We amplify local voices
and provide timely context
about important issues.
Please share with friends and associates so they can discover NorthBayEcho.ca and sign up for this free newsletter delivered via email Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Top Shelf
- Timing of Echo couldn’t be better
- Landlords need to know this…
- Deputy mayor talks about street safety
Today’s First Feel
This newsletter is about pumping up community tires … once in a while we’ll have to patch a leaky one first … but it will always be done with love – just like Lisa Boivin’s podcast 2NBWL.
Essentials
A rising tide lifts all ships
Echo’s launch at the North Bay Museum yesterday surpassed our wildest expectations. There were dozens of community leaders in the crowd curious to know what we are doing and ready to be part of something new and exciting. And based on the media coverage so far, we are hitting all the right notes with our mission to elevate and amplify voices that care about the city and surrounding region.
BayToday’s piece by Stu Campaigne was a great example, plus he put together a video story to go with it: New podcast network eager to amplify local voices ; Cogeco subscribers got the full picture too by Clarke Heipel and Richard Coffin of My North Bay Now posted North Bay now has a new podcast network. Also great to see was Richard Fortin of RFPMedia posting an Instagram piece. Broadcast Dialogue, a national industry publication, thought we were big news too!
(If you missed the launch livestream, you can watch it HERE … just skip to the five minute mark)
The key, many are saying, is to be balanced in our approach. “Don’t be too negative and don’t be too fluffy. Be real and genuine.” Challenge accepted. They also appreciate that we are providing an information curation service. We’re linking the producers of local stories as well as our own podcasts instead of trying to compete in the world of community news coverage. We want to add to the community, not subtract.
Welcomed as the first Echo Network sponsors are Wagepoint, a national payroll software company, Services @yourhomeservices.ca and Cogeco.
Landlord association touched on vital issue
The Near North Landlords Association issued a timely media release Thursday that captured the heart of the matter when it comes to the lack of rental accommodation in North Bay. Thousands of students who attend Canadore College and Nipissing University from outside the area have dealt with the issue for several years now. But the problem came to a head recently when a big influx of international students protested over the situation.
The NNLA statement explained how the situation got worse. They said many of the single detached homes normally rented to students were bought up by Greater Toronto Area families fleeing metropolitan markets during the COVID pandemic. And outside investors bought multi-residential properties from people retiring from the landlord business, with the new owners capitalizing on high demand with increased rates.
Included in the release, was a potential key to providing some added comfort to those who are not sure about renting to students from another country. Landlord and property manager, Stephane Roy, of Northern Property Partners, shared his experience in recent weeks. “I’ve been bombarded with applications. After attending the NNLA training, I now understand the federal government has a vetting process that is far superior from our usual practice.”
With the provincial tribunal for landlord-tenant complaints back-logged by more than a year, it’s vital for landlords and potential landlords to know that accepting international students is less risky than they think.
Social media followers keep Deputy Mayor in touch
North Bay Deputy Mayor, Maggie Horsfield, said the connections she made during her first municipal election campaign last fall continues to bear fruit with direct feedback on issues. During Horsfield’s interview with Lisa Boivin on the ‘To North Bay With Love’ show, released Thursday, she gave an example about the precarious reality of dangerous drivers.
“One of the number one issues, at least especially this week, is road safety and speeding,” Horsfield said. “I made a post about speeding taking place and there was a number of accidents that took place ,even near my home and the amount of people that reached out and said, Have you seen this area? You know what’s going to be done? And most recently, the city did put out to tender and a call for road traffic and safety study citywide.
“And so it’s going to be a guiding document for us to be able to implement more traffic safety measures for pedestrians, for cyclists, for vehicles, because, you know, we can reduce speed limits. Do people follow them? We can try to have our police officers out there, but they’re also doing other things as well,” she said. “And so how can we implement other means? Automated speed systems, traffic, bollards, different measures that help slow people down, be more safe and aware? Four way stops are often something that I have people reaching out to me about.”
FEEDBACK WELCOME: Do you have any suggestions or ideas about road safety measures? Boivin and Dave Dale talked about a Lakeshore Drive resident calling for radar cameras that issue automatic speeding tickets. Dale said he was opposed to that kind of “Big Brother” measure. Send your thoughts to [email protected]
Today’s Zen Suggestion: Aim for the skies but keep your feet on the ground.
Echo Podcast Network
Backroads Bill:
Watch the video version of the Backroads Bill show on YouTube or the audio version at NorthBayEcho.ca, as well as all the best podcast platforms. The first show in the Echo series covers the Terry Fox story, just in time for the 43rd annual run taking place this Sunday. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Bill Steer, with Echo Producer Ben Sargent riding shotgun, goes deeper into the stories he has been sharing for years through CBC Radio and Village Media. New shows drop every Wednesday.
The Frontline:
The Frontline’s latest podcast features Powassan Voodoos manager Chris Dawson and Tucker Shields. They discuss everything Voodoos, including goals for this season. Hint, it’s championship or bust for Po-Town! Along with the guests, Kortney Kenney and Ben Sargent discuss the changes coming to the Frontline, including a new log, and recap the preseason and season opener for Powassan, along with the outlook on the North Bay Battalion while looking back on recent preseason games. Powassan hosts two games this weekend at the Sportsplex, Blind River tonight at 7 p.m. and Sudbury Cubs Saturday.
Small Town Times:
Check out Dave Dale’s video interview with Lisa Boivin, host of Echo’s premier podcast ‘To North Bay With Love’. Because her show is beginning with an audio-only approach, we thought it would be beneficial for listeners to see her field a few questions about what makes her tick.
3-Day Events Echo
Friday, Sept. 15
- The second annual JordanBash4Hope is taking place on the outdoor stage near the Dionne Quints Museum and indoors at Lou Dawgs beginning at 6 p.m. and running through Saturday night. The two-day musical marathon features a parade of bands running simultaneously on both stages as well as a volleyball tournament at the east end of the Community Park. Buy $20 tickets at the Capitol Centre or at the gate, while supplies last.
- The NDA high school football season begins tonight at 7 p.m. with the West Ferris Trojans taking on the Scollard Hall Bears at the Steve Omischl Sports Fields Complex.
- A Trans March is beginning at 7 p.m. outside City Hall and the Love Boat cruise on the Chief Commanda II departs King’s Landing at 9:30 p.m.
- Downtown Gallery Hop begins at 6 p.m. with stores in the Main Street area staying open until 9 p.m.
- WKP Gallery opens the solo exhibition by Colin Davis
Saturday, Sept. 16
- North Bay Pride has two events, beginning at 1 p.m. with a march (staging at the waterfront) and then the free Out in the Park Concert at the Kiwanis Bandshell beginning at 7:30 p.m.
- Headlining the JordansBash4Hope is Cory Marks hitting the outdoor stage at 10 p.m., with the day-long event beginning at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $20 at the gate.
- The North Bay Road Race is a fundraiser for the Gathering Place soup kitchen. It’s starting at the North Bay Museum with a flat and fast course taking you through scenic Memorial Drive, closed to traffic, and along the Kate Pace Way past Lee Park and Veteran’s Field. The race kicks off at 9:30 am.
- Former local broadcaster Kate Ryan is at Twigg’s Coffee Roasters on Fraser Street to sell and autograph her first book, An Unsupervised Mind. It is a humorous collection of funny anecdotes selling for $12 cash between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. See the story at My North Bay Now.
Sunday, Sept. 17
- North Bay Terry Fox Run is taking place along Goulet’s Golden Mile on the Lake Nipissing waterfront. The staging are for participants is at the Rotary Shelter by The Boat restaurant. The REVolve Cycle crew will be there to make things roll smoothly. It’s not too late to donate to the 43rd annual run.
- At the Capitol Centre, Sunday, is the “This is Me” event as a wrap up to the North Bay Pride week. Listen to local folks tell their personal journey. You will laugh, cry, and smile. Hosted by Kimora Amour (Canada’s Drag Race).
(For more events further out on the calendar, check Tourism North Bay’s comprehensive events listing guide.)
If you have something to add to the discussion or an idea for one of Echo’s podcasters or affiliates, email Content Director Dave Dale at [email protected].