Latest / North Shore News / July 17th, 2026

Transcript

July 17th, 2026 · North Shore News

0:07
Welcome to North Shore News and Interviews on
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Amherst Island Radio. Each week we keep you updated
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on newsworthy events, happenings and conversations
0:17
that we've had with people in the local community
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and beyond. Lennox and Addington County Council
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will be reducing the speed limit along County
0:30
Road 9 for a one -year trial period. After much
0:33
discussion, Council chose this option to avoid
0:35
removing the trees. The three remaining trees
0:37
on County Road 5 will be removed due to their
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condition, while a guardrail will be installed
0:42
in front of the tree on County Road 41. Council
0:45
will also address plans in the future for planting
0:47
new trees in place of those removed. The trees
0:49
are primarily bur oak and are approximately 250
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years old. The lifespan of bur oak trees in Ontario
0:56
ranges from 200 to 300 years. In preparation
0:59
for upcoming construction, county staff identified
1:02
trees located within designated clear zones of
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the roadways. Residents had previously come forward
1:07
and asked council to not remove the trees. Director
1:10
of Infrastructure Services, Chris Wager, explained
1:13
the work staff did. Staff completed a further
1:15
review of the trees that were identified within
1:18
the clear zone on County Road 41 and on County
1:21
Road 9. Additionally, staff engaged two engineering
1:25
firms to also complete the safety analysis and
1:29
look at options to preserve the trees. These
1:32
reports considered options such as warning signs,
1:35
regulatory signage, traffic calming, protection
1:38
barriers, and even roadway realignments. The
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reports included benefits and concerns as well
1:45
as potential costs. Staff also included an example
1:51
of a municipality where they decided to use the
1:55
lower clear zone or I guess the lowest clear
1:58
zone distance of three meters in order to preserve
2:01
the trees along their road. Other than realigning
2:04
the roadway and or removing the trees on counter
2:08
road nine there's no other options that improve
2:10
safety and reduce liability from the county as
2:14
per the municipal act. The county has a duty
2:17
of care to keep the roads and reasonable state
2:19
of repair. Failure to remove or properly deal
2:23
with hazards exposes the public to danger and
2:27
opens the county to legal consequences. Wager
2:30
spoke about staff's original recommendation to
2:33
remove the trees and more about the county's
2:35
legal liability. Staff's recommendation to remove
2:38
the trees from last month's council is based
2:41
on engineering standards that are used by municipalities
2:46
across Ontario and Canada. These guidelines are
2:50
not legally binding, so Council can go outside
2:55
of them. However, they are used by courts and
2:59
expert witnesses as evidence of the accepted
3:01
standards of engineering practice. In short,
3:05
municipalities can deviate from TAC, but they
3:08
need like a reason for the deviation and it needs
3:11
to be well documented and supported by engineering
3:13
rationale. Courts will look at whether the municipality
3:17
acted reasonably, whether the design reflected
3:20
engineering standards, and whether the risks
3:23
were foreseeable, and whether the municipality
3:25
has a rational base for the design decision.
3:28
Councilor Brian Calver noted the importance of
3:30
looking into other options. I've kicked this
3:32
around 85 ways from Sunday. I understand the
3:35
distances. I get that. but I can't see why we
3:39
can't try something before we bring out the chainsaws.
3:42
Councillor Terry Richardson spoke about looking
3:44
into other options as well. I think there are
3:47
other options with respect to the signage that
3:49
I think we could take a look at and at least
3:53
on a trial basis to examine. My personal opinion
3:57
is that I don't think we've done enough and I
3:59
do think that there are other options that would
4:02
reduce liability. and increase safety. Deputy
4:06
Warden Tony Fritz spoke about the effectiveness
4:08
of reducing speed limits. It's a very sensitive
4:11
subject. There's no one in the room that doesn't
4:14
want to preserve trees. But it's the habits of
4:17
drivers that I see every day where they don't
4:20
believe in anything on the road essentially.
4:23
Double lines, they'll pass anywhere, pass on
4:25
hills, do this, do that. Driver behavior today
4:30
is just not obedient. in terms of speed limits,
4:35
where you can pass or what you can do. So I do
4:39
struggle with believing that we're begging them
4:43
to slow down through signage, so to speak. But
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I very much struggle believing that they would
4:50
actually comply with that and that it will solve
4:52
the problem. Wager noted the differences between
4:55
installing stop signs or reducing the speed limit.
4:58
Using a stop sign does not remove any liability.
5:03
whatsoever, or in my opinion, really improve
5:06
safety at that location. Reducing the speed limit,
5:10
like say posting it at a 40 km an hour or 50
5:13
km an hour, that is a regulatory sign that is
5:16
used to control speed and that would not remove
5:19
any liability. It would marginally improve safety
5:23
because some traffic would slow down, but that
5:28
hazard still exists within the clear zone. Reducing
5:32
the speed limit, in my opinion, it still has
5:36
minor improvements, but the liability risks are
5:39
still there with the municipality as far as insurance
5:43
implications, but there is a marginal increase
5:45
in safety with the reduction of... with a reduced
5:50
speed. Wagga spoke about motorists not following
5:53
speed limits. We collect data on our roads and
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design speed or the clear zone distance is defined
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by the operating speed which is the 85th percentile
6:02
of traffic and we take that even at a posted
6:07
50 the design speed might come in around 70 if
6:11
people aren't really slowing down. those trees
6:14
are still within that clear zone with that distance
6:16
and still have the hazard. An argument could
6:19
be made that should there an incident occur that
6:24
council's not liable, the county may still be
6:27
liable, but staff and council wouldn't be liable
6:29
because they made an engineering decision and
6:32
there was a rationale to lower speed there. But
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again, you're looking at That grove of trees
6:39
is the real issue and problem because they are
6:42
so close to the road. There's still a huge risk
6:45
there. According to the TAC manual, the operating
6:51
speed would have to be less than 50 kilometers
6:53
an hour to remove the trees from liability that
6:57
are three meters and greater. Any tree that is
7:01
three meters or less, which is that seven of
7:04
the nine trees in the grove, we're not removing
7:07
any liability from the municipality regardless
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of speed. Typically, what we see in our roads
7:13
is if you post a speed at 80, people are driving
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15 to 20 kilometres above that. If you post the
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speed at 60, people are driving 10 to 15 kilometres
7:23
above that, except in your urban, higher urban
7:27
areas. Out there, again, people drive what they're...
7:33
feel, what the feel of the road is and what they're
7:35
expected to drive. You could post that at 30
7:39
and still have speeds of 70. The clear zone calculation
7:43
and liability is then calculated by the actual
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speeds and I just don't think they would come
7:47
down low enough regardless of whatever we post
7:50
out there. Waggers spoke about speed enforcement
7:52
and the work staff would do to implement the
7:54
speed reduction. We would notify the OPP that
7:57
there's a new signage going in. We'd change our
8:00
bylaw. We work with the OPP at our TAC. They
8:05
would assign officers because it's a newly created
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zone. So I would expect increased enforcement.
8:13
That said... Enforcement is only available on
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the available officers that are in the area.
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The location of that, it's tough to get out there
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and then respond to other calls and other needed
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areas. So I do expect increased enforcement and
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I can see increased enforcement. I would caution
8:32
that it's not going to be the enforcement that
8:35
the public would be looking for and complaints
8:37
and wanting enforcement would increase. Calvert
8:40
spoke about putting a guardrail in front of the
8:42
tree on County Road 41. I've been out there I've
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looked at it and I fully believe it can be saved
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by throwing a guardrail up there for that one.
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You know the one and a half meter protection
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zones there for the guardrail I don't see why
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there can't be a guardrail put up to protect
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that tree. They did cut one of the other trees
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down recently about the same size and shape that
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had some issues but that tree is in my opinion
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is 100 % healthy and worth looking after. Waggers
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spoke about why they chose to remove the trees
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on County Road 5. They are very similar to the
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grove of trees on County Road 9. In fact, I think
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the one is even closer than most of them. So
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it's just these three trees that we're recommending
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removal of. Should there be any wet condition
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or... A driver not paying attention or any incidents
9:31
on the road, these trees are right in your line
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of sight and again are a safety hazard due to
9:38
the proximity and within the clear zone. For
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Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
9:43
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
9:46
News. Loyalist Township Council agreed to proclaim
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October 21, 2026 as the 26th Annual Child Care
10:02
Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation
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Day. The day is in recognition of the education,
10:07
dedication, and commitment of child care workers
10:09
to children, their families, and quality of life
10:11
within their community. The proclamation request
10:14
noted that trained and knowledgeable registered
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early childhood educators are the key to quality
10:19
in early years and child care programs. It stated
10:22
that early learning and child care promotes the
10:24
well -being of and responds to the needs of families
10:27
as well as the broader community by supporting
10:29
quality of life. Each year, the day is proclaimed
10:31
by the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care,
10:34
the Canadian Union of Public Employees, as well
10:37
as municipalities and school boards across Ontario.
10:40
The day is marked by hundreds of child care centres,
10:42
unions and allies. Councillor Paul Proderick
10:45
showed his support for proclaiming the day. Having
10:47
spent 30 years in education, this is a... core
10:51
group both within the school system and within
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childcare that are vastly underpaid and underappreciated
10:58
at times, but their contribution to youth is,
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it can't be measured. For Amherst Island Radio
11:04
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
11:06
Evans. This is North Shore News. Lennox and Addington
11:19
County has appointed Nathan Townend as their
11:21
new Director of Communications and Community
11:24
Development. Townend will start the new role
11:26
in August and has since stepped down from his
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roles as Warden of the County and Deputy Mayor
11:30
of Loyalist Township. Townend served eight years
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on Loyalist Township Council, as well as four
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years on County Council. During that time, he
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also held leadership positions with the Association
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of Municipalities of Ontario, the Rural Ontario
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Municipal Association, the Eastern Ontario Wardens
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Caucus, and the Southeastern Health Unit. Loyalist
11:49
Township Council addressed the process on how
11:51
to fill the vacancy. At this time, staff and
11:53
council members may propose names of individuals
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who have previously held a position on council
11:57
or senior leadership. Council members could then
11:59
choose to appoint or select an individu - from
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the proposed list. This was one of three options
12:04
council chose from. Councillors Lorna Willis
12:07
and Carol Parks explained their support for the
12:09
option council chose. I just think this is the
12:12
cleanest way to address it given how close we
12:15
are to an election and it leaves the current
12:19
councillors to do whatever they're going to do.
12:21
I think this is the best option that's available
12:23
just because of the tight time frame the election's
12:27
coming. Town and spoke about taking on the new
12:29
role. Applying for a position of employment with
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the county while being a sitting warden requires
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an extra level of ethical vigilance. It was imperative
12:38
to protect the integrity of the hiring process
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and therefore essential that I did not place
12:43
myself or my colleagues in a position where an
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actual or perceived exertion of political influence
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could be suggested. I consulted with the integrity
12:52
commissioner and have followed his advice from
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beginning to end. I can also say with complete
12:58
and total confidence that I competed fairly for
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the position as any other applicant, and for
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me personally that has been extremely important.
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Moreover, as an incoming Director of Communications
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who wants to foster openness and accessibility
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in how the county speaks to our citizens, I need
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to close this chapter with my cards on the table.
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Indeed, I recognize it is not everyday a warden
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gets hired in their own upper tier, but I hope
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the public can be confident in both the process
13:27
and ultimately the outcome. Townand went on to
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speak about his decision to apply for the position.
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In truth, I expected to continue pursuing elected
13:35
office for the next 2026 to 2030 term. What has
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transpired was not on my bingo card and the timing
13:44
of it all not within my control. I am sure there
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are those be detractors who assume my decision
13:50
was purely self -interest. As I just said, because
13:54
I believe in being honest with the public, I
13:56
will not deny that a steady job with a solid
14:00
income and a nest egg for the future was part
14:03
of my consideration. Like many millennials, I
14:06
have spent my working life cobbling together
14:08
financial means with numerous precarious jobs
14:11
that take a lot of time and leave little for
14:14
the future. At 40 years old, it isn't unreasonable
14:17
for me to have considered what 20 to 30 years
14:20
down the line might look like. Townen noted the
14:23
work he was most proud of with Loyalist Township
14:25
Council and thanked community members. I am so
14:28
proud that after successive councils kicked it
14:31
down the road, we took the decision to rebuild
14:34
the WJ. It is a significant investment that will
14:38
serve generations to come and I will always be
14:41
proud that we did that. I'm also proud to have
14:43
had my personal stamp of initiation on our physician
14:46
recruitment program. and so grateful to Rebecca,
14:48
our CAO, for doing the work to make it the success
14:51
that it has been. I'm also proud to have helped
14:53
in the development of Loyalist Township's first
14:55
climate action plan. And of course, I want to
14:58
thank the people of our great township, our community
15:01
of communities. Over the past eight years, I
15:04
have only gained in respect and affinity for
15:07
our residents. It is truly a great privilege
15:10
and joy when you're in elected office that you
15:13
get to know your community more deeply than you
15:15
really do any other way. Our township is full
15:18
of community -minded, generous, kind people who
15:22
take care of one another, who care to make our
15:25
community better and give of themselves to make
15:27
it happen. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
15:30
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
15:34
North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council approved
15:46
the extension of the Loyalist Link pilot program
15:49
to September 3rd, 2027. This will maintain uninterrupted
15:53
service while the Township waits for the outcome
15:55
of their Ontario Transit Infrastructure Fund
15:57
application. Funding for the extension will be
16:00
provided through provincial gas tax allocations
16:02
as well as fares. Beginning in September, the
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current 90A -90B service will transition to a
16:08
single connector route linking Bath, Odessa and
16:11
Mill Haven to the WJ Henderson hub. will align
16:14
with the planned shift for Kingston Transit Route
16:16
10 to 30 minute intervals. According to staff,
16:19
the combined ridership of the two Loyalist link
16:21
routes was over 9 ,600 in 2025 and continues
16:24
to grow. Staff are looking to improve coverage,
16:27
flexibility and cost efficiency. They will be
16:30
reporting back to council with updated financial
16:32
projections and service performance metrics following
16:34
the release of the funding decision. Director
16:36
of Community and Customer Services Lori McFarland
16:39
noted plans for the future. There is plans to
16:42
increase ridership. You know, we're trying to
16:46
to do that. Hopefully, you know, through the
16:51
as presented, we're looking at on demand, which
16:54
could bring some efficiencies. and might increase
16:58
ridership as well. Director of Corporate Services
17:00
Strategy and Innovation Jenna Campbell spoke
17:03
about waiting for the outcome of the funding
17:05
decision. We are limited right now in some of
17:08
our actions that we can take while we're waiting
17:10
to have the final OTF application submitted to
17:14
the province because we have to remain in pilot
17:18
status. So some of those opportunities may come
17:23
to fruition a little bit more in terms of encouraging
17:26
the growth of the ridership and that sort of
17:27
thing once we have an idea of whether we'll be
17:30
receiving that funding. Councillor Paul Broderick
17:32
showed his support for the program. I remember
17:35
going out for a early morning ride with director
17:37
Campbell around the first few weeks and you know
17:41
sort of thinking we're going to be the only two
17:43
on here but the data supports some growth and
17:46
I think that was the original thing we were worried
17:49
about was Would people come thinking, oh, this
17:51
is only going to last a year. You know, we're
17:53
not going to change our habits, but I think we're
17:55
heading in the right direction. And this is one
17:58
thing I'm really proud this council has done
18:00
is look into that. And I hope that we can continue
18:03
this down the road. I think it's a viable service
18:06
and through personal experience. Anytime you
18:08
can get my kid on public transit, we're doing
18:10
something right. For Amherst Island Radio and
18:13
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
18:16
This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council
18:28
has decided to go ahead with a new staff plan
18:31
to relocate programming from the Leisure and
18:33
Activity Center in Amherst View. Staff looked
18:36
at feedback from residents and completed a review
18:38
on the space. Staff's review confirmed recreation
18:41
service levels can be maintained through a combination
18:44
of municipal space and third -party facility
18:46
use. Based on program testing conducted in May
18:48
and June, staff found that the W .J. Henderson
18:51
Community Centre is only suitable for low -volume
18:53
fitness programming, but due to a number of factors
18:56
including room layout, ceiling height, acoustics,
18:59
privacy and overall functionality considerations,
19:02
high -volume fitness classes are better suited
19:04
to third -party spaces. Staff noted that deferring
19:07
the closure beyond August 1st, 2026 would impact
19:10
ongoing discussions related to child care in
19:12
the Township and space negotiations with BGC
19:15
Southeast. Members of the community were out
19:17
to voice concerns including programming, scheduling,
19:20
cost and location. This is our community centre.
19:24
The dispensing of programs in multiple locations
19:27
takes a step back. from the goal of centralizing
19:31
programs under one roof. It is not about the
19:34
boys and girls' deadline, but about making the
19:37
correct decision for the whole community. Council
19:40
should think carefully and not be pressured into
19:42
making this decision to fit the Kingston Boys
19:44
and Girls Club schedule. There's a saying, your
19:46
emergency is not my problem. This decision should
19:49
be made with complete information, careful consideration
19:51
and without haste. It took years to develop LAC.
19:55
I acknowledge the work to come up with a plan
19:57
in short. in a short period of time but this
20:00
plan is in no way ready to implement in such
20:03
short notice. I think it is great that the Boys
20:05
and Girls Club have a chance of obtaining a grant
20:08
to open a daycare and knowing this it gives me
20:10
no pleasure to say that I believe their benefits
20:13
should not be our losses. I believe renting these
20:17
spaces in different locations that is not under
20:20
one roof will be problematic as it has been in
20:23
the past for staff and members and these programs
20:25
will also be more vulnerable because now We are
20:29
not owners, we are renters. Manager of Parks
20:31
and Recreation with the Township Matthew Sobolewski
20:34
speaks about maintaining service levels. In this
20:36
report we have addressed that service levels
20:39
that are expected are maintained. So we do have
20:43
20 hours of fitness classes that are outlined
20:45
in this report and 75 % of those programs that
20:50
are going to be moving to an alternative location
20:52
will be moving to Rhythm Dance Centre and the
20:54
other 25 % would be moving to the WJH Community
20:57
Room. as an alternative location. So it does
21:01
maintain our current service levels as outlined
21:03
in this report. Councillor Paul Broderick spoke
21:05
about residents' concerns. I guess I've been
21:08
troubled since the start because the word closure,
21:11
I prefer the word relocation, but that's just
21:14
my English teaching background. In the surveys
21:17
that were presented to council, there was 152
21:22
submissions on this. Number one was program availability
21:26
at 86%. And 93 % of the 152 respondents wanted
21:32
adequate programming. Praderick went on to speak
21:35
about the importance of daycare in Loyalist Township.
21:38
If you walk around parts of the township, there
21:41
are lots of people looking for daycare. I think
21:44
most, some of the questions have been answered.
21:46
The big question is can you have getting it all
21:49
under one roof? And right now I don't see that
21:52
as an option. I firmly believe in daycare and
21:57
But I'm firm on the daycare. And if it costs
22:01
me, if I should run again for election, so be
22:03
it. I think it's the right decision. And it can
22:06
only help our growing township. And I will stand
22:10
by that. Deputy Mayor Nathan Townand explains
22:12
staff and council's focus. I think throughout
22:15
this process over the last couple of months,
22:18
the word I would use to describe what we have
22:21
been trying to do here in collaboration with
22:25
staff, obviously at ground level, is accommodation.
22:30
We are trying to accommodate the feedback that
22:33
we've had from residents and users of the LAC.
22:37
We're obviously trying to accommodate child care
22:40
spaces. We're trying to accommodate the provincial
22:45
government's timeline for the funding that will
22:47
make those spaces possible. And so from our side,
22:50
the work has been... accommodation. The flip
22:54
side to that from members of the public is is
22:57
compromise. And, you know, I want to acknowledge
22:59
that, you know, we are asking residents and users
23:02
to compromise, you know, we are asking users
23:05
to compromise the fact that the LAC has been
23:08
this particular space that has functioned a particular
23:12
way and meant a particular thing to those users.
23:15
And now we are changing that town and went on
23:19
to explain their decision. We have tried to accommodate
23:22
and staff in particular have worked hard to do
23:25
that. There were comments made about the change
23:29
in this report versus the original report and
23:33
things do change and the democratic process has
23:36
worked here in this situation. We heard the feedback
23:43
and we responded to the feedback and staff have
23:45
responded to the feedback and staff have worked
23:48
to make adjustments and change courses to try
23:52
and, as I say, accommodate. I do think this is
23:55
in overall the best interests of the township.
23:58
I don't want the narrative here to be that young
24:01
people were chosen over old people, that childcare
24:03
spaces were chosen over seniors. That is a politicized
24:08
and simplistic way of looking at it that I don't
24:10
feel is the case. We are trying to accommodate.
24:15
our residents and the needs of our residents.
24:18
And that requires some compromise. Councillor
24:22
Jake Ennis noted the importance of childcare
24:24
in the area. I'm sympathetic to the need for
24:28
childcare. My my youngest is in junior kindergarten,
24:32
so I've been through the daycare process for
24:35
two children recently. It's it's not easy. It's
24:38
expensive. Where responsibility lies for making
24:41
that happen across various organizations and
24:44
levels of government. However, I also believe
24:47
that a large portion of the community sees this
24:52
closure as a cut to their recreation services.
24:57
And I find it difficult to argue with them in
25:02
principle. Councillor Carol Parks spoke about
25:04
their decision making process. From conversation
25:07
with several residents in regards to the lack
25:10
closure, it really is, the deputy has mentioned,
25:15
a change of venue or consideration for change
25:18
of venue. And the original report that came out,
25:20
it was moving everything under the WHC. So we
25:24
did take that information back from the residents
25:27
that was brought forward about the concerns about
25:29
the location and changed course. And I think
25:32
staff has provided some fairly substantial alternatives
25:36
to the LAC to run the program in between the
25:41
Rhythm Dance Center and also through the Presbyterian
25:44
Church. In an effort to accommodate the needs
25:46
of everyone involved, council voted in favor
25:48
of the new plan. For Amherst Island Radio and
25:51
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
25:54
This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council
26:06
has agreed to a request made by the Odessa Agricultural
26:09
Society to waive fees for emergency services
26:12
at the tractor pole and demolition derby during
26:15
the Odessa Fair taking place July 24th to 26th.
26:19
Secretary and volunteer with the society Stephanie
26:22
Gimo spoke about the fair and the increase in
26:24
costs. The Odessa Fair has been a staple of Odessa
26:28
for 191 years and has traditionally relied on
26:31
emergency fire services at no cost us for fair
26:35
events. This bylaw is a drastic increase to our
26:39
budget that we had not foreseen. As a non -profit
26:43
volunteer run organization, we do not have the
26:46
reserve funds to cover the substantial cost increase
26:50
to operate these community favourite events at
26:53
the annual fair. Gimo noted the breakdown of
26:55
costs for emergency services. Deputy Chief Grenham
26:59
stated that the Agricultural Society would be
27:02
required to pay for the Fire Emergency Services
27:05
for the tractor pull and demolition derby at
27:08
the annual Odessa Fair taking place July 24th
27:12
to 26th. Based on the hours the Fire Department
27:16
was required for these events in 2025, the cost
27:20
would be $8 ,472 .20 for the tractor pull and
27:26
$3 ,230 .52 for the demolition derby, totaling
27:32
$11 ,000. 703 .20. These fees include the MTO's
27:37
apparatus hourly rate and the hourly wage of
27:41
each firefighter for these events. Alongside
27:44
partnering with the Township for events like
27:46
Trunk or Treat, Gimo spoke about how proceeds
27:48
from the fair are used and how important the
27:51
agricultural grounds are for the community. The
27:54
proceeds from the fair enable the Agricultural
27:56
Society to continue to maintain the agricultural
28:00
grounds and its buildings. The grounds offer
28:02
a park like setting for the community to enjoy
28:05
and the large palace building is a space for
28:07
the community to come together. The Lions Club
28:10
prepares the holiday baskets in this space and
28:13
free events for families such as see and learn
28:15
are held on the fairgrounds. With the original
28:18
staff recommendation being to receive the delegation
28:21
request from the society. Councilor Jake Ennis
28:23
also added the motion to waive the fees. I would
28:26
move that council received the delegation request
28:29
from the Odessa Agricultural Society. and to
28:32
approve the request for waiver of emergency services
28:35
fees. So moved. Do I have a seconder? Councillor
28:38
Buechert. NS noted possible funding options for
28:41
the future. I think it's a long -standing event,
28:44
a community event that we're supporting. And
28:46
I think perhaps if we support it this year, the
28:51
organization could look to the community grant
28:53
fund in the future as a possibility. But I think
28:57
it's a long -standing event that we... should
28:59
continue to support. Councillor Mike Budarek
29:01
spoke about the importance of supporting events
29:03
like the fair in the community. I believe, too,
29:06
that we should support anything that gets people
29:09
in our community out and such a long -standing
29:11
tradition of the Odessa Fair and even the track
29:14
pool is fantastic. Great crowds and it's great
29:20
to see. people in our community come out and
29:22
support things. Council also asked for a staff
29:24
report to help guide decisions for future events.
29:27
Councillor Paul Proderick noted why they want
29:28
the report. There's no doubt that over the years
29:31
this has been a very valuable, you know, 191
29:33
years. I think that's why all my grandparents
29:35
were at that fair when they lived in Railton.
29:39
And as we sort of move ahead we want to quantify
29:42
things just so we get an overall picture and
29:44
a staff report looking at that for next year
29:46
maybe there's a Back and forth questions that
29:48
can be answered such as, you know, do you really
29:50
need six firefighters or whatever? Things like
29:52
that that can come out of a report. For Amherst
29:55
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
29:57
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
30:10
Township will be recognizing October 10th, 2026
30:13
as National Dental Care Day. Council heard from
30:16
founder of the day, Dr. Raj Kanuja, who spoke
30:18
about the importance of improving access to oral
30:21
health care. Kanuja explains how and why he started
30:24
the initiative. National Dental Care Day started
30:27
from one simple moment. Years ago, I met a single
30:30
mother who was living with severe dental pain.
30:34
She avoided treatment because she could not afford
30:37
it. She told me she was saving every dollar she
30:40
had so she could keep a promise to buy used hockey
30:44
equipment for her child. She chose her child
30:47
over herself. That moment stayed with me because
30:51
dental pain is not just about teeth. It affects
30:54
confidence, sleep, work, mental health. and dignity.
30:59
That is why National Dental Care Day was created.
31:03
Kanuja speaks about how the initiative has grown
31:05
and notes numbers from last year. What started
31:08
as one free dental day has now grown into a national
31:12
movement after 13 years of volunteer care. Last
31:16
year alone, 219 Canadians received care across
31:21
the country through volunteer clinics. and professionals.
31:25
National Dental Care Day was proclaimed by 25
31:28
municipalities, three premiers, and two lieutenant
31:31
governors. It was also spoken about in the Senate
31:35
of Canada by Senator Muhammad Iqbal Rawalia and
31:39
entered into the Hansard parliamentary record.
31:43
National Dental Care Day mobilizes volunteer
31:45
dental professionals, students, clinics, educators
31:48
and community partners across Canada to provide
31:51
essential dental care to underserved individuals
31:53
and families without cost, barriers or judgment.
31:57
The initiative emphasizes the importance of oral
31:59
health as an essential component of overall health
32:01
and well -being. Kanuja explains the importance
32:04
of bringing National Dental Care Day to more
32:06
communities. The need for dental care is not
32:09
limited to one city or one region. It exists
32:12
in every community. Dentistry is expensive. and
32:16
not being able to afford care forces many people
32:20
to live in pain, lose teeth, hide their smile,
32:24
and lose confidence and dignity. For Amherst
32:28
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
32:30
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. This
32:36
has been North Shore News and Interviews. If
32:39
you have an idea for a story or want to create
32:42
stories for the show, consider joining our volunteer
32:46
team. Contact Amherst Island Radio for more details.