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The devil is in the downloading, an ignored issue during this election

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By Deborah O’Connor

In this fall’s provincial election in Ontario the issue of downloading services is being freshly revived. With a little push from AMO (Association of Municipalities Ontario) all the parties announced their platforms on that contentious but yawn producing topic. For most of us, it’s a term dredged up from the past, when Former Premier Mike Harris led the charge to swap the costs of various programs, with the province off-loading some to the municipal level while taking some costs back in a process that was promised to be revenue-neutral. It wasn’t. And, the battle over who should pay for what has been fiercely fought ever since between the municipalities and the province. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Community Voices, Elections 2011, Community, Federal Election 2011, Politics

Who is listening to the disabled?

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By Deborah O’Connor

Just a couple of short months ago an issue arose in downtown Cobourg that saw clashes between the town’s efforts to beautify the streetscape and the need for visually-impaired residents and visitors to navigate King Street in safety. The incident underlines the extreme difficulty the disabled community often faces in trying to get their point across to the people who plan and implement community features. While they may have the opportunity to provide input, is anybody listening and willing to make the needed accommodations? (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Community Voices, Community

Listening to Northumberland commuters important to Via’s future

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Change is never easy. But, the mismanaged communications by VIA Rail toward local commuters is unnecessary and insulting to those who depend on the service, demonstrating once more how disconnected the independent crown corporation can be from the public it suppose to serve. During a passionate plea to Cobourg council two weeks ago, Bill Pracwecki sought support as VIA Rail attempts to introduce an e-ticketing system, meant to streamline the system and save money. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Columns, Community, Democracy, Politics

Cobourg council needs to tread lightly when it comes to Rotary

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Recently, Cobourg politicians have walked a razor’s edge when it comes to the activities of the local Rotary Club. The interaction has lessons for all municipalities across Northumberland County

It began in mid-May when environmental concerns were raised over the club’s RibFest event held in August. RibFest is a travelling BBQ extravaganza involving a number of chef’s competing and cooking BBQ. The event takes place in Victoria Park. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Columns, Community, Tourism

Councillor supports midway on east pier following test results

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By Robert Washburn

The  east pier should be good to go for the Waterfront Festival midway this upcoming Canada Day weekend, says the politician responsible for raising public safety concerns two weeks ago. Councillor John Henderson said he is happy about the results from special tests done June 15 by a Whitby-based company to provide the location of holes inside the east pier known as voids. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: News, Community, Municipal, Politics

Mental health care in Northumberland falling short

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By Deborah O’Connor

The first week of May marked the sixtieth annual Mental Health Week across Canada and while various groups and organizations held events to boost awareness, the occasion passed without much fanfare in Northumberland. Two exceptions to that statement include the Campbellford and District Mental Health Centre, which held an open house, along with Kinark Child and Family Services, which hosted a children’s art project. While there may have been other events, those flew under the local mainstream radar. That’s surprising since 20 percent of Ontarians, about 2.5 million people, will experience some form of mental illness in their lifetime and the effects of mental illness in terms of lost productivity and other economic impacts is a rising problem across the entire country. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Community Voices, Community, Health, Social Justice

Testing of east pier underway

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By Robert Washburn

Cobourg’s east pier was closed Wednesday as a two-man crew undertook an electro-magnetic survey to determine how safe it is for the upcoming Waterfront Festival. Jamie Broadburn and Ryan Grinton, of TSH/TBE Subsurface Engineering in Whitby, were out early in the morning setting up their equipment to take a test to determine whether or not there are holes inside the structure known as voids in the east pier. The equipment, which looks like a very high-tech lawnmower, runs across the surface sending out a magnetic wave, similar to radar, which provides an image that can be interpreted, Bradburn said. This will help them determine how many voids there are and where they are located. “You see this kind of thing on CSI (a popular forensic sciences television show),” Bradburn said. Continue Reading →

Filed under: News, Community, Planning and Development

Testing east pier safety taking place Wednesday, says town engineer

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By Robert Washburn

A contractor will do an unplanned ultrasound test of the east pier Wednesday to determine its safety prior to the midway rides for Canada Day, council decided Monday night. Public Works Director Barry Thrasher said the east pier will be closed all day to allow the company to do the $6,000 study and a draft report is expected within a few days to settle growing concerns about the safety of the rides for the Waterfront Festival on Canada Day weekend. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Featured, News, Community

Moving midway off east pier difficult, says Rotary president

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By Robert Washburn

Any effort to move the Waterfront Festival midway off of the east pier would create problems for Cobourg Rotary Club, the president said yesterday. Cobourg Rotary Club President Bill MacDonald said concerns over the safety of the East Pier raised by Councillor John Henderson Monday night came as a surprise. “It would be very difficult,” he said. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: News, Community, Politics