Latest / North Shore News / May 27th, 2026

Transcript

May 27th, 2026 · North Shore News

0:07
Welcome to North Shore News and Interviews on
0:10
Amherst Island Radio. Each week we keep you updated
0:14
on newsworthy events, happenings and conversations
0:17
that we've had with people in the local community
0:20
and beyond. Loyalist Township will be recognizing
0:28
October 10th, 2026 as National Dental Care Day.
0:32
Council heard from founder of the day, Dr. Raj
0:34
Kanuja, who spoke about the importance of improving
0:37
access to oral health care. Kanuja explains how
0:40
and why he started the initiative. National Dental
0:42
Care Day started from one simple moment. Years
0:46
ago, I met a single mother who was living with
0:49
severe dental pain. She avoided treatment because
0:53
she could not afford it. She told me she was
0:56
saving every dollar she had so she could keep
0:59
a promise to buy used hockey equipment for her
1:02
child. She chose her child over herself. That
1:06
moment stayed with me because dental pain is
1:09
not just about teeth. It affects confidence,
1:13
sleep, work, mental health. and dignity. That
1:16
is why National Dental Care Day was created.
1:20
Kanuja speaks about how the initiative has grown
1:22
and notes numbers from last year. What started
1:25
as one free dental day has now grown into a national
1:30
movement after 13 years of volunteer care. Last
1:33
year alone, 219 Canadians received care across
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the country through volunteer clinics. and professionals.
1:42
National Dental Care Day was proclaimed by 25
1:45
municipalities, three premiers, and two lieutenant
1:48
governors. It was also spoken about in the Senate
1:52
of Canada by Senator Muhammad Iqbal Rawalia and
1:57
entered into the Hansard parliamentary record.
2:00
National Dental Care Day mobilizes volunteer
2:02
dental professionals, students, clinics, educators
2:05
and community partners across Canada to provide
2:08
essential dental care to underserved individuals
2:11
and families without cost, barriers or judgment.
2:14
The initiative emphasizes the importance of oral
2:16
health as an essential component of overall health
2:18
and well -being. Kanuja explains the importance
2:21
of bringing National Dental Care Day to more
2:23
communities. The need for dental care is not
2:26
limited to one city or one region. It exists
2:29
in every community. Dentistry is expensive. and
2:34
not being able to afford care forces many people
2:37
to live in pain, lose teeth, hide their smile
2:41
and lose confidence and dignity. For Amherst
2:45
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
2:48
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
3:00
Township welcomes visitors to Doors Open Ontario
3:02
on June 20th. Residents and visitors are invited
3:05
to explore the stories, places and people that
3:08
helped shape the community. Doors Open Ontario
3:10
takes place Saturday, June 20th from 10 a .m.
3:12
to 4 p .m. As part of the province -wide celebration,
3:15
this free community event offers a unique opportunity
3:18
to discover historic landmarks, cultural spaces,
3:21
museums, churches, farms, galleries, and community
3:24
hubs throughout Loyalist Township. This year's
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event features 20 participating sites across
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Bath, Odessa, Wilton, Amherstview, and Amherst
3:32
Island, each offering visitors a chance to connect
3:34
with the township's heritage through guided tours,
3:37
exhibits, demonstrations, family -friendly activities,
3:40
and behind -the -scenes experiences. Visitors
3:42
can experience everything from heritage architecture
3:44
and local history to art studios, agricultural
3:48
traditions, dry stone walls, and live demonstrations.
3:51
Featured activities include meeting rescue animals
3:53
at Second Chance Ranch, exploring hiking trails
3:56
from farm experiences at Topsy Farms, learning
3:59
about basket making at Babcock Mill, and tasting
4:02
locally made cheese at the Wilton Cheese Factory.
4:04
Admission is free at all participating sites.
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This year there is also a chance to win one of
4:09
two $100 prizes for anyone who visits five or
4:12
more sites. For event details, maps, and participating
4:15
locations, visit loyalist .ca slash doors open.
4:19
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
4:21
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
4:25
News. The County of Lennox and Addington has
4:36
started a Schedule C municipal class environmental
4:39
assessment to review and improve key intersections
4:41
along County Road 2. The study will look at options
4:44
to enhance safety traffic flow, and long -term
4:47
design at the intersections of County Road 1
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and County Road 2, as well as County Road 5 and
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County Road 2. Public information centers where
4:54
residents can learn more and share feedback are
4:56
planned for June and another in late fall. Dates
4:59
and venues will be provided as part of a formal
5:01
notice from the county. Attendees will be invited
5:03
to review the information presented and provide
5:05
feedback, questions, and comments that will be
5:07
considered as the study progresses. Once the
5:10
study is complete, an environmental study report
5:12
will be prepared and made available for comment.
5:18
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
5:21
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
5:25
News. Community members in Loyalist Township
5:36
have come forward with a petition for council
5:38
to reconsider the closing of the Leisure and
5:40
Activity Center in Amherstville. In April, staff
5:42
met with a working committee made up of residents
5:44
who were looking to preserve services at the
5:46
center. During this meeting, staff received the
5:48
petition consisting of over 1 ,500 signatures.
5:51
After receiving the petition, staff received
5:53
a request from a member of council to add the
5:55
petition to their latest agenda. Council originally
5:57
approved a staff recommendation to formally close
5:59
the center as a direct programming space on August
6:02
1, 2026. This came after a close three to two
6:05
vote. Residents who use the space regularly have
6:08
brought concerns to Council including the size
6:10
of the new space, privacy and the costs associated.
6:13
The matter will come before Council again at
6:15
their June 9th meeting. Loyalist Township resident
6:17
Lorna Thorne explained the petition and noted
6:20
the response from the community. We have collected
6:22
over 1 ,500 signatures for residents in Amherstview,
6:26
Odessa and Bath and the rural areas. Our petition
6:29
states that we would like Council to take the
6:31
necessary steps to make a reversal of the 3 -2
6:34
vote taken on March 10th regarding the decision
6:38
to close the lack and move existing programs
6:40
to the Henderson Community Centre. Going door
6:43
-to -door was a new experience and daunting for
6:46
many of us. We were overwhelmed with the positive
6:49
response we received from the constituents of
6:52
Loyalist Township. Resident of Loyalist Township
6:55
and former recreation director Cindy Lawson speaks
6:58
about the need for the centre. Following my retirement
7:00
in 2013, the space was renovated and since then
7:04
people of all ages have been enjoying a great
7:06
variety of programs. Disappointment is an understatement.
7:09
When I learned on March 10th, a staff report
7:12
recommended the closure of the Leisure and Activity
7:14
Centre and council approved it. I cannot understand
7:17
how a facility that took over 25 years to acquire
7:20
is no longer needed. This community is growing.
7:23
We currently have a space that serves us well.
7:26
Now is not the time to give it up, as we all
7:28
know to replace it is not in the foreseeable
7:30
future. Loyalist Township resident Barbara Usman
7:33
-Goldhar notes the importance of spaces like
7:36
the Leisure and Activity Center within a community.
7:38
As a widow recovering from illness, I looked
7:41
to find a center where I could begin my healing
7:45
process. Being a retired physiotherapist with
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35 years experience in rehabilitation, I knew
7:53
the benefits of exercise. I looked for an exercise
7:56
center and found the lack, just five minutes
7:59
from my home. I realized quickly that this was
8:02
the place that I needed. As I joined the exercise
8:05
classes, I found an energetic group of like -minded
8:08
people who were exercising to keep fit. For example,
8:12
to maintain diabetic control, blood pressure,
8:16
and weight gain, prevent aging complications
8:19
such as osteoporosis and dementia, and recover
8:22
from serious health issues. Morning classes with
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instructors who educate and model are particularly
8:28
helpful as they establish routines, prevent stiffness,
8:33
and improve energy and mental clarity. The LAC
8:35
offers a cohesive center where participants get
8:38
to know each other, find support, and have fun.
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Large, safe, and well -designed exercise centers
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like the LAC are essential to accommodate group
8:48
classes effectively. It is vital to create a
8:51
community where people can live healthier, longer,
8:54
and more connected lives. Another resident, Carla
8:56
Rogers, explains the concerns residents have
8:59
brought to Council. We have provided Council
9:01
and staff with the petition, several documents,
9:05
foot and photos explaining the opposition to
9:07
the concept of moving the fitness programs to
9:10
a room that is half the size with low ceilings,
9:13
epoxy flooring, and as well as the downfalls
9:16
of reducing class sizes and spreading them throughout
9:19
the day. We have explained the shortcomings of
9:21
the proposed room for the purpose of the children's
9:23
programs due to the lack of cooking facilities
9:25
and the reduced space. Community recreation facilities
9:29
are not just line items. They are infrastructure
9:32
that support health, connection and equality
9:35
of life in our township. Councillor Jake Ennis
9:38
spoke about the potential reconsideration at
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their June 9th meeting. I think residents have
9:43
been very clear about their concerns. I think
9:46
they've been very clear that they don't want
9:49
to see a reduction in service sympathetic to
9:54
those concerns. I think it's a positive step
9:58
that staff are looking at alternatives and I
10:01
think it's important for us. us to consider those
10:05
alternatives and for the public to consider those
10:08
alternatives in addition to a potential reconsideration
10:13
in June. Councillor Carol Park spoke about the
10:16
original decision and coming back to council
10:18
in June. I believe that council made the wrong
10:22
decision. That's my personal opinion. as a swing
10:26
vote that was part of that meeting, I do take
10:28
responsibility for that. So I do support this
10:31
motion and I look forward to this coming back
10:33
before council in June so that we can revisit
10:35
this. Deputy Mayor Nathan Townhoun spoke about
10:38
council's role in decision making and the importance
10:40
of municipal politics. We're elected to be decision
10:43
makers that make decisions based on... all of
10:47
the available information and have that be transparent
10:49
to the public. And so, you know, from that point
10:53
of principle, we're principally hamstrung until
10:56
June 9th. And maybe council's decision will be
11:00
to reconsider and to maintain status quo. I won't
11:04
comment on what that will be. That could be.
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But the point is council needs all the information
11:10
available and the public needs that information.
11:13
Municipal politics is incredibly important. It's
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the level of government closest to the public
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and that's never more evident than a chambers
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full of people concerned about what's happening
11:25
in their community and regardless of where anybody
11:28
stands on an individual issue, that's incredibly
11:31
important. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
11:34
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
11:37
North Shore News. Construction of the new pump
11:48
track at Loyalist Park in Amherstview has begun.
11:51
The expected completion date is July 30th. Thanks
11:54
to a confidential donation of $500 ,000, the
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construction of the pump track will not impact
11:59
the Township's budget. It will be developed at
12:01
no cost to Loyalist Township other than staff
12:04
time to oversee it. The entire project, including
12:07
the skate park, is estimated to cost approximately
12:09
$1 million and is being completed in two phases.
12:13
Phase 1 is the construction of the pump track,
12:15
including a skate bowl, while Phase 2 will include
12:17
the completion of the remaining skate park features,
12:20
subject to securing additional funding. Council
12:23
heard a presentation in June of 2025 from New
12:26
Line Skateparks, an engineering firm with expertise
12:28
in skate park construction. Now with approval,
12:31
the company is beginning construction. A public
12:33
consultation process is currently taking place
12:35
on the Township's website. Vice President and
12:38
Director of Business Development with New Line
12:40
Skateparks, Trevor Morgan, spoke about the benefits
12:42
of the skateparks and pump tracks they build
12:44
and the one they're looking to build in Loyalist
12:46
Township. Very integrated green space, connections
12:51
to pathways, colour, texture, art installations
12:55
that can be very exciting to... Put a signature,
12:59
I guess, of the community within the architecture
13:01
of the park, even through different lighting
13:02
schemes, if that's something that's desired,
13:04
and then accessibility. You're likely to have
13:07
folks from the adaptive community who would like
13:09
to ride this park. So yeah, every park has its
13:12
story and we hope there's a story to be told
13:14
here for the Township. Morgan noted the potential
13:17
boost in tourism the facility could bring. A
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network of these parks are being created in communities
13:23
across Canada and across Ontario and There's
13:26
a large population that will want to experience
13:29
each different unique park and communities and
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they'll purposely travel around, stop in these
13:34
communities, visit, spend money at local businesses,
13:37
maybe even spend a night. I know when I was 12
13:39
years old on the family trip and I was an avid
13:42
skateboarder, I could be very influential to
13:44
spend an extra night in the community if they
13:46
had that one skate park. Morgan spoke about the
13:48
potential of events at the facility as well.
13:50
You're likely to have user groups and community
13:53
groups that will say, hey, we would love to have
13:56
some some level of organized events there that
13:58
could be lessons nights some community -based
14:02
contests and so forth and so we really try to
14:05
design a modern park with that in mind. Councillor
14:09
Paul Proderick spoke about neighbouring communities
14:11
and their skate parks as well as what a new one
14:14
in Amherstview could do for the community. I
14:16
think the closest one to us is Napanee and then
14:19
you go to Picton's got a great site but again
14:21
it's it's probably 20 years old now I think it
14:24
becomes a hub. for gathering and it fits into
14:28
the master recreation plan also an opportunity
14:32
to add something to the community and I think
14:34
we haven't had a recreational facility addition
14:38
in well over I'm going to say 40 years and again
14:41
it's just through the the leadership of a community
14:44
member who wishes to help out in times where
14:47
we don't have a lot of money to do a lot of things
14:50
that we'd like to do. Councillor Jake Ennis spoke
14:52
about the donation and choice of the donor. It's
14:55
a very generous donation. They're very appreciative
14:58
for the donation and I think the donor is chosen
15:03
well. It's an amenity that focuses on youth and
15:08
one that I think will be very well used. Deputy
15:11
Mayor Nathan Townand showed his appreciation
15:13
towards the donor as well as what the project
15:15
will do for youth in the area. It's incredibly
15:18
generous and provides an amazing opportunity
15:21
for us and to appreciate the particular kinds
15:25
of youth that something like this can engage
15:29
based on the whole lifestyle and culture that
15:31
goes with it. Not one I claim to understand.
15:33
I think it's not just youth engagement writ large
15:38
in some sort of big, broad context. This is something
15:41
quite specific that I think will cater to members
15:45
in our community that otherwise don't have a
15:48
facility like this. I do go by the one in Napanee
15:54
quite regularly and it is a gathering place.
15:57
You see all sorts of demographics and ages and
16:00
different usage of it so I fully support this.
16:04
Mayor Jim Hagedorn spoke about the progress in
16:06
access to skateboarding facilities and shared
16:08
a story from his youth. I was in my teens on
16:11
probably a $10 skateboard trying to go down the
16:14
largest hill where I lived at the time called
16:17
Big Hill and with blind corners. It's come a
16:20
long way. When I was young, I've actually seen
16:23
some of the like may dock, they have a nice one
16:26
there. I remember when they were building the
16:29
first phase. And I was kind of like, what is
16:32
going on in there. And now to see it now, it's
16:36
been developed into the whole park is basically
16:39
devoted to this now. And it's packed all the
16:42
time. It is something that is what I believe
16:45
will be well used. And this is a Great opportunity,
16:48
I think, for Lilas Township to be able to provide
16:51
another amenity new to the community that will
16:55
be used, very well used, I believe, for an extended
16:58
period of time. For Amherst Island Radio and
17:01
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
17:04
This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council
17:16
pre -approved $900 ,000 in the 2027 capital budget
17:19
for the purchase of a new tanker for the Amherstview
17:22
Fire Station. They will also use nearly $85 ,000
17:25
from the 2026 capital budget for the down payment.
17:28
Council had already approved the purchase of
17:30
a new tanker for the Amherst Island Fire Station
17:32
in the 2026 capital budget and were informed
17:35
the tanker in Amherstview has reached the end
17:37
of its useful life. With fire apparatus costs
17:39
continuing to rise each year, staff noted that
17:42
delaying the purchase would see an increase of
17:44
at least $125, fire chief Kent Reedman s of getting
17:50
pre approval. incurred this year, no ad year
17:55
by the township. Th 25 ,000 plus in next year's
18:05
budget if we can do it this spring, as opposed
18:08
to waiting eight months. There's some significant
18:11
price increases coming down the pipe here, and
18:15
we're just trying to get ahead of it. Councillor
18:17
Mike Bodereck noted the importance of trying
18:19
to save money. I just appreciate that the chief's
18:22
trying to get ahead of this and save us a little
18:23
money, so it's always appreciated with how tight
18:26
times are these days. Councillor Paul Prodrick
18:28
showed his support for the pre approval. 100
18:30
,000 is a good savings and given the experiences
18:34
of the last few months. The value of our emergency
18:38
services cannot be measured in dollars and move
18:40
ahead with this as soon as possible. The emergency
18:43
services department looks to order the same tanker
18:45
that was ordered for Amherst Island and remain
18:47
consistent with their fleet for the next 20 to
18:49
25 years. The two old tankers will be sold and
18:52
are expected to generate nearly $75 ,000. This
18:56
will be applied to the fleet reserve for future
18:58
apparatus purchases. For Amherst Island Radio
19:01
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
19:03
Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township
19:15
has one remaining community town hall meeting
19:17
for the spring season. On Wednesday May 27th
19:20
at 6 .30 p .m. a meeting will take place on Amherst
19:22
Island at the Amherst Island Fire Hall at 955
19:25
Stella 40 -foot Road. The meetings will provide
19:28
updates on municipal programs and projects. There
19:30
will be opportunities to share ideas, ask questions,
19:33
and engage on projects that are currently open
19:35
for community consultation. For more information
19:37
visit Loyalist .ca. For Amherst Island Radio
19:41
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
19:43
Evans. This is North Shore News. The Bath Museum
19:56
and Visitor Center are welcoming the community
19:58
back this spring for another season of Culture
20:00
Talks, a speaker series celebrating history,
20:02
heritage, and storytelling. Hosted at the museum,
20:05
the series brings together local historians,
20:07
musicians, and researchers who share unique perspectives
20:10
on the region's history. Held on the third Monday
20:12
of the month from 6 to 7 p .m., Culture Talks
20:14
offer an opportunity to explore fascinating cultural
20:17
topics in an intimate setting. Tickets are $5
20:20
per person and seating is limited. June 22nd,
20:22
local historian Lloyd Tarian will deliver an
20:25
illustrated talk examining the opening years
20:27
of the War of 1812. Tarian explores the Alliance's
20:30
personalities and decisions that shaped the conflict's
20:33
early course. His presentation provides insight
20:35
into how British, Canadian militia and First
20:37
Nations forces defended Upper Canada during a
20:40
pivotal period. Culture Talks take place at the
20:42
Bath Museum located at 434 Main Street in Bath.
20:46
Tickets for each talk can be purchased online.
20:48
For more information about Culture Talks and
20:50
other upcoming programs, visit Loyalist .ca.
20:53
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
20:56
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
21:00
News. This has been North Shore News and Interviews.
21:06
If you have an idea for a story or want to create
21:09
stories for the show, consider joining our volunteer
21:12
team. Contact Amherst Island Radio for more details.