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Rinaldi needs to worry more when it comes to local healthcare

By Robert Washburn

The turmoil facing the Ontario Health Ministry is palpable. A recent column in a mainstream newspaper acknowledged the troubled waters being navigated by Health Minister Eric Hoskins. Over the past 18 months, he has been under siege as doctors fight fee reductions, hospitals cry out for more money and front-line healthcare workers demand better wages. Now, Community Care administrators are added to the list, as they appeal the decision to turn over their services to the Local Health Integrated Networks (LHINs). Meanwhile, patients and homecare workers say more services are needed under the current model, which involves minimal hospital stays, followed by uneven support once home that is either insufficient or does not exist. Continue Reading →

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Governance model boon or bust for Port Hope

Normally, stories about restructuring governance models are boring and nobody really cares, except for political junkies. But, Port Hope is taking a bold step forward with its plans to rejig the town’s bureaucracy. No doubt, many smaller municipalities will be watching very carefully, as should local residents, since this could revolutionize municipal civil services. The position of chief administrative officer no longer exists. The management of the municipality is now being done by five directors, each responsible for one area of governance: finance, planning, parks, recreation and culture, works and engineering, and, finally, police and fire. Continue Reading →

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All voices must be heard on Port Hope transit debate

Port Hope’s public transit system is hanging in the balance as politicians consider its future in what could be the most divisive move by council since its election. The engineering department submitted a report last week detailing four options. It currently costs the municipality about $450,000 to run. But a number of pending expenses jack this figure over the next four years, as equipment is replace. It currently operates at about a $200,000 deficit, according to the report. Continue Reading →

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Cobourg council should walk away from trailer park debate for now

What began as a simple landing wharf in the 1820s, today Cobourg’s harbour is a major point of pride for many residents. However, it is going to be the focus of controversy over the upcoming months, as it has many times over the centuries. Multiple planning documents now suggest the trailer park, located at the foot of Division Street, is on the table for future development. While politicians and bureaucrats tip-toe lightly around the possibility of getting rid of the campground, already an online petition has garnered more than 600 signatures and a Facebook page to save the Victoria Park Campground was active until October. A tourism study received by council last August calls for a hotel, spa and a restaurant, among other suggestions. Continue Reading →

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Cobourg council needs to slow down or risk becoming a circus

By Robert Washburn

There appears to be a switch in tone within municipal politics lately. There was a time when Port Hope council was home to raucous debates as the ratepayers group squared off with former Mayor Linda Thompson and the councillors over just about every decision. These days there is nary a peep. That is not to say there are not issues simmering under the placid exterior. The upcoming court hearing over the trust fund is sure to get some blood boiling, especially in Ward 2. Continue Reading →

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LHIN should release report to community

By Robert Washburn

It appears consultants and bureaucrats are more important than you and me when it comes to any discussion of proposed changes to Northumberland Hills Hospital. And, any sense of transparency or public accountability has gone out the window, according to media reports last week. “A directive (was released late Monday) to defer internal and external engagement activities regarding 2016/2017…the first phase of the Hospital Improvement Plan,” according to the local news media. Meanwhile, the Local Health Integrated Network (LHIN) floated tidbits to the public in its own report on a consultant’s recommendations regarding $2.5 million in cuts to the hospital over two years. There will be changes to support services, medical and surgical units, as well as combining the restorative and palliative care units. Continue Reading →

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Cobourg budget process thrown wide open

By Robert Washburn
In a bold move to offer more transparency to the municipal budget process, Deputy Mayor John Henderson announced a series of public meetings to allow citizens to get input. While the town budget is a massive and complex undertaking, Henderson is providing numerous opportunities over the next five months. In some cases, those interested will be given a chance to offer ideas and suggest priorities. In others, the process itself will be more open as previously closed meetings become public. It is a welcome breath of fresh air into a system gone very stale. Continue Reading →

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Province saves money, but the pain is felt locally

By Robert Washburn
Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa was absolutely giddy last week as he announced the expected provincial deficit is projected to be $7.5 billion, a mere $1 billion less than originally anticipated in the spring budget. Hooray! Not. Rather than patting himself on the back, Sousa should get a big slap in the face to wake him up to the reality going on outside the political bubble of Queens Park. As other commentators have pointed out already, the Ontario economy is in the tank. Continue Reading →

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Watching the watchmen: citizen groups springing up in Northumberland

By Robert Washburn

The formation of the Cobourg Taxpayers Association in September represents the latest citizen’s lobby group in West Northumberland, following the creation of the Citizen’s Council of Hamilton Township in the summer, and the granddaddy of them all, the Port Hope Ratepayers Association, was formed in 2010. They all share a similar goal: to monitor the local council. And, the agendas may vary, they focus mainly on taxes, stopping wasteful spending and to lobby on contentious issues. The Cobourg group paints itself as a group of concerned citizens with assorted expertise, wanting to hold local politicians to account and ensure the system is transparent, along with keeping a keen eye on finances. It is taking aim at a wide range of items, including community grants, the upcoming town budget and Holdco, the town’s corporation that oversee the public utilities. Continue Reading →

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Time for feds to step up on hospital funding

By Robert Washburn

Healthcare is the number one issue in this election a recent poll showed, period. Yet, it is being largely ignored on the national campaign trail. Local candidates gave brief statements in the media last week. But at a recent healthcare debate organized by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Conservative candidate Adam Moulton did not participate, sending a clear message to voters. With the Northumberland Hills Hospital consultant’s review pending release later this month, the debate over healthcare in this riding seems even more urgent. Continue Reading →

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