Consider This Northumberland

A fire was called in on May 24, just before 5 a.m. The Foodland in Colborne was burning down. It would be devastating to the community as it was the only grocery store. Within no time, the residents responded. Offers for rides or to pick up groceries filled social media. Municipal staff jumped in to provide coordination. The reaction was immediate and heartfelt.

Calls went back and forth between Northumberland Community Care and Mayor Mandy Martin to organize a bus service to pick up residents at three locations and take them to Cobourg for groceries. This was on top of local volunteer efforts.

In this interview, you will hear the story behind the efforts of the community and organizations to help the residents of Colborne and Cramahe. Mayor Mandy Martin and Community Care Executive Director Trish Baird will tell the story behind the story.

Earlier this week, the report from the ad hoc committee on short-term rentals in Alnwick-Haldimand Township was officially brought before the planning committee of council. Many delegates and council members spoke about the divisive nature of the issue and the need to get it right. Councillors deferred any action to give politicians and the public a chance to provide more input and consider the numerous delegations at the meeting. Have a listen and see what you think.

The Durham District School Board banned spectators from its next two meetings due to safety concerns earlier this week. Members of the audience were ejected after making homophobic, transphobic, and hateful comments, according to trustees.

It is one of several examples of anti-gay and anti-trans demonstrations across Ontario. Norwich Township and the city of Windsor were also in the news this past week.

It all centres around Pride Month, which starts in June.

In this interview, Emilio Ojeda, chair of Trent Hills Pride, will discuss the upcoming celebrations over two weeks in June. There are many family-friendly events in Campbellford, Warkworth, and Hastings. It is quickly becoming one of the most significant Pride events in Northumberland County.

He will also address the growing movements against Pride Month within his community and elsewhere.

Municipalities across Northumberland County struggle to deal with short-term rentals. Those are the rental properties often associated with AirBnB or Verbo online platforms.

For some, renting a space, either a room or a house, is an excellent source of income. It can be a stimulant for the local economy. Others see it as a significant boost for tourism.

Then, there are others who see it differently. There are noise issues, parking problems, and a host of other negatives.

Alnwick-Haldimand Township council is the latest to wrestle with its attempts to control short-term rentals. An ad hock committee recently brought forward some changes to a bylaw passed in 2022. These tweaks have a group of operators and the business association very concerned.

In this interview, you will hear those concerns. Two representatives of the group will dive into the issue to see if a balance can be found. They will give their perspective on how it plays out in the township before council decides later this month.

When it comes to mental health services in Northumberland, there are several options. These can range from private psychologists and psychiatrists to walk-in clinics and helplines.

More than a year ago, Northumberland Community Counselling Centre shut its doors. It offered programs that served nearly 1,000 people annually; many were free or at a low cost. Some of those services were transferred to other agencies. But a gap still existed. That is when the Community Counselling Resource Centre in Peterborough stepped up, offering in-person and remote counselling on the same basis.

Kirsten Armbrust, the executive director, will give us an update and a glimpse of what her organization is planning for the upcoming year. Also, Susan Somogyi Wells, Chief Executive Officer for Family Services Ontario, will give a broader picture of these services and the gaps many communities, like Northumberland, face across the province.

In 2012, Port Hope town council adopted a cultural plan with five strategic goals. The municipality would support cultural assets, raise awareness and build on existing assets, strengthen emerging cultural groups, increase cultural participation, and respond to cultural space needs.

These lofty objectives have guided the town for the past decade. Now, they are being reviewed by town staff to figure out what should be happening for the next decade.

Leslie Murray, Manager of Community Recreation and Culture, is reaching out to the public to get input on what should happen within Port Hope. A survey is currently underway. But there is lots more going on.

For nearly 75 years, the arena in Grafton has served the local hockey community. Once again, its future is uncertain as major repairs are necessary to keep it in service.

The five community centres in Alnwick-Haldimand Township are also under review as budget pressures raise questions about their viability.

Mayor John Logel says these are only two of the items under consideration when thinking about the township’s strategic plan.

It is a time for strategic planning across Northumberland County. Nearly all local councils will seek input from taxpayers to set goals for this term of council.

While a strategic plan often draws little attention from the public, it is critical. It is fundamental. It is the basis for decisions going forward. The plan can guide everything from affordable housing to tax rates.

You will hear how one municipality, Alnwick-Haldimand, is going about its strategic planning and how it may impact residents.

Brighton is one of the fastest-growing places in Northumberland County. With all the development taking place, town council is continuing to examine how it looks after the health and wellness of residents.

As you will hear in this interview, Mayor Brian Ostrander will explain how the town was not creating sufficient green space under the old system. He also knows residents are looking for more recreational opportunities. You will hear what is being considered under the new Parks and Recreation Master Plan. It aims to improve facilities and opportunities for everyone. Have a listen.

People have said local governments should be run like a business for many years. It should be efficient and cost-effective. And taxpayers should be treated like clients or customers, ensuring excellent service and accountability.

Then ask anyone who has gone before a local council as a delegation to ask for something. You get 10 minutes to speak. Politicians ask a couple of questions. You sit and wait until your item comes up on the agenda. Then, depending on your request, you get what you want, or council votes to accept your presentation for informational purposes. There your request goes to sit on a shelf and gathers dust.

In 2019, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities released a national poll saying 56 percent of Canadian feel their local government can improve the quality of life in their community. That is barely half.

On today’s show, Cobourg Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty will explain a major overhaul to the way council is run. The goal is to make it easier for people to talk to politicians and get more input. It is also going to change the structure of how council operates. For some, it means a more transparent system that will give politicians and the public a greater voice in decisions. For others, it could mean a path to full-time councillors and a power grab by those in charge. Have a listen and you can decide.

Preserving land in its natural state is critical for the future. With all the pressures to develop affordable housing, the idea of making sure we protect and preserve areas can easily get lost.

In this interview, you will hear a story about ensuring our natural heritage does not get overlooked.

Pauline Browse, a former MP and a lifelong resident of Hamilton Township, will talk about protecting the Rouge National Urban Park located in Scarborough. This is a fight she has waged for more than 30 years. The Ontario government is threatening the park as it is about to open land for development adjacent to the park located in Pickering. The lands are part of the Greenbelt.