Robert Washburn

Professor of e-journalism Publisher of Consider This

Recent Posts

The Murray Canal’s history is one of fierce lobbying, immense pressure and a lucky election victory

By: |
Murray Canal

The show:

The full show with bonus material:

Just outside of Brighton, along County Road 64, is the beautiful Murray Canal. Today, it is a recreational waterway that takes boaters from Presqu’ile Bay to the Bay of Quinte. Most people use it to get to the Trent-Severn Waterway or to Kingston by boat. However, in the 19th century, businesspeople, residents, and politicians saw it as a vital route for commerce, national security, and safety. While the Welland and Rideau canals were built in the mid-1800s, the Murray Canal was consistently delayed. Continue Reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Brighton, Community, Heritage, Northumberland County

School board chair will explain new strategic plan and its impact on kids in classrooms

By: |
Kid at computer

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board trustees recently released a strategic plan for their term in office. The document is very short at a glance, with sweeping expressions of what they hope to achieve. In this interview, the school board chair, Jaine Klassen-Jeninga, will take us behind the plan to explain what is going on. She will give context and flush out the details. Most importantly, she will explain how the board’s goals will be measured and achieved over the next four years. Continue Reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Education, Northumberland County, Politics

County launches new tool for taxpayers to keep an eye on its performance

By: |
Northumberland County landfill recycling

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Is the county fixing enough roads? How much waste is being diverted from the landfill? Are your tax dollars being appropriately managed? These are only a few questions Northumberland County residents find with just a few clicks of a mouse. County staff developed a performance dashboard on its website. Continue Reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Northumberland County, Politics

Access to medical care and relations with the federal Conservatives are discussed with Alderville Chief

By: |
Former Cree Grand Chief Matthew Mukash

 

Access to medical treatment for Indigenous people living in the far north is a challenge. In this episode of Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Taynar Simpson, the Alderville First Nation chief, will explore this timely issue. Recently, the CBC reported on Cree grand chief Matthew Mukash, who spent four days in an ER hallway. Simpson will also talk about efforts by the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Cindy Woodhouse, who is trying to make inroads with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, hoping to forestall the tensions and angst that marked the party’s last time in power. And, as always, there is lots of news and information about what is happening in Alderville. Continue Reading →

Podcast (simpson): Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Alderville, Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Healthcare, Indigenous People, Northumberland County, Politics

Some optimism shines through despite gloom in Ontario Chamber report, says Port Hope CEO

By: |
Downtown Port Hope

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce released its annual report recently. Business confidence is low across the province. There are a host of issues facing a wide range of sectors across the business spectrum. Yet, amid all the doom and gloom, there is some limited optimism about the upcoming year. Brenda Whitehead, CEO of the Port Hope Chamber of Commerce, will give a local perspective on the mood of her members. Continue Reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Economy, Northumberland County, Port Hope, Port Hope Chamber of Commerce

Film festival hosted by farmers in Campbellford takes on issues and challenges facing agriculture

By: |
Aaron Theatre

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Farmers and film festivals are not always something you would think go together. Yet, the local chapter of the National Farmers Union of Ontario is screening several documentary films at the Aaron Theatre in Campbellford next Saturday afternoon. These are interviews with farmers across Canada dealing with serious issues like climate change, sustainable farming practices, loss of agricultural lands, and the family farm’s future. These are not just films for farmers. They are films for everyone. Continue Reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Agriculture, Campbellford, Community, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

New show provides insight into Indigenous community in Northumberland County and beyond

By: |
Alderville First Nations Chief Taynar Simpson

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

In November, a new show launched on Northumberland 89.7 FM called Conversations Towards Reconciliation with Alderville First Nations Chief Taynar Simpson. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the Indigenous community in Northumberland and elsewhere every month. So far, the show included topics like Indigenous portrayal in movies, games, and TV. There was a chat about the 10th anniversary of the solar farm in Alderville and boil water advisories. Each episode also includes a long list of events and announcements about what is happening in Alderville. Continue Reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Alderville, Community, Indigenous People, Northumberland County, Politics

Additional officers, additional auxiliary will raise profile of Port Hope police, says chief

By: |
Port Hope Police

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The Port Hope police recently released its two-year strategic plan. While the title sounds pretty lofty, there are many nuts and bolts in it. In this interview, Chief Tim Farquharson will address critical issues facing the community. He will discuss the hiring of three new officers and the expansion of the auxiliary force in the hopes of increasing police presence. But that is not all. Continue Reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Police, Politics, Port Hope

YMCA Northumberland CEO worries about future of daycare in Northumberland

By: |
YMCA daycare

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

As one of the largest daycare providers in Northumberland County, the YMCA offers a unique perspective on the pressures operators face. As we heard last week, the transition to providing $10/day spaces has left many providers wondering if they can stay open. Eunice Kirkpatrick, CEO of the YMCA Northumberland, gives a candid assessment of the situation from the frontlines. Operating 22 programs in the county, it is the largest non-profit supplier of daycare and before- and after-school programs for kids. If you are a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, you will want to hear what she says in this interview. Continue Reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, daycare, Northumberland County, Politics, YMCA

Report emphasizes challenges facing rural hospitals like Campbellford, says CEO

By: |

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Ontario’s healthcare crisis disproportionately impacts rural hospitals. That is a key message the Rural Ontario Municipal Association delivered in a recently released report. In this interview, Campbellford Memorial Hospital CEO Jeff Hohenkerk can tell you first-hand how difficult it is to run a rural hospital. Keeping the emergency room open, recruiting doctors, addressing the concerns of nurses and mental health services, and an annual budget shortfall, the picture is not pretty. Still, not everything is doom and gloom. Continue Reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Campbellford, Campbellford Memorial Hospital, Healthcare, Northumberland County, Trent Hills