Other newsmakers who made headlines in 2016

What makes a newsmaker? We look at a variety of factors each year. The first is simple – who are people talking about? We also consider whether the person is a big deal just in Peterborough or whether they made headlines across the country, or even around the world. And we examine the overall effect the person had on the community. We look at public opinion, any signigicant changes and financial impact.

Then we narrow that down to five, just to make things a bit easier.

Mayor Daryl Bennett: Had our MP not had the year she did, our second-term mayor would have topped this list as a matter of quantity and quality. Name a local issue, and Bennett’s name comes up. A quick rundown: Casino, Parkway, PDI, police board ... Daryl Bennett defines hands-on leadership, like it or not.

Police Chief Murray Rodd and Deputy Chief Tim Farquharson: The city’s two top cops claimed $460,000 in severance pay for jobs they kept after the deamalgamation of the city/Lakefield police service. Legal battles, court appearances and months of public attention led to a quiet settlement with the police board and, by extension, the city, which funds the board.

Dave Pogue: The president of the Peterborough Petes and founder of Team 55 – Let’s Tackle Suicide Awareness made headlines in both capacities in 2016. From his passionate plea to city council for a better deal for his team to his tireless efforts to tackle suicide and erase the stigma around mental health, particularly in the sports community, Pogue plays an amazing passion for Peterborough.

Parkway opponents: This group managed to stop a controversial, multi-million-dollar road and bridge project in its tracks by making a case to the provincial environment ministry, which ordered the city to complete a detailed assessment before proceeding with a new bridge over Jackson Park.

There are many, many other people who made the news this year and who aren’t mentioned here.

If you’d like someone highlighted, tell us why at exam.letters@sunmedia.ca.

We’ll feature some of them early in the new year.