Consider This (https://consider-this.ca/tag/community/page/8/)
Community affairs
The show:
The full interview with bonus material:
The Port Hope police recently released its two-year strategic plan. While the title sounds pretty lofty, there are many nuts and bolts in it. In this interview, Chief Tim Farquharson will address critical issues facing the community. He will discuss the hiring of three new officers and the expansion of the auxiliary force in the hopes of increasing police presence. But that is not all. Continue Reading →
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The show:
The full interview with bonus material:
As one of the largest daycare providers in Northumberland County, the YMCA offers a unique perspective on the pressures operators face. As we heard last week, the transition to providing $10/day spaces has left many providers wondering if they can stay open. Eunice Kirkpatrick, CEO of the YMCA Northumberland, gives a candid assessment of the situation from the frontlines. Operating 22 programs in the county, it is the largest non-profit supplier of daycare and before- and after-school programs for kids. If you are a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, you will want to hear what she says in this interview. Continue Reading →
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The full interview with bonus material:
Northumberland County spends nearly $1.5 million supporting local daycare. This is on top of fees paid by parents. Despite the county’s contribution, daycare operators are struggling to stay open. In this interview, Lesley Patterson, manager of Early Year service programs for Northumberland County, will talk about the funding crisis in daycare. Recently, operators across Ontario expressed concerns about possible closures of daycares due to a lack of funding from the province. Continue Reading →
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The full interview with bonus material:
Port Hope resident Angela Grogan recently discovered former municipal councillor and journalist Larry Hall. Hall died in 2014. Hall grew up in Garden Hill and explored his personal history during his lifetime. His great-grandparents were fugitive slaves who fled the United States for Canada along the Underground Railroad. Hall was regularly seen at the Port Hope Public Library each year, giving presentations on the history of black people in Northumberland County. Continue Reading →
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The show (Part 2):
The full interview:
The move of Transition House to 310 Division Street is controversial. Supporters view it as a chance to modernize the system to help those who are homeless and need services. Then, some are concerned about the new location. These people are worried about community safety, their homes, and their businesses. These interviews are a deep dive into the new facility. Continue Reading →
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The full interview with bonus material:
A record number of people participated in a recent survey about the 2024 Cobourg draft budget. Two hundred and eighty residents went online and filled out a survey. It was four times greater than last year. Inflation, high interest rates, grocery prices, and the cost of gas are hammering everyone’s wallet. Last fall, Cobourg councillors told staff to aim for a five percent increase. Continue Reading →
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The full interview with bonus material:
At a recent Cobourg council meeting, a debate ignited over hiring additional police officers. This led to a tense discussion about public safety and the 2024 budget. With community safety a hot topic in the council chambers and on the street, it is creating a lot of strong emotions in and outside Victoria Hall. In this interview, you will hear from Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf. Since he arrived in 2014, the number of officers has not changed. Continue Reading →
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The show:
The full interview with bonus material:
For decades, Alnwick Haldimand Township council has wrestled with the future of the nearly 75-year-old Memorial Arena. The stacks of reports sitting on shelves are a testament to the debates over the years. Various councils have edged along with repairs and replacements as time has taken its toll. Now, with accelerated development near Grafton and a council struggling to keep the facility open, politicians are seeking public input on the future of the ice pad. As the mayor said in the interview, all options are on the table. Continue Reading →
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Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate gets pretty excited when he talks about the new $22 million arena under construction in Campbellford. It is with good reason. The new facility boasts an NHL-size ice pad, a lap pool, space for fitness programs, and daycare. It was a long road to get to this point. Originally a $16 million project, the price tag has jumped. Continue Reading →
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The full interview with bonus material:
If everything goes smoothly, Northumberland County will purchase a former retirement residence at 310 Division Street in Cobourg to become the new home for Transition House. It means 35 low-barrier shelter spaces will be available to those in need. It will have accommodations, food, and support services. It will also provide a 24-hour drop-in centre year-round, giving unsheltered people a place to get out of the cold of winter or the heat of summer or a place to go anytime. In this interview, Rev. Neil Ellis, former acting interim executive director for Transition House, will share the story behind the purchase and what it means to those who do not have a home. Continue Reading →
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