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A frontline worker adds perspective related to Cobourg encampment

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Last week, there were interviews with county officials. You have heard from a person who was living in the encampment. But what is it like from the perspective of an individual trying to support those living rough? Missy Mclean is a social worker for the Northumberland Legal Centre specializing in tenant issues. She is also a community organizer working on harm reduction for people struggling with addiction. Continue Reading →

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County officials say they are working to resolve complex issue of encampment at 600 William Street

Encampment

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

A group of unsheltered people recently moved from Cobourg’s West Beach to a county-owned building at 600 William Street. While this may resolve some tensions between those living in tents and the public, it has created a challenge for Northumberland County officials. In this interview, you will hear how the county’s administration and social services staff respond to this new encampment at the ambulance centre and economic development offices at the old Kraft building. County CAO Jennifer Moore and Social Services Director Lisa Horne will explain in detail what is being done and what is unfolding at the site. Originally aired: September 1, 2023 Continue Reading →

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Port Hope resident holds out hope to save old hospital as developer seeks tribunal hearing

Old Port Hope Hospital 1930

The show:

The full interview with bonus material, including Dan Schneider, a provincial expert on cultural heritage policy.*

It is a cliché to say lost causes are the only ones worth fighting for. Yet, for Tony Jenkins, it could be his motto. Jenkins hopes to convince the Ontario Land Tribunal and anyone else not to grant a demolition permit to Southbridge. The developer wants to remove several heritage buildings from its Ward Street property. In June, it received a Minister’s Zoning Order, or an MZO, allowing it to build a seven-storey, 192-bed long-term care home on the site. Continue Reading →

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Cobourg Police annual report delivers stats as many are up and some others dropped

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The full interview with bonus material:

Earlier this week, Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf presented his annual report for the past year to town council. Many statistics were up. The number of calls, crime rate, reported crimes, mental health calls, drug poisonings, overdoses, break, and enters all increased. The number of complaints against police was down, as were the times when officers used force. But things have changed in other ways. Continue Reading →

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Fifth generation farm forges new path while it monitors future of agriculture in Northumberland

Mike and Ingrid Aird

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

In the main hall in the Cobourg Best Western, Mike and Ingrid Aird are sitting at a table, taking notes. They listen intently to an expert panel talk about protecting farmland in Northumberland County. They care deeply. The future of agriculture is vital to the family’s farm located on Community Centre Road just east of Baltimore. They own what is called a farm-to-table operation. Continue Reading →

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International expert Cormac Russell talks to county leaders about building stronger communities

The show and full interview:

A group of community leaders gathered one Saturday morning in Cobourg to hear a speaker from Ireland talk about creating a sustainable community. Cormac Russell is a highly regarded expert in helping organizations and citizens build stronger communities. Russell has given multiple TED Talks and is recognized worldwide within the ranks of bureaucracies, politics, and citizen groups. Representatives from Northumberland County, Northumberland Hills Hospital, churches, social agencies, and chambers of commerce, plus community groups, listened intently to his message. In this interview, Russell and his Canadian colleague Jon Massimi will share what they said at the event. Continue Reading →

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Cobourg mayor shares experiences, insights during India at U20 conference

COBOURG MAYOR LUCAS CLEVELAND INDIA TRIP

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland and CAO Tracy Vaughan recently returned from a trip to India. The mayor participated in a panel at the U20 conference. It is a gathering of mayors from around the world. They set priorities about issues at the municipal level and pass them on to the G20 global leaders for action. It is pretty prestigious since only three mayors are chosen from across Canada. Continue Reading →

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A family’s grief transforms into Tattoos4Trauma fundraiser for Northumberland Warming Hub

Sue Glover and Theresa Rickerby

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The full interview with bonus material:

For those who may be triggered, the following interview talks about suicide and sexual abuse. Please be aware. Sue Glover lost her son, David, to suicide. Theresa Rickerby lost a nephew. Out of the deep, heartfelt pain, the two joined together to create Tattos4Trauma. Continue Reading →

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An extended interview with MPP David Piccini on key local and provincial issues

Bigwind Provincial Park announcement David Piccini

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

It has been a while since I’ve spoken to Northumberland Peterborough South MPP David Piccini. It was last year after his re-election. With all his responsibilities as Minister of Environment, Conservation, and Parks, plus his local work, he is hard to pin down. But finally, we got a chance to chat. A lot has gone on. Continue Reading →

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Drug strategy group dealing with opioid crisis returns at public meeting in Port Hope

HKLN drug strategy public meeting

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

The health unit says there were between one and four deaths in May. There were also close to 30 emergency room visits where a drug overdose was suspected. None of this counts for the police and ambulance calls. Those are some of the highest numbers we have seen since a year ago. As you will hear in this interview, Dane Record, the executive director of the Peterborough AIDs Resource Network, will tell you he is not surprised. Continue Reading →

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