Politics

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Brighton looks at possible lawsuit to address flooding as it weighs options

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As Brighton council weighs its options, Brighton Mayor Brian Ostrander describes its next steps in the fight with the International Joint Commission over flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario. Council directed staff to seek legal advice that could involve the council, residents, and businesses in a lawsuit against the Commission. So far, it is going it alone. To find out why, please listen to this episode of Consider This. Also, in this interview hear how the mayor explains the nearly 5.5 per cent tax increase for the 2020 budget. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Politics

Fire service review, budget priorities and more from Hamilton Township Mayor Bill Cane

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A $95,000 study of local fire service across Northumberland is underway, says Hamilton Township Mayor Bill Cane. There are 17 fire stations across the county, costing each municipality about $1 million to $1.5 million annually. With the provincial government anxious to cut costs at the municipal level, this is an important effort towards greater efficiency, Cane said. He also addresses Northumberland County council’s response to the concern of neighbours living near Transition House, the opioid epidemic and the rise of grow-ops in rural municipalities. Like all the municipalities within Northumberland, Hamilton Township faces many of the same issues: balancing budgets, providing critical services like fire and police protection. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Politics

Walmart gets more than $648,000 in total tax reimbursements, says town treasurer

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Three separate local bodies will contribute more than $648,000 in tax reimbursements to Walmart after it won a major decision regarding a property reassessment announced in January. In an interview on Feb. 14, Cobourg Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin said Walmart received a tax break following an appeal to a provincial tribunal, costing the town $225,000 in its 2020 budget. The amount is about one per cent of the total budget, she said, adding it sent her back to find cuts to meet her target of a 1.9 per cent overall increase. Under the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), it is possible to appeal the value of the property, both residential and commercial. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, News, Politics

Cramahe citizen activist talks about zoning for cannabis, grow ops, muslim cemeteries and more

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The Cramahe Community Association is not exactly a high profile citizen’s group. Yet for many years, Gritt Koehl and her husband, Ernie, have attended council meetings, written letters, organized residents and lobbied hard in an effort to hold politicians in her area to account. But don’t let the name of the group fool you. Gritt is not just active in Crahame Township, but also does her activist work in Alnwick-Haldimand and Brighton, as her website attests. In this interview, we talk about some of the pressing issues she and others are working on within East Northumberland. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Politics

MPP Piccini shares views on teachers strike, plant closure, and upcoming budget

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Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini speaks candidly about his position on the ongoing labour dispute between teachers and the government. He addresses the union’s concerns, giving his stance on class sizes, e-learning, and compensation. He shares his conversations with parents and those on the picket lines. But, this is not all. He talks about the closure of Weston Foods, the opioid epidemic, community safety, and the upcoming provincial budget, plus an update on a host of other items.

Originally aired: Feb. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Politics

Wearing two hats, Sanderson addresses Port Hope concerns and county issues head on

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It does not take Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson to make his mark. At the first meeting of the Northumberland County council as warden recently, he and the rest of the council put the brakes on the 2020 budget, saying there was insufficient time to review all the items in order to make a good decision. But he also comes to the job at a time when there are many pressing issues. He addresses the concerns from neighbours of Transition House, along with talking about the opioid epidemic. From reaching a deal with Southbridge over the future of the old hospital in Port Hope to a debate over backyard hens, the past year for Port Hope council was wide and varied. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Politics

Town doing everything it can to respond to closing plant, says mayor

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From Hometown Hockey rocking the harbour to finalizing budgets, it was a busy few weeks as 2020 began. However, the past year has been filled with successes and challenges. New developments, passing a cultural master plan to deciding the future of the east pier are only some of the accomplishments for Cobourg council in the past year. It was also when the opioid epidemic reached new heights, homelessness became more apparent, a controversy emerged in the neighbourhood surrounding the county’s only emergency shelter located in the downtown. This podcast is part of my series of conversations with local politicians. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Politics

Getting ready to announce support for party leadership; Conservative rookie MP Lawrence busy guy

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Local Rookie MP Philip Lawrence busy guy during first weeks in House, at home, and in riding. Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence is on the cusp of announcing who he will support in the upcoming leadership race for the Conservative Party of Canada. While he speaks well of each candidate, he has two with whom he has a special relationship: Erin O’Toole, the MP from Durham, and former MP Peter McKay. MacKay inspired Lawrence as a kid to become involved in politics. In this interview, Lawrence shares his own views on what he is looking for in the next leader of his party. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Politics

Cramahe mayor vows to take on illegal cannabis grow-ops in township

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Cramahe Township is a busy place. With its first major subdivision underway, new additions to municipal staff, and some tensions surrounding cannabis operations, the council has plenty on its plate. That does not include, its 2020 budget, a new strategic plan for the Chamber of Commerce and who knows what else is on the horizons. Mayor Mandy Martin provides a candid assessment of the proposed Sharpshooter cannabis operation, along with her hardened resolve to deal with illegal marijuana grow-ops scattered across the township. The interview is not only about issues. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Politics

Concerns over Transition House not NIMBYism, says neighbourhood coalition rep

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A group residents and business owners calling themselves the Good Neighbour Coalition Cobourg launched a campaign to address concerns related to Transition House, the only emergency shelter for homeless people in Northumberland County. Since then, the group has made a public presentation to council. And, it has been active in advocating for a resolution to the issues they raise, including increased and recurring problems with public drug use, people sleeping outdoors, verbal abuse and intimidation, disruptions day and night including physical altercations, theft, and break-ins. With me in studio Alyson King, a representative of the group Good Neighbours Coalition Cobourg. Welcome, Alyson. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Housing, Politics