Naked Truth Campaign Begins To Bring Awareness To Affordable Housing Shortage In City

Naked Truth Teaser ShotA new campaign, "The Naked Truth About The Affordable Housing Shortage in Peterborough", has begun.

Some of the stats from a teaser press release that went out:

Naked Truth #1: At 1,500 families, Peterborough has one of the longest waiting lists for affordable housing.

Naked Truth #2: 25% of Peterborough tenants are paying more than half of their income on rent. In some cases, people are paying up to 80 percent of their income on rent.

Naked truth #3: More than half of Peterborough renter households can't afford a one-bedroom apartment.

According to the release, "there is hope and one group of Peterborough women are taking matters into their own hands."

Follow @PtboCalndrGirls on Twitter and "Like" Peterborough Calendar Girls on Facebook for updates in the coming weeks and to help spread the word about the Naked Truth campaign, which officially kicks off early October.

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A New Tim Hortons Is Coming To Peterborough

Only 0.5k away from the Tim Hortons at the Pioneer Gas Station at Brealey and Lansdowne, and 2.2k from the Tim Hortons on Lansdowne... will be the new home for a Tim Hortons for Peterborough's West end. Yes, the Rockhaven Centre at 1875-1913 Lansdowne Street beside our city's newest Shoppers Drug Mart will be a new place to grab a double double.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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PtboCanada Pics: Inside The Elton John Concert That Never Happened

[UPDATE: Concert has been re-scheduled for Wednesday, September 19th at Memorial Centre.]

[UPDATE September 10th: Elton got his voice back in time to play last night at Fashion Cares in Toronto. Also, Sue Warrington, Memorial Centre arena division manager, was on KRUZ FM this morning, and says the decision to pull the plug was indeed made by Elton just a few minutes before he was to go on—that it was a decision made at the last minute. She says Elton arrived in Peterborough earlier than expected at the Memorial Centre and was in his dressing room resting, but cancelled at the last minute due to voice issues. She also says Elton wasn't difficult with staff, and everything was going well and smoothly up until the time he was to go on. Sue says it's her understanding it was Elton's manager who was the mystery person that announced the cancellation to the shocked audience. She also says it will definitely be re-scheduled (possibly as soon as September 19th) and to hold onto your tickets.]

ORIGINAL POST: September 9th:
Elton John cancelled his Peterborough Memorial Centre concert Saturday night shortly after 8 p.m., after everyone was seated. It was announced he was ill (that he had lost his voice) and couldn't perform, leaving about 5,000 people first thinking it was a joke and then in shock -- and many questioning the timing of the announcement (and whether there was more to it—including the lights going out in his dressing room and the smell in there.) He had performed in Sarnia Friday night and was in Toronto earlier Saturday giving interviews—and hosting a party. Drinks had been bought and lots of Elton merchandise purchased. Here's pictures from the concert that never happened...

Elton merchandise being sold...

image PTBOCANADA.COM

Fans excited for the show...

image via Twitter

Minutes before show, people taking their seats...

image PTBOCANADA.COM

View of the stage where Elton was to perform...

image PTBOCANADA.COM

The crowd waiting for Elton to come on...

image PTBOCANADA.COM

The crowd leaving in shock moments after it was announced concert cancelled...

image PTBOCANADA.COM

License plate spotted in parking lot...

image via Twitter


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The Hunter Street Bridge Is Closed Until At Least September 1st

 

Yes, it's true. The Hunter Street Bridge will be closed from Saturday, August 25th, until Saturday, September 1st at midnight. This is in order for the bridge to be waterproofed and paved. One lane will remain open for emergency and transit vehicles only, and foot traffic will be permitted during this time. Should weather be a factor, the estimated dates may have to be adjusted. Other routes into East City include Ashburnham Road and Armour Road.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Mike Melnik Is Leaving KRUZ-FM To Focus On His Growing Business Impact Communications

Mike Melnik pictured reading Maclean's to his beloved RosieMike Melnik is stepping down as morning show co-host of Mike and Catherine in the Morning on KRUZ-FM to focus full-time on his growing media production business Impact Communications.

The radio veteran—known fondly to his devoted listeners as "The Morning Mayor"—will be finishing up with KRUZ-FM in November, the station announced this morning.
 
"While I am sad to leave my KRUZ-FM family, I am excited that my personal business, Impact Communications, continues to grow—so much so that it is becoming increasingly challenging to split my time between working at KRUZ-FM and my company," says Melnik in a release.
 
"Peterborough will be losing someone special on local radio but we are thrilled for Mike and the opportunity for him to focus on his media production business," adds JJ Johnston, General Manager, Corus Radio Peterborough in the release.

Melnik is proud of the fundraising KRUZ-FM has generated over the years—particularly to have been part of the annual Three Loonies Broadcast which started as a "lark" on the morning show and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Kawartha Food Share.

No replacement has been named yet for Melnik to work alongside his co-host Catherine Hanrahan. Let the speculation begin.

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Raw Video From The Massive Field Party Just East Of Peterborough On Weekend

That wild and crowded field party for Jaydan Smoke's 18th birthday bash that everyone's talking about that took place on Division Rd. east of Peterborough on Friday night? Well... it included youths passed out due to intoxication, drugs, derogatory comments toward girls, and a proud father. Yes, here is "Smokeys Banger 2012 (Project J)" in all its YouTube glory, with nearly 6,500 views already...

[YouTube]

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Video And Story On Massive Fire At Milroy Drive Apartment Complex

PHOTO Amber McLatchey via Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[**UPDATED: JULY 23RD: HOUSING CLINIC ARRANGED]

City Of Peterborough Emergency Management Division release...

Efforts remain underway to coordinate long-term housing arrangements for the families displaced by the Leta Brownscombe Co-Op fire on July 17, 2012.
The Emergency Response Planning Team will be hosting a Housing Clinic for the families of the Leta Brownscombe Co-Op on Tuesday, July 24 and afterwards by appointment.
Landlords with good quality, affordable rental accomodations available immediately or in the very near future are asked to provide their unit details to the CCRC Housing Resource Centre by calling 705-743-2722 or e-mail hrcpeterborough@yahoo.ca.
Primarily there is a need for 1 and 2 bedroom units. In addition there is a specific need for three accessible, 2 bedroom units.    When providing unit information please include the following details; size, location, rent, utilities (heating source and included vs excluded), accessibility, appliances, parking, other amenities and restrictions.
The Salvation Army continues to be the collection point for individuals wishing to make a monetary donation. The Salvation Army is located at:
219 Simcoe Street (at Aylmer) Peterborough, ON K9H 2H6
Hours of Operation: Monday – Thursday - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cash donation, cheques, gift cards, or VISA are accepted. Please make note that your donation is in support of the Leta Brownscombe Co-Op Fire Victims. Charitable receipts for cash, cheque, or VISA donations over $10 will be issued.


[**UPDATED, JULY 19TH: HOW YOU CAN HELP]

City Of Peterborough Emergency Management Division release...

LETA BROWNSCOMBE CO-OP HOUSING FIRE FUNDRAISING DRIVE
City of Peterborough
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION
210 Sherbrooke Street, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 2N3 Phone: 705-742-7777 Ext. 2722 or 2803 Fax: 705-745-9194
The Salvation Army is accepting donations to directly support the victims of the Leta Brownscombe Co-Op fire that took place on Tuesday, July 17, 2012.
Individuals wishing to make a monetary donation may do so by visiting the Salvation Army located at:
219 Simcoe Street (at Aylmer) Peterborough, ON
Hours of Operation: Monday – Thursday - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cash donation, cheques, gift cards, or VISA are accepted. You can also mail your donation to:
The Salvation Army c/o Leta Brownscombe Co-Op Fire Victims 219 Simcoe Street Peterborough, ON K9H 2H6
Charitable receipts for cash, cheque, or VISA donations over $10 will be issued.

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[ORIGINAL POST]

A huge fire last night destroyed much of the 34-unit co-operative apartment building on Milroy Dr. in the city’s north end behind Portage Place, and the Peterborough Fire Department and Ontario Fire Marshal's Office are investigating the cause. All residents are safe, but reports are some pets are missing. The Peterborough City-County Disaster Trust Fund is helping displaced occupants. Dramatic photos came in to us last night on Twitter—see our @Ptbo_Canada feed—including the one above. 

Here's a Facebook page with info on how you can help with clothing drive.

Here's video Harrison Perkins captured at the scene.

[YouTube]

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It's A Reusable Exchange Weekend This Weekend

This weekend (Friday, July 6th to Sunday, July 8th) is a Reusable Exchange Weekend in the Patch. Put your reusable items at your curb on Friday and if they haven't been picked up by Sunday evening at 7 p.m., bring them back in!

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Read Mayor Bennett's Statement On A Report The Police Services Board Is Trying To Remove Him

Photo: Evan HoltPeterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett today released the following statement to media:

A media report indicates that the Peterborough Lakefield Police Services Board has made an application to the Ontario Civilian Police Commission to attempt to remove me from the Board.

 
I have no notice or knowledge of any such application, nor have I had any indication from any Board member that such an action was being contemplated. If such an action has been taken, it clearly would have been appropriate and respectful to advise me of same.
 
An application of this sort would represent a rogue action focused on petty politics rather than quality policing. If there is lingering disappointment on the part of the Board that the Police Service did not receive its full 8.4% budget increase from the City this year, that disappointment must be put aside in the interest of civility and an acceptance of the public will. There is a time to graciously accept the will of the elected members of City Council and their constituents, and this is it.
 
I am aware that the Board has maintained a secret file on me, which I have not been permitted to see, and that there may be similar files on other Councillors. It is very troubling that the Board has adopted a practice of maintaining secret files on those with whom it disagrees. Nonetheless, I am hopeful that Board members will do the right thing and, like all other public agencies, focus their energies on serving people rather than attacking them. 
 
The statement is issued in Daryl Bennett's capacity as Mayor and not as a Member of the Peterborough Lakefield Police Services Board.  

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[UPDATE: 2:11 p.m. July 4th]

Media Release Response From The Board...

July 4, 2012
The Police Services Board does not have the authority to remove a member from the Board.
According to the Police Services Act, the authority to investigate the conduct of a board member and impose sanctions rests with the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.
The board continues to carry out its responsibilities to uphold the integrity of the Police Services Act and to ensure the citizens of Peterborough and Lakefield have adequate and effective policing.
There will be no further statements at this time.
Thank you
Nancy Martin Board Chair
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Here's The Top 10 Intersections For Collisions In Peterborough

Peterborough Community Police's Traffic Managment Unit has released stats so far this year for the Top 10 intersections for collisions (and what the Top 10 were last year).

"The one intersection of note," according to the police release, "is that Monaghan and Lansdowne is no longer in the Top 10 for this year. It actually did not make the Top 20. It has been #1 or #2 for the past 5 years."

 

Here's the breakdown...

2012 So Far

1 Clonsilla and the Parkway
2 Clonsilla and Sherbrooke
3 Parkway and Lansdowne
4 Rubidge and King
5 Fairbairn and Parkhill
6 Parkhill and George
7 Lock and Lansdowne
8 Sherbrooke Rubidge
9 Ashburnham and Lansdowne
10 Clonsilla and Goodfellow
 
2011 Year End Stats

1 Sherbrooke and Clonsilla
2 Monaghan and Lansdowne
3 Monaghan and Parkhill
4 Clonsilla and Goodfellow
5 Parkway and Lansdowne
6 Clonsilla and Parkway
7 Bellevue and Chemong
8 Wolsely and Chemong
9 Parkhill and Fairbairn
10 Sherbrooke and Monaghan
 
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