Consider This - January 1: Cobourg Budget
This interview looks at a draft of the Cobourg town budget. Last year, it was $24 million. And, the town is currently sitting at a 1.9 percent increase. However, Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin aims to get that figure down to zero or, at most, one percent.
Consider This Northumberland - August 28: County Report & MP Philip Lawrence
As long as anyone can remember, Northumberland County has issued his annual audited financial statement. I know, could anything be more boring to anyone other than an accountant. But, the financial report for 2019 was different. It was released recently. But not as that snooze of a document. Instead, it was a glossy, multi-coloured, highly designed report with all kinds of slick graphics and wonderful narration describing a grocery list of the county’s accomplishments over the past year. In the midst of the glitz and glamour and boring numbers, there is some really vital information taxpayers need to know. So, the first segment will be an interview with two top county officials to look behind all the razzle-dazzle to talk about the housing crisis, the impact of the pandemic, along with other urgent initiatives.
Now, here is my interview with Jennifer Moore, CAO Northumberland County, and the county’s Director of Finance/Treasurer Glenn Dees about the 2019 Annual Report.
And in Part 2
Back in January, when I last interviewed local MP Philip Lawrence, he was tight-lipped about who he was about to endorse for the leadership race for the Conservative Party of Canada. It was very early days. Peter MacKay had announced. Lawrence said nothing. Then, a few days later, Durham MP Erin O’Toole raised his hand. Almost immediately, Lawrence pledged his support for his long-time friend and political mentor. Eight months of campaigning culminated in a nerve-wracking vote last weekend that saw O’Toole come away victorious. Here is my interview with Lawrence about the campaign and the path forward for the leader and the party.
Consider This Northumberland - August 21: Teachers Prepare To Return To Class
August always brings a sense of anticipation for teachers preparing for another year at school. But nothing can match the challenges facing educators returning to classrooms this fall.
The pandemic has placed huge stresses on those in front of students regardless of their age. They must create a learning environment that is safe from a deadly virus. Educators need to protect the students and themselves. But we must not forget all those who are at home. Protecting the students and teachers also protects families. It is a huge responsibility. And, as we have seen from reports around the world, there is plenty of reasons to worry about returning to the classroom.
In the face of these great challenges, local teachers are working hard to rise to the occasion. Here is my conversation with Aileen Fletcher, District 14 vice president of the Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation. It represents the high school teachers here in Northumberland and across the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.
For my full interview with Aileen Fletcher, please listen to the podcast below.
Consider This Northumberland - Aug 7: Schools Reopen & Aquatic Audit
Parents, students, and teachers are filled with anxiety as the start of school is only five weeks away. That would be pretty normal for this time of year. But this fall will be very different in the face of the pandemic as the provincial government and school boards grapple with the health and safety of children and staff.
The provincial government wants to assure us everyone will be safe. Meanwhile, parents are concerned. Unions are concerned. Advocates, like SickKids hospital, are also concerned. And there is evidence of how wrong things can go. We watch as other jurisdictions in the United States and elsewhere face outbreaks as schools reopen.
On today’s show, Diane Lloyd, chair of the Kawartha, Pine Ridge District School Board talks about the province’s plans and the preparation currently underway for September. She addresses many questions and concerns from parents, teachers, and others.
Here is my conversation with Diane Lloyd, chair of the Kawartha, Pine Ridge District School Board, as we discuss reopening plans for the local public school board.
And in Part 2
Cobourg harbour is a gem in the crown jewel of the waterfront. It generates revenues through the marina. It provides recreational opportunities for dragon boater, canoeists, paddle boaters, anglers, and sailors. Demonstrating some foresight, the council approved an aquatic safety audit of the harbour by the Life Saving Society of Canada as a precautionary measure in late 2018 and early 2019. The report became a hotly contested document as users groups pushed back against the final recommendations.
After some hard work by the town’s staff and the parks and recreation advisory committee, a final set of recommendations was presented to the council recently.
Councillor Emily Chorley spoke to me about the contentious report and the work done to reach a consensus with user groups and the next steps in making the waterfront safer for all. Here is that conversation.
International conspiracy ideas finding their way into Northumberland, says expert
Near Colborne on three huge pieces of old weathered plywood are spray-painted messages. They read: no mandatory vaccines, not my new normal and a third has a large letter Q.
The Q on the roadside sign can stand for QAnon, a conspiracy theory once held by far-right extremists. But it is gaining mainstream acceptance in the United States and Canada, as well as around the world.
Similar messages are being delivered across social media groups in Northumberland. They are also found in the chants of protesters and people’s conversations across the county. In fact, in one recent interview posted on a local news website, a woman suggested Microsoft founder Bill Gates was calling local municipal leaders in an effort to curb democratic rights. It is a message straight out of the QAnon playbook.
Part of the conspiracy messaging is aimed at spreading disinformation during the pandemic. This is found in the comments of anti-maskers, anti-vaxxers, and those who dispute efforts by community leaders and local health officials to control COVID-19.
In this podcast, I am pleased to welcome Marc-Andre Argentino, a Canadian expert on QAnon who has written extensively about the topic, as well as done academic studies of disinformation and its uses on social media to try and influence elections and public policy.
Here is my conversation with Concordia University public scholar Marc-Andre Argentino about the infiltration of disinformation that is impacting the community.
Transition House prepares to move back to Chapel Street into old home with a new plan
For those who face barriers finding a home, Transition House is an emergency shelter in Cobourg where they can find a place to sleep, a decent meal and, hopefully, begin a journey back from the many difficulties they face.
When the pandemic hit, the shelter was not well suited to provide the necessary protections for its clients. Through a collaboration of many people, a closed high school in Cobourg, CCI, was opened as a temporary location. But with fall quickly approaching and public schools reopening, clients and staff will return to the old Chapel Street building.
Anne Newman, executive director of Transition House, spoke with me about the move back and the results of the organizations recent annual general meeting. Here is our phone conversation.