Editorial – Starting Today’s Northumberland a few years ago was a chance to continue doing something I’ve been doing for three decades.
It’s a passion. Always has – always will be.
We at Today’s Northumberland do our best – but as we’ve said many times – there will be mistakes.
We, as in myself, Steve White (co-founder) and Cecilia Nasmith who helps out regularly do our best.
We “step up to the plate” where other local media doesn’t.
We post press releases like everyone, but we also try to ask questions the public deserves and frankly expects.
Whether it’s a happy or otherwise – we try our best to be there. People who support Today’s Northumberland deserve that.
Living in the community where I was born and raised, sometimes a photo doesn’t necessarily have to be a story, it can be a photo with what is called a cutline.
To help or make people realize what is happening in and around Northumberland County.
People don’t always have to agree, frankly it would be boring if they did.
But conversations should always be respectful.
The adage “education through communication” comes to mind.
It’s something I’ve tried to live by.
As a journalist for many years, one thing that gets you through covering stories is having thick skin.
Over the course of time, there are a few times that stand out where I really questioned people and where they were coming from.
One was when there was the battle to get a bravery medal for a Cobourg Police officer who was murdered.
A person left a not-so-nice message on my phone at work. He stated give him the World Series, the Stanley Cup, but enough of seeing his name in the media.
The person left their name, but not their phone number.
I managed to track them down, phoned him and we had a polite conversation for approximately 45-minutes about what had happened that horrific night, and the bravery that the officer displayed.
At the end of the conversation, the person on the other end of the phone was in total agreement the battle should continue for the medal. He understood, through communication came eduation.
One photo of late that has really drawn attention was a photo last week that was taken in Port Hope.
It was during the evening – close to midnight going by memory.
The photo was taken along the Ganaraska River just south of the boat launch.
The caption stated, “Either a sign posted on the east pier stating no one is allowed past the yellow ropes (on the left) is incorrect, or the Port Hope Police missed a glorious opportunity ticketing numerous anglers. If the amount of money on the sign was correct, thousands of dollars in fines could have been collected on Thursday evening and Friday morning.”
And with that, so started the fireworks and frankly, rage.
The photo/caption reached nearly 33,000 people. There were 194 comments.
Some agreed, most didn’t. By the profile post of those in disagreement, they were anglers.
And most seemed to read into it only what they wanted to read into it.
That I was against anglers.
One person said the photo/caption was used as “click bait.”
“Try practising the news. It used to work,” he wrote.
Another wrote, “People cry and bitch and complain about everything. Clearly this guy just couldn’t appreciate the most relaxing sport cuz his wife has the leash to short and his balls zipped up in her purse.”
And another said, “This post is the definition of a Karen. Embarrassing.”
A “person” named John Hisr had the audacity to make a rude comment about my mother.
Another said I was a vegetarian. For anyone who knows me, knows the truth about that statement.
While another calmly stated that what I wrote and showed was funny, but “I remember being bullied by people like this as a kid fishing.”
“Screw your stupid sign and yellow tape if people want to fish they can fish if people can go to restaurants and bars Exc,” said another. “People can fish screw you.”
Josh De Ruiter whose profile said he studied at St. Lawrence College said the original post was, “making news on fishing sites.”
And even added, “lynching coming?”
As the comments were adding up, I decided to contact Port Hope Direction of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Jim McCormack.
McCormack stated there were a number of areas that were washed out from high water the previous year.
It was decided repairs wouldn’t be completed this year until the high water rescinded.
But the high water never came and due to short staffing levels and other items it simply wasn’t completed.
“I’ve asked my staff to reassess and complete repairs so we can re open that area as fishing season begins to pick up,” McCormack wrote in an e-mail a few days ago.
Driving around in Port Hope on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 I decided to venture down Mill Street South to the pier. It was a beautiful day out. Maybe people were fishing?
It was a delight to see the rope with the sign stating it was a $150 fine to go past had been removed.
Not knowing whether someone had removed it, or whether the municipality did, once again I contacted McCormack.
“Repairs completed,” he wrote back in a e-mail.
“We just need to cut the grass down there.”
There was one last question I wanted to ask the Director.
Did my original inquiry help resolve the situation with the rope and sign?
“Yes, I think it did.”
So, it seems ironic, the names, accusations and threats made, to Today’s Northumberland and specifically myself by a number of people, likely anglers by their photos, were unfounded.
The problem was solved by a non-angler.
None of the people that were infuriated took the time or bothered to call the town and ask why the rope and sign were there.
It was easy to be the “keyboard warrior.”
In Covid times, people are bored, and anxiety is through the roof at times – I get it.
These are strange times.
But maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to judge.
Comment with courtesy. Asking questions is apart of life. Heck, it’s how some people making a living.
But throwing out angry comments, does nothing to give yourself or the sport respect. Online or otherwise.
Oh, one other thing that wasn’t made public. My adult son, absolutely loves fishing. Anyone that knows myself and him knows that. So the last thing I would do would be to go against anglers.
So to wrap this up, hook, line and sinker I will end it by saying, to the anglers who chose to hit below the belt with comments about myself, my mother and called for a lynching – I hope you enjoy eating crow along with your fish for dinner.
(And please feel free to share this on the fishing sites)
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
