Latest / North Shore News / October 23rd, 2026

Transcript

October 23rd, 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. Department directors at Lenox and
0:26
Addington County have provided council with the
0:29
final six -month update for their strategic action
0:31
plans. Staff have prepared a document for the
0:34
incoming council to provide an overview of the
0:36
past four years of strategic work by the current
0:38
council. The plan noted that council will maintain
0:40
its long -term commitment of investing in capital
0:43
infrastructure and increase its current commitment
0:45
of investing an annual 2 % county budget levy
0:48
increase. Council will also remain dedicated
0:51
to addressing the shortage of safe and affordable
0:53
housing by investing in a housing needs assessment
0:55
to effectively guide affordable housing solutions.
0:58
The county is hoping to work with local municipalities
1:00
to develop two to three shovel -ready affordable
1:03
housing projects. CAO Brenda Orchard spoke about
1:06
the work staff has done. Strategic plan is one
1:08
thing, but action plans are important because
1:11
that's where the rubber meets the road. The staff
1:14
spent the summer creating detailed action plans.
1:17
And then we brought them back to council in the
1:19
fall to say, did we understand you correctly?
1:22
Because you can have some strategic plan statements
1:24
that are flowery with words, but what does it
1:26
really mean? And we share those action plans
1:30
with council to say, did we get it right? Did
1:32
we go too far? Did we not go too far enough?
1:36
and we had our action plans blessed by council.
1:39
Every six months we bring it back to say here's
1:42
our updates. We try to color code it green if
1:44
it's done, red if it's stopped, or yellow if
1:47
it's stalled for some reason. Deputy Warden Tony
1:50
Fritz noted the work that's been done over the
1:52
last four years. Going through that four years
1:55
it's been a great experience I think for us all
1:58
working together, the council and staff. and
2:02
I see an awful lot of these little green symbol
2:05
that says tasks completed on there and and some
2:08
a lot of green so you can only say that it looks
2:12
like there's some great progress has been made
2:14
in four years. Warden Jim Hagedorn commended
2:16
the work of staff. That's a huge amount of success
2:19
I believe for the county which staff have worked
2:24
very diligently to achieve. The next strategic
2:27
planning exercise will take place with the new
2:29
council in April 2027. For Amherst Island Radio
2:33
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
2:35
Evans. This is North Shore News. water sourcing,
3:09
and ground water, as well as agricultural and
3:11
transportation impacts. General Manager of Growth
3:14
and Infrastructure with the Town of Greater Napanee,
3:16
Michael Nobes, explains the reasoning behind
3:18
the proposed increase. The reasoning for this
3:21
was HydroStor went back and looked at the project
3:24
economics and felt that increasing the size of
3:28
the project capacity would probably show better
3:32
in the eyes of the ISO and likely have a higher
3:35
chance of success through the round of procurement.
3:37
Nob speaks about the proposed changes. The site
3:41
would increase modestly from an occupied footprint
3:45
of 80 acres to 95 acres. The agricultural impact
3:49
assessment that was completed contemplated up
3:52
to 100. acres of land for such use. So there's
3:58
no change in the findings of the agricultural
4:00
impact assessment that was supplied and reviewed
4:04
and concurred with previously under the 500 megawatt
4:07
proposal. But however, HydroStor's proposal is
4:11
to add effectively a fifth powertrain. NOBES
4:14
went on to describe the new proposal. Previously
4:16
it was four powertrains oriented in a north -south
4:20
fashion. The proposal now is to relocate those
4:25
power trains in an east -west fashion and push
4:27
them as far south on the property as possible.
4:30
So while adding additional capacity and potential
4:33
noise generating equipment, it's actually pushed
4:36
it back further from the sensitive receptors
4:39
in the vicinity and results in a very small net
4:43
decrease in off -site noise levels. Relocating
4:47
further south and adding that additional train
4:49
really ultimately doesn't have a result in a
4:53
change of the anticipated noise levels from the
4:56
development itself. Council received correspondence
4:58
at their September 22nd meeting expressing concern
5:01
regarding the potential noise effects associated
5:03
with existing and proposed energy infrastructure
5:05
in the southern area of the municipality. NOBE
5:08
spoke about noise levels including ambient noises
5:10
from other sites. It will ultimately be assessed
5:14
and reviewed. The issue that the Ministry sees
5:17
is They recognize that noise or they measure
5:22
that noise, but they might not have the ability
5:26
to require that development over there to make
5:29
a change to better this development over here,
5:31
because that development over there is compliant
5:34
as well. Councillor Michael Shank spoke about
5:35
the response to concerns about the noise. From
5:38
what I can see and what I've read and what HydroStore
5:41
has done, they have moved it back as far as they
5:44
can possibly move it back in that property. And...
5:46
They've mitigated any of the sound decibels that
5:49
you could, you know, that might come back, but
5:52
there's a site plan agreement anyway that goes
5:54
afterwards and that'll all be dealt with at that
5:57
time. I think they've covered pretty well everything
5:59
that you could have covered. The proposal ultimately
6:05
comes along with an increase to the community
6:08
benefits fund that was proposed by HarderStore.
6:12
This would result in an increase from approximately
6:16
$1 million annually to $1 .3 million annually
6:20
since the commitment of $2 ,000 per megawatt
6:23
of project capacity would be provided to the
6:27
town through community benefits funds. And previously,
6:31
as proposed by HydroStor and agreed to by Council,
6:34
between any project award by the ISO and commissioning,
6:38
$100 ,000 annually be provided to the town to
6:41
assist with review and implementation or general
6:46
use by the municipality as the town sees, as
6:49
council sees fit. For Amherst Island Radio and
6:52
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
6:55
This is North Shore News. Greater Napanee Council
7:07
decided against adding Springside Park and the
7:09
new in -town trails to the town's sensitive use
7:12
area. The matter was brought to Council in September
7:14
by Councillor Bill Martin who said the town should
7:16
act immediately. Martin noted the designation
7:19
in other areas. Our beautiful Springside Park
7:22
down there is visited by so many visitors every
7:25
day and I know that's for a fact. I've been down
7:28
there seven days a week. Twice a day I try to
7:31
get down there and monitor what's going on and
7:34
I do agree that Conservation Park needs a designation
7:37
of sensitive use area. And I also agree, Lions
7:40
Park did. But what's happened is the problem
7:43
hasn't been solved. It's been moved from Conservation
7:47
Park down to Springside Park. Martin explained
7:50
his stance. People shouldn't have to live like
7:53
that. And I'm not suggesting that we are mean
7:56
to the homeless people in the encampments, because
8:00
I'd like to give them help. But as we all know,
8:05
the province, the county, whatever you want to
8:07
go, the federal government, they've got to downstream
8:11
some resources to us because we can't do it.
8:15
The town will not be reviewing their encampment
8:17
by -law until next term. Members of staff and
8:19
council noted two ongoing appeals in Ontario
8:21
in which the outcomes will have impacts provincially
8:24
and locally. Manager of Legislative Services
8:26
and Municipal Clerk Jessica Walters spoke about
8:29
encampments in the area. Overall in 2026 we are
8:32
seeing higher numbers than we saw in 2025, which
8:36
was higher numbers than we saw in 2024. We continue
8:39
to see our largest spike in August and then a
8:42
slow decline through the winter. We expect that
8:46
we will probably see our December numbers higher
8:49
again this year than last year just based on
8:53
the larger unhoused population that we have in
8:56
our community compared to last year. But we are
8:58
still seeing that same trend where our numbers
9:01
peak in August and then start to go down as the
9:04
weather turns cooler. We also know that With
9:08
the warming center opening on November 1st, we
9:10
will see a change in how encampments are located
9:13
in the community when that happens as well. The
9:17
case law in Canada regarding unhoused individuals'
9:21
right to shelter is still in a bit of a holding
9:24
state. There are two appeals outstanding that
9:27
have the potential to impact our ability to enforce
9:31
encampments on public property. There was a case
9:34
in Hamilton where the outcome of that case was
9:38
to determine that Hamilton could ban daytime
9:41
camping in their parks, although they had to
9:43
permit overnight camping. That decision was appealed.
9:47
The appeal has been heard. A decision has not
9:49
yet been rendered. Waterloo earlier this year
9:52
had a case where the finding was that the city
9:55
could not or the region could not clear an encampment
9:58
because they had not provided any alternate place
10:00
for those individuals to go. That decision is
10:04
being appealed by the region and the province
10:07
has requested intervener status. No date has
10:10
been set yet for that hearing so we don't know
10:13
when to expect the outcome of that decision but
10:17
we do expect that that decision will have a significant
10:20
impact on how we approach encampments. At this
10:22
point, we know that we can expect either change
10:26
or clarity, but we don't have a timeline for
10:30
when we can expect that, which does make it challenging
10:32
to try to determine what our position should
10:35
be in the interim. Mayor Terry Richardson spoke
10:38
about the appeals and their impact. The Superior
10:40
Court decision in Hamilton has been heard by
10:43
the Ontario Court of Appeal. And so we're just
10:46
waiting on a decision which could come tomorrow,
10:49
could come next week, could come next year. The
10:51
decision with respect to the Waterloo Region
10:55
matter was accepted. The province of Ontario
10:58
has partnered up with Waterloo Regional to, for
11:02
better lack of word and policing terms, take
11:04
a run at the Superior Court decision that's outstanding
11:09
in Waterloo. We're knee deep into case law or
11:13
knee deep into waiting on decisions from other
11:15
levels of government, I guess is the best way
11:17
to put it. But with respect to conflicting decisions,
11:20
we're expecting some decisions here in the not
11:22
too distant future in order to add possibly some
11:26
clarity with respect to the homeless situation.
11:29
CAO Matthew Grant noted the current situation.
11:32
If there is not enough shelter in a community,
11:34
the courts have deemed that individuals have
11:36
a constitutional right, a charter right, to shelter
11:39
themselves. And Napanee has no shelter space
11:42
at the moment. Also key in the case for the city
11:47
of Hamilton was that the bar to require enough
11:51
shelter for everyone when those numbers are continually
11:54
changing and growing was an unreasonable bar
11:56
to set. and that the judge deemed that it was
12:00
an infringement on property rights to allow no
12:02
management of park space at all. And I would
12:05
say what they found was a compromise position
12:09
where people have the right to shelter themselves
12:11
at night, but they don't have the right to live
12:15
there continually. I think there's a lot of eyes
12:17
on that, both of those case laws, because that
12:20
could dramatically change the reality as we know
12:22
it. Grant went on to speak about widespread effects.
12:25
With respect to Kingston or other municipalities,
12:28
I think it's also important to note that any
12:32
court case decision that happens for municipalities
12:35
doesn't just apply to that municipality, it applies
12:37
to every municipality. So people tend to be quite
12:41
careful about the steps they're taking. There's
12:45
a lot of preparation and making any changes.
12:49
And there's also the awareness that any step
12:53
we take is going to impact our neighbors. There
12:58
is both what the court allows and what a municipality
13:02
is able to do. So should a case law be upheld
13:06
where it prevented daytime camping, we could,
13:09
in essence, be able to ask people to move along
13:11
from public spaces and return in the evening.
13:15
What I can tell you... is in Hamilton, the ability
13:19
to do that was a massive, massive undertaking.
13:24
A huge resource was required to do that. So I
13:30
would say that the solution that we've come up
13:34
with in terms of distances and conservation park
13:38
being off limits is within our resource areas.
13:42
And should we decide to move in a different direction,
13:45
I would need to have a resource conversation.
13:47
Martin spoke about complaints he's received.
13:50
I also have the residents up on Palace Road to
13:53
think about and their rights. They pay taxes.
13:57
The residents up on up on the hill from Springside
14:00
Park all along Palace Road from Highway 2 over
14:05
to Centre Street. There's an area in through
14:07
there, and Bracken Street area is right there,
14:10
too. I get numerous calls from there, and I certainly
14:13
don't blame them. And part of my job is understanding
14:18
what's going on and for them to contact me as
14:21
well. I mean, our by -law doesn't work at night,
14:24
and OPP doesn't administer our by -laws. The
14:29
problems happen at night. Loud music, profane
14:32
language, utter control fires. The problem is
14:36
once everybody's back is turned, the fireman's
14:38
back is turned, our bylaws back are turned, the
14:41
activity that goes on at night is not fair to
14:43
the residents up top of that hill. It's not fair
14:45
to visitors that come to our park. Martin went
14:48
on to note the importance of Springside Park.
14:50
We've got residents in this area that used to
14:54
take their children down to the park. They used
14:56
to walk their dog down the park. People jogged
14:58
there. And now I'm getting comments like, well,
15:02
we don't go there anymore because we're scared.
15:05
We're intimidated. I'm afraid my child is going
15:09
to step on a discarded needle. And all I'm saying
15:11
is, Springside Park needs our attention. Springside
15:15
Park is just as important and even more important
15:18
than Conservation Park. There's a lot more visitors
15:21
to our park there daily than there is at Conservation
15:24
Park. And as far as the new trail is concerned,
15:27
I'm also concerned that encampments are going
15:30
to find that an easy area to encamp as well.
15:34
Councillor Bob Norrie shared his thoughts on
15:36
Springside Park. It has cleaned up a bit, but
15:39
all summer, like Councillor Martin been down
15:41
there a lot, people avoided going. I know my
15:44
neighbors, they have grandchildren. They didn't
15:46
go down there. They don't go down there. Wedding
15:48
pictures, all this, it's a tourist area. So it
15:51
should just be right off limits. I'm sorry, but
15:53
it's too important of an area, the beautiful
15:55
area, and the taxpayers should be allowed to
15:56
use it with their grandchildren. That's my feeling.
15:58
Deputy Mayor Brian Calvert spoke about the park
16:01
and not rushing into a decision. Every day when
16:03
I come into town, every night before I leave
16:05
town, and if I have to come back in for something
16:08
else, we go there as well. I still do see people
16:11
using the park, but I agree we should soon be
16:17
looking at. I don't think we want to rush it.
16:18
We've got to get it right. But it has cleaned
16:21
up a lot more this year than other years. But
16:24
I mean, you go down there at any day. given time
16:26
at lunchtime and you have a hard time getting
16:28
parked to be able to eat your lunch because there
16:30
are people using it. There are people walking
16:32
it. Yes, people are, some people are saying they're
16:35
afraid, but I mean this is unfortunately the
16:39
new world we're in, but I think we do need to
16:41
look at it. Would it be great to get all of Springside
16:44
Park clear? Yes. We now have data. We know how
16:47
much money we've spent to clean up the messes
16:49
and so on and so forth to try to get more area
16:52
clear. We need to work, have more work done on
16:55
our encampment protocol, which is working. Seems
16:58
we've had other municipalities reaching out with
17:01
what we've done in the past, so I just don't
17:03
want to rush into it. I'd like staff to take
17:06
their time and get it right. Councillor Angela
17:08
Hicks noted the activity in Springside Park and
17:11
recognized public concern. I was down at Springside
17:14
Park, couldn't get a parking spot. I had a very
17:17
unhappy granddaughter in the back, so I sat and
17:20
waited. and got that situation sorted out. But
17:24
as I was there, I sort of looked around and I
17:27
thought, what is everyone talking about? There
17:29
were people, there were kids, there were people
17:31
fishing, there was people walking up and down
17:34
right next to the falls, they were walking down
17:36
the road, there were kids over in the skateboard,
17:39
the pizza truck was busy, there was... So many
17:42
people out enjoying the day and enjoying their
17:45
community. It was like I was in a different town.
17:48
Like when I actually stopped and thought about
17:50
it, I thought I didn't see any of this. I understand
17:53
that the people on Palace Road do have issues.
17:57
The same issues were experienced over in Conservation
18:00
Park. People that did not sleep for nights at
18:03
a time slept in shifts in absolute terror that
18:05
their house was going to burn down in the middle
18:07
of the night from uncontrolled fires. I understand.
18:11
But I don't think rushing this in two weeks is
18:15
going to help the situation either because then
18:18
something gets missed. Richardson spoke about
18:20
the town's current encampment bylaw. The encampment
18:24
bylaw that we have looked at the total of the
18:28
community and we come up with some very viable
18:32
ways to protect the most sensitive areas of our
18:35
community. Again, is it perfect? Absolutely not.
18:39
It's not perfect. We know that. Is it the best
18:41
we got right now? Probably is, especially in
18:45
the light of much larger municipalities trying
18:48
to sort this matter out at the highest levels
18:52
of court in this province. We have spent an inordinate
18:55
amount of time coming up with a plan, albeit
19:00
not the best plan. The best plan would be have
19:04
nobody in our parks, but we've come up with something
19:06
that we feel is something that we're not going
19:09
to get challenged on. And as I say that somebody
19:12
will challenge us tomorrow. But I think it's
19:14
very defensible that the plan that we have. I
19:16
think, at least in my humble opinion, that the
19:20
direction that we're on in reviewing the sensitive
19:23
area matters holistically for all of the community
19:27
as opposed to cherry picking certain areas as
19:30
a municipality. I don't think we're going to
19:33
hurry to to start to cherry pick certain things
19:36
without taking into account the community as
19:39
a whole as far as sensitive use areas. The recorded
19:42
vote ended three to two defeating the motion.
19:45
The motion on the floor is that staff do not
19:47
wait until winter or next term to review our
19:49
encampment by -law and further we act immediately
19:52
to add springside park and our new in -town trail
19:55
to the sensitive use area. Or two Councillor
19:58
Hicks? No. Or Councillor Norrie? Yes. Five Councillor
20:02
Martin? Yes. Albert? No. Mayor Richardson? No.
20:08
That motion is defeated. For Amherst Island Radio
20:11
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
20:13
Evans. This is North Shore News. The town of
20:26
Greater Nepany will be revitalizing the Alcorn
20:28
Francis Memorial Soccer Field at 16 McPherson
20:31
Drive. Staff noted the field is a recreation
20:33
asset that supports youth and adult sport programming.
20:36
The project will cost nearly $275 ,000. Director
20:40
of Parks, Recreation and Culture Chris Brown
20:42
noted concerns and how staff are addressing them.
20:45
The field quality has been identified as a concern
20:47
for a number of years due to uneven playing conditions.
20:51
So to address these concerns, Town staff met
20:53
with representatives from Belcon Design Builders
20:55
Limited, Willoughley Sod Farms and Kerr Sprinklers
20:58
to develop a rehabilitation strategy. The preferred
21:02
approach focuses on a complete renewal of the
21:04
primary planning surface and installation of
21:06
a permanent irrigation system to protect the
21:09
Town's investment and support long -term turf
21:11
health. Brown explained the upgrades. The project
21:15
will upgrade approximately 9 ,000 square meters
21:17
of soccer field area and apron. It'll include
21:20
the relocation of three light posts to expand
21:23
the width of the planing surface, installation
21:26
of a new irrigation system, field grading, regrading,
21:30
and leveling, addition of sand and soil, removal
21:32
of the existing turf surface, installation of
21:36
new Kentucky bluegrass sod, temporary fencing
21:39
and site protection during the field establishment
21:42
and the existing subsurface drainage system has
21:46
been reviewed and is considered functional and
21:48
will remain in place. Operationally, the project
21:53
team's objective is to complete this construction
21:56
during the fall of 2026 to allow for winter dormancy
22:00
and establishment resulting in a playable field
22:02
for spring of 2027. Additional considerations
22:06
include weather dependent construction activities.
22:09
So the only thing that could potentially hold
22:11
this up. is that weather which we can't predict
22:14
but everyone involved is super confident that
22:18
we can definitely get this project done in the
22:21
fall this year so that it's ready to play in
22:23
the spring. Brown spoke about the contract for
22:25
the work. Looking at the financial implications
22:27
the work is being delivered through the Canoe
22:29
Procurement Group of Canada job order contracting
22:32
program with Belcon Design Builders Limited serving
22:35
as the primary contractor and project manager.
22:38
The total fixed -price work order is for $273
22:42
,416 plus applicable taxes. Additionally, Town
22:47
staff have separately procured the relocation
22:49
of the three light posts on the south side of
22:51
the field to ensure the playing surface is FIFA
22:54
regulation size. Bar electric will perform the
22:57
work for a total of $35 ,000. So the total project
23:00
cost comes to $308 ,416 plus applicable taxes.
23:05
The capital budget for this project in 2026 was
23:08
only $235 ,000 and therefore we have a shortfall
23:12
of $73 ,416 plus applicable taxes. Brown noted
23:16
future upgrades they'll be looking into as well.
23:18
We're looking to add enhancements like spectator
23:21
bleachers, pole padding, permanent fencing, additional
23:24
signage and some backstop netting to go along
23:27
with the improvements that we're making in 2026.
23:30
Staff's intention is to bring these enhancements
23:32
to council during our 2027 budget deliberations.
23:37
Brown spoke about an incident at the field and
23:39
perimeter security. The perimeter security is
23:43
top of mind. Not too long ago, I believe it was
23:46
the holiday weekend in September, we did have
23:48
a truck drive up there and rip a couple donuts.
23:52
So not a big deal right now because no one's
23:54
playing on it. We are going to... rehabilitate
23:57
that turf field but it will be a massive deal
23:59
once we invest in this field. So we do want to
24:02
put permanent fencing all the way around the
24:05
perimeter with lockable gates so that the field
24:07
can be opened and accessed by people who are
24:10
actually booking the space to use it for the
24:12
intended purposes. That's certainly a high priority
24:15
for sure and we are going to put temporary fencing
24:18
around the perimeter in the meantime to ensure
24:21
that the investment is protected. Mayor Terry
24:24
Richardson spoke about the extra funding. This
24:26
additional funds that we're spending isn't affecting
24:29
the taxpayer by any stretch of imagination. It's
24:31
funds that were created or given to us in order
24:34
to do the exact same things that we're doing
24:36
now, which is investing in our infrastructure.
24:38
Brown noted the additional funding. This is exactly
24:41
what the community benefit fund is for and so
24:44
staff felt that this was the best use to make
24:47
sure we can get this project over the finish
24:49
line in 2026. Staff's goal is to complete construction
24:52
during the fall of 2026. For Amherst Island Radio
24:56
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
24:58
Evans. This is North Shore News. Council's vote
25:23
means they will not be sending the letter. Although
25:26
council members agreed the current situation
25:27
needs attention and more funding, they felt this
25:29
was not the right approach nor the right time.
25:32
Martin spoke about his intentions behind the
25:34
letter. Back in May of 2024, the 13, I believe
25:37
it was 12 or 13, larger municipalities spoke
25:41
to Doug Ford, Premier, and he requested them
25:44
put it in writing, which they did. What I'm doing
25:47
here is hopefully trying to bring attention back
25:50
to the very reason that they did that. back in
25:54
2024, just to draw further attention to what's
25:56
going on with the encampments. And like I say,
26:00
I'm not trying to harm folks who need shelter.
26:05
What I want to do is get them help. We need addiction
26:10
clinics and we need emergency shelters. And what
26:15
I'm hoping is us smaller communities can band
26:18
together and we will grab the attention of The
26:22
premier grabbed the attention of our MPP. Ministers
26:26
in the provincial government, the county, all
26:30
have to have their feet put to the fire because
26:32
we cannot supply the resources here. We've literally
26:37
spent hundreds of thousands of dollars just this
26:39
year. And I'd like to see Premier Ford use the
26:44
notwithstanding clause if that's necessary to
26:46
get it done. And I think it is. Councillor Angela
26:49
Hicks spoke about the current shortage of mental
26:51
health services. I don't think that this is the
26:53
right approach. I agree 100 % that we should
26:56
be holding both provincial and federal governments,
27:00
the proverbial feet to the fire and where we
27:03
need the money. We hear boots on the ground dealing
27:06
with it face to face, need the money. But I honestly
27:11
don't think that the notwithstanding clause is
27:13
going to get us where we actually want to be
27:16
to help those people. I really don't think because
27:19
there's no place to send them put them there's
27:21
there's not enough doctors and nurses and psychologists
27:27
and psychiatrists and therapists now to deal
27:30
with people with run -of -the -mill health problems
27:33
let alone addiction. Councillor Bob Norrie noted
27:36
the importance of getting the attention of higher
27:38
levels of government. We have to get the especially
27:40
the federal government's attention I mean they
27:42
can give 80 million to study the oceans and we
27:45
can't look after our homeless. I think we have
27:46
to get their attention and if it's a small wheel
27:49
we got to start squeaking then we start and when
27:51
they see the cost of this stuff maybe they'll
27:53
say okay we can do something. Mayor Terry Richardson
27:55
explained his thoughts on not sending the letter.
27:57
We are now in the throes of waiting for a decision
28:00
from the court of appeal. I just don't think
28:03
this is the right time to be sending this letter
28:05
out. If we want to support the premier two years
28:08
from now If he loses the Ontario Court of Appeal
28:12
decision, that would be the time to do it then.
28:14
I don't think it's going to get the credence
28:16
or the credibility it should get. We need addiction
28:20
treatment centers. We need we need an addiction
28:22
treatment center and virtually every community
28:25
about the population of 20 ,000 people in this
28:27
country, because every community about the and
28:30
a lot of them below 20 ,000 have got substance
28:33
abuse problems. The ball has been dropped and
28:35
the ball has been dropped. decades ago, not just
28:38
years ago, where I do have the issue is using
28:42
a piece of legislation. This is a really, really
28:45
big hammer. The recorded vote ended three to
28:48
two. The motion on the floor is that the Council
28:51
of the Town of Greater Napanee send a letter
28:53
to Premier Doug Ford with copies to MPP Rick
28:56
Brisey, MP Shelby Cramp Newman, County of Lenox
28:59
and Addington and the other 443 municipalities
29:02
of Ontario requesting the following. One, the
29:05
provincial government become an intervener in
29:07
any court case restricting municipalities ability
29:10
to prohibit encampments. 2. Strengthen the existing
29:13
system of mandatory community -based residential
29:16
mental health care and expand service to treat
29:18
those who have severe and debilitating addictions.
29:21
3. Implement a drug and diversion court system
29:23
across the province and ensure that there are
29:25
necessary resources to allow a focus on rehabilitation
29:29
as opposed to incarceration. Four, to amend the
29:32
Trespass Property Act to include a separate provision
29:34
for repetitive acts of trespass and to permit
29:37
a police officer to arrest a person who commits
29:39
repetitive acts of trespass after being told
29:41
by police not to engage in such activity. These
29:44
amendments should also include an option for
29:46
referral to divisional court for charges of repetitive
29:48
trespass. We urge the Premier to use the notwithstanding
29:51
clause to ensure these measures are implemented
29:53
in a timely and effective way. Word two, Councillor
29:58
Hicks. No. Word four, Councillor Norrie. Yes.
30:02
Ward 5, Councillor Martin? Yes. Deputy Mayor
30:06
Calvert? No. Mayor Richardson? No. That motion
30:10
is defeated. For Amherst Island Radio and the
30:13
Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This
30:16
is North Shore News. Council and staff at Loyalist
30:29
Township are preparing for the 2026 fall term
30:31
of their 2024 to 2027 strategic plan. Staff will
30:35
continue with planned initiatives and will have
30:37
a final report at the end of 2027. Objectives
30:40
within the plan followed strategic priorities
30:42
such as strong communities, organizational effectiveness,
30:46
balanced growth, as well as sustainable infrastructure
30:49
and services. CAO Rebecca Murphy spoke about
30:52
the term. This is the last report on the strategic
30:55
plan for this term of council. We're very pleased
30:58
with the progress that's been made with respect
31:00
to the initiatives that were set by council in
31:02
2024. And the strategic plan does go till the
31:06
end of 2027. So there's still about another year
31:09
of things that are going on. For the most part,
31:12
everything is in progress or planned to be completed.
31:18
Council should be very pleased. There is a very
31:20
long list of... of initiatives that under that
31:24
strategic plan that council and staff set. And
31:26
I'm pleased to say that we've accomplished most
31:29
of them there and looking forward to the next
31:33
strategic plan. So the plan would be for the
31:36
next term of council sometime next fall. We would
31:39
come back to council with an update and look
31:42
at reviewing and revising our strategic plan
31:45
if that's council's direction and then to set
31:48
another set of initiatives for the next term.
31:51
Several initiatives may be ongoing into 2027,
31:54
some of which may have impacts on future operating
31:56
budgets. Mayor Jim Hagedorn noted staff's work.
32:00
It was a very aggressive term along with some
32:04
pretty major projects, so it is good to get all
32:06
this work done and well done by staff. Staff
32:08
will be bringing a report back to council in
32:10
early 2027 to get direction for their next strategic
32:14
plan. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
32:16
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
32:20
North Shore News. It's becoming more and more
32:56
prevalent in the community that the use of these
32:59
micro bikes or whatever you want to generally
33:01
call them, it's becoming a safety issue. People
33:03
on the sidewalks, on the streets for the kids
33:06
without helmets and so on and so on. And I think
33:09
the township needs to come up with some kind
33:11
of a statement, a regulation, whatever you want
33:14
to call it to try and get that under control.
33:18
you know just as an aside we need to engage the
33:21
OPP at some point for you know in terms of what
33:24
they can do etc and the biggest piece is going
33:27
to be public education because it's sort of the
33:30
Wild West and whether we have to get people out
33:32
to schools etc etc but I'd like to get that process
33:35
started and not wait another year or so to do
33:38
it. Councillor Lorna Willis noted the growing
33:40
use of electric bikes in the area. Having some
33:42
connections with teachers in the local schools
33:45
I know that the e -scooters are are an extreme
33:48
concern so while they're illegal they're widely
33:51
used and and I think that you know we have the
33:55
potential for a tragedy in our township so I
33:58
would strongly encourage then that we encourage
34:01
the OPP to enforce that law. Councillor Carol
34:04
Park spoke about help from the OPP. The OPP is
34:07
actually going to be doing more enforcement and
34:09
education on this so we'll probably see some
34:11
things implemented on that end too which will
34:14
help support what we want to do. Staff will be
34:16
bringing a report back to council at a future
34:18
meeting. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
34:20
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
34:24
North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council agreed
34:36
to support and circulate a letter calling for
34:38
the provincial government to increase the municipal
34:40
rebate for harmonized sales tax. The initiative,
34:43
Building Ontario Together, HST Reinvestment for
34:46
Municipal Infrastructure, was put together and
34:48
released by the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus.
34:51
The group is asking the government of Ontario
34:53
to increase the municipal rebate for the provincial
34:55
portion of HST from 78 % to 100%. This would
34:59
eliminate the current 1 .76 unrecoverable provincial
35:02
HST costs taken on by municipalities. They're
35:05
hoping the provincial government will recognize
35:07
this measure as a fiscally responsible investment
35:10
that supports infrastructure renewal, housing
35:12
infrastructure, long -term asset management,
35:14
and essential municipal services, while reducing
35:17
pressure on local property taxpayers and businesses.
35:20
Staff's report noted unrecoverable provincial
35:22
HST represents millions of dollars annually that
35:25
could otherwise be reinvested into municipalities.
35:28
Returning the remaining provincial portion of
35:30
HST to municipalities would not increase taxes
35:32
for residents or businesses. Municipalities in
35:35
Ontario currently receive a 100 % rebate of the
35:38
federal 5 % portion of HST, but only a 78 % rebate
35:41
of Ontario's 8 % provincial portion. This results
35:44
in municipalities permanently absorbing the remaining
35:47
22 % of the provincial share. This is equivalent
35:50
to 1 .76 % of eligible municipal expenditures.
35:54
Mayor Jim Hagedorn speaks about the letter. So
35:56
this was something that has come through the
35:58
EOWC and as being warden of the county, I'm a
36:02
member of the EOWC. The HST that the municipality
36:06
collects, the federal portion, we are able to
36:10
retain all of it. So the EOWC looked at it and
36:13
with all of the initiatives that are being taken
36:17
right now, as well as once we've done our infrastructure
36:22
assessments and master plans and the deficit
36:26
that every municipality in Ontario is running.
36:29
with trying to keep up with their infrastructure.
36:31
EOWC figured this was a easy catch, is just if
36:36
we could keep all of the provincial portion,
36:39
that would give us money back without actually
36:42
raising taxes at any level of government. Hagedorn
36:46
explained the intention of the letter and noted
36:48
their presentation to ministers. We presented
36:50
it at AMO to all the ministers that we met with
36:55
both on the Conservative side and on the other
36:59
sides so both sides of the house we presented
37:01
it to everyone that we had a delegation with
37:04
and we had I believe it was something eight or
37:06
ten delegations so they're well aware of what
37:09
we're requesting so now we're just putting it
37:11
out looking for endorsement from all the municipalities
37:15
basically saying that you think this would be
37:18
a good idea what we were saying to them is we
37:20
would expect that there would be a provision
37:23
to this funds to be reinvested in the infrastructure
37:27
within the municipality, not go into general
37:29
budget. So it would go towards like capital costs
37:33
or maintenance costs to maintain our infrastructure
37:36
in an acceptable manner. Councillor Paul Proderick
37:38
offered his thoughts on the initiative. Given
37:40
what I've read on the kiosks from the East Ontario
37:43
Caucus is we need sustainable funding and the
37:47
government of Ontario is always looking at reducing
37:49
red tape. Here's a classic example of all the
37:52
red tape that would go to recover 1 .76%. It's
37:56
gotta be a savings everywhere and a gain for
37:58
all the municipalities. For Amherst Island Radio
38:01
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
38:03
Evans. This is North Shore News. The future Sports
38:16
Hall of Fame at the W. J. Henderson Community
38:18
Center will be named the Marion and Mason Buderich
38:20
Sports Hall of Fame. This is in recognition of
38:23
the family's contributions in the community and
38:25
a $50 ,000 donation towards the W. J. Henderson
38:28
Community Center Renewal Project. Mason Buderich
38:31
founded the current Amherst View Jets Junior
38:32
Hockey Club in 1989. Following his passing in
38:36
2005, his legacy has continued through the Mason
38:38
Buderich Memorial Fund, which helps local children
38:41
play hockey. Marion Buderich has held leadership
38:43
positions with the organization in the past,
38:45
including the president of the Amherst View Jets.
38:47
The family's decades of volunteer service and
38:49
leadership have had a great impact on the local
38:51
hockey community. Staff with the township will
38:54
also be assisting the Amherst View Jets in the
38:56
management of a fundraising sub campaign looking
38:58
to raise $50 ,000. to rename the Jets dressing
39:01
room in memory of Don Lee. Lee is remembered
39:03
for his passion, leadership, and community spirit.
39:06
He was a lifelong advocate for youth and sport
39:08
in the community. His dedication to the Jets
39:10
and developing young players in the community
39:12
has left a lasting impact both on and off the
39:15
ice. CAO Rebecca Murphy speaks about the fundraising
39:18
goal for the W .J. Henderson Community Centre
39:20
renewal project. We're very excited from the
39:23
fundraising campaign that we're nearing in our
39:25
goal. This contribution makes it... takes us
39:28
over the $1 .7 million mark. So we're over 85
39:30
% of the way there to our goal and it's very
39:32
good and we're trying to wrap up some loose ends
39:35
to be able to get us to the final goal. So this
39:37
is another one of our another announcement that
39:40
we're happy to make and hopefully we get there
39:43
before our October 4th grand opening. Murphy
39:45
noted the campaign for renaming the dressing
39:47
room. I know there's been lots of discussion
39:49
amongst the community too about naming something
39:52
after Don Lee and the Jets letters really supports
39:57
Kind of marketing this and branding this naming.
40:01
Council is awaiting a final decision on the location
40:03
and eligibility requirements for the Hall of
40:05
Fame. Staff will be bringing a report to the
40:07
next term of Council with a new policy for the
40:09
space. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
40:12
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
40:15
North Shore News. Cataract Way Conservation is
40:27
looking to restore nearly 23 hectares of degraded
40:30
meadow to functional native grassland habitat
40:32
at the south end of Lemoyne Point Conservation
40:35
Area. Previous monitoring of the site identified
40:37
nesting pairs of both bobalink and eastern meadow
40:40
lark. Two native bird species listed as threatened
40:42
under the Federal Species at Risk Act. However,
40:45
extensive encroachment by gray dogwood and other
40:48
shrub species had reduced habitat suitability.
40:51
The project will look to re -establish a structurally
40:53
native grass and forb community suitable for
40:55
bobalink, eastern meadowlark, and other native
40:57
ground nesting grassland species and pollinators.
41:00
According to Cataraqui Conservation, the restoration
41:02
plan for this project has been designed in accordance
41:05
with the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Species
41:07
Conservation Act. It will prioritize long - Long
41:10
-term habitat function and ecological resilience,
41:12
ensuring the restored meadow develops the vegetation
41:14
structure and plant diversity required to support
41:17
breeding grassland birds. The timeline for the
41:19
project has been designed to have the least amount
41:21
of disturbance for species at risk. The project
41:24
will run until spring of 2027. The work has been
41:27
structured using an integrated pest management
41:29
approach. A range of available methodologies
41:31
have been combined to most effectively restore
41:33
the grassland habitat at the south end of Lemoyne
41:36
Point Conservation Area. The goal is to minimize
41:38
negative environmental impacts and use only the
41:40
minimum amount of chemical intervention necessary
41:42
to successfully remove gray dogwood and establish
41:45
the native grassland ecosystem. Certain activities
41:48
will require restricting access to the project
41:50
area and surrounding trail network. Restrictions
41:52
and closures will be limited to a few hours or
41:54
a few days. Closures will be posted on social
41:57
media and signage will be placed in parking areas
41:59
and trails to notify visitors. Cataract Way Conservation
42:02
notes the project will ultimately enhance biodiversity,
42:05
provide critical habitat to threatened species,
42:07
as well as improve the site's overall resilience
42:09
to climate change and invasive species. For Amherst
42:12
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
42:15
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The
42:27
Bath Museum and Visitor Center is welcoming the
42:30
community back for another season of Culture
42:32
Talks, a speaker series celebrating history,
42:34
heritage and storytelling. Hosted at the museum,
42:37
the series brings together local historians,
42:39
musicians and researchers who share unique perspectives
42:41
on the region's history. Held on the third Monday
42:44
of the month from 6 to 7 p .m., culture talks
42:46
offer an opportunity to explore fascinating cultural
42:49
topics in an intimate setting. Tickets are $5
42:51
per person and seating is limited. Monday, September
42:54
28th at 6 p .m. Stephen Bruce Med will be presenting
42:57
a combination of song ballads and storytelling.
43:00
The evening will cover historical events and
43:02
people in pre -Confederation Canada including
43:04
indigenous connections, French explorers, loyalist
43:07
refugees of the American Revolution, the War
43:09
of 1812, and more. Stephen Bruce Med is a performing
43:12
of historical ballads and spiritual songs. His
43:15
songs are inspired by Canadian history, the remote
43:18
and beautiful landscapes he explored as a geologist,
43:20
and social issues of the day. Monday, October
43:23
26 at 6 p .m., Phil Norton will be telling his
43:25
2021 bicycle camping journey from Prince Edward
43:28
County to the Mexican border. Repeating a journey
43:30
he did in 1979 and 1980 as a 22 -year -old, Norton
43:34
set off again in 2021 at the age of 63. Norton
43:38
tells personal stories about his adventure combined
43:40
with the geography and people he met along the
43:42
way. Culture Talks take place at the Bath Museum
43:45
located at 434 Main Street in Bath. Tickets for
43:48
each talk can be purchased online. For more information
43:51
about Culture Talks and other upcoming programs,
43:53
visit Loyalist .ca slash events. For Amherst
43:56
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
43:59
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. This
44:04
has been North Shore News and Interviews. If
44:07
you have an idea for a story or want to create
44:10
stories for the show, consider joining our volunteer
44:14
team. Contact Amherst Island Radio for more details.