Kingston News July 27, 2018

Candidates – Election

There will be at least three people in the running for the mayor’s job in Kingston.

Former city councillor Rob Matheson has filed his nomination papers.  Matheson joins current Mayor Bryan Paterson and former S&R elevator operator Eric Lee as candidates in the October 22nd election.

The deadline for nominations to run for municipal councils and school boards closes at 2 this afternoon.

Matheson was councillor for Loyalist-Cataraqui from 2006 to 2010.  He ran for mayor in 2010 and was unsuccessful in his bid for a council seat in Trillium district during the last municipal election in 2014.

Ford – Toronto Council

The new Ontario government has plans to cut the size of Toronto City council in half.

The Toronto Star reports Premier Doug Ford will introduce legislation as early as Monday to cut Toronto council to 25 from its current 47 councillors.

Toronto Mayor John Tory says he had a very animated conversation with Premier Ford last night.

Both Ford and the Toronto mayor are holding news conferences this morning to discuss the plan.

Cannabis Sales

The Ford government will also be privatizing cannabis sales in Ontario.  The current plans to run sales through government controlled stores is on hold. The Globe and Mail says the new plan will see pot sold through private retailers and 680 News says sources have confirmed discussions are underway to privatize the sale of marijuana in Ontario.

Sexual Assault

A 25 year old Kingston man has been charged with sexual assault and breaching previous conditions.  Kingston Police say a woman was sexually assaulted in her home by a visitor on May 11th.  Police say the victim confided in a friend a few days later.  The friend convinced her to attend the hospital and the assault was later reported to police.  The man was arrested on Wednesday at a home on Runnymede Road.

Officer Pulls Gun

Kingston Police say an officer had to draw his firearm on a man after the man pulled a knife out of his waistband early yesterday morning.  The officer has spotted the man drinking alcohol around 4:15 yesterday morning in the area of South Bartlett and Victoria Streets.  The man cooled off when the cop pulled his gun…was arrested and a search turned up two more knives and a break in tool.

A 37 year old man faces charges including possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, carrying a concealed weapon and breach of probation.
Breakwater – Gord Edgar Downie Pier

A large crowd was on hand for the grand re-opening of Breakwater Park in Kingston…but most were there for the dedication of Gord Edgar Downie Pier.

The pier was named after Downie as a special tribute for the lead singer of Kingston’s The Tragically Hip.  All of the members of the band were on hand.

Downie’s brother Patrick told the crowd it was fitting that their father’s name…Edgar…was included in the tribute.

He said the waterfront is, “the back drop of our entire family life and the one constant through the good times and the bad. When we think of home, this beautiful piece of shoreline is what we think of.”

Queen’s Principal – Search

The search committee looking for the next principal of Queen’s will soon be getting down to working on a short list of the top candidates to interview for the position.  The executive recruiting firm helping Queen’s find the new principal has attracted candidates from across Canada and several international locations.

The search for the next principal began in January following Principal Daniel Woolf’s announcement that he would not be seeking a third term. His current term concludes on June 30, 2019.