Elementary Teachers – Strike Vote

Elementary school teachers in the Limestone region will be taking part on a strike vote today.  The Elementary Teachers Federating of Ontario says the strike vote is part of the bargaining process.

President Sam Hammond says it is committed to continuing negotiations to reach an agreement. But talks have virtually stalled.

The members-only meeting today in the Limestone region involves two locals that represent elementary teachers and occasional teachers.

 

CAS Changes

The Executive Director of Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington says the agency is making the biggest change ever in the way it does its work.

A new Vision and Strategic Plan is being released by the agency today.

Sonia Gentile says it will focus on making sure every child is helped in the context of their connections to family, culture and community.

She says many mistakes have been made in the past…in particular with Indigenous children.

 

https://www.facsfla.ca/about/annual-reporting

 

Bus Driver – Charged

The driver of a passenger bus carrying tourists and a U-S tour bus company have been charged after a wheel of a bus came off on the 401 east of Highway 37.  Lennox and Addington County OPP say debris from the wheel hit an SUV around 8am on Monday.  Nobody was injured.  More than 40 passengers were transported to Greater Napanee to wait for alternate travel arrangements.  The 55-year-old driver from Flushing, New York and the company operating the tour bus are facing multiple charges including operating the bus without the proper license.

 

Kingston – AA Rating

The city of Kingston has maintained its credit rating.

A Standard and Poors Rating Agency Research Update confirms the double A rating with a stable outlook.

The rating agency says the Kingston is slowly diversifying and along with a large public sector presence it has added to its economic strength.

It also credits the city’s financial management strategies.

The rating allows Kingston to secure funds at attractive interest rates and terms.

 

OPP – Impaired Driving Charges

A 40-year-old Kingston man has been charged with operation of a motor vehicle while being impaired by alcohol and drugs.

The OPP arrested the man after a vehicle was stopped in a RIDE check on Highway 2 in Napanee at 2:30 Friday afternoon.

David Bertram Woodland has also been charged with having Cannabis readily available…Unlawful purchase of cannabis; and Possession of unmarked cigarettes under the Tobacco Tax Act.

 

Lennox and Addington OPP have also charged 22-year-old Brodie Blaskie of Kingston with being impaired by alcohol and drugs after a vehicle was stopped Saturday night on Highway 2 near Odessa.

27-year-old Tiffany Winfrey of Napanee is also facing charges of operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and drugs after a vehicle was stopped on the 401 westbound Saturday night.

 

Pot Anniversary

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the legalization of pot in Canada.

Legal sales in the first year are expected to total just $1 billion, an amount dwarfed by an illegal market still estimated at 5 to 7 billion dollars.

Mike Serr leads the Abbotsford Police Department and co-chaired the drug advisory committee for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.  He says the goal of keeping pot out of the hands of criminals and youth has not yet been achieved.  But he says…overall, legalization was the right thing to do.

 

Gord Downie Tribute

From Tony’s Today in History file…the passing of a Canadian icon just two years ago today.

The Tragically Hip’s lead singer, Gord Downie died on this day in 2017 at age 53.

Downie’s fight with brain cancer inspired a nation and his music made him one of Canada’s most revered singer-songwriters.