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County staff proposal for 60 new affordable units for a property in Colborne goes before committee

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123 King Street East, Colborne

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The demand for rental housing in Northumberland is apparent, as vacancy rates are barely one percent. So, it may be good news when a proposal to build four three-storey buildings in Colborne goes before the Social Services Committee next week. The proposal will see 60 affordable apartments at 123 King Street, 38 more units than the 22 currently on-site.* The units will be a mix of rent-geared-to-income and market-value units. More importantly, it will be suitable for families and singles. In this interview, two officials from Northumberland County will preview the proposal and explain how it fits into the community’s overall housing strategy and how the public can become involved. Continue Reading →

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

Alnwick-Haldimand takes steps to move forward on the future of Memorial Arena after much debate

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GRAFTON MEMORIAL ARENA

The future of the Memorial Arena in Grafton took another step forward on July 23, when the council directed staff to undertake several studies before it decides to revamp the aging facility. The studies will include several components: an assessment of the current facility, a feasibility study, a needs assessment, and three conceptual designs. This was in response to a Notice of Motion made by Councillor Mike Ainsworth at the last meeting. The decision came after a public delegation and an intense debate. Resident Jim McCormack provided a detailed deputation, expressing numerous concerns. Continue Reading →

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

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

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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 →

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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

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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 →

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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

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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 →

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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

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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

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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 →

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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

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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

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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 →

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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

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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 →

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