News
Last night, Council approved a number of resolutions. Brenda Little has more.
There were several resolutions brought forward at council last night. Councillor Brany introduced a resolution suggesting a Vacant Commercial Storefront Tax that other jurisdictions are exploring. He noted that vacant storefronts detract from the character of the community, and have negative impacts on the surrounding small businesses. Councillor Pennel presented a resolution regarding insurance for heritage buildings, noting that many companies will not insure heritage-designated buildings or rate is greatly increased. And Councillor McNaughton brought forward a resolution regarding Bill 97 and the changes to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act where statutory timelines and privacy governance frameworks have been amended. She encouraged everyone to contact local government to protest. All resolutions were approved and will be sent to the appropriate government levels.
There was also a surprising turn of events at Shire Hall last night. Picton Councillor Phil St. Jean, also Chair of the Affordable Housing Corporation, objected to an opinion piece in the April 29 edition of the Wellington Times. He felt several comments about the Affordable Housing Corporation and its members were unacceptable, slanderous, and libelous. Wellington Councillor Corey Engelsdorfer is the owner and publisher of the Times, and was taken aback and disappointed that Councillor St. Jean did not speak to him in advance. Councillor Engelsdorfer stated that his name was not at the bottom of the opinion piece. There was no conclusive outcome in the Council meeting.
Council approved some big-ticket items last night that are in line with the budget. Work on the Crystal Palace roof by Semple Gooder Roofing will cost just under $450,000. The $428,000 purchase of a wheel loader from Brandt Tractor was approved. A single-axle dump truck will be purchased from Rush Truck Centre for $420,000. The Elm Street Laneway reconstruction by Cobourg Development Services will cost $250,000. An additional $100,000 for the Elm Street Laneway project will be taken from the Urban Roads Construction Reserve.
Council discussed a proposal to provide the Prince Edward County Fitness and Aquatic Centre additional annual funding to assist the centre in remaining at its current location. The centre had previously requested funding help after its building was put up for sale by the owner. That request had two parts: one was declaring their fundraising efforts a project of community interest, and the other was to provide additional funding in the 2026 budget beyond the $70,000 already included in their arrangement with the County. Council had previously approved additional funds for the centre on the condition that a member of council be appointed to the board to support accountability, cooperation, and transparency. While a council member has been part of the board in the past, that practice ended when a law prevented a person from being appointed to the board of a non-profit, as all board members had to be elected by members. To comply with the law, the motion before council changed the council appointee to a non-voting board observer. Council approved the motion, appointing South Marysburgh Councillor John Hirsch as council’s representative.
Sports
In the PWHL playoffs last night, the Montreal Victoire defeated the Minnesota Frost 2 – 1, to win their series 3 games to 2. The Victoire now face the Ottawa Charge in the best-of-five Walter Cup Finals, which start tomorrow night in Montreal.
In NHL playoffs last night, the Montreal Canadiens lost 3 – 2 to the Buffalo Sabres, so their series is now tied at 2 wins apiece, with the fifth game tomorrow night in Buffalo.
In the WNBA, the Toronto Tempo host the Seattle Storm tonight in the second game of the regular season.
In MLB, the Toronto Blue Jays made it close, but lost 7 – 6 in ten innings to the Tampa Bay Rays, for their second loss in a row to the Rays. The last of the three-game series goes tonight. The Jays sit in fourth spot in the AL East, just half a game ahead of the Boston Red Sox.
In Canadian women’s Norther Super League soccer tonight, the second-place Ottawa Rapid host the third-place Halifax Tides.
And in MLS, both CF Montreal and Vancouver Whitecaps are in action tonight. Vancouver is in second place in the Western Conference, while Montreal is 11th in the East, two points behind Toronto FC.
