Latest / North Shore News / August 13th, 2026

Transcript

August 13th, 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. The East Lenox and Addington OPP
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Detachment Board marked 2025 as an important
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year as they presented their annual report to
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Loyalist Township Council. Community representative
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for Loyalist Township and the town of Greater
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Napanee, Jessica Jones, provided council with
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an overview of the work the board did in 2025.
0:45
Overall 2025 was an important year for East Lenox
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and Addington OPP Detachment Board. Much of our
0:51
work has been about establishing the board. putting
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the necessary governance pieces in place, completing
0:57
our training and developing the processes and
0:59
relationships that will allow us to effectively
1:02
represent our municipalities and communities
1:04
going forward. As we continue to develop, our
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focus will remain on ensuring that the communities
1:09
we represent have a meaningful voice in policing
1:11
priorities. and that we continue to foster a
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strong collaborative relationship between our
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municipalities, our residents, and the OPP. Jones
1:20
detailed how they've worked to establish the
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board. Because this is still a relatively new
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board under the Community Safety and Policing
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Act, a significant portion of our work has involved
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establishing the governance structure necessary
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for the board to operate effectively, which includes
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a lot of bylaws and policies that are just the
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foundational work for the board moving forward.
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That's included developing and adopting our bylaws
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and policies in areas such as remuneration, misconduct
1:47
and conflict of interest, as well as communications
1:50
and information sharing. And while governance
1:52
is an important part of our mandate, ultimately
1:54
our work comes back to community safety and policing.
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Our role is to ensure that there's a strong connection
2:00
between the communities we represent and the
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OPP, providing policing services to them and
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that community needs and priorities continue
2:08
to be a part of those conversations. Jones further
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explains the role of the The East Lenox and Addington
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OPP Detachment Board represents the four municipalities
2:16
served by our OPP Detachment. Addington Highlands
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Township, the Town of Greater Napanee, Loyalist
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Township, and Stone Mills Township. Our role
2:24
is one of civilian governance and community representation.
2:28
We work collaboratively with the OPP detachment
2:30
commander to provide guidance and advice regarding
2:32
policing services and to help ensure that policing
2:34
priorities and initiatives reflect the needs
2:36
of the communities we represent. An important
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part of that role is supporting community safety
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while also promoting transparency and accountability
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and helping to maintain a positive relationship
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between the OPP and the communities that it serves.
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Our inaugural meeting was held on November 14th,
2:52
2024. and our meeting records are publicly available.
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We've also made the decision to rotate our meetings
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amongst the four municipalities represented by
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the board, which we think is very important.
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Although we operate as one detachment board,
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we represent four distinct municipalities, each
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with its own community, geography, priorities,
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and policing needs. Jones spoke about members
3:12
on the board and their training. Our board is
3:14
made up of six members, providing both municipal
3:17
and community representation across those four
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municipalities. Here in Loyalist, Mayor Hagedorn
3:23
serves as our council's representative and I
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have the privilege of serving as the joint community
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representative for Loyalist Township and Greater
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Napanee. Our other members include Councillor
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Bob Norrie representing Greater Napanee, Councillor
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Sherrie Milligan representing Stone Mills. Tina
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Marie Chamberlain as the community representative
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for Addington Highlands and Stone Mills and Tony
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Fritch who's now representing the Addington Highlands
3:47
Council. All six board members have also completed
3:50
prescribed training developed by the Ministry
3:52
of the Solicitor General and it covered areas
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including police governance, policing in Ontario,
3:58
the roles and responsibilities of the detachment
4:00
boards, and requirements relating to board appointments,
4:03
training, codes of conduct, and conflicts of
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interest. While some of that work is not necessarily
4:08
the most visible part of what we do, it has been
4:10
an important part of establishing a strong foundation
4:13
for the board and ensuring that we can carry
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out our responsibilities appropriately and effectively.
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Mayor Jim Hagedorn noted the importance of community
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representatives on the board. We are very fortunate
4:24
with the residents, representatives that we've
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got on the board. Very engaged, very knowledgeable,
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and they certainly do represent the residents
4:33
very well, I believe. For Amherst Island Radio
4:36
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
4:38
Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township
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Council appointed former CAO Diane Pierce as
4:54
deputy mayor until the end of council's current
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term. Council heard from three candidates before
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nominating Pierce and passing the motion to appoint
5:01
her as deputy mayor. I never expected this to
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happen and I feel truly honored and I will do
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the best job I possibly can. Pierce read and
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signed a declaration of office. I, Diane Pierce,
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having been elected to the office of Deputy Mayor
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in the municipality of Loyalist Township, do
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solemnly promise and declare that I will truly
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faithfully and impartially exercise this office
5:26
to the best of my knowledge and ability. I have
5:29
not received and will not receive any payment
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or reward or promise thereof for the exercise
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of this office on a biased, corrupt, or in any
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other improper manner. I will disclose any pecuniary
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interest, direct or indirect, in accordance with
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the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. I will
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be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty
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King Charles III, and I make this solemn promise
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in declaration, conscientiously believing it
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to be true and knowing that it is of the same
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force and effect as it made under oath. The role
6:03
became vacant on June 15th following Nathan Townend
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taking on a staff position with Lennox and Addington
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County. The clerk's division requested suggestions
6:11
from council regarding potential nominees to
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fill the position. Nominees were then contacted
6:15
to confirm their interest. Those who expressed
6:17
interest besides Pierce were former mayor of
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Loyalist Township Bill Lowery and former councillor
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John Ivey. Pierce's statement before council
6:24
made their decision outlined her work with the
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township. My 39 -year career in municipal government
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was on the administration side, not the council
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side. I never expected to give a campaign speech.
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That fact is different. differentiates me from
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the other nominees whom I respect for their lengthy
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political service to the Township and whom I
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respect as individuals and former colleagues.
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They are worthy candidates. My fellow nominees
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and I have all served the Township in our time
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and made a meaningful contribution in our own
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sphere of operation and influence. As Deputy
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Mayor, even for this temporary appointment, I
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would take my role seriously as the position
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deserves and I would dedicate my time and talents
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fully. I would ask council to consider the ongoing
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involvement I have had in Township Matters since
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my retirement as a fundraiser, as a witness for
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the Township before the Ontario Land Tribunal,
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and more extensively, as an active member of
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an advisory committee to council for several
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years. Former Mayor Bill Lowery explained his
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interest in the position during his statement.
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When I got the call to see if I wanted to volunteer
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to serve in the chair of deputy, It was the same
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way that I got into politics. My next -door neighbor
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back in 1999 came to me and said, did you ever
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think about getting into politics? And I just
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looked at him and thought he was in space somewhere.
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But I went home and thought about it. And I was
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thinking about retiring. And that road was going
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to come. And I wanted something to do. because
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I was appointed. It was only a two year term
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in a three year election. It just was all an
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immediate flashback when I got the call from
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the municipality to see if I want to put my name
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forward. And I just immediately felt that I did.
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There was no hesitation. You know, it was just,
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yes, they're asking me to do something and I'd
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like to do it. I also made note of the other
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candidates during his statement. I have time
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and I believe I have enough background to fill
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the position and I was surprised to be remembered
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from that far back. I looked at the the other
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candidates and they're very high level people.
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Mayor Jim Hagedorn spoke about the qualifications
8:43
of all three candidates and how it wasn't an
8:45
easy decision. This is a tough one, but with
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all three very qualified, I basically had to
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come to the conclusion that whatever motion went
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on the floor. I have no reason to say no to whatever
8:59
motion it is. The quality and qualifications
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of the people sitting here is amazing. It's outstanding
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that a municipality has the brain trust, the
9:10
experience, and the willingness to step up and
9:14
help when the time is needed. and the township
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is very blessed. To support a consistent and
9:20
transparent approach to filling council vacancies,
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staff developed a procedure for when a vacancy
9:24
occurs during a period in which a by -election
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cannot be held. According to staff, the procedure
9:29
establishes a clear framework for council's consideration
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of appointments. After being appointed, Pierce
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joined council for the remainder of the meeting.
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Pierce will hold office during the September
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8th and September 22nd regular meetings of council.
9:41
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
9:44
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
9:47
News. A new design for the main level of Napanee
9:59
Town Hall has been approved by council and staff
10:01
will now move forward with the renovation. The
10:03
new design would include moving the lease space
10:05
for the Chamber of Commerce to the front of the
10:07
building. This space would then be used for storage.
10:10
Staff would be looking to then move washrooms
10:12
to the back of the building. The new washrooms
10:14
would include a barrier -free, fully accessible
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washroom and two standard washrooms. Staff's
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next report to council will include full construction
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drawings, as well as a breakdown of costs for
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the interior renovation. Further design work
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will continue beyond that, as well as stakeholder
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consultation with the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary
10:30
Club of Napanee, and relevant advisory committees.
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The design includes a durable vinyl plank flooring
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chosen for its ease of care and to reflect the
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plank floors that buildings of the same age were
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originally constructed with. Mayor Terry Richardson
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spoke about the renovation. It's placing the
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Chamber of Commerce in the front of the building
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which has many many options. The back of the
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building where they were going to be is a part
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of the facility that I think would be better
10:56
suited be quite honest with you for storage.
10:58
It's a part of the facility that was never abated
11:02
and I think it'd be more appropriate if we use
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that for storage and then there's a number of
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different advantages, especially with the bathrooms
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in the back as originally when the bathrooms
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put in this building, that's where they were.
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So I'm almost thinking that there's probably
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still holes and plumbing on the floor that would
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assist us in doing that. CAO Matthew Grant noted
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the committees that worked on the project and
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spoke about some of the new features of the design.
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That work has been undertaken with the Market
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Square Advisory Committee and as well as the
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Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture. been
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a number of meetings and discussions. And there's
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also been input received from the Arts Committee
11:41
and as well from the Heritage Committee. So in
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essence, they've talked about, you know, Clearing
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out the insides, ensuring that there is infrastructure
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to hang arts material, putting in a coffee bar.
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Staff provided council with various options for
11:58
where washrooms would be located, as well as
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the location of the Chamber of Commerce offices.
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Grant spoke about the option council chose. The
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committees themselves didn't have the ability
12:08
to consider this fully given that where the Chamber
12:12
of Commerce is located was considered off limits
12:15
in the planning exercise. I think having the
12:17
Chamber in the front solves their accessibility
12:19
problems and people aren't going through the
12:22
event space to get to their office. Councilor
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Angela Hicks noted some of the reasoning behind
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Council's decision. I think it's a better use
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of the space. I have never liked the idea of
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the bathrooms at the front of the building because
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we lose the natural light coming through two,
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if not three. Well, it would have been all three.
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those windows in the front. It also gives us
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the option for a closet. So the occupancy limit
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is 149 people. We didn't consider where they'd
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all be hanging their coats in January. Richardson
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spoke about the future of the facility. I had
12:55
some different ideas as well, but they've convinced
12:58
me that this type of floor plan is the way we
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should go. So I, for one, am going to be very
13:02
excited to see some of the progress that we're
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going to see downstairs because I think it's
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going to be an absolutely marvelous and fabulous
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facility for our community. For Amherst Island
13:12
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
13:15
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Greater
13:27
Nappany Council has unanimously decided to suspend
13:29
a grass cutting order until staff can review
13:31
the bylaw and bring back more information. Staff
13:34
will be looking to differentiate between neglected
13:36
lawns and naturalized lawns in the bylaw. Mayor
13:39
Terry Richardson explained the process will likely
13:41
involve public consultation. We at the town of
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Greater Nappany have recognized that the bylaw
13:48
that we have should be updated. We have updated
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a vast amount of bylaws, a vast amount of...
13:55
processes and policies over the past two and
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a half years. The lawn cutting bylaw is one that
14:00
we do need to address. We do need to update it
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and we've just run out of time. It's going to
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require, I think, probably an awful lot of public
14:09
consultation because for every conversation that
14:12
we have, there's someone on the other side of
14:14
the conversation that says, well, what about
14:16
this and what about that? So I know it's it's
14:18
it's one of those things that's high on the priority
14:20
list. So rest assured, we will look at it. It's
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an issue that the municipality has recognized.
14:26
It's just just a timing thing. Richardson spoke
14:29
about concerns regarding long grass. It's very
14:31
well known that the black legged tick in Eastern
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Ontario, specifically in long areas of Lake Ontario,
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They're very, very prominent and probably a good
14:43
portion of those ticks do carry the Lyme disease.
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Most recently in the news, we've heard about
14:51
the Lone Star tick. I guess the concern with
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the long grass is the, first of all for me anyways,
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is the tick. problem because of the prominent
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tick problem that we have in Eastern Ontario.
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It should be a concern. CAO Matthew Grant spoke
15:05
about the work staff would be doing in the meantime.
15:08
I think staff can come back and talk about what
15:10
a review process would look like. I think that
15:12
this would require reasonable amounts of public
15:15
consultation. the one of the number one complaints
15:18
we get in bylaw services is unkept lawns. So
15:22
we could take a look at the experience of others.
15:24
We could provide options at that time because
15:27
of course whatever we would recommend would be
15:30
something that would be extrapolated out to the
15:34
broader community. So one month's time to be
15:36
able to put that together, I think, is a reasonable
15:38
ask. And until such time, I'm happy to tell bylaw
15:41
to suspend the order. Residents came forward
15:44
to ask council to suspend the grass cutting order
15:47
while they update their bylaw. Resident Austin
15:49
Lloyd spoke about issues with the current bylaw.
15:52
I believe Greater Napanes grass cutting bylaw
15:54
served our community well when it was written
15:57
25 years ago. But horticulture and environmental
16:00
science has changed and I believe our bylaws
16:03
change too. I want to be clear, I'm not suggesting
16:06
that people should be allowed to abandon their
16:08
properties, public safety, neighborhood appearance,
16:12
and respect for neighbors. matters. Vegetation
16:15
should never block sidewalks, roads, intersections,
16:18
traffic signs, hydrants, or spill into neighboring
16:21
properties. Naturalized landscapes should still
16:24
have maintained edges, clear pathways, and appropriate
16:28
setbacks. There is an important difference between
16:31
neglected property and an intentionally managed
16:35
landscape. Right now I don't think our bylaw
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clearly recognizes that difference. Lloyd noted
16:40
more modernized bylaws that other communities
16:43
across Ontario are adopting. Burlington recognizes
16:46
naturalized landscapes that are deliberately
16:48
planted, regulated, and regularly maintained.
16:51
Belleville also allows naturalized gardens while
16:54
continuing to require proper maintenance, setbacks,
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and removal of noxious weeds. These communities
17:00
haven't lowered their standards. they've modernized
17:03
them. Resident Julie Bogdanovic tends to two
17:06
properties on Dorland Drive and received an order
17:08
to comply with grass cutting. Bogdanovic invited
17:11
council to view her properties and councillors
17:13
who did noted the importance of naturalized lawns
17:15
and removing noxious weeds. Bogdanovic explained
17:18
what a new bylaw could focus on. Many municipalities
17:21
in Ontario have modernized and fine -tuned their
17:24
bylaws. And so instead of a bylaw requiring the
17:27
removal of tall grass, a bylaw can speak to the
17:30
health and safety and the removal of noxious
17:32
plants. And I know firsthand how cities can evolve
17:35
and modernize their bylaws to be more specific
17:38
about health, safety and sustainability. Councillor
17:40
Bob Norrie spoke about viewing Bogdanovich's
17:42
properties and updating the bylaw. My wife and
17:45
I Sunday drove out here. The noxious weeds are
17:47
gone, which being on Quinty Conservation, I learned
17:49
a lot about. It doesn't have to be a pristine
17:51
garden of flowers. This was quite something to
17:54
see. So I really think we have to rethink this
17:56
because maybe people with backyards like where
17:58
I live near the hospital might want to have it
18:00
looking like that, you know, make it more for
18:02
the butterflies and that. Councillor Bill Martin
18:04
spoke about what the new bylaw might look like.
18:06
That's what we really want to get to is noxious
18:09
weeds, not whether somebody's got a naturalized
18:12
lawn. So, I mean, I really think we need to amend
18:15
our bylaw to accept. the fact that one size doesn't
18:20
always fit all. The order to mow I think should
18:24
be suspended until staff can look at the by -law
18:28
and I think there should be an appeal process
18:31
put in there if somebody gets an order to do
18:35
whatever, whether it's mowing or whatever, there
18:39
should be an appeal process. job to do at times.
18:47
So I know that they're trying to use or I think
18:49
that they've tried to use some form of discretion
18:51
in order to find some type of resolution so that
18:54
we can at least keep peace in the neighborhood
18:57
I guess is the best way to put it. Staff will
18:59
be coming forward with more information for council
19:01
at their next meeting August 28th. For Amherst
19:04
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
19:07
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Lennox
19:19
and Addington County Council will be reducing
19:22
the speed limit along County Road 9 for a one
19:24
-year trial period. After much discussion, Council
19:26
chose this option to avoid removing the trees.
19:29
The three remaining trees on County Road 5 will
19:31
be removed due to their condition, while a guardrail
19:34
will be installed in front of the tree on County
19:36
Road 41. Council will also address plans in the
19:39
future for planting new trees in place of those
19:41
removed. The trees are primarily bur oak and
19:44
are approximately 250 years old. The lifespan
19:47
of bur oak trees in Ontario ranges from 200 to
19:50
300 years. In preparation for upcoming construction,
19:54
county staff identified trees located within
19:56
designated clear zones of the roadways. Residents
19:59
had previously come forward and asked council
20:01
to not remove the trees. Director of Infrastructure
20:04
Services Chris Wager explained the work staff
20:06
did. Staff completed a further review of the
20:09
trees that were identified within the clear zone
20:12
on County Road 41 and on County Road 9. Additionally,
20:16
staff engaged two engineering firms to also complete
20:20
a safety analysis and look at options to preserve
20:23
the trees. These reports considered options such
20:27
as warning signs, regulatory signage. traffic
20:30
calming, protection barriers and even roadway
20:33
realignments. The reports included benefits and
20:37
concerns as well as potential costs. Staff also
20:41
included an example of a municipality where they
20:45
decided to use the lower clear zone or I guess
20:50
the lowest clear zone distance of three meters
20:52
in order to preserve the trees along their road.
20:56
Other than realigning the roadway and or removing
21:00
the trees in Counter Road 9. There's no other
21:02
options that improve safety and reduce liability
21:05
from the county. As per the Municipal Act, the
21:08
county has a duty of care to keep the roads in
21:11
reasonable state of repair. Failure to remove
21:14
or properly deal with hazards exposes the public
21:18
to danger and opens the county to legal consequences.
21:23
Wagher spoke about staff's original recommendation
21:25
to remove the trees and more about the county's
21:28
legal liability. Staff's recommendation to remove
21:30
the trees from last month's council is based
21:34
on engineering standards that are used by municipalities
21:39
across Ontario and Canada. These guidelines are
21:43
not legally binding, so council can go outside
21:48
of them. However, they are used by courts and
21:51
expert witnesses as evidence of the accepted
21:54
standards of engineering practice. In short,
21:58
a municipality can deviate from TAC, but they
22:01
need like a reason for the deviation and it needs
22:03
to be well documented and supported by engineering
22:06
rationale. Courts will look at whether the municipality
22:09
acted reasonably, whether the design reflected
22:13
engineering standards, and whether the risks
22:16
were foreseeable, and whether the municipality
22:18
has a rational base for the design decision.
22:20
Councillor Brian Calvert noted the importance
22:22
of looking into other options. I've kicked this
22:25
around 85 ways from Sunday. I understand the
22:28
distance is dotty dot. I get that. But I can't
22:31
see why we can't try something before we bring
22:34
out the chainsaws. Councillor Terry Richardson
22:36
spoke about looking into other options as well.
22:39
I think there are other options with respect
22:41
to the signage that I think we could take a look
22:43
at and and at least on a trial. basis to examine.
22:49
My personal opinion is that I don't think we've
22:51
done enough and I do think that there are other
22:53
options that would reduce liability and increase
22:58
safety. Deputy Warden Tony Fritz spoke about
23:00
the effectiveness of reducing speed limits. It's
23:03
a very sensitive subject. There's no one in the
23:06
room that doesn't want to preserve trees, but
23:08
it's the habits of drivers that I see every day
23:11
where they don't believe in anything on the road
23:15
essentially. double lines, they'll pass anywhere,
23:18
pass on hills, do this, do that, like driver
23:22
behavior today is just not obedient in terms
23:27
of speed limits, where you can pass or what you
23:29
can do. So I do struggle with believing that
23:34
we're begging them to slow down through signage,
23:37
so to speak, but I very much struggle believing
23:41
that they would actually comply with that and
23:44
that it will solve. the problem. Wagher noted
23:47
the differences between installing stop signs
23:49
or reducing the speed limit. Using a stop sign
23:52
does not remove any liability whatsoever or in
23:57
my opinion really improve safety at that location.
24:01
Reducing the speed limit like say posting it
24:04
at a 40 kilometer an hour or 50 kilometer an
24:06
hour, that is a regulatory sign that is used
24:09
to control speed and that would not remove any
24:13
liability. It would marginally marginally improve
24:16
safety because some traffic would slow down,
24:20
but that hazard still exists within the clear
24:23
zone. But reducing the speed limit, in my opinion,
24:27
it still has minor improvements, but the liability
24:31
risks are still there with the municipality as
24:35
far as insurance implications. But there is a
24:37
marginal increase in safety with the reduction
24:40
of reduced or with a reduced speed. Wagga spoke
24:44
about motorists not following speed limits. We
24:47
collect data on our roads and design speed or
24:49
the clear zone distance is defined by the operating
24:53
speed which is the 85th percentile of traffic
24:56
and we take that even even at a posted 50 the
25:02
design speed might come in around 70 if people
25:05
aren't really slowing down. those trees are still
25:07
within that clear zone with that distance and
25:09
still have the hazard. An argument could be made
25:12
that should there an incident occur that council's
25:18
not liable, the county may still be liable, but
25:20
staff and council that wouldn't be liable because
25:23
they made an engineering decision and there was
25:25
a rationale to lower speed there. But again,
25:30
you're looking at That grove of trees is the
25:32
real issue and problem because they are so close
25:35
to the road. There's still a huge risk there.
25:39
According to the TAC manual, the operating speed
25:44
would have to be less than 50 kilometers an hour
25:47
to remove the trees from liability that are three
25:51
meters and greater. Any tree that is three meters
25:55
or less, which is that seven of the nine trees
25:58
in the grove, we're not removing any liability
26:01
from the municipality, regardless of speed. Typically,
26:05
what we see in our roads is if you post a speed
26:08
at 80, people are driving 15 to 20 kilometres
26:11
above that. If you post the speed at 60, people
26:13
are driving 10 to 15 kilometres above that, except
26:17
in your urban, higher urban areas. Out there,
26:23
again, people drive what they're... feel, what
26:26
the feel of the road is and what they're expected
26:29
to drive, you could post that at 30 and still
26:32
have speeds of 70. The clear zone calculation
26:35
and liability is then calculated by the actual
26:38
speeds and I just don't think they would come
26:40
down low enough regardless of whatever we post
26:43
out there. Wagers spoke about speed enforcement
26:45
and the work staff would do to implement the
26:47
speed reduction. We would notify the OPP that
26:50
there's a new signage going in. We'd change our
26:53
bylaw. We worked with the OPP at our TAC. They
26:58
would assign officers because it's a newly created
27:01
zone. So I would expect increased enforcement.
27:06
That said... enforcement is only available on
27:10
the available officers that are in the area.
27:13
The location of that, it's tough to get out there
27:17
and then respond to other calls and other needed
27:19
areas. So I do expect increased enforcement and
27:22
I can see increased enforcement. I would caution
27:25
that it's not going to be the enforcement that
27:28
the public would be looking for and complaints
27:30
and wanting enforcement would increase. Calvert
27:33
spoke about putting a guardrail in front of the
27:35
tree on County Road 41. I've been out there I've
27:38
looked at it and I fully believe it can be saved
27:41
by throwing a guardrail up there for that one.
27:43
You know the one and a half meter protection
27:45
zone is there for the guardrail I don't see why
27:47
there can't be a guardrail put up to protect
27:49
that tree. They did cut one of the other trees
27:51
down recently about the same size and shape that
27:55
had some issues but that tree is... in my opinion
27:58
is 100 % healthy and worth looking after. Waggers
28:01
spoke about why they chose to remove the trees
28:03
on County Road 5. They are very similar to the
28:07
grove of trees on County Road 9. In fact, I think
28:10
the one is even even closer than most of them.
28:13
So it's just these three trees that we're recommending
28:16
removal of. Should there be any wet condition
28:19
or... A driver not paying attention or any incidents
28:24
on the road, these trees are right in your line
28:26
of sight and again are a safety hazard due to
28:31
the proximity and within the clear zone. For
28:33
Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
28:35
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
28:39
News. Loyalist Township Council agreed to proclaim
28:50
October 21st, 2026 as the 26th Annual Child Care
28:54
Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation
28:57
Day. The day is in recognition of the education,
29:00
dedication, and commitment of child care workers
29:02
to children, their families, and quality of life
29:04
within their community. The proclamation request
29:07
noted that trained and knowledgeable registered
29:09
early childhood educators are the key to quality
29:12
in early years and child care programs. It stated
29:15
that early learning and child care promotes the
29:17
well -being of children and responds to the needs
29:19
of families as well as the broader community
29:21
by supporting quality of life. Each year, the
29:23
day is proclaimed by the Ontario Coalition for
29:26
Better Child Care, the Canadian Union of Public
29:28
Employees, as well as municipalities and school
29:31
boards across Ontario. The day is marked by hundreds
29:34
of child care centres, unions and allies. Councillor
29:37
Paul Proderick showed his support for proclaiming
29:39
the day. Having spent 30 years in education,
29:43
this is a core group both within the school system
29:46
and within child care that are vastly underpaid
29:49
and underappreciated at times, but their contribution
29:53
to youth is, it can't be measured. For Amherst
29:56
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
29:59
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
30:11
Township Council approved the extension of the
30:14
Loyalist Link pilot program to September 3rd,
30:17
2027. This will maintain uninterrupted service
30:20
while the Township waits for the outcome of their
30:22
Ontario Transit Infrastructure Fund application.
30:25
Funding for the extension will be provided through
30:27
provincial gas tax allocations as well as fares.
30:30
Beginning in September, the current 90A -90B
30:33
service will transition to a single connector
30:35
route linking Bath, Odessa and Millhaven to the
30:38
WJ Henderson hub. will align with the planned
30:41
shift for Kingston Transit Route 10 to 30 minute
30:44
intervals. According to staff, the combined ridership
30:46
of the two Loyalist link routes was over 9 ,600
30:49
in 2025 and continues to grow. Staff are looking
30:53
to improve coverage, flexibility and cost efficiency.
30:56
They will be reporting back to council with updated
30:58
financial projections and service performance
31:00
metrics following the release of the funding
31:02
decision. Director of Community and Customer
31:04
Services Lori McFarland noted plans for the future.
31:08
There is plans to increase ridership. You know,
31:12
we're trying to do that. Hopefully, you know,
31:16
through the as presented, we're looking at on
31:20
demand, which could bring some efficiencies.
31:24
and might increase ridership as well. Director
31:26
of Corporate Services Strategy and Innovation
31:28
Jenna Campbell spoke about waiting for the outcome
31:31
of the funding decision. We are limited right
31:33
now in some of our actions that we can take while
31:36
we're waiting to have the final OTF application
31:40
submitted to the province because we have to
31:43
remain in pilot status so some of those opportunities
31:48
may come to fruition a little bit more in terms
31:52
of encouraging the growth of the ridership and
31:54
that sort of thing once we have an idea of whether
31:56
we'll be receiving that funding. Councillor Paul
31:59
Broderick showed his support for the program.
32:01
I remember going out for a early morning ride
32:04
with director Campbell around the the first few
32:07
weeks and you know sort of thinking we're going
32:09
to be the only two on here but the data supports
32:13
some growth and I think that was the original
32:15
thing we were worried about was Would people
32:17
come thinking of this is only going to last a
32:19
year, you know, we're not going to change our
32:21
habits, but I think we're heading in the right
32:23
direction. And this is one thing I'm really proud
32:26
this council has done is looked into that. And
32:28
I hope that we can continue this down the road.
32:31
I think it's a viable service and through personal
32:34
experience. Anytime you can get my kid on public
32:36
transit, we're doing something right. For Amherst
32:39
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
32:41
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
32:54
Township will be recognizing October 10th, 2026
32:57
as National Dental Care Day. Council heard from
33:00
founder of the day, Dr. Raj Kanuja, who spoke
33:02
about the importance of improving access to oral
33:04
health care. Kanuja explains how and why he started
33:08
the initiative. National Dental Care Day started
33:11
from one simple moment. Years ago, I met a single
33:14
mother who was living with severe dental pain.
33:18
She avoided treatment because she could not afford
33:21
it. She told me she was saving every dollar she
33:24
had so she could keep a promise to buy used hockey
33:28
equipment for her child. She chose her child
33:31
over herself. That moment stayed with me because
33:35
dental pain is not just about teeth. It affects
33:38
confidence, sleep, work, mental health. and dignity.
33:43
That is why National Dental Care Day was created.
33:47
Kanuja speaks about how the initiative has grown
33:49
and notes numbers from last year. What started
33:52
as one free dental day has now grown into a national
33:56
movement after 13 years of volunteer care. Last
34:00
year alone, 219 Canadians received care across
34:05
the country through volunteer clinics. and professionals.
34:09
National Dental Care Day was proclaimed by 25
34:12
municipalities, three premiers, and two lieutenant
34:15
governors. It was also spoken about in the Senate
34:19
of Canada by Senator Mohammed Iqbal Rawalia and
34:23
entered into the Hansard parliamentary record.
34:27
National Dental Care Day mobilizes volunteer
34:29
dental professionals, students, clinics, educators
34:32
and community partners across Canada to provide
34:35
essential dental care to underserved individuals
34:37
and families without cost, barriers or judgment.
34:41
The initiative emphasizes the importance of oral
34:43
health as an essential component of overall health
34:45
and well -being. Kanuja explains the importance
34:48
of bringing National Dental Care Day to more
34:50
communities. The need for dental care is not
34:53
limited to one city or one region. It exists
34:56
in every community. Dentistry is expensive. and
35:00
not being able to afford care forces many people
35:04
to live in pain, lose teeth, hide their smile,
35:08
and lose confidence and dignity. For Amherst
35:12
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
35:14
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. August
35:27
19th at 6pm there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony
35:30
for the grand opening of the new pump track at
35:32
Loyalist Park in Amherst View. BMX riders from
35:35
BMX Training 613 will be giving a live pump track
35:38
demonstration showcasing skills and techniques
35:40
for riders of all ages. After the demonstration
35:43
participants are invited to use the track. Mayor
35:46
Jim Hagedorn spoke about the progress in access
35:48
to skateboarding facilities and shared a story
35:50
from his youth. I was in my teens on probably
35:54
a $10 skateboard trying to go down the largest
35:57
hill where I lived at the time, called Big Hill,
36:00
and with blind corners. It's come a long way
36:02
when I was young. I've actually seen some of
36:06
the, like, Maydock. They have a nice one there.
36:10
I remember when they were building the first
36:12
phase, and I was kind of like, what is going
36:14
on in there? And now to see it now, it's been
36:18
developed into the whole park is basically devoted
36:21
to this now, and it's packed all the time. It
36:25
is something that is what I believe will be well
36:27
used. And this is a great opportunity, I think,
36:31
for Loyalist Township to be able to provide another
36:34
amenity new to the community that will be used
36:37
very well used, I believe, for an extended period
36:40
of time. For more information, visit Loyalist
36:43
.ca. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
36:46
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
36:50
News. The Bath Museum and Visitor Center is welcoming
37:01
the community back for another season of Culture
37:03
Talks, a speaker series celebrating history,
37:06
heritage and storytelling. Hosted at the museum,
37:08
the series brings together local historians,
37:10
musicians and researchers who share unique perspectives
37:13
on the region's history. Held on the third Monday
37:15
of the month from 6 to 7 p .m., culture talks
37:18
offer an opportunity to explore fascinating cultural
37:20
topics in an intimate setting. Tickets are $5
37:23
per person and seating is limited. Monday, September
37:26
28th at 6 p .m. Stephen Bruce Med will be presenting
37:29
a combination of song ballads and storytelling.
37:31
The evening will cover historical events and
37:33
people in pre -Confederation Canada, including
37:35
indigenous connections, French explorers, loyalist
37:38
refugees of the American Revolution, the War
37:40
of 1812, and more. Stephen Bruce Med is a performing
37:44
soloist of historical ballads and spiritual songs.
37:47
His songs are inspired by Canadian history, the
37:49
remote and beautiful landscapes he explored as
37:51
a geologist, and social issues of the day. Monday,
37:54
October 26 at 6 p .m., Phil Norton will be telling
37:57
his 2021 bicycle camping journey from Prince
37:59
Edward County to the Mexican border. Repeating
38:02
a journey he did in 1979 and 1980 as a 22 -year
38:05
-old, Norton set off again in 2021 at the age
38:08
of 63. Norton tells personal stories about his
38:11
adventure, combined with the geography and people
38:13
he met along the way. Culture Talks take place
38:15
at the Bath Museum located at 434 Main Street
38:18
in Bath. Tickets for each talk can be purchased
38:21
online. For more information about Culture Talks
38:23
and other upcoming programs, visit loyalist .ca
38:26
slash events. For Amherst Island Radio and the
38:29
Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This
38:32
is North Shore News. This has been North Shore
38:36
News and Interviews. If you have an idea for
38:39
a story, or want to create stories for the show,
38:43
consider joining our volunteer team. Contact
38:46
Amherst Island Radio for more details.