Thinking Out Loud

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Norlock’s comments on Senate scandal leave room for improvement

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By Robert Washburn

Parroting the Prime Minister, Northumberland MP Rick Norlock waded into the Senate scandal in an exclusive interview with Cramahe Now editor Bob Owen. Senator Mike Duffy is under fire for improperly claiming $90,000 in living expenses for saying he live in P.E.I, when his primary residence was actually Ottawa. Duffy said he paid back the money, but it was discovered his was given a personal cheque from Harper’s chief of staff Nigel Wright for the full amount. Wright resigned over the weekend. Norlock called Duffy a disappointment and criticized him for bringing disrepute to the Senate. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Thinking Out Loud, Politics

B.C. polling gaffe a blessing for journalism

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By Robert Washburn

There are a lot of pollsters pacing the floor in office towers across British Columbia today after an abysmal performance predicting election results Tuesday night

But what is bad for the polling business may be good for journalism. The results of the provincial election in British Columbia has pollsters scratching their collective heads this morning as the Liberals won handily over the NDP. While some analysts are saying as many as 12 per cent of the voters made up their minds in the voting booth, there are many red faces amongst the election soothsayers. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Thinking Out Loud

Wynne needs bold, new strategy for rural Ontario

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By Robert Washburn

The threat of an provincial election looming large over Queen’s Park meant Premier Kathleen Wynne loosened the purse strings a bit last week announcing a new $100 million fund for roads and bridges in rural Ontario. It is a tiny goodie for cash strapped municipalities looking to make up a $60 billion gap to upgrade infrastructure, according to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. While this drew a quick positive response, it is clear this is woefully inadequate. Besides, there is a real threat the Liberal budget may die on the order papers after Thursday when Finance Minister Charles Sousa will outline the next year’s fiscal plan. The NDP is currently turning up its nose and it is a non-starter for the Progressive Conservative, leading to a spring election. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Thinking Out Loud, Politics

Responding to State of the Media 2013 requries new path for community journalism

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By Robert Washburn

The State of the News Media 2013 annual report on American Journalism delivered some pretty somber results with its release on Monday. Newsrooms are shrinking to a point where it is having an effect on audiences and content in an unprecedented way. Cutbacks in 2012 reduce the number of journalists by 30 per cent since its peak in 2000 and its lowest since the 1970s. The results are a 31 per cent drop in people turning to news outlets for information because they are no longer getting the news they were accustomed to getting. Content is suffering. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Thinking Out Loud, Hyperlocal Journalism, Journalism

Musing over the future of community newspaper in Southern Ontario (or bye-bye PKP)

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By Robert Washburn
These are troubling days for community newspapers in Ontario. When Quebecor’s President and Chief Executive Officer Pierre Karl Peladeau stepped down last week, the news garnered headlines and fodder for newsroom chatter across the country. While some may welcome the change at the top as Robert Depatie, president of chief executive officer of Videotron, a Quebecor subsidiary, takes over, the future of the news media division of the company is worrisome for those who think about the future of journalism in Canada. Peladeau reported a significant drop in overall results for the division in 2012, compared to the previous year. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Thinking Out Loud, Journalism

A gut reaction to the new OCNA Digital Market Study and the future of community newspapers

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By Robert Washburn

A significant step towards helping independent community newspaper become more sustainable in the face of massive changes in the news industry took place last week with the release of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association’s Digital Market Study. The informative and highly practical document produced by Borrell Associates, and partially funded by the Collective Initiatives program at Canadian Heritage, provides a candid summary of current trends in small market newspaper publishing in Canada, while comparing the results to trends in the United States. The report is rich in its content and the results deserve careful scrutiny over a longer period of time. But, on first blush, a couple of things stand out. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Academic, Thinking Out Loud, Hyperlocal Journalism

Farmers’s request ignored by county council

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By Robert Washburn

Northumberland County farmers got a slap in the face this week as Northumberland County council refused a request to lower taxes on farmland. Currently, local farmers pay 25 per cent of the residential tax rate. It argues municipalities like Durham Region, Halton Region, Hamilton, Ottawa, and North Bay charges less (in most cases 20 per cent). County staff dismissed the request, saying most of the examples given by the federation are cities (urban) rather than rural. Once the rural municipalities in Eastern Ontario were contacted, it turns out the rate is 25 per cent. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Thinking Out Loud, Agriculture

Boring but important development charges deserve attention

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By Robert Washburn

For most taxpayers, nothing could be more boring than a group of politicians and bureaucrats discussing development charges. Yet, nothing could be more important, especially for those worried about rising municipal taxes. Development charges are fees paid by developers of subdivisions, malls, commercial properties and new industry to offset costs for roads, sidewalks, sewers and other infrastructure. The purpose of these fees is to ensure existing residents are not saddled with the costs of new development. In principle, it is the right thing to do. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Thinking Out Loud, Community

Council calmer but still has a few surprises Monday night

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By Robert Washburn

There was a very different tone to Cobourg council Monday night. The acrimony and rancor displayed only one week ago disappeared. In its place was calm and co-operation, along with a few surprises. Deputy Mayor Stan Frost and Councillor Miriam Mutton were model citizens. Mutton was back on track asking her usual array of questions. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Thinking Out Loud, Politics

Time to intervene between Frost and Mutton

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Cobourg council’s old married couple was at it again Monday night. Deputy Mayor Stan Frost and Councillor Miriam Mutton clawed at each other as the mayor tried to maintain decorum over two items. While this is nothing new, it is certainly becoming tiresome and embarrassing for council. First, Mutton raised concern a small fund the town is going to set aside to provide emergency financial aid to municipalities facing a disaster. This is not the mutual aid normally done between local municipalities, where a state of emergency is called and the town sends firefighters and police to help. (Think the train derailment in Hamilton Township just over a year ago). Continue Reading →

Filed under: Thinking Out Loud, Politics