A new year, a new dawn.
There were many stories that Today’s Northumberland brought to you in the last 365 days.
In the coming days, if things slow down a bit we hope to bring you the events of 2025.
Some heartwarming, some heart wrenching.
News has changed over the past few years and it continues to change.
Agencies that we relied on for timely releases informing the public have gone by the wayside.
We’ve spoke about them before and will continue to highlight, the good, the bad and the ugly.
Belleville Police Service is a bright light in a dark sky how releases should be distributed.
Northumberland OPP comes in a close second.
In years past, a press release would likely be in your e-mail by the time you arrived at the office.
There would be an attached file with the incidents during the past 24-hours.
Frankly, looking back, maybe the media was spoiled.
But these days, it’s a detriment to the citizens and will be in the future the way releases are handled. Not only by police, but also by the Lakelands Public Health unit since they amalgamated with the Pine Ridge District Health Unit.
As a shining example, Belleville Police Service sends a media release out daily. It’s a file attached to the e-mail with all incidents pertaining to the last 24-hours.
The respect the service shows the media is second to none. When a release is late – they actually apologize in the e-mail.
They are very professional in what they do and take issuing releases seriously.
And for those people wondering – yes they do release the names of the suspects charged as do the OPP. Cobourg, Port Hope and Peterborough Police do not.
It’s also important to mention why it is imperative for media to get an actual “file” of the press release.
Cobourg Police and Peterborough Police issue releases that link it to their website – which is wrong.
If there was an error, they could simply change their website, but the media that has used the release would have no way of knowing, or correcting the error which could be potentially liable.
Having that file with the releases on it is imperative to media organizations.
We’re not sure if this was a “in-house” decision by Cobourg and Peterborough Police or if services now are being trained that way. Either way – it’s wrong.
Northumberland OPP is also at the top of releases.
They are informative and also send a file with the e-mail.
Being part of the community in Cobourg for a lifetime, it’s unknown when the service and the Police Services Board will kick in and report what’s relevant to the community.
Stop praising each other and say what people are thinking. Ask questions that need to be asked.
There has been a long list of items that haven’t been reported to the public by the police.
It’s embarrassing to the members that do their job professionally every minute of every day.
It continues to happen to this day.
On December 19, 2025 the London Police Service announced the hiring of Roger Ramkissoon who is, or maybe at this point was the Chief Administrative Officer for the Cobourg Police Service.
As of December 31, 2025, the Cobourg Police Service/the Cobourg Police Services Board has yet to acknowledge this to the citizens of Cobourg.
Each one of the Cobourg Police Service Board members including Chair Adam Bureau, Vice-Chair Sean Graham and members Nicole Beatty, Dean Pepper and Ron Kerr should be ashamed by the lack of transparency.
A police service over three hours away has announced the hiring of the CAO from Cobourg Police in a press conference and not a peep from our Board in two weeks.
So let’s make sure we all understand, the Chief of Police has announced he will be leaving in June, the CAO has also announced he will be leaving, or has left.
Deputy Police Chief Jeff Haskins was hired in November, 2021. It was likely a four year contract which means it will be ending in 2026.
Is it being renewed?
Who knows.
But if it isn’t – to say the Cobourg Police Service would be short for senior level management would be an understatement.
Time will tell.
Lakelands Public Health which oversees Northumberland County also seems to be dropping ball with issuing press releases.
Today’s Northumberland has reached out numerous times before the Christmas break as a number of people were/are getting sick.
Yes, “it’s that time of the year.”
But like police issue releases about “Don’t Drink and Drive” when it’s obvious, why shouldn’t the local health unit be as proactive.
On December 18, 2025, through a series of e-mail to the Health Unit, Today’s Northumberland asked, where are the releases informing residents?
Communications Manager, Ashley Beaulac replied, “preparing and informing our communities about respiratory virus season is a core part of our work each year. Over the past several months, we’ve taken a multi-channel approach to ensure residents have timely, evidence-based information to help them protect their health.”
But lately, again, as far as we are aware, there has been nothing in the form of a e-mail.
Beaulac stated that she would be happy to set up an interview within the health unit concerning the request. But when the health unit has a communications department – that is their job to get the information out – not set up an interview.
In the end, the health unit sent links to their website.
A few people are making a good chunk of change to just e-mail a few links of where to find the information.
Another issue that should get more attention is the hiring of security at Cobourg’s Rotary Harbourfront Rink.
As of December 20, 2025, security is now at the rink from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Today’s Northumberland has met with some of the security and they seem very pleasant and welcoming.
Security was hired under the operation of the Municipal Law Enforcement Department.
“This enhanced presence is intended to ensure safe, appropriate and accessible public use of the facility,” stated a release.
At the December 17 meeting of Council they allotted up to $100,000 for the security at the “frink.”
Again, security seems very pleasant and welcoming, but if there is an “issue,” it’s obvious that Cobourg Police will be called.
Why not look into having Cobourg Police Auxiliary watching over the facility?
On the surface that seems like an incredible amount of money to spend, when if something happens, police will be called.
On a positive note from what we’ve seen – Northumberland Hills Hospital has taken a giant step forward on informing residents of the wait times in the Emergency Department.
For anyone that’s had to use the Emergency Department, it’s always been a worry of how long will it take to see a doctor.
For the last few months the hospital has posted ED Wait Times.
It may not be perfect in times, but at least it gives the person an idea of the times.
It’s a blessing and kudos to management.
Media was relied upon less than a decade ago to ask questions the public needs answers too.
Now, it seems, some organizations send releases when they want, to whom they want.
If you ask a difficult question, you’re ignored. You’re the trouble maker and it’s best to avoid.
But society should never stop asking questions. Public organizations should always be accountable.
Public accountability is heading down a steep slope when it comes to informing and educating.
There are our dollars spent on a public organization.
It’s up to the younger generation, and those who can to ask the obvious.
Don’t be afraid, don’t be shy.
If it concerns you or troubles you, it likely does others as well.
Accountability and informing the public is important to our future more than ever
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
