Community

Community affairs

Recent Posts

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

By: |

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 →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Cramahe Township, Democracy, Politics, Social Justice

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

By: |

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 →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Community, Environment, Politics, Social Justice

Personhood proposal for the Ganaraska River, plus details of the new $48.7 billion child welfare plan

By: |

Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson and Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky are exploring the possibility of seeking personhood for the Ganaraska River. This is similar to the efforts to protect the Magpie River in Quebec. Simpson explains in this podcast that giving the river the status of a person under the law would provide better protection than what currently exists. While the talks are moving forward, this is the first time the initiative is being made public, and the implications are explained. This podcast also includes the details of a $47.8-billion child welfare agreement announced at the recent Assembly of First Nations meeting near Montreal. Continue Reading →

Podcast (simpson): Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Community, Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Environment, Politics, Social Justice

AH council to seek a report at next meeting into the feasibility of Legion partnership to save aging arena

By: |
Alnwick Haldimand Memorial Arena

A plan to partner with the Grafton Legion to upgrade the aging Memorial Arena took a step forward at the July 9 council meeting. Councillor Mike Ainsworth gave a notice of motion to direct staff to hire a consultant to do a feasibility study of the arena. The study would look at replacing the ice pad, the pad boards, renovations, and an addition to incorporate the Grafton Legion’s needs. The report for the regular council meeting will be due on Oct. 8. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Hyperlocal News, Local News, Alnwick-Haldimand Township, Community, Northumberland County, Politics, Sports

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

By: |

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 →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, HBIA, Heritage Business Improvement Area, Northumberland County, Politics, Port Hope

Residents and politicians express deep concern over cell tower proposal at Port Hope council meeting

By: |

 

Members of the public and several Port Hope councillors were critical of a consultant at a regular council meeting on July 9 over a proposed cell tower near Campbellcroft. Two delegations and several politicians expressed concerns about a cell tower proposed for 1564 Oak Hill Road. Chris Leggett and Collin Lavery from Spectra Point attended the meeting to summarize the proposal for council. The Eastern Ontario Regional Network and Rogers Communications are working with the consultants to improve wireless communication in rural Port Hope. This initiative aims to improve access to broadband and cellular services in Eastern Ontario. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Hyperlocal News, Local News, Community, Northumberland County, Politics, Port Hope

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

By: |
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 →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, #Cobourg, Community, Emergency shelter, Homelessness, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

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

By: |
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 →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, daycare, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

Mother pleads with Brighton council to reduce speed limit after near fatal accident

By: |

 

A distraught mother begged Brighton council to take action to lower the speed limit on County Road 2 in the east end near No Frills after a recent near-fatal accident involving her son. In an emotional presentation to politicians at the June 24 regular council meeting, Sarah BouDiab Nader described an incident on May 31 at nearly 9 a.m. as her son was preparing to board a school bus. As he stepped out, a truck sped by the bus, almost hitting him, she told council. Had it not been for her quick action of grabbing his coat and pulling him back, he would have died, she said, fighting back tears. Nader has three children. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Hyperlocal News, Local News, Brighton, Community, Northumberland County, Politics, Social Justice

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

By: |
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 →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Northumberland County, Northumberland Hills Hospital