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Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Derek Howard is a Midland-based civic issues reporter with a background in print journalism. He has lived within North Simcoe for the majority of his life. Sometimes a stage actor, sometimes a voice actor, and sometimes a fiction novelist; when not scooping news, Derek enjoys diving into futurism by researching cutting edge technologies, while also appreciating the beautiful nature of the surrounding area. On occasion, Derek has been known to livestream play sessions of forgotten 1980s video games to sparse crowds. Derek lives alone and would like to someday have a goldfish named Chaos.

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Recent Work by Derek

Penetanguishene council pitched tiny affordable housing…in Tiny

Penetanguishene council pitched tiny affordable housing…in Tiny

Bordering on the edge of two municipalities, Habitat for Humanity North Simcoe requested access to town water and road access; matter to wait on township pre-consultation response
Local mayors say 'scary' strong mayor powers are not necessary

Local mayors say 'scary' strong mayor powers are not necessary

'Democracy, openness, transparency, and accountability for decision making' removed, says Penetanguishene mayor on Ontario push for stronger mayor powers
'Debacle': Tay mayor castigates county councillors over walkout

'Debacle': Tay mayor castigates county councillors over walkout

Since entering municipal government in 1975, Tay mayor says he had “never seen a more shameful display of disrespect and council-business hijacking than I witnessed at county council'
Hospitals, school boards, municipal staff top local Sunshine List

Hospitals, school boards, municipal staff top local Sunshine List

Midland lists 39 employees earning over $100,000 annually on provincial list, followed by Penetanguishene (12), Tiny Township (11),and Tay Township (6)
Tiny looking to move council meetings to afternoons

Tiny looking to move council meetings to afternoons

Proposed 2 p.m. start time almost certain starting February; council to look at further options before approval for in-person and virtual deputations due to scheduling arrangement
'Incredibly low' number of Tay residents respond to township survey

'Incredibly low' number of Tay residents respond to township survey

‘It’s lower than we would like,’ says mayor as less than one per cent of Tay population to guide township direction; council praise given to new signs for better information flow
Shed-dwelling senior says mould in her apartment causing health issues

Shed-dwelling senior says mould in her apartment causing health issues

Debbie Lloyd, 67, says she's living away from rental's toxic mould issue, but unable to move elsewhere due to unaffordable rent costs
Brunelle says Tiny council shouldn't be 'human billboard for social justice'

Brunelle says Tiny council shouldn't be 'human billboard for social justice'

Tiny councillor says there can be 'slippery slope of endorsing one movement or promoting one set of beliefs and ideologies over another,' including National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
‘Project readiness’ denial by province baffles Tay council on readied treatment plant

‘Project readiness’ denial by province baffles Tay council on readied treatment plant

‘We’re actually out for tender, so I don’t know how the Ontario government could feel we’re not ready,’ says operational services general manager on Victoria Harbour plant funding
Tay set to integrate new Ontario planning policies

Tay set to integrate new Ontario planning policies

‘We’re still in a tough situation, specifically with Victoria Harbour, because we don’t have our upgrades,’ says Tay planning staff on municipal challenges from Provincial Planning Statement, 2024
More work by Derek >
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