Gananoque Boat Line – New Owner

Gananoque Boat Line is under new ownership.

U-S based Entertainment Cruises has purchased the iconic operator of Thousand Islands Cruises.

A news release says current Operations Manager Neil McCarney will be promoted to General Manager and the business will continue to operate under the Gananoque Boat Line brand and will remain headquartered at its base in Gananoque. It says both companies will operate independently for the foreseeable future.

https://www.entertainmentcruises.com/about-us/welcome-gan-boat-line

 

City Council Priorities

Kingston City Council has approved five strategic priorities for the next four years and Mayor Bryan Paterson says council will work to reduce the annual property tax increases. You can also read more about them to know how tax fluctuation happens. But…council also agreed to defer $57 million in forecasted capital work to refocus investments on the strategic priorities

Council held a special meeting last night and approved the five priorities.

They are…increasing housing affordability…improving walkability – roads and transportation…demonstrating leadership on climate action…strengthening economic development opportunities and fostering healthy citizens and vibrant spaces.

When it comes to taxes…council endorsed projected property tax increases of 1.5 per cent in 2020, 1.4 per cent in 2021, 1.4 per cent in 2022 and 1.3 per cent in 2023….but on top of that council also approved an annual 1% tax increase dedicated to capital infrastructure projects.

 

New Electric Buses

City Council will hold its regular meeting tonight and is expected to approve a recommendation from staff to purchase two electric buses.

It fits with councils priorities. Kingston Transit’s diesel buses are responsible for more than 30% of Kingston’s carbon footprint.

The city is in line for 1.7 million dollars in grants and will have to come up with a million dollars to buy the buses and charging stations.

 

Immunization – Compensation

The Board of Directors of KFL&A Public Health is advocating a national program of no-fault compensation for adverse outcomes following routine immunizations.

Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, says the number of individuals who experience adverse events as a result of vaccination is extremely low.  Moore says endorsing the compensation idea is a first step to compensate individuals injured in the course of receiving immunizations.

 

PEC – Trail Hazard

Prince Edward County OPP are urging ATV riders to pay attention to their surroundings and be cautious on trails after fishing line was found across a trail.

A rider struck the line across an ATV trail at Point Petre and was pushed back on their ATV.  They weren’t injured but five other lines were found and removed from the trail.  Several were at neck height.

Anyone with information on who is responsible is being asked to contact the OPP or Crime Stoppers.

 

Empire – New Execs

The Empire Life Insurance Company has announced the appointment of two senior executives at its offices in Kingston.

Steve Pong has been appointed Senior Vice-President if Retail, and Michael Perry as Senior Vice-President, Group Solutions.  Sean Kilburn is retiring as Senior VP of Retail.

 

Prison Concert

Kingston Penitentiary will be hosting its first-ever public concert in September.

The show called Rockin’ the Big House will feature Kingston’s Hugh Dillon and the Headstones with special guest Tom Cochrane…The Trews…Pursuit of Happiness and Kasador.  Proceeds from the show on September 14th will support the United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington.  Tickets go on sale May 11th.

 

Dance at Fort Hank

It is a perfect day for dancing outdoors.

More than 6,000 local elementary students from schools in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington are taking part in the annual Celebration of Dance event this week.

Fairfield Elementary School and Loughborough Public School held their events on Monday and Tuesday.

Today – other students will gather at Fort Henry to perform nine different dance routines they’ve been learning since January.