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MAYORAL COLUMNS PAGEFriday, July 31, 2026
West Northumberland Independent
Friday, July 31, 2026
VOL. 1 • ISSUE 1
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‘A well-deserved honour’: Port Hope, Canada honours Rod Stewart SARAH HYATT Editor/reporter
Port Hope trailblazer Rod Stewart continues to be recognized for his lifelong contribution to the preservation of historic plaster throughout North America and heritage revitalization efforts close to home. Earlier this year, on June 26, 2026, Gov.-Gen. Louise Arbour announced 61 new appointments and promotions to the Order of Canada, including Roderick “Rod” Milton Stewart, of Port Hope, Ont. The Order of Canada is described as the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System, and to be invested into the order is considered one of the nation’s highest honours. Recognition is reserved to honour people who make extraordinary contributions to the nation, according to the Governor General of Canada’s office. More recently, at the Municipality of Port Hope level, Stewart was honoured by council in recognition of his appointment, with Mayor Olena Hankivsky presenting Stewart a commemorative plaque on behalf of the community on July 21. “It is my great pleasure today to recognize one of our community’s own – Mr. Rod Stewart – on his recent appointment as a member of the Order of CONTINUED TO PAGE 10
Chris Leather was officially sworn in as the Cobourg Police Service’s 14th chief of police on July 23, 2026. He assumed his new role on June 1. /Sarah Hyatt photo
‘We really formed a strong bond with Cobourg’ SARAH HYATT Editor/reporter
There’s a new chief in town tasked with a lengthy todo list for Cobourg. On July 23, 2026, Chris Leather was sworn in as the 14th Chief of Police for the Cobourg Police Service. Recently, the Independent sat down with Leather to
delve into how he found his way to Cobourg and his priorities in his new position, which he assumed June 1. Leather brings 36 years’ experience to his new role. “While I spent over 21 years with the RCMP, I actually spent the first almost 15 years with York Regional Police,” said Leather, explaining his “roots are in municipal policing.” CONTINUED TO PAGE 11