Consider This Northumberland - December 3: Dr. Natalie Bocking / Why Parents Reject Vaccines

Earlier this week, vaccination clinics in Northumberland began for children five years old to 11. That means any child born after 2016. For some parents, the decision is a simple one: get the vaccine as soon as possible. For others, it is harder. 

This week, two experts provide information for parents, grandparents, and caregivers. The first is Dr. Natalie Bocking, the chief medical officer of health for the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. She will go over the basics.

Next, I will talk to Prof. Jennifer Reich, a sociologist from the University of Colorado (Denver). She is the author of the book “Calling the shots – why parents reject vaccines.” Reich has done extensive studies to shed light on parental concerns, vaccine hesitancy, various social and protest movements to explain how parents make informed choices about getting their kids vaccinated.

Consider This Northumberland - November 26: Lindsey Edwards / Tracey Vaughan

Sometimes it is fascinating to go behind the scenes. You know, pull back the curtain to see what is there.

This week’s stories do just that. It begins with Lindsey Edwards, a local realtor who has raised about $100,000 for Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre over the past few years. Besides her own donations, she has trekked across the Sahara Desert and the Purcell Mountains in British Columbia to raise money. Her efforts were honoured last week with the presentation of the Northumberland YMCA Peace Medal for 2021. You will hear her story and what motivates her to raise money for Cornerstone.

 Then, you will get to explore the inner workings of Cobourg town hall. Council recently approved a major study looking at how the civil service works. This organizational review suggests some significant changes. You will hear from Tracey Vaughan, the Chief Administration Officer, about what that means to you.

Consider This Northumberland - November 19: Trans Day of Remembrance / Blue Dot Northumberland

There are activists in our community who hope to bring to our attention issues they feel are significant. It is a vital part of our community if we hope to see and understand others who live in Northumberland.

 Recently, two such groups want to focus our attention. The first event is The Trans Day of Remembrance. It is taking place this Saturday at the Cobourg Police Station and Victoria Hall. It will commemorate those who have died due to violence and bigotry against Trans people. It is the sixth time a local vigil has been held. Ashley Bouman, a local leader, will tell us about trans people in our community and what is being done to end this violence and hate.

 Next, you will get a local perspective on a global issue. That is climate change. A major climate conference in Glasgow just ended last week. A lot happened at this meeting. Faye MacFarlane, a volunteer with Blue Dot Northumberland will help us understand what happened and how it impacts us here in the county.

Consider This Northumberland - November 12: Lakefront Hike / Cobourg Taxpayers Association

This show is about your electricity bill. You see, Lakefront Utility, the people who bring electricity to your home or business, just spent the last year applying for a rate increase. That’s right, they want to put up the rates for homeowners about seven percent. The good news is that didn’t happen.

First, you will hear from Adam Giddings. He represents Lakefront Utilities. He is going to explain the proposal and the impact of the final decision by the Ontario Energy Board. Then, you are going to hear from the team from the Cobourg Taxpayers Association. They will tell you how they took on Lakefront.

Consider This Northumberland - November 5: Housing / New Deputy Police Chief

So, what can be done when it comes to finding an affordable place to live in Northumberland?

 On today’s show, there are two experts who hope to shed some light on this topic. Joining me are Dave Sheffield, executive director of the Green Wood Coalition, and Meghan MacDonald, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Northumberland. David wrote a scathing indictment of federal politicians in a recent newsletter for Green Wood. We will talk to both David and Meaghan about what it said and what it means for Northumberland.

 Next, we get to meet the new Deputy Chief of the Cobourg Police – Jeff Haskins. He started his new job on Monday. We will find out a little bit about him and what he hopes to achieve in his new job.

Consider This Northumberland - October 22: Transition House / Chambers of Commerce

Not everything that happened during the pandemic was bad. If you ask Anne Newman, executive director of Transition House, there were some positives. Transition House is the emergency shelter for homeless people in Northumberland. Sure, it was tough, she would tell you. But over the past few months, Transition House has worked hard to improve services. Now, instead of just being a place for people to stay, the staff is helping those in need navigate and access the local services from health care to peer support to even learn how to cook nutritious food. Plus, a support person is assigned. This means the person who is homeless is not alone. It is all new for Transition House. She will share this journey of change.

 Then, you will hear about a collaborative effort by all four chambers of commerce in Northumberland. As the province cautiously moves toward the other side of the pandemic, the chambers want to encourage people to support the local economy. But it is not your usual buy local program. Two representatives from the chambers of commerce will explain.

Consider This Northumberland - October 15: Horizons of Friendship / OHT-Northumberland

Three-quarters of the people living in Central America are not fully vaccinated. In Guatemala, it is barely five percent of the population. Many experts and organizations are calling it a crisis. 

In the first part of today’s show, you will hear Patricia Rebolledo, the executive director of Horizons of Friendship, describe the situation. Horizons is a Cobourg-based organization that has worked in Mexico and Central America for nearly 50 years. You will hear her paint a picture of what it is like and the challenges ahead. 

Then, in the second segment, you will learn about a new program started by the Ontario Health Team Northumberland to help seniors navigate the local health care system. They use what is called a wrap-around approach. You will learn how that works and how it will help the elderly in Northumberland.

Consider This Northumberland - October 8: Migrant Workers Updated / Cider

Consider This Northumberland - October 1: Cornerstone / John Henderson

Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre is about to expand its services once again as it rises to the challenge of meeting the needs of women and children who face abuse. Women can come to one place to receive a range of services to fit their needs and the needs of their children, from temporary shelter to counselling to therapy. Executive Director Nancy Johnson will explain.

In the second part of the show, a return to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Cobourg Mayor John Henderson will talk about the newly painted crosswalk with the seven feathers created to honour the children who suffered at residential schools. The commemoration is part of a larger effort by the town to implement an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy recently released to the public for consultation.

Consider This Northumberland - September 24: Truth and Reconciliation Day

Consider This Northumberland - September 17: Voters thoughts

Marc Cowan, a reporter here at Northumberland 89.7 FM, will share a special in-depth project he has worked on over the past few weeks. He went out into the field to speak with Northumberland County voters about the issues and concerns they want candidates to address. I think you will find what he discovered very interesting.

Consider This Northumberland - September 4: Nathan Lang / Christina Wilson

With the third week of the federal election campaign wrapping up, the dynamic is shifting as polls show the race is tightening. One of the more interesting stories this past week was the rise of the People’s Party of Canada, slightly surpassing the Green Party.

 Today, the interviews include both parties. First, you will hear from Nathan Lang, the People’s Party of Canada candidate, followed by Christina Wilson from the Green Party.

Consider This Northumberland - August 27: Alison Lester / Kim McArthur Jackson

Unless you are deliberately not paying attention or you are hiding under a rock, it is hard to avoid the federal election campaign. Like it or not, candidates for Northumberland Peterborough South are seeking your vote.

The first two installments include Liberal candidate Alison Lester and NDP candidate Kim McArthur Jackson.

Consider This Northumberland - August 13: What is going on with people and jobs

The Canadian economy added 94,000 jobs in July. But the numbers also show weaker-than-expected hiring. Employers are struggling to find staff.

This week's show explores what is going on with people and jobs. 

The first interview is with Naureen Rizvi, the Ontario regional director for UNIFOR. She will be talking about the rise in unionization across the country.

Next, Prof. Stephanie Ross, the Director of the School of Labour Studies at McMaster University, will talk about the latent desire by working people to join a union.

Consider This Northumberland - August 6: Dr. Bocking / Scott MacCoubrey - Getting vaccinated

Northumberland County remains behind others when it comes to its vaccination rates. Only 61 percent of eligible people over 18 are fully vaccinated. This is compared to 71 percent of the same age group across Ontario.

Dr. Natalie Bocking, chief medical officer for the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, will talk about the numbers and what it means for the county.

Then, we will hear a more personal story. Scott MacCoubrey is a Rotarian and one of the hundreds of volunteers working at the mass vaccination clinic at the Cobourg Community Centre. He is very concerned about the low rates and is trying to make a difference.

Consider This - July 30: County Annual Report / James Cockburn

Do you know where your taxes for Northumberland County go? Well, today's show will help you understand. It is an interview with County CAO Jennifer Moore talking about the 2020 annual report.

Next is an interview with the Honourable James Cockburn, our Father of Confederation and the first speaker of the House of Commons. Monday is a day we commemorate his role in our local history.

Consider This Northumberland - July 16: David Sheffield / Police Update

The first interview is with David Sheffield, executive director of the Green Wood Coalition. It has launched a series of conversations to engage people living in Northumberland. They want to know about addressing some of the most serious issues facing the most vulnerable in the county.

The second interview is with Cobourg Police Chief Paul Vandegraaf. He has lots on his plate. Besides a survey currently underway to figure out the next strategic plan, he is dealing with an internal investigation into an officer who was suspended recently. He will talk about this in some detail.

Consider This Northumberland- July 9: NCSJ and Williams Statue

This week Consider This Northumberland looks at two groups tackling the same issue – the future of Indigenous people in the community and across the country. The first is a group of young women who held a gathering at the statue of Col. Arthur Williams in front of Port Hope town hall on Canada Day. Williams fought in the Northwest Resistance at the Battle of Batoche. You will hear how this informal group quickly organized an event that gave residents a chance to do something concrete to express their solidarity with Indigenous people. You will also hear Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson explain what the council is doing to address these issues. 

Next, you will hear about the Northumberland Coalition for Social Justice and its efforts to raise awareness of Indigenous issues on Canada Day. You will learn the results of its efforts and a bit more about the organization and its advocacy in the community.

Consider This Northumberland - Lofty Kitchen / Campbellford Bikes

This week the theme is sustainability. The first interview is done by my colleague Marc Cowin, host of Focus on Business Northumberland. In this extended interview, he interviews Marie Miller, founder of the Lofty Kitchen. She tells a compelling story about how she started a business during the pandemic and the challenges, along with the eventual success, of her journey.

Next is a story about a group in Campbellford that wants to encourage residents in Trent Hills to start riding their bicycles. Besides the health and environmental benefits, this group wants to create smarter cyclists. Heidi Shaeffer shares the group's story and its unique plans for the community.

Consider This Northumberland - June 11: Brian Beaver and Help Centre

The recent discovery of the bodies of 215 Indigenous school children on the site of a residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia impacted the residents of Alderville. Brian Beaver, an Alderville councillor and historian, will share his personal reactions and the community's reaction.

Next, Beth Bellaire, the chairperson of the Help and Legal Centre of Northumberland, will share the results of a year-long review of the organization and its hopes to address key issues it is facing.