Robert Washburn

Professor of e-journalism Publisher of Consider This

Recent Posts

In Their Words: Old grant application for aging arena stirs debate in Alnwick-Haldimand

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GRAFTON MEMORIAL ARENA

Alnwick-Haldimand Township council took another step in its journey to keep an aging arena open for residents at a special council meeting on Nov. 15. The Ontario government requested updated information regarding an old grant application the township staff made two years ago for upgrades and repairs to the current facility. It wanted to know if the council still wanted to keep the application alive. To do this, the council had to give its endorsement once more. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Alnwick-Haldimand Township, Community, In Their Words, Politics, Sports

Port Hope police pursue service agreements to provide levels of service under new provincial rules

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Port Hope police cruiser

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The Canadian Severity Crime Index measures changes in the level of crime within communities across Canada. All crimes are assigned a weight based on their seriousness. Statistics Canada releases these figures every year. Port Hope had the second-lowest score, according to the most recent report. This makes it one of the safest communities in the country. Continue Reading →

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

International film festival portrays issues facing working people at Cobourg library in December

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CANADIAN LABOUR FILM FESTIVAL

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The Canadian Labour International Film Festival will be held in Northumberland in December at the Cobourg Library. Admission is free. Organizer Derek Blackadder says the festival is an opportunity for the public to watch films from around the world that speak to the issues facing working people. He is quick to emphasize these movies are not necessarily about unions. Instead, they represent the struggles and issues many people face in their jobs. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Arts, Community, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

In Their Words: County reaches deal spending more than $500,000 to meet shelter bylaw

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New Transition House

Northumberland County and the town of Cobourg reached a deal earlier this week that will allow the county to open its warming room at 310 Division Street. This In Their Words shares the open session where council finalized its direction. Most of the meeting was in closed session due to the legal nature of the information. The open session was short, just over five minutes. County council dropped its plan to appeal the Emergency Care Establishment bylaw. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Community, In Their Words, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

In Their Words: Port Hope politicians debate police amalgamation

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Port Hope police

The debate from Port Hope council over a letter from Cobourg regarding policing:

 

The Port Hope council discussed a letter from the Town of Cobourg proposing a potential merger or collaboration with their police services. Councillor Adam Pearson emphasized the community’s support for the local police and concerns about adding turmoil during significant municipal changes. Port Hope council made it clear it is not interested in amalgamating police services with Cobourg or Hamilton Township Tuesday night at a regular council meeting. However, it did not rule out exploring a police report from Northumberland County Council or reviewing the current services to find possible savings. As you will hear in this In Their Words, Port Hope is one of the safest communities in Canada. Continue Reading →

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

First responder shares experience of saving lives after receiving award at Survivor Night ceremony

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Survivor Night 2024

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Last week, 19 people got to meet someone special. It is not what you think. Those 19 people experienced a heart attack somewhere in Northumberland County. But thanks to the paramedics, they were able to attend a ceremony bringing together the lifesavers and the patients. The ninth annual Survivors Night ceremony was held at the Cobourg Lion’s Centre. Continue Reading →

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

Looking back to honours delivered two years ago for saving a life, revisiting Survivor Night 2022

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Survivor Night

The show:

Two years ago, nearly to the exact same date, I did an interview with Northumberland Paramedics Chief Susan Brown and County Paramedic Matthew Rollwagen.

Matthew has won multiple Lightning Bolt awards over the years. In fact, he was honoured several times last week. A lot has happened over those two years. Have a listen to this interview from October 2022. The pandemic was easing and there were a different set of challenges and successes the chief and her department were facing. Continue Reading →

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

In The Words: County politicians debate next steps to open shelter, plus approve $40,000 for hotel rooms

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Sign encampment

The debate at Northumberland County council:

The debate over spending $40,000 to house unsheltered people:

Once more, county staff were directed to negotiate a settlement over the outstanding issues related to Cobourg’s Emergency Care Establishment bylaw at a five-hour meeting on Oct. 29 . They were given five days to get it done. Following a series of deputations, multiple motions were presented in an effort to settle what the county should do to get its license from the town. Multiple factors were placing pressure on politicians to move forward. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, In Their Words, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice, Transition House

In Their Words: Halfway into term Alnwick-Haldimand council debates and approves strategic plan

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Alnwick-Haldimand Township town hall

Alnwick-Haldimand council debate:

Almost two years into its mandate, Alnwick-Haldimand council approved its strategic plan at a recent meeting. Most municipal councils in Northumberland County already have a strategic plan in place. A strategic plan is a guiding document. As you will hear in this debate, the CAO will explain how it will accompany every report and legislation the council passes until the end of its mandate. In Their Words is a feature that allows people to listen to what is going on at the various councils within Northumberland. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Alnwick-Haldimand Township, In Their Words, Northumberland County, Politics

County CAO explains recent developments regarding emergency shelter and encampment

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Northumberland County council

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The emergency shelter’s warming room at 310 Division Street was supposed to open on October 18. Instead, politicians are grappling with what to do. The county wants four exemptions to the town’s Emergency Care Establishment bylaw. When no one could agree at last week’s county council meeting, it was decided to go to a hearing to resolve the outstanding issues. In the meantime, people are living unsheltered, and the weather is getting colder. Continue Reading →

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