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By Robert Washburn

Northumberland MP Rick Norlock was pretty busy last week racing around meeting with interest groups and residents around the upcoming federal budget as part of a series of public consultations in Campbellford and Cobourg. However, the federal government is not the only one asking the public for its input on budgets. Municipal councils throughout Northumberland will be hunkering down over stacks of reports and spreadsheets working with sharp pencils trying to figure out how much they will need to collect for 2013. (more…) Continue Reading →

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By Robert Washburn

The CBC is doing some first-rate journalism around health care in Canada right now. One feature sticks out as an unbeatable opportunity for residents of the county to give some candid feedback on Northumberland Hills Hospital. The crazy part is nobody has done this. As part of its investigation, a Rate My Hospital feature is located on the CBC News website, allowing anyone to comment on how they were treated. Things like respect, communication, timeliness, cleanliness and whether or not you would recommend the hospital are measured. Continue Reading →

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In light of a recent proposal by Deputy Mayor Stan Frost to change Cobourg council’s meeting time to 4 p.m., rather than leaving it at 7 p.m., Consider This is inspired to take action. Citizen journalist Scott Lamberton is generously donating his time for the next few Monday nights to live blog council meetings once again. He was a central contributor during the hyperlocal project in 2010 – 2011. There are several reasons for this. First, it is the job of journalism to be a watchdog. Continue Reading →

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By Robert Washburn

The sad story of the bullying Stephanie and her younger sister, Dawn, face at Port Hope High School drives home an important point regarding the struggle parents, educators and governments face. Since last February, the girls have received ongoing harassment, which peaked a few weeks ago when a large group of 15 teenagers followed the kids home and camped out on the front lawn of their house, according to the children’s mother, Kim Crane. She is now considering changing schools in the fall. (more…) Continue Reading →

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By Robert Washburn

The roundtable seeking public input on the social assistance review by the provincial government held in Cobourg recently gave activists and officials an opportunity to reinforce their message to increase payments to recipients in order to given them sufficient funds to live. While many residents are not interested, proposed changes could leave municipal taxpayers feeling the pain, as well. (more…) Continue Reading →

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July 8, 2009

A 41 year-old Cobourg man allegedly punched his partner several times in the face inside their Havelock Street residence in Cobourg last Friday. The woman intervened in an argument between the man and his son. She was pushed into some furniture, at first. Then, the couple went downstairs, where he is alleged to have punched her in the face several times and then pushed her to the floor. She suffered a swollen upper lip and a bloody nose. Continue Reading →

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May 13, 2009

After months of crushing economic news, a bit of light shone through last week. The American jobless rate continues to be very bad and getting worse, but at a slower rate. When the figures were released last week 539,000 people lost their jobs and unemployment hit 8.9 per cent. That is not good, but for some it may be an early sign of a turnaround. Canada’s labour market also appears to be hemorrhaging a bit less. Continue Reading →

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First published: September 24, 2005

With 14 months until the next municipal election, Cobourg mayor, Peter Delanty, announced last week, he intends to run again for mayor. It seems rather strange he would make an announcement this far in advance. There is plenty of time, yet Mr. Delanty decides, out of the blue without a detailed explanation, to make this public. Normally, municipal election season starts in September. Occasionally, there are a few who will announce before the summer, but the vast majority says nothing until after Labour Day. Continue Reading →

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First published: November 16, 2007

Hooray for Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion who stood up last week to federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and the Conservatives after turning their backs on municipalities. Finally, someone gets it when it comes to taxes. Mississauga city council approved a five per cent tax surcharge on all property owners to raise $12.5 million to avert a crisis that could send the debt-free city into a deficit in the next five years. Council also passed a 3.9 per cent increase for early next year, as part of an overall strategy to provide basic services. Frustrated by years of poor funding from provincial and federal governments, McCallion took on the smug Conservatives as only she could. Continue Reading →

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