Consider This Northumberland

Currently, we are in the midst of 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. It started on November 25, the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women. It will end next Tuesday, December 10.

On Dec. 6, Canada marked the 35th anniversary of the commemoration of the death of 14 women at École Polytechnique. It was National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre Executive Director Nancy Johnston is on the show to discuss what is being done in Northumberland to address this issue. She held a series of flag-raising events with local municipal leaders and others. In the same week as this interview, Cobourg police officers laid two charges in two cases of domestic violence.

Listen carefully to hear what is being done locally to encourage public discussion about violence against women in the community.

It is said that the pen is mightier than the sword. In this case, the cliché rings true.

The Northumberland Chapter of Amnesty International is holding a special event this coming Sunday, December 8, at the Ganaraska Hotel in Port Hope. The event's purpose is to raise money and draw attention to the suppression of activists around the world.

It is all part of the Write for Rights campaign. Together with other groups worldwide, they will write letters to fight injustice and support people whose human rights are threatened. They will also celebrate Human Rights Day, which takes place on December 10 to honour the signing of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Listen and see if you think writing a letter can change the world.

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The warming room at 310 Division Street opened on Nov. 13. After a lengthy battle, Northumberland County and the town of Cobourg reached an agreement.

So, what does this mean for Transition House? More importantly, what does it mean for unsheltered people and the community?

On today’s show, I am talking to Ike Newbe, the executive director of Transition House. He will walk us through the early days of the warming room, take us inside the inspections and changes that forced the shelter on Chapel Street to reduce the number of beds to 10 from 22 and update us on the status of things from the citizen liaison committee to the opening of the upper floors, which could happen shortly.

Newbe will also share the reaction he is getting from users who are anxiously awaiting the complete opening of the facility.

Port Hope council passed its $29.5 million budget earlier this week. For the average taxpayer, it will mean an extra $178 per year, according to a presentation made to council.

There was lots of debate. Besides politicians, nearly 1,450 people filled out a survey to give input.

In this interview, Councillor Les Andrews gives insight into some of the factors he and the council were considering as they prepared to give final approval. He will explain some of the increases and cuts under consideration, as the interview was done prior to the final debate. In the end, you decide if the council made the right decisions.

About 140 people gathered at the Lion’s Centre on Nov. 7 for a town hall organized by the Cobourg Police. For nearly two hours, residents listened and fired questions to Chief Paul VandeGraaf. The concern in people’s voices was evident as the exchanges took place.

On today’s show, the chief will face another volley of questions following up on the themes raised at the public meeting. The encampment, drugs in the community, and various strategies are all part of the conversation. The interview digs deeper below the rhetoric to explore underneath the statistics, plans and promises to search for the proposed solutions at this critical time.

Murray Sinclair was a well-known lawyer, judge, member of the Senate, and dedicated advocate for Indigenous people and Canadians. He is best recognized as the chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was dedicated to the legacy of residential schools. The 94 calls to action continue to be a centrepiece in healing the divide between Indigenous people and the rest of Canadians.

This interview with Alderville First Nations Chief Taynar Simpson is insightful on several levels. First, he shares Murray Sinclair’s biography. It covers the broad scope of many of Murray Sinclair’s contributions to both Indigenous people and the rest of the country. More than that, Simpson reflects on Sinclair’s impact on the Alderville community and gives some personal reflections based on his own time working with the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. Have a listen.

Alnwick-Haldimand Township council took another step in its journey to keep an aging arena open for residents at a special council meeting on Nov. 15.

The Ontario government requested updated information regarding an old grant application the township staff made two years ago for upgrades and repairs to the current facility. It wanted to know if the council still wanted to keep the application alive. To do this, the council had to give its endorsement once more.

Not all councillors were anxious to continue.

In this In Their Words, you will hear the debate over proceeding. Councillor Mary Catherine O’Neill raises concerns over the application, and you will hear the others respond.

In Their Words is a feature that allows people to listen to what is going on at the various councils within Northumberland. No spin. No opinions. No one is telling you what to think. Just what was said.

It is a chance you might not have otherwise to hear directly from your elected representatives. I hope you find it useful and informative.

The Canadian Severity Crime Index measures changes in the level of crime within communities across Canada. All crimes are assigned a weight based on their seriousness. Statistics Canada releases these figures every year.

Port Hope had the second-lowest score, according to the most recent report. This makes it one of the safest communities in the country.

On today’s show, Port Hope Police Chief Tim Farquharson will talk about what is going on with local policing. He will discuss some of the options his force is exploring to find ways to provide services to meet the community’s needs. But he must also meet the demands of the new provincial rules and regulations for police put in place in April. He will also chat about the upcoming police budget plus upcoming plans for the force.

The Canadian Labour International Film Festival will be held in Northumberland in December at the Cobourg Library. Admission is free.

Organizer Derek Blackadder says the festival is an opportunity for the public to watch films from around the world that speak to the issues facing working people. He is quick to emphasize these movies are not necessarily about unions. Instead, they represent the struggles and issues many people face in their jobs.

You decide whether the lineup reflects the realities of your job, past and present.