience close to
19:40
home. There's many benefits to planting trees,
19:44
specifically climate resiliency through flood
19:46
retention, which is a big interest of Queenie
19:50
Conservation. But then trees also provide many
19:53
other benefits, including reducing carbon dioxide
19:56
from the air and producing oxygen, which is good
20:00
for physical health. Trees reduce heat island
20:03
effects in urban areas. They cool buildings in
20:05
the summer with shade and provide wind breaks
20:07
to buildings in the winter. Connecting with nature
20:10
and trees improves mental health. And planting
20:13
a diverse native tree species promotes healthy
20:17
soils. and habitats for a wide range of insects,
20:20
birds, and mammals that reside in the Quinty
20:23
area specifically. So this aligns really well
20:26
with Quinty Conservation's vision to advance
20:29
watershed knowledge and collective actions to
20:32
strengthen our natural ecosystems. For Amherst
20:35
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
20:38
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Greater
20:50
Napanee Council ended its 30 -day review period
20:53
for their 2026 budget at a special meeting, therefore
20:56
adopting the new budget. Staff's report noted
20:58
a 5 .8 % tax increase for 2026, with the levy
21:02
totaling just over $17 .3 million. As a part
21:05
of the 2026 budget process, staff were required
21:08
to follow the new strong mayor legislation. Under
21:11
this legislation, the mayor has a responsibility
21:13
to introduce a proposed budget to council and
21:15
the community by February 1st. Council then has
21:18
30 days to review and make changes. Council can
21:21
shorten this period by resolution if they're
21:23
done making changes, and at the end of the revision
21:25
period, the budget is deemed adopted and does
21:28
not require a bylaw or resolution to put it into
21:31
effect. Treasurer of IT and Financial Services
21:33
with the town, Ellen Hamill, spoke about staff's
21:36
work on the budget. Overall, given the circumstances
21:38
that the municipality had faced throughout the
21:39
budget year, we were quite pleased with the ways
21:42
that the budget had come together. We think we've
21:44
covered a lot of needs that the municipality
21:46
had in 2026, primarily in our capital. Our operating
21:50
is really just trying to maintain status quo
21:52
while incorporating the overall budget pressures
21:56
that come with that. We're all seeing that in
21:57
our day to day and our costs just continue to
21:59
rise. So operating. was really just status quo,
22:03
while capital saw some good investment into our
22:07
assets that were in need of replacement. Mayor
22:10
Terry Richardson spoke about the budget and projects
22:12
they were able to fund. It was very easy to understand,
22:16
and we covered a lot of ground in this budget.
22:20
We've increased our heavy fleet is something
22:22
that we had to do. But in the same time, we've
22:24
also been able to do some fun stuff, which is
22:27
to redo. A soccer pitch, which has been long
22:31
overdue, which we've talked about for the last
22:32
two or three years and haven't been able to do
22:34
it. And and the other thing is is in town trails.
22:38
We're going to create some in town trails, which
22:39
we've had a lot of conversations about. Hamill
22:42
explained the timeline of staff bringing the
22:44
budget to council. These presentations came after
22:46
a lot of collaboration and work between the finance
22:49
team, CLT and the mayor. And there were a number
22:52
of pre -budget reports that were given to members
22:54
of council to help ease some of the discussions
22:56
that we had on those days. During those meetings
22:59
council was presented with the operating and
23:02
capital budgets along with the enhancements that
23:04
were both included in the proposed budget but
23:06
also those that we were not able to include in
23:08
the proposed budget while trying to keep in line
23:10
with the mayor's budget directive and also keeping
23:13
the tax rate increase at a level that we felt
23:15
council would become comfortable with giving
23:17
the significant pressures that we were facing
23:20
this year. So in that budget proposal we had
23:23
an overall tax levy of $17 .3 million. dollars,
23:27
which resulted in a 5 .8 % tax increase. It is
23:32
worth noting that a large portion of that was
23:35
directly related to the cost of the OPP, while
23:38
the remainder highlighted the needs of the municipality.
23:40
The town's portion of the operating budget was
23:42
largely focused on maintaining our existing services,
23:46
while prioritizing health safety and our legal
23:48
requirements. The capital budget, on the other
23:50
hand, was funded The portion that was funded
23:53
through the levy saw significant investments
23:56
into fire services and replacements of our heavy
23:59
fleet and equipment, all which were well beyond
24:02
their useful life. Under the new strong mayor
24:04
legislation, staff worked closely with the mayor
24:06
to draft the 2026 proposed budget presented to
24:09
council in January. Hamill explained more of
24:12
this process. In addition to the capital levy,
24:15
the budget also included a number of projects
24:17
that didn't come directly from the taxpayer.
24:20
And that was a request that also come out of
24:22
the mayor's budget directive. So we looked at
24:25
ways to include investments that didn't hit the
24:28
levy and didn't hit the taxpayers directly. And
24:30
some of those included. upgrades to the soccer
24:33
field, the in -town trail development, and revitalization
24:37
of Market Square. So those were funded through
24:39
things like non -tax revenues like DC's reserves,
24:43
dedicated parkland funds, and the sale of underutilized
24:47
lands and properties. As an amendment to the
24:49
proposed budget, Councillor Bill Martin asked
24:51
that the town add $3 ,000 to the Waste Diversion
24:54
Advisory Committee's operating budget to enable
24:56
the committee to engage in waste diversion promotion,
24:59
education, and engagement efforts. Martin explained
25:02
his request. The reason I asked to have this
25:05
put back into the budget is that our Waste Diversion
25:08
Committee has various projects in mind to try
25:12
to get people into recycling mode a little more
25:15
and possibly a composting situation and also
25:19
just to educate people on the new recycling system
25:22
and if we can get more recycling out of garbage.
25:25
Martin explained why $3 ,000 would be worth it
25:28
for the town. Basically, what I'm saying is I'd
25:32
appreciate it if council would look at this not
25:34
as an expense item, but as an investment in the
25:38
community. It doesn't affect the levy because
25:41
I'm proposing that it comes out of the stabilization
25:44
reserve fund. $3 ,000 is a small amount, and
25:49
it's going to show a return as far as I'm...
25:53
I can almost guarantee council that it's going
25:55
to show a return in the long run. I know our
25:58
waste diversion committee has spent hundreds
26:00
and hundreds of hours researching, making contacts
26:05
with other communities. And if we can get more
26:08
out of garbage, more into recycling, our bill
26:13
at the end of each quarter or each month, I'm
26:15
not sure what we get billed at, but would be
26:18
more just because our weights are going to decrease.
26:20
That's what we've been working on. We need the
26:23
three thousand dollars in the budget. Like I
26:25
say, for educational purposes, we need to need
26:28
that to achieve our goals of waste diversion.
26:32
Mayor Terry Richardson showed his support for
26:34
the request, which was ultimately approved. The
26:36
timing on this is probably probably very good
26:39
with the change in the recycling process that
26:43
we have, not just in this municipality, but in
26:45
the province as well. So many. help that we can
26:48
get to to try and get that message out. I think
26:50
this is probably not a bad thing. After the town's
26:52
January budget meetings, a 2026 budget consultation
26:55
page on Let's Talk Greater Napanee was launched.
26:58
According to staff, there were no questions or
27:01
comments submitted by the public. For Amherst
27:03
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
27:06
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The
27:18
Southeast Health Unit office in Napanee will
27:20
be continuing its lease in a smaller capacity
27:23
at a lesser rate. Originally, they were going
27:25
to close at the end of March. The health unit
27:27
has now agreed to reduce their footprint within
27:29
the building by approximately 75 percent. As
27:31
their lease agreement is based on square footage
27:33
occupied, this has reduced their rent from approximately
27:36
$1 ,825 to $430 for the final 20 months of the
27:41
agreement term. The town's clerk, Jessica Walters,
27:44
explains why staff believe this is in the best
27:46
interest for the commun - In short, the health
27:49
unit is now, they had initially given us a notice
27:51
of termination effective March 31st. The budget
27:55
was presented on the assumption that they would
27:57
no longer be in there after that date. They have
28:00
subsequently submitted a request to continue
28:03
their lease but on amended terms with a reduced
28:05
footprint in the building and therefore reduced
28:07
cost. Staff believe this is in the best interest
28:10
of the community because it would let us maintain
28:13
the vaccine clinics and the fridge for well water
28:16
testing and any other services they might wish
28:20
to offer there through that office space. CAO
28:23
Matthew Grant explains the reduction in space
28:25
and why he supports them staying open. Myself,
28:28
Mr. Brown and Ms. Walters met with the public
28:32
health team and so it does represent a significantly
28:35
reduced footprint within the building. It's essentially
28:40
a room to keep the vaccines as well as the front
28:45
reception area. As a building tenant, it still
28:48
allows them access to the large meeting space
28:52
to run vaccine clinics. I'm quite supportive
28:57
of it. I do know that the public health unit
29:00
has had some challenges to navigate since they've
29:05
merged the different units into one single unit.
29:09
And so as they're looking to reduce costs wherever
29:13
they can, this was a way they felt they could
29:15
do that while still maintaining service to the
29:19
community. and generally this results in people
29:22
not having to travel to Kingston for vaccines
29:25
and I think that's where the win is for residents.
29:28
Councillor Bill Martin expressed a concern he
29:30
had about neighbouring communities using the
29:32
service. I think we have to do it just to maintain
29:35
the services to our residents but it concerns
29:38
me that we're always asked to pay for a service
29:41
for other communities because this is going to
29:44
be used by more than just Napanee residents.
29:48
It's going to be, you know, it's Kingston, Frontenac,
29:50
LNA, Prince Edward County, you know, so I'm concerned
29:54
about that part of it actually that we're paying,
29:57
our taxpayers are paying for a service for other
30:00
communities. But like I said, I don't want our
30:03
residents to lose any services either. Grant
30:06
noted the benefits and said they wouldn't be
30:08
paying for other municipalities. I don't know
30:10
that we're necessarily paying us for other municipalities.
30:14
I think the benefit is maintenance of vaccine
30:17
clinics here, which will primarily be for our
30:19
residents. I would say the only benefit other
30:22
municipalities may be getting is that the vaccine
30:27
supply chain in this immediate area of 41 and
30:31
the like will come through Napanee. But I don't
30:34
anticipate that other municipalities will be
30:36
getting a direct benefit from the use of our
30:39
space other than that. Mayor Terry Richardson
30:41
showed his support for the health unit staying
30:43
open, but noted a concern as well. I'm hopeful
30:46
that our staff aren't going to do any more than
30:48
what they're doing now. Obviously, the concern
30:52
is if it's not staffed five days a week, there's
30:54
a possibility there, but I'm sure Mr. Grant and
30:57
the senior leadership team will be monitoring
30:59
that fairly closely. And it's a little bit refreshing
31:01
in the fact that the Health Unit has now realized
31:04
that it's important to have a brick and mortar
31:07
type of facility within our community that you
31:09
just cannot do it remotely. For Amherst Island
31:12
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
31:15
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The Farmers
31:28
Market at Market Square in Napanee will have
31:30
a covering thanks to the Rotary Club of Napanee.
31:33
The structure comes as a gift from the club to
31:35
the town. Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture
31:38
with the Town of Greater Napanee, Chris Brown,
31:41
spoke about the Rotary Club's plans and the timeline
31:43
for the project. They are seeking to work with
31:45
Town Council and staff as well as the Market
31:47
Square Advisory Committee to develop plans and
31:50
fundraise for a structure to be erected outside
31:52
at the back of Town Hall. on the portion of the
31:55
property off Centre Street to provide a cover
31:57
slash roof over the section that is earmarked
31:59
for the farmers market and other activities.
32:02
Town staff have met with the Rotary Club on multiple
32:04
occasions, bounced some feedback back and forth.
32:08
This covered roof would be the Rotary Club's
32:11
gift to the Town to underscore their club's centennial
32:15
year in 2026. Rotary Club intends to contribute
32:19
a minimum of 125 ,000 over the course of five
32:23
years, which is very exciting. The next step,
32:27
so both parties agree to aim for a construction
32:30
start date in late 2026 following consultation.
32:34
We're hopeful that we can get a lot of the design
32:36
work completed this year with a completion as
32:39
soon as reasonably practical. Brown detailed
32:41
how the process will take place. Once approved,
32:45
the MOU will influence design work, which will
32:48
be undertaken simultaneously with the Town Hall's
32:51
interior renovation project. As part of the design
32:54
process, many stakeholders, including the Market
32:57
Square Advisory Committee, the Heritage Committee,
33:00
Rotary Club of Napanee, and the LNA Chamber of
33:03
Commerce, will collaborate to bring a final recommendation
33:06
to Council for approval. When the design and
33:09
costing have been determined, the town and the
33:12
Rotary Club of Napanee will enter into a contribution
33:14
agreement that will finalize some of these terms
33:18
and conditions. Mayor Terry Richardson showed
33:20
his support for the project. This is an exciting
33:23
time when we started talking about the revitalization
33:26
of the market square. You know we weren't sure
33:29
where we were going with this but now all of
33:31
a sudden all the pieces are starting to fall
33:32
into place here so I think this would be a great
33:35
addition to the back of Town Hall and it's going
33:39
to complement our market which is hit the road
33:43
running this year so and only going to get better.
33:46
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
33:48
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
33:52
News. This February, the Lenox and Addington
34:02
County General Hospital Foundation invites the
34:05
community to express their gratitude and celebrate
34:07
the care provided by health care professionals
34:09
in the area through the Grateful Patient Program.
34:12
This program is a way to honor nurses, doctors,
34:14
technicians, and staff who make a difference
34:16
in patients' lives every day. All throughout
34:18
February, caregivers and teams that are chosen
34:20
to be recognized will have their name proudly
34:22
displayed on a heart on the Foundation office
34:25
window. Donations through the Grateful Patient
34:27
program directly support critical hospital needs,
34:29
such as new equipment and patient -focused improvements.
34:32
Past contributions have made a significant difference,
34:35
including upgrades to emergency department monitors
34:37
and enhancements to diagnostic imaging services.
34:40
Donations can be made online at www .lachfoundation
34:45
.com. donate -now, or by contacting the Foundation
34:50
office at 613 -354 -3301, extension 4400. Stories
34:57
about caregivers or a team who went above and
34:59
beyond can be shared by visiting lacghfoundation
35:03
.com slash stories. Participants in the Grateful
35:06
Patient program not only recognize the care they've
35:08
received, but also help ensure that the Lennox
35:10
and Addington County General Hospital continues
35:12
to provide top quality healthcare for everyone
35:14
in the community. This news story comes from
35:17
the Napanee Beav and the local journalism Nominations
35:34
are open for Loyalist Township Civic Awards until
35:36
Monday, March 9th, 2026. Residents are encouraged
35:40
to nominate a person or organization that deserves
35:42
to be celebrated for their meaningful contributions
35:45
to Loyalist Township. That includes community
35:47
champions or groups who have volunteered their
35:49
time and made a positive impact in the community
35:51
through projects, initiatives, events, or goodwill
35:54
service. The Township celebrates the impact of
35:56
volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and dedicated
35:59
individuals who shaped the heart of the community.
36:01
These champions lead the way whether it's by
36:03
organizing events that bring neighbors together,
36:05
mentoring youth to reach their full potential,
36:07
or driving environmental initiatives that protect
36:09
our natural spaces for future generations. Through
36:12
their passion and commitment, the township thrives
36:14
as a vibrant, welcoming, and resilient place
36:16
to live, work, and grow. Nominees must be a resident
36:19
of, business owner within, or directly serve
36:21
Loyalist Township. The same individual group
36:24
or non -profit organization can be nominated
36:26
for multiple categories, but will only receive
36:29
recognition for one award per year. Award categories
36:32
are Citizen of the Year, Junior Citizen of the
36:34
Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Organization
36:37
of the Year, and Resilient Community Award. Nominations
36:40
can be submitted online and applicants are encouraged
36:43
to provide thoughtful submissions that highlight
36:45
achievements and contributions. Eligibility requirements,
36:48
category criteria, and nomination forms are available
36:51
at www .loyalist .ca slash civic awards. This
36:56
news story comes from the Napanee Beaver. For
36:59
Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
37:01
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
37:04
News. A seasonal overnight parking reminder for
37:16
Loyalist's Township. From December 1 until March
37:19
31, 2026, parking is prohibited on any road or
37:23
street in Loyalist Township between 1 a .m. and
37:25
7 a .m. This restriction is in effect regardless
37:28
of weather conditions. Vehicles in violation
37:30
of this bylaw will be ticketed. For more information,
37:33
visit Loyalist .ca. For Amherst Island Radio
37:36
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
37:39
Evans. This is North Shore News. This has been
37:45
North Shore News and Interviews. If you have
37:48
an idea for a story, or want to create stories
37:51
for this show, consider joining our volunteer
37:54
team. Contact Amherst Island Radio for more details.