2 September 2026

Councillors have their heads in the sand

We all know that being a Councillor is not an easy job. They must be fiscally responsible, and make hard decisions for the future well-being of this community.  

     The failure on August 27 of this Council to support a requested, comprehensive, and fiscally responsible long-term financing strategy for our water and wastewater facilities clearly demonstrates a dereliction of duty.  

     No money was asked for, only a commitment to move forward with a 1 percent growth strategy endorsed by the same Council this very summer.     

     The six councillors who voted against the report prefer to bury their heads in the sand rather than explain to their residents that while it isn’t easy, the risk of doing nothing is far greater than the risk of investing in the future.  

     I would also like to remind all councillors they make decisions for all residents in the County.  Even if everyone in your ward is on well water, you, too, must keep in mind that the Picton Water Treatment Plant is on borrowed time. The expense of any major repairs (if those are even possible) would be a complete waste of money. Additionally, the water from this plant is high risk due to myriad contamination threats.  

     The staff report was based on a thorough economic study paid for by our tax dollars. In defeating staff recommendations to move forward with further research and discussions, Council has effectively tossed this money out the window. The bottom line is that building two separate water treatment plants will add $2.4 million more debt and lead to even higher water rates. Nor does it solve the Picton contamination risk. One plant reduces long-term maintenance costs. The preferred, one regional plant solution builds out as growth occurs, not all in advance.  It also means we keep an $18.3 million grant from the provincial government. 

     My only question regarding the regional water plant is related to the actual construction. I want reassurance that pipes can be laid without major difficulties and possible overruns.  

My final question relates to the expected increases on our water bills over the next 9 years (regardless of what is done). What impact would there be on the financial picture if the majority of residents started to conscientiously conserve water?  

     I sincerely hope that Council reverses the COTW decision to vote down long range planning and a financial strategy, showing respect to our very smart and dedicated staff.  Employee satisfaction and continuity is also at stake here.  

     Not moving forward is a recipe to destroy our community: PEC will be a perfect case study for the next edition of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community.  

Penny Morris, Picton 

Climate action and famine 

Re: It’s Time (Op-Ed, August 26). 

Dear Reverend Phil Hobbs,

     I appreciate you calling for immediate action on climate change, and I sense the level of urgency you are conveying. The question I pose to you and one I have spent a lot of time thinking about is: how do we move to a post-fossil-fuel world without causing a worldwide famine?

     Whether we like it or not, our food supply is provided by diesel and gas. Tractors in the fields run on diesel. Our grocery chains depend on just in time delivery using diesel.  If we turn the taps off, the food stops moving, and that would set off a much quicker apocalypse than climate change.

     A world post-fossil fuels is necessary, but we need a calm, well-thought-out plan that ensures we can have good food that nourishes us and keeps us healthy. Financially supporting political parties and not-for-profits may help. But I would highly consider supporting your local farmer growing food for their community as well, especially the ones that might have a transition plan in a post-fossil-fuel, climate-erratic world.

Mike Barnes, Picton 

Delhi Park belongs to everyone 

After reading Prince Edward Pickleball’s (PEP) full-page ad in the Gazette (Aug. 19), its apologia for the proposed Pickleball project — opposition to which is gaining major public support every day — I can only reiterate what PEP itself states: “Delhi Park belongs to everyone.” The pickleball courts are for a small, select group, one with enough money to buy full-page ads with information that should have been shared by Shire Hall four years ago.   

    All Shire Hall councillors should now remove their long-attached blinkers and acknowledge their administrative failure: lack of early notice to Picton residents. The failure of adequate public consultation is undermining both this project and public trust in Shire Hall. Never mind the blatant incompatibility of this project with the ecologically natural green spirit of Delhi Park.

W. Edward Hildreth, Picton

9 September 2026

Find a better place for pickleball

How extraordinary to have such a unique and irreplaceable green space in the very heart of Picton. A former marsh estuary, floodplain, and landfill, brought back to life, adored and appreciated by generations of park users and natural creatures. 

     According to the Delhi Park Community Connections Task Team final report of May 2024, it is, “a glacial creek valley with steep north and south escarpments, bordered by Glenwood 

Cemetery and Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery on high ground.” This 31-acre public green space is “underused due to steep escarpments on its boundaries.” 

     So, it would seem that much of Delhi Park is not actually level or even accessible. Proponents of pickleball in the park repeatedly remark that their six courts would only require 1.2 percent of the park’s total area. 

     The town’s pickleball plans indicate a large, flat, green patch as the area of Delhi Park. But a topographical view tells an entirely different story —  level, accessible areas are much smaller than the park’s total acreage.     

     As well as ridges and escarpments, there is a popular dog park, a well-loved tobogganing hill, the thriving Picton Community Gardens, as well as areas of tall trees, woodlands, paths for leisurely walking, and Marsh Creek. 

     The Creek is a strong feature of the natural landscape and a fragile ravine ecosystem — an ecological corridor for all nature of wildlife, which winds its way through — and in some places, splits the Park in half. 

     With all of that, there’s not a lot of large areas of open, level land left. Pickleball courts should absolutely be built, but there are other, less controversial and more appropriate places for them. Better locations for a large cement pad for this loud, single purpose activity — plus washrooms, parking, and, perhaps, lights — without paving over the largest remaining flat area in the park. 

     While pickleball courts could go into any number of places, Delhi Park is one of a kind. Unique, historic and necessary for the health of our town.     The noise and hot pavement will disrupt the calm nature, and this beautiful green space will be permanently changed — a peaceful retreat lost forever. Perhaps a quieter recreational activity could be found that more people might be able to use.  Add some covered spaces to gather, a few more picnic tables, and improve pathways  and signage to inform, encourage and welcome more townsfolk and visitors to enjoy the contrasting, quiet nature of this unique part of Picton.   

     More than 900 concerned residents have already signed a petition stating their opposition. Council’s decision was to pause the forward motion of this otherwise approved project, to allow some kind of consultation with the community. 

Jane Churchill, Picton 

Climate action is an election issue 

According to the Canadian Climate Institute, 3 out of 4 Canadians feel that climate change impacts their mental health with anxiety, while one-third of Canadians feel hopeless about our ability to arrest it.

     Members of the climate change community of practice that I co-founded recently listened to relevant data presented by climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe. Research shows that a very small group is not worried about the consequences of human-caused global warming. Rather, a much larger group is worried, and a very small group is activated. Our challenge is to attract more of those who are worried into the one organizing around practical solutions. If we don’t point the way towards collective action on multiple fronts, fear and anxiety will cause those in the majority group to withdraw, to freeze, to self-distract, and to give up.

     The positive news is that municipal government is the scale at which implementation happens for many important climate actions, on things such as transportation, land use, waste collection, green-space protection, implementing incentives for high performance new construction projects, and more. In addition, municipalities can act faster than provinces and countries and can collaborate internationally.

     As Katharine Hayhoe points out, talking about the climate crisis can change what people think, what is accepted as normal, our sense of what we can do, and our ability to act.

     Speak with the candidates for mayor and council in the upcoming election. Ask them how they prioritize the risks of climate change and how they intend to act on it. Refer to and share the resource on The Atmospheric Fund’s website. They have a page called, “Municipal elections are a chance to lead: A practical vision for a low carbon, affordable future.” Stay informed, act locally, think globally.

Renia Tyminski, Picton