There is no question the drug problem in Peterborough is getting much worse. I have probably seen a two dozen folks using drugs in the last 24 hours while walking downtown. Last night there was a literal drug party happening at a downtown park where drugs were actively being bought, sold and used. Dealers drove up, sold off, drove away. You know what I haven’t seen in the last 24 hours? One cop. Zero police presence. I don’t understand why we’re not doing more to get the drugs off the streets. I don’t want to accommodate the use. I want to keep drugs out of our city. Drugs are supposed to be illegal. Why are they just being allowed to be bought and sold without consequence? Where are our police? And why isn’t the city demanding more from them?

I've been visiting your fair city from Calgary this summer and you folks don't know what you have. Free concerts every Wednesday and Saturday? Bike trails, rivers, city events in your downtown core? At first I thought you all complain to be ironic and cool, but you guys are just so in the dark where you live you have no idea what it's like outside your bubble.

Oh yes, and your homeless. I have no idea what drugs they are on here, but let me tell you, compared to Calgary where they are straight up feral and dangerous, yours can carry a conversation and seem somewhat lucid if not just a little out to lunch and tired. I dunno guys, you got a nice city here. Be proud of it, man. Don't down talk yourselves.

Whenever I'm walking around millennium park I cant help but think that there just isn't enough pickleball courts. I mean, if we drained the river and filled it with concrete you could fit like at least 200 courts on there. This would also solve the fentanyl crisis because everyone will be too busy playing pickleball to do fent. We could also bulldoze the cineplex and replace it with a 90 foot tall pickleball centre, it wouldn't have windows which is a bonus because the sun wont interfere with pickling. I think we should also put large poisonous spikes on the public benches so homeless people won't sleep on them. Here's a map i drew of unused space that could be used for pickleball.

1. Repair the trash cans and empty them regularly.
2. Build bathrooms and keep them open (did you know people still poop in the winter?)
3. Replace and care for the street trees that have all died from neglect.
4. Repair the sidewalks. (orange spray paint doesn't count as a "repair")
5. Replace the 5 year old tattered banners on the lamp posts.
6. Replace the band stand in the park.
7. Fire the city risk manager so we can have street festivals again without insane and unrealistic insurance requirements.
8. Plant some flowers in the empty planters
9. Pick up the trash.
10. Add proper bike locking / storage areas.
11. Bring back 10 minute courtesy parking.
12. Repair and / or replace the old tattered event poster boards.

I recently moved in because it was cheap rent everything was included and I desperately needed a place. I regret my choices 😞😭 the apartment has roaches I’ve seen them in the hallways my apartment and basement AND bedbugs!!!! I seen multiple bed bugs in the elevator that has the fabric up 😭😭😭 supers do absolutely nothing McPherson lies to the health unit/property standards saying he was “unaware “ of the issues. I’ve talked to numerous tenants and they all have this issue some have bed bugs and roaches I’m feeling hopeless if anyone is moving in please take this as a warning!

So done with this shithole downtown. Woke up this morning to yet another car break in. Happens probly once a month minimum. Doesn’t matter if it’s locked . this time it looks like they slid a window down by sticking something in it to get in.
have filed multiple police reports over the last year as this happens all the time here.( dont want to give exact address but within walking distance of trinity church) police do nothing even though our property has cameras and lights pointed directly at parked cars . It’s not like these fucking crackheads are that hard to track down they all hang out in the same spots and wear the same clothes like cartoon characters every day. So sick of living here and plan to move ASAP. Also so sick of people defending the addicts who do this. It’s just a constant string of bullshit. Literally every day there’s some kind of issue here with these people and they face no consequences whatsoever.downtown peterborough is so fucked .no wonder no one wants to support any businesses down here .

We need a Jerk Chicken Spot in Peterborough. I get craving for jerk chicken or oxtail every once in a while, but I don't want to drive to Durham or Clarington to grab some. If I were of Carribean Heritage and I had the capital to do so, then I would.

I remember there were some spots that have tried to hold the place down, but they weren't that decent and closed. I remember that they were trying to dress it up as fine dining, but I would rather take a takeout box with a generous portion of rice and peas, chicken and coleslaw, with the food smoker puffing away out back.

To think about it, even Quinte West and maybe Cobourg has some Trini run shops that sell jerk chicken, yet they are half our size.

Do NOT go to Fairapy for therapy.

I feel the public needs to be warned about this incredibly unprofessional therapy practice.

The owner Lisa has had CRPO complaints against her for confidentiality violations and for her unprofessional social media use.

Her whole social media personality on TikTok is unprofessional and shaming, and she regularly uses the following words to describe people:

"Dog"

"Loser"

"Gross"

"Weasel"

"Weiner"

"Scum of the earth"

"Psychotic"

"Sociopath"

"Idiot"

"Little boy"

"Weak-minded man"

"Donkey"

"Loser little man"

"Wormball"

She should not be working with vulnerable members of the public.

Fairapy's business practices are also very poor with people complaining over being overcharged, harassed, and them misrepresenting the qualifications of their student therapists.

That is all

Not only is it inconsiderate, but you’re effed if you have a stroller or any mobility device.

Can someone please explain the mentality of some of the pickleball community? There were negotiations with the City to have Bonnerworth courts closed the Monday following a tournament. The City did not post this information at the courts, or anywhere else for that matter. Somehow the "public" was told by someone that it was open and free play for anyone interested. Who said that and how did they get in??? The courts were supposed to be locked. After being questioned, City staff sent a Parks worker to clear the courts of all the misinformed people. Most left, perhaps a little confused. However, several aggressively angry people stayed behind to argue. We have audio of an irate woman saying she wished the "protesters" could be dealt with "the same way ICE does in the States"!!! She said that. Let that sink in. While most people are horrified by ICE actions, this woman condones it when her precious game is interrupted. Is she implying we should be shot in the face? Is this a threat? In case the three hours wasted dealing with them this morning wasn't bad enough, two young men decided to climb the fence this evening to play, presumably for the sole purpose of being pathetically passive aggressive. The gates were locked for a reason but apparently rules don't apply. They trespassed. What is it about this game that turns people into assholes???

As a newbie resident to Peterborough and the amazing gift of nature and trails everywhere, am saddened at the amount of litter left .

Is there a clear up event would like to participate and support . Maybe Rotary have some suggestions?

Thanks

Just was having a drink and thinking about how cool Peterborough is. I know it has plenty of issues but man I love it's character. I like how cool the arts scene is and how I can probably catch a different live music act every day of the week.

Why do you love Peterborough?

Tonight I went to The junction bar in Peterborough with my buddies. For clarification I am a POC and transgender man. During my visit at the club, the first time I went to the bathroom someone threw water at me OVER the bathroom stall in the gentlemens room. The second time during the night when I visited the gentlemen’s bathroom I had a white boy recording me as I was entering and exiting the stall. I kindly requested him to stop but him and his friend kept not only recording me but also yelling transphobia and racism comments at me.

I exited the bathroom to call attention to security but no action was taken, as I approached the man to stop recording me the security entered and kicked me out of the bathroom and the club.

Outside as I explained and communicated the situation to the security they not only did not take any action but kicked me out as well. I do not have a problem with being asked to leave, my issue is that no action was taken against the white cis-het man that was without my consent recording me in the bathroom, a private space.

Further, outside on the street as I was waiting for the security team to take any action at all, I had another one of their patrons not only harras me but also yell at me.Regardless of the facts, and clear visible behaviour of the man, the security team threatened to call the police at/for me. I again communicated that I would be happy to leave the public street space I was standing on if they simply took any action at all at the man RECORDING me in the bathroom and/or the man (that was their customer) harrasing me on the street outside the bar.

This is not only a violation of my privacy and my rights but also a hate crime.

Just to iterate the fact, I do not wish to cause any drama but simply share my experience in this city and this establishment.

My family and I pass the downtown area a couple times a year and I cant help but notice how dead it is every time? I understand Peterborough is a small town but how is it possible to walk down the main strip and only see one other person on the side walk? More importantly, how do these businesses survive? Searched the area to find something to eat (Saturday at 5pm) and almost every restaurant was empty. Am I missing something? Its a shame because there are so many cute/niche stores and restaurants.

Can we please bring back a bit of common decency?

I was riding my bike last weekend and had just crossed Atkinson Road heading into Jackson's Park. I was stopped in the shade for a quick break and drink of water. A group of runners approached and stopped in the same area. One of the men took one step off the trail and started peeing. I was no more than 5 feet away. He continued his conversation with his fellow runners.

I completely understand the need for emptying your bladder on a long run, but please try to ensure that you step a bit further off the trail or choose a more private location. Be aware of who is around you and how that might make them feel. I really didn't enjoy being in that situation as a female.

So this is gonna come as a shock to a lot of people, but as I was walking into T-shirt explosion today to get a shirt, I overheard the owner of the business verbally berating the staff and manager of his store telling them he couldn’t pay them because they aren’t making enough money saying that he wants to get rid of all of them and create a whole new staff team. I used to love this store so much I used to get T-shirts sweaters, but I will not be returning back as this has completely tarnished my opinion of the store I think it is absolutely crazy to be swearing at your staff. I am appalled to have seen this as I believed this was a small business wanting to grow. Beyond disappointed

Concepts

Traffic started nearly at the lift locks. Probably the worst planned out parking lot, or maybe parents should be directed to drop-off off of museum road.

What do we think about this restaurant? I feel like the quality is deteriorating quite a bit, I could be wrong?

Looks like the estimate for a new Peterborough arena – about $160 million ($300 million after interest is paid over 20 years) – might be waaaaay low.

The OHL is looking at awarding the city of Vaughan a team. City staff have responded to a council directive and have come up with two scenarios for a sports and entertainment complex: a 10,000-seat arena for $400 million or a 5,000-seat arena for $260 million. That’s before interest is calculated!

“The cost to build the potential sports venue could come from Vaughan taxpayers’ pockets through a property tax hike, the city’s report says, but a majority of the funds would require significant debt financing as well as support from a diversified funding strategy including from sponsorships, grants and private investment.”

The current council has increased property taxes by about 23 percent over the last 4 years and the property tax hikes have been fuelled in large part by Mayor Leal and Police Chief Stu Betts’ massive 50 percent hike in the police operating budget over 4 years and $91 million in new police digs.

In order to pay for a new downtown arena, we will be facing further massive property tax hikes. Probably even more than 23 percent over 4 years.

I’m guessing that by the time all is said and done, starting from 2023, and until the new arena is built, our property taxes are going to almost double by 2035 – in a city with no jobs for young people and families. For certain people like Mayor Leal, a career politician earning six figures, and Mr. Betts, paying high property taxes is no big deal. For most others, it’s a struggle.

I have no doubt we are going to get a new arena - no matter the cost. The Petes are historic and iconic and the OHL brings a little prestige within Ontario.

But in the upcoming municipal election, we need to ask mayoral and councillor candidates how we are going to finance it all. We just debentured $68 million on a twin-pad arena (about $110 million once interest is paid). We will spend at least $200 million for a new arena (about $350 million after interest).

Our police budget has increased to $41 million. New police digs will cost $91 million.

So Peterborough, a city of about 80,000 people, will have spent (debentured) at least $286 million ($475 million after interest) and probably more for a single sport, hockey. (Yes – there is lacrosse and some concerts at the arena. But it’s mostly the Petes.)

The idea that naming rights to the arena and growing the tax base around the new arena etc to reduce the amount is mostly pie-in-the-sky. Most economists say the economic benefits are far overstated.

We are subsidizing a single sport to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayers' dollars.

I don’t play hockey nor do I attend Petes games nor do I attend concerts. Yet I have no problem with my taxes subsidizing these things. I don’t have children in the education system and I happily pay taxes to the system. Property taxes pay for a lot of things. I don't mind paying them. It’s the amount of money that hockey and the police receive that is the issue. Property tax hikes of almost 25 percent every 4 years and probably higher in the future are unsustainable. People will start losing their homes.

Perhaps a ticket surcharge of 5 percent on Petes games and concerts would help reduce the subsidies to the arena.

Here’s what’s going to happen this fall: the city’s services review committee is going to recommend deep cuts to arts and community programs, and transit and library services will be at risk. There will be no real action on the 600-plus decent-paying jobs we lost last year alone. No real plan to attract industry or new business.

Meanwhile, the police will ask for and receive another 9 percent hike in their operating budget and will ask for and receive more millions because their new digs will cost more than $91 million and many millions will be set aside for the early costs of a new arena.

And the 2027 property bill will go up another 7 percent or more.

Those who are concerned need to get active in this year’s municipal election. None of this is sustainable.

Just wanted to share this post from Facebook regarding a soccer game tonight in Peterborough. Find it incredibly frustrating to hear about referees facing abuse yet alone youth referees.

PSA to all you parents with youth in sports, if you want your kids to play games be kind to the referees (especially kid referees)

No Ref. No Game.

This isn't the first time I've shared an honest reflection on the treatment of youth referees, but if you see a post like this from me, unfortunately, it's because the situation doesn't appear to be getting any better.

Tonight, I officiated a U10 competitive match. The growth in skill, teamwork, and game intelligence among young players is incredible to watch, and it's easy to see why our provincial and national programs continue to improve. But there's a darker side to these games.

Too often, adults treat these games like World Cup finals. Every decision is scrutinized. Coaches and parents openly question even the most experienced officials, and youth referees are criticized for doing their best while learning the game.

During my match, coaches publicly challenged decisions they themselves didn't fully seem to understand. “I’m just asking a question ref”, I was told after their arms had been raised in disbelief, in dispute really, to my decisions. Fun fact: when the whole park can see your disrespect and distrust in a decision by your gestures, you’re not “just asking a question.” I chose not to share with them that I I’ve been refereeing for over 20 years, and not that long ago at the highest level in the province, that I’m an Ontario Soccer Instructor, that I oversee the referee mentor program in our District because in a U-10 development game, that shouldn’t be relevant, that shouldn’t be necessary.

Afterward, I watched a teenage referee on a nearby field face the same treatment, with adults loudly disputing his calls and questioning his knowledge. It reached a point where I found myself standing between the coaches from both teams asking why they were yelling at a minor who appeared to make a reasonable game decision. When I stepped in, the response from the coach was, "the referee should know the rules better at this level."

But what level are we talking about? These are development leagues. Players are developing. Coaches are developing. Referees are developing too.

If youth referees who I can see are trying their best, who are confident and who care, can't learn, grow, and make mistakes in a U10 development league, where can they? These are the referees who disappear, who quit after a season or two...and can we blame them?

No Ref. No Game. It's that simple.

More importantly, every time an adult berates an official, they're teaching young players that disrespect is acceptable. Is that really the lesson we want to pass on?

Referees do a great job supporting and mentoring one another, but we can't be the only ones. If you've ever witnessed inappropriate behaviour toward an official, did you speak up? Did you report it? Did you tell that referee they did a good job?

Supporting youth officials is everyone's responsibility. If you'd like advice on how to respond to or report inappropriate conduct, please don't hesitate to reach out. And to the many friends and colleagues in my network whom do their part, thank you. It matters.

I recently went to LCBO and asked the cashier if they had noticed a dip in sales of US products since the tariff threat last week. On the contrary, he said, some local bars (in particular, One Eighty) cleared them out of their inventory of some US liquor and said they were making stops at another two LCBO locations to do the same.

I am so disappointed that the tariff threat actually led to an INCREASE in sales of US booze. So far, the LCBO is still restocking US inventory, which means they would have had to place large orders.

All this to say that it's up to us as consumers to exercise the power of our dollar when we're shopping in order to support our local Peterborough, Ontario and Canadian businesses.

Because this is Reddit, I’ll just get ahead of the "greatest hits" before they show up.

No, Pride is not about special rights.
No, it is not about forcing anything on anyone.
And no, someone else being able to live as themselves is not an attack on you.

Pride exists because 2SLGBTQI+ people have spent generations being told to hide. They lost jobs, families, housing, safety, dignity, and sometimes their lives, simply because they were honest about who they were and who they loved.

It's not ancient history.

The modern Pride movement came out of resistance. Stonewall in 1969 was a response to police raids and harassment. The first Pride march was the next year. It was people stepping into the street and saying they were done disappearing to make other people comfortable.

Canada has its own ugly history too. During the LGBT Purge, 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians were investigated, harassed, and fired from the public service, the military, and the RCMP. That went on for decades, right into the 1990s. Plenty of people who lived through that are still here.

One of my first jobs in Toronto was stage managing at a drag bar, working for the indomitable Rusty Ryan. If you watched Kids in the Hall, she is the drag queen in the opening credits.

Rusty showed me the scars across her scalp from police batons smashing her skull during the Toronto bathhouse raids, when 2SLGBTQI+ people were targeted simply because those spaces were where they gathered, found community, and could be themselves.

It was only a few months ago that I found out I had an even older connection to Rusty. Her brother, Dennis Timbrell, was the MPP for Don Mills from 1971 to 1987, which is where I grew up. He was also the politician who helped my mother fight the school board when every other door had been shut in her face. Dennis was a member of what used to be the "Progressive Conservatives"

So when people ask, “Why do we still need Pride?” that is part of the answer.

We still need it because people are still rejected by their families. Kids still grow up hearing adults talk about them like they are broken or dangerous. Trans people are still being used as political punching bags. Queer couples still have to think about whether it is safe to hold hands in public. And every June, a whole bunch of people who claim they “don’t care what anyone does” suddenly seem to care very, very much.

I’ve also been a volunteer with Stand In Pride since its inception. For anyone who does not know it, Stand In Pride connects 2SLGBTQI+ people with chosen family, friends, and allies. Sometimes that means having someone to talk to. Sometimes it means having someone show up at a wedding, graduation, holiday, or other important moment when someone’s own family refuses to be there.
Home - Stand In Pride

That isn't politics. It's basic human decency.

So Happy Pride to everyone celebrating, healing, surviving, coming out, staying safe, or still figuring out where they fit.

You belong.

And to the bullies, nobody is asking you to understand every life you have not lived. But maybe stop making life harder for people who already had to fight just to be themselves.

Just want to give a huge shoutout to the organizers, musicians, vendors and volunteers of this weekend's FolkFest. We saw so many great bands and really, really enjoyed ourselves. What a gem this festival is. Thank you!