Citizen journalist Scott Lamberton provides live blog coverage from the regular meeting of Cobourg council. (more…) Continue Reading →
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Recent Posts
New downtown development program mirrors successful American strategy
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Journalists often must make decisions about what gets into a story. At times, some good materials are left in notepads or fall on the cutting room floor. Based on a series of excellent interviews, here is a number of pieces using all the pieces that got left out. – Robert Washburn
Interview with Eric Lawlor, OMAFRA rep.
The regional economic branch of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has come up with a downtown revitalization template based on the American Mainstreet program and a similar on in Quebec. This is the program both Cobourg and Port Hope are looking at using over the next three years to stimulate their respective downtown core. Continue Reading →
Filed under: News
Downtown prosperity is the key to town’s economic health – Frost
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By Robert Washburn
Cobourg’s downtown must be ready to take advantage of a rebounding economy in the near future if it hopes to flourish, says the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) event and business co-ordinator. Andrew Hall said the economic downturn in Canada and around the world is taking its toll, but the end of the cycle is approaching. Read more. Continue Reading →
Filed under: News, Economy, Politics
Successful downtown revitalization hinges on good communication
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By Robert Washburn
Communication is the key to successful downtown revitalization, according to the person in charge of one of the projects heralded by the province as an example for others. Paula Lehr, co-ordinator of the downtown revitalization projects for Collingwood, said keeping all the various stakeholders informed, including business owners and citizens, is vital to success. Read more Continue Reading →
Filed under: News, Economy, Politics
Cobourg to embark on downtown revitalization project
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By Robert Washburn
COBOURG – As Cobourg prepares to undertake a major three-year downtown revitalization initiative, Northumberland Today examines the implications, history and potential impact of the unprecedented project. Join our discussion about this three-part series at the Northumberland Today Facebook page, where you can make comments, offer suggestions or ideas on the future of the downtown. The key to Cobourg’s economic health is the vitality of the downtown and it is time to address the issues facing the town’s core using a provincial program, Deputy Mayor Stan Frost said last week. Read more… Continue Reading →
Filed under: News, Economy, Politics
Changes in Victoria Park plan before council Monday night
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By Robert Washburn
The future uses of Victoria Park in Cobourg will be the centre of debate Monday night at Cobourg council. The recommendations from the Victoria Park Action Plan Working Group, set up in 2010 in response to the growing use of the central park by visitors, is making a series of wide-ranging recommendations for 2012. And, while some may address concerns raised last summer, there is no evidence the group has tackled the more problematic issues surrounding the impact of visitors on neighbouring residents and the cultural clashes involving townspeople and visitors. (more…) Continue Reading →
Filed under: News
Norlock filed $372,496 in expenditures
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Nice piece of journalism by Ernst at the Trentonian
It cost his constituents $372,496.93
That’s the total expenditures filed by Northumberland-Quinte MP Rick Norlock for the fiscal year April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011. The government has released expenditures of individual members of parliament. Constituents here got off easier than their counterparts in Prince-Edward Hastings. MP Daryl Kramp filed expenditures of $412,877.81 For full story in the Trentonian Continue Reading →
Filed under: News, Politics
Seven new hyperlocal websites launched in Eastern Ontario
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Seven students in the Journalism: Online, Print and Broadcast program at Loyalist College launched their hyperlocal news website project today. Here is an excerpt from my comments at the media conference:
“Hyperlocal journalism, for those of you who might be unfamiliar with the term, focuses solely on news and information for a specific geographic or thematic area delivered online. What we are talking about are neighbourhoods, hamlets, towns or small cities. They are not just limited by geography, but can also be thematic, dealing with a specific set of issues or area of a community. You will see examples today ranging from environmental sustainability, sports and politics. Continue Reading →
Filed under: News, Journalism
Changing gears with council coverage
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For the past 12 months, citizen journalist Scott Lamberton has faithfully provided live, interactive coverage of Cobourg council. His efforts were part of a research project being undertaken using this website under the direction of Professor Robert Washburn (Full story on project). The pace of the research is slowing down and so is the coverage. Consider This will return to live blogging on a meeting-by-meeting basis depending on the issues facing council. As issues of greater importance to the community arise, you can count on Scott or other members of the team, to provide live blogs to ensure public participation and information. Continue Reading →
Filed under: News, Community
Live, interactive coverage of Cobourg municipal council Monday night
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Citizen journalist Scott Lamberton is off to another council meeting. Join us for live, interactive coverage Monday night starting at 7 p.m. (more…) Continue Reading →