Schools face loss of public health staff

I am writing to express deep concern about the possibility that public health staff may soon be removed from our local high schools. 

Many people in our community do not even know this is being discussed. I first learned about it from someone working in education, who said in‑school public health services could end after the 2025–2026 school year.

This would include essential support such as smoking and vaping cessation programs. Even without an official announcement, the rumours are creating uncertainty for students and school staff. No final decision has been made yet. We can still speak up before it is too late.

Public health in Ontario has experienced years of underfunding, but removing staff from high schools is not the answer. For many teens, school is the only safe and accessible place where they can privately speak with a trained health professional. Public health nurses support students facing mental‑health challenges, safety concerns, substance-use issues, and sexual‑health questions. If these staff are removed, educators will inevitably be asked to take on more of this work. 

At a time when communities are increasingly worried about trafficking and exploitation, taking away trained professionals who know how to identify risks and respond appropriately would leave a dangerous gap in protection. Without these supports, many students will not receive help at all.

Young people cannot afford to lose these vital services. If you are concerned about the potential loss of public health services in our high schools, you can make your voice heard. Please consider sending a letter or email to:

     Nathan Townend (South East Public Health Board Chair): [email protected]

     Bill Roberts (PEC Councillor): [email protected]

Even a brief message can help. Community voices matter, and right now, PEC youth need adults who are willing to stand up for their health and safety.

Alison Kelly, Athol

Highway 49 must be uploaded

Another treacherous drive down County Road 49, the norm after every snow storm, reminded me again of how wrong it is for the road from the Skyway Bridge to Picton to be a municipal road, and not a provincial highway. 

I am used to the snow packed, icy lanes, with no salt, just sand thrown down. But this morning I came across a very bad accident: two smashed vehicles, the front end torn off one of the cars. Scary indeed.

Huge trucks coming from the cement plant and Picton Terminals made it even more difficult, as they made their way northbound towards the accident.

The section of Hwy 49, through the Tyendinaga Reserve, is always in better shape, as it is treated by MTO as a highway. So is the Loyalist Parkway, also a provincial road.

It astounds me to see Mayor Ferguson carry on his campaign to have the provincial and federal governments pay money to upgrade County Road 49, knowing that this keeps it as a municipal road. It needs to be uploaded to the province, and maintained by the MTO to the standard of other sections of Hwy 49 and the Loyalist Parkway.

I don’t support our Federal Government using federal funds for a downloaded provincial highway. Our Premier needs to do the right thing: upload County Road 49 and re-establish it as a provincially maintained road. To do otherwise invites more serious accidents on a road that is a part of the Provincial highway route. The province is spending hundreds of millions on roads, and Prince Edward County deserves a slice of that pie.

Irene Harris, County Road 35

Cost of groceries defies belief

I spent $125.00 on my grocery shopping this week. I bought:

1 bag of milk

3 x 1L cartons of coffee cream 

6  Oranges

6  Apples

4  Bananas

2 kg of Peanut Butter

2 Cans of Salmon

2 Cans of Tuna

3 Cans of Pineapple Tidbits

1 box of Ritz Crackers

1 container of probiotic yogurt (750ml) 

2 bags of No Name plain chips

1 jar of mayonnaise

1 stick of deodorant

1 pack of feminine pads

I see no acceptable reason for the price of groceries these days. I don’t believe people should be super rich just to afford to eat and pay bills at the same time without struggling.

While I can manage my bills, payments, and groceries, others are not so fortunate.  To think, less than 40 years ago a family of six could be supported by one individual working while the kids are going to school, and afford extracurriculars such as baseball, hockey, and camps. The family could go on vacations without worrying about the time off without income.Some even owned cottages, boats and RVs.

Why are groceries so expensive?  The packages are smaller, the food is of lesser quality, and the healthier, non-processed food is the most costly. What is going on? Perhaps the Gazette team can look into this, because it is not acceptable.

Matt Roth, Picton