Consider This Northumberland

Recent Posts

Mayor explains public conduct policy as council grapples with interactions between staff, politicians and residents

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

If you go into many retail outlets or any place that provides customer service, you will see signs warning people about rude behaviour. It appears some people forget their manners. At a recent Cramahe Township council meeting, staff and politicians grappled with bad behaviour. It is one of a host of municipalities struggling to set boundaries for interactions between the community and the people who serve it. Council introduced a public conduct policy at the behest of the Ontario Ombudsman. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , , ,

Cobourg resident shares journey from quiet taxpayer to vocal critic of stormwater fees

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Earlier this week, images of the flooding in Toronto filled the news. A torrential rainstorm overwhelmed the sewer system, causing massive power outages, closing major roads, and costing millions to the city, businesses, and homeowners. It is also a vivid example of stormwater management, which is the ability of municipal infrastructure to remove water when it rains or snow melts. Cobourg is embroiled in a controversial change to how it funds that infrastructure. In this interview, you will meet one of many critics of the proposed system. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , , ,

Town and HBIA join forces to promote downtown businesses under the Be Walton program

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Business is down on the main street in Port Hope. Few people will argue this point, as Walton Street is undergoing a $6.5 million upgrade. The road is torn up. There is lots of heavy equipment and fencing. However, a new initiative is underway to draw people back. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Workforce housing still on county agenda as it tries to recruit skilled international workers here

workforce housing

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

About a year ago, Northumberland County created a Workforce Housing program. The idea was to build affordable housing to attract people to work in Northumberland. In a perfect world, these people would fill gaps in the local workforce and have an affordable home to move to. The creation of affordable housing is critical in the face of a major housing crisis within the county and across the country. The Workforce Housing program is separate from all other efforts by local municipalities to stimulate the construction of affordable homes. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , ,

Request for building permits submitted to Cobourg as county pushes ahead on new shelter

New Transition House

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Recently, a progress report regarding the new homeless shelter at 310 Division Street was provided to Northumberland County Council. At its June meeting, the council also received an update on its affordable housing and homeless strategy. Rebecca Carman, associate director of housing and homelessness for Northumberland County, will bring us up to speed on what is happening. The building permits for renovating the new shelter are submitted to the town’s building department. She will provide some timelines. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Parents get daycare relief as Northumberland County adds 181 new spaces, says manager

YMCA daycare

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Parents looking for childcare received big news recently. The county announced the creation of an additional 181 daycare spaces, which is significant given that more than 3,000 families are on waitlists. The new spaces will be in Port Hope, Warkworth, and the Northumberland Centre for Individual Studies in Cobourg. Yet Lesley Patterson, manager of the Early Year services program, said this is a step in the right direction. The county is working towards adding more than 404 spaces by 2026. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , , ,

CCI business students get first-hand experience creating retail-ready salsa for fundraiser

Salsa Kids

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

This interview is about a group of 19 business students from Cobourg Collegiate Institute. They were in Molly Klintworth’s Grade 12 class. Together, with some help, they planned, developed, produced, and marketed their very own retail-ready salsa. Over three months, they worked with the Business and Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland and the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre in Colborne. These salsa kids received business training and development classes, along with expert advice on the mass production of food products. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , ,

Hospital scholarship winner shares experiences, goals, and dreams for future in nursing

Northumberland HIlls Hospital

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

 

For more than two decades, Northumberland Hills Hospital has handed out scholarships to budding health professionals from the county. The prize is a $1,500 cheque. It may not seem like a lot. But when you are a student, every penny counts. Earlier this month, Hospital Board Chair Beth Selby presented the scholarships to two students: Anne Mead and Ella Watson. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , ,

Cobourg police step up enforcement using dynamic patrol and Downtown Community Action Plan, says chief

HARP

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Cobourg police Chief Paul VandeGraaf discusses the increased focus on the Dynamic Patrol and the Downtown Community Action Plan. He will look at the impact of these initiatives, what they mean to public safety and law enforcement, and the cost to taxpayers. He will address the concerns related to the increasing size of homeless encampment and the recent spike in drug-related arrests and weapons charges. Lastly, the Chief will speak to the potential risks and strategies, along with the future of the encampment site. Originally aired: June 21, 2024 Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

New Northumberland United Way Executive Director checks in to share first six months on the job

Day of Caring Northumberland United WAy

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

So many people are struggling. Food bank use is up. We are reminded daily about the lack of affordable housing and homelessness. Drugs and the opioid crisis are serious concerns. While many organizations and institutions struggle with these problems, one agency tries to help them all. Continue Reading →

Filed under: , , , ,