Robert Washburn

Professor of e-journalism Publisher of Consider This

Recent Posts

Protecting Farmland in Northumberland: Legislative agenda facing farmers

Northumberland County farm

Eric Gillespie, EKG Corporation

Lawyer Eric Gillespie reviews new regulations, policies, and legislation introduced by the Ontario government impacting farmland in this episode. There are 840 farms in Northumberland County. The vast majority are prime agricultural land. That designation ranks these areas as the best for growing the crops that feed us. Yet, these lands are under threat. Continue Reading →

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Alderville Chief shares a unique perspective on Orange Shirt Day 2023

Alderville residential schools

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

On Sept. 30, many people will commemorate Orange Shirt Day. It is a time to reflect on the horrors of residential schools and to recommit to Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous people in our community and across the country. In this interview, you will hear from Taynar Simpson, chief of Alderville First Nation. He brings a different perspective. Continue Reading →

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Annual report give complex picture of trends for Port Hope police

The full interview:

Calls for service are down. Foot patrols are also down. Vehicle patrols are also down. Cannabis charges are up. Violent crimes, such as assaults, are up by 80 percent. Continue Reading →

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Proposed walk-in clinic aiming to open in former Toronto Road location in Port Hope Nov. 1

PORT HOPE WALK IN CLINIC

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, a walk-in clinic is on the cusp of opening at its former site on Toronto Road in Port Hope. In this interview with Mayor Olena Hankivsky you will get the details of this ambitious proposal. The journey to get the clinic open has not been smooth for the mayor and Councillor Les Andrews. You will hear how some doctors expressed concerns about the clinic. But you will also hear of the outpouring of support from other doctors, community organizations and the public. Continue Reading →

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School board chair addresses possible strike by teachers, gender identity and new curriculum

CR Gummow

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

As students settle into school, the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board faces several challenges. The school board’s chair, Steve Russell, will address critical issues on today’s show. At the forefront is labour unrest. While negotiations continue, there is significant uncertainty. That is especially true for elementary teachers. Continue Reading →

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One person shares their story from inside the Cobourg encampment as events unfold

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Earlier this week, a group of people encamped at 600 William Street were removed from the site. County officials used the Trespass to Property Act to give 24-hours notice before a private security firm and the Cobourg Police would take action to clear the property. The site is owned by the county and houses offices for economic development, tourism and is a hub for ambulance services. County politicians approved the removal plan at a special meeting on September 5. Before any of this took place, two people intimately involved with the encampment provided their side of events. Continue Reading →

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A frontline worker adds perspective related to Cobourg encampment

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Last week, there were interviews with county officials. You have heard from a person who was living in the encampment. But what is it like from the perspective of an individual trying to support those living rough? Missy Mclean is a social worker for the Northumberland Legal Centre specializing in tenant issues. She is also a community organizer working on harm reduction for people struggling with addiction. Continue Reading →

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County officials say they are working to resolve complex issue of encampment at 600 William Street

Encampment

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

A group of unsheltered people recently moved from Cobourg’s West Beach to a county-owned building at 600 William Street. While this may resolve some tensions between those living in tents and the public, it has created a challenge for Northumberland County officials. In this interview, you will hear how the county’s administration and social services staff respond to this new encampment at the ambulance centre and economic development offices at the old Kraft building. County CAO Jennifer Moore and Social Services Director Lisa Horne will explain in detail what is being done and what is unfolding at the site. Originally aired: September 1, 2023 Continue Reading →

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Port Hope resident holds out hope to save old hospital as developer seeks tribunal hearing

Old Port Hope Hospital 1930

The show:

The full interview with bonus material, including Dan Schneider, a provincial expert on cultural heritage policy.*

It is a cliché to say lost causes are the only ones worth fighting for. Yet, for Tony Jenkins, it could be his motto. Jenkins hopes to convince the Ontario Land Tribunal and anyone else not to grant a demolition permit to Southbridge. The developer wants to remove several heritage buildings from its Ward Street property. In June, it received a Minister’s Zoning Order, or an MZO, allowing it to build a seven-storey, 192-bed long-term care home on the site. Continue Reading →

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Cobourg Police annual report delivers stats as many are up and some others dropped

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Earlier this week, Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf presented his annual report for the past year to town council. Many statistics were up. The number of calls, crime rate, reported crimes, mental health calls, drug poisonings, overdoses, break, and enters all increased. The number of complaints against police was down, as were the times when officers used force. But things have changed in other ways. Continue Reading →

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