The Township of Addington Highlands voted to opt in for retail cannabis outlets at its Council meeting last week in Denbigh, said Reeve Henry Hogg. “We had two open houses the week before on the subject and while there were more against than for, it was only like one or two people,” he said. “There were about 30 people at the meetings and so you don’t know if that’s representative.” Higgins said that the determinative factor (for opting in) may have been the potential for financial benefits both from the provincial government and the economic development it could represent. But, he acknowledged it could be some time before there’s an outlet in Cloyne or Northbrook. “The first licenses are for communities of 50,000 or more…

Among local councils, Addington Highlands has been the most pro-active over cannabis regulations. This is, at least in part, because the township was notified by residents several months ago that two separate growing operations were up and running within its borders. One of them is an open-air plantation, and the other appears to be a greenhouse operation that is just getting going. The township heard about one of the operations from a resident who expressed a concern over the smell. After making inquiries to the OPP and the federal government, the township found out that the operations are federally regulated medical marijuana operations. Not only does the township have no jurisdiction over them, but the federal government will not even respond to requests for information.…

Addington Highlands Township seems to be a bit ahead of its neighbours on the cannabis question and last week held a special Council meeting to determine what its options might be. To that end, Council invited Nancy Wartman, a planner with the IBI Group, to run them through what the rules are as they currently exist. Wartman outlined the various governmental roles — federal, provincial and municipal — as well as cannabis for medicinal use, and cannabis for recreational use. But most importantly, she outlined the issues municipalities have to consider, including cultivation, processing, personal cultivation, both recreational and medical, retail stores for recreational use and the opt-in/opt out aspect which municipalities must decide by Jan. 22, 2019. “When regulating the following — cultivation, processing,…

Remembrance Day 2018 will long be remembered by the young and not so young people of the Land O’Lakes area. Thanks to the Frontenac News (Nov 8 - Ringing Of Bells...) for mentioning Bells of Peace commemorating Armistice 100. Quick calls late Friday night revealed that no such commemoration was planned for the area. Hastily, social media was activated, friends called friends and 36 hours later, the Lions Hall was filled to capacity (120) with some standing. The Cloyne and District Historical Society lent us the church bell acquired from the defunct Anglican Church in Cloyne and at sunset, Scouts, Girl Guides and other young children rang the bell 100 times while a You Tube video of the sacrifices made during the Great War played…

The students of North Addington Education Centre suited up on October 31st in their Campbell’s Soup Costumes, to collect items for the food bank. About ten secondary students were spread out between Flinton, Northbrook, and Cloyne to collect non-perishable food items, instead of tricking or treating for candy. The students are not strangers to supporting the community who supports them. This is the eighth year for the very successful event. We visited as many households as possible, but we know that some houses were missed- especially those on back roads, or not in a very central area. If you have food that you would like for us to pick up, please call Candice Bovard throughout the week at 613-336-8991. On behalf of students and staff,…