There are Red Flags with the Alectra-Convergent Battery Storage Proposals in South Frontenac
The idea behind Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) is sound. If it is possible to store power that can be accessed instantly in order to maintain the integrity of the electricity grid at any time, then the path to replacing fossil fuel electrical generation with renewable sources is much smoother.… READ MORE
Unreasonable Behaviour Policy
Addington Highlands Council deferred passing their “Unreasonable Behaviour” policy this week, over Councillor Ken Hook's concern about who makes the final decision about imposing restrictions under the policy, but once that is sorted out there is no doubt the policy will be adopted by council. Addington Highlands is one of,… READ MORE
Independent Newspapers Outliving the Chains
There is a newspaper in Lanark. There is a newspaper in Westport, and there is a newspaper in Sharbot Lake. They all publish weekly and will continue to publish weekly. There is, or soon will be, no newspaper in Perth, Smiths Falls, Carleton Place, or Almonte. Carleton Place is the… READ MORE
The Minister is gone, But What About The MMAH
Much of the Premier of Ontario's talk about the housing crisis and the need to build 1.5 million homes has seemed to me to be a ruse to allow big time developers to make more and more profit. And nothing about what has transpired since the 2022 election, not the… READ MORE
We Need This Information
I was somewhat surprised by the lukewarm reaction of the Frontenac County Planning and Economic Development Advisory Committee to the proposal by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority to set up a Community Broadband Performance Testing Program for $4,000 per year. The committee approved a motion to pass it on the… READ MORE
Our Secret Weapon in Social Media Landscape
As of last week, as readers of our August 10 editorial are aware, the Frontenac News has been blocked from Facebook, presumably until the dispute between the Government of Canada and Meta is resolved. At the news, we are like a flea caught up in a battle between giants, to… READ MORE
News content "can't be viewed in Canada"
I was planning to write about the possibility that the Frontenac News might get caught up in the Meta Corporation battle with the government of Canada, at some point this summer, not knowing how and when it would happen. This week we found out. All of the posts on the… READ MORE
Cultural Divide Along The Trail
When it comes to trails in urban areas like the City of Kingston, the idea of ATV’s motoring up and and down on public hiking, walking, and biking trails is crazy. With roadways clogged with trucks, cars and buses, parks and trails are the only place where people can safely… READ MORE
Reconciling to County Council?
Thanks to Jeff Green we have a comprehensive overview of the discussions at County Council concerning the recently adopted “land acknowledgement”. Such ceremonial openings are part of the collection of low hanging fruit proposed by the 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Council may now pay lip service… READ MORE
One Newspaper Chain For all Ontario – Should Have Seen This Coming
I was scrolling through some news sites last week, when I stumbled on an article about Post Media and Metroland joining forces. I did not see that coming, but maybe I should have. Coming up on 6 years ago, the two companies swapped a total of almost 40 papers, a… READ MORE
Why It Is Important To Celebrate Pride Month
It could have been 1990, or 1991. My wife Martina was showing her work at an art fair on the grounds of a small church in Toronto, one Sunday in late June. I don't remember why, or how, we had decided to participate in that show, but I do remember… READ MORE
Expensive Anniversary Gift
Last summer, an architect’s report about a potential expansion of the county-owned long term care facility, Fairmount Home, recommended that the existing 128 bed home be abandoned and instead, a brand new $60 million dollar facility should be built elsewhere on the county owned property in Glenburnie. Sixty million dollars… READ MORE
Developing Affordable Housing In Rural Ontario Will Not Be Easy
The “7 in 7” regional housing project that Hasting County Chief Administrator Jim Pine brought to a combined meeting of Frontenac County and township councils last week in Verona, was similar in some ways to a proposal he brought to Frontenac County about 15 years ago. At that time, the… READ MORE
Sunshine List Lengthens and becomes a gossip site
There is something a bit unseemly about the sunshine list, the annual accounting of how many public sector employees in Ontario earn salaries over $100,000. The list provides access to the name, job title, institution, and annual salary of every public employee who is directly funded, with Ontario taxpayer dollars,… READ MORE
A Rookie Mistake, & Why No Bridge?
Frontenac County is a strange animal. One of its peculiarities is that in addition to three contiguous townships with uninspiring names, (North Frontenac, Central Frontenac, and South Frontenac) there is a 4th township which is made up of islands on Lake Ontario, that borders City of Kingston, not Frontenac County.… READ MORE
North Frontenac Remembers Ed Schlievert
North Frontenac lost a beloved community member, Ed Schlievert, on Tuesday February 21st. Settling in Ardoch back in 1995, he is remembered by many for his restaurant; Ed's Place. Where so many of our community gathered to enjoy his cooking and company. He made a delicious burger and always had… READ MORE