K & P Trail expansion in North Frontenac unlikely in near future

Craig Bakay | Jun 27, 2018

Expansion of the K & P Trail into North Frontenac and beyond was on the minds of North Frontenac Council at its regular meeting last week in Plevna but there was little optimism that it would happen any time soon.

“This will be something for the next Council,” said Mayor Ron Higgins.

“The next five Councils,” corrected Dep. Mayor Fred Perry.

CAO Cheryl Robson said the CAOs have been discussing it and should have a report coming to all the township councils in the near future.

“Richard (Allen, Frontenac County’s manager of economic development) should be meeting with interested groups and exploring partnerships like with Lanark and Renfrew Counties,” said Coun. Denis Bedard.

“Richard’s in a difficult position,” said Coun. John Inglis, North Frontenac’s representative on County Council along the Mayor. “There remains a section between Parham and Sharbot Lake that may never be finished because it goes through swamp where there is no track bed.

“It seems to me Richard inherited a big white elephant and he has no money to work with.

“And it’s a political issue right now because it doesn’t help the townships on the two ends (North Frontenac and Frontenac Islands).”

• • •

Just who’s going to direct traffic on Canada Day for the fireworks turned out to be a bit of a touchy subject.

It costs extra to have police officers do it but some councilors thought it could be just as easily be handled by the fire department.

“Fire services cannot provide traffic control under the Highway Traffic Act,” said Fire Chief/Director of Emergency Services Eric Korhonen. “Firefighters can protect firefighters on the highway but that’s it.”

“What section of the act says that?” said Coun. Denis Bedard.

“It would be embarrassing to be fined,” said Mayor Ron Higgins.

“Council does have another option — do not provide traffic control,” said Korhonen. “(But) there will be a lot of families with children and seniors in attendance.”

“We’ve been gouged by the OPP for the last five years and this is more of the same,” said Coun. Gerry Martin.

Council voted to have the OPP provide traffic control with Martin voting against and Coun. Wayne Good abstaining (which is counted as a vote against).

• • •

Nobody was really saluting the issue of creating a Township flag but the idea is still up for debate.

“It will be time consuming and cost us some money because it has to go through the Official Herald of Canada,” said CAO Cheryl Robson.

“It will take a long time to get an agreement on a design,” said Coun. Denis Bedard. “You’ll get a thousand opinions.”

“It seems to me we haven’t had discussion as to why we should do this,” said Coun. John Inglis.

“It’s not an economic development thing,” said Mayor Ron Higgins.

“Maybe it’s not as important as it is symbolic,” said Coun. Gerry Martin.

“Why couldn’t we use the Township logo on it?” said Coun. Vernon Hermer.

“Please don’t,” said Martin.