Author: John Draper

Right of Passage along Shoreline

John Draper

One of Cobourg’s features is that we have a lake – complete with not just one, but two beaches – a large sandy groomed beach and a natural beach – the west beach.  At one end of the west Beach is a natural “park” and the other end is a creek – but oops, you can’t walk to the creek because you cross private property  – and further, that the property owner is insistent that no-one ventures onto their land or even goes into the water which they have title to.  But for those who would like to walk the full length of the West beach, the City of St. Catharines is suggesting that the provincial Government pass legislation that… Read complete articleRight of Passage along Shoreline

More Transit Discussion at Council

John Draper

At Monday’s Council meeting, correspondence from Hope Bergeron generated discussion on Cobourg’s Transit system. Hope was unhappy with the on-demand system and wanted a return to a fixed route system.  She called the on-demand system “illogical and exclusionary”.  She accepted that it was needed while we had the Covid pandemic but now “life returns to normal”.  She said that she had written “two months ago in Nov 2022” which she said was not read out or acknowledged.  I could not find any online reference to that but I did find that she had written to Council on the same subject November 2021 although it was received as a community grant request.  Both of her hand-written letters are available below. A… Read complete articleMore Transit Discussion at Council

Police Transparency and Budget

John Draper

It’s hard to know what other Police forces do but Cobourg Police are increasing their level of reporting.  For the last year, they have been issuing monthly reports on the quantity and types of crime including neat graphs showing trends for the last 3 years.  They also report on the number of Opioid overdose calls received. I find the most interesting to be their report on “Investigative Occurrences” which describes a selection of incidents – some of which have been resolved and others are still being investigated. But these reports are not available on the Police web site nor on their social media – instead you need to look at the Agendas for their monthly board meetings.  I have created… Read complete articlePolice Transparency and Budget

Short Council Meeting

John Draper

The Committee of the Whole Council meeting on 9 January was probably the shortest ever (less than an hour). The big item on the Agenda was a review of unfinished business from the previous term but Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty moved that consideration of it be moved until after Council had met to create a new Strategic Plan. This would mean that action schedules and even “disposing” of actions could be set in line with Council priorities. Councillor Miriam Mutton wanted to discuss several items but in the end voted with other councillors to accept Nicole’s deferral.  She wondered about the Strategic planning session schedule (not yet set) and whether it would include the Governance review (No).  The dates for… Read complete articleShort Council Meeting

Police Busy over Holiday Period

John Draper

We talk about many homeless people having mental health problems, but when you read Police reports about who they have arrested, you have to wonder if many “criminals” are also mentally sick.  Often they break probation conditions, drive without a licence or car insurance and flee from police.  They are often caught in routine traffic stops – presumably because of suspicious behaviour – then found in possession of drugs or prohibited weapons even while on probation.  Why would anyone in their right mind do that?  But over the last several days, Cobourg police have been busy catching – then mostly releasing – many of these unfortunate souls.  Below is a summary of announcements since Christmas day.  We know that police… Read complete articlePolice Busy over Holiday Period

Mayor’s Levee – 2023

John Draper

Mayor Lucas Cleveland has already made some changes – the New Year’s Levee moved from noon January first to 5:00 pm January 3 and featured a solo musician instead of the Concert band.  Refreshments also changed from sandwiches and Christmas cake to cheese, crackers and slices of meat.  Although Mandy Robinson the Town crier was there, the poet laureate Jessica Outram, was not. Unlike previous years, the speech by Lucas was short and consisted of acknowledgements and thank you’s to people who had contributed to the event but also to people who had worked hard during the recent storm.  Although there are no official estimates available, the crowd appeared to be over 100 and similar in size to attendance at… Read complete articleMayor’s Levee – 2023

It’s a Girl!

John Draper

Why is all news negative?  Well it’s not – some news is “feel-good”.  With the new year, it’s a chance to start with some good news – in this case, for one happy couple and the Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH).  Some Hospitals have a tradition (including NHH) to announce the first baby of the new year and for 2023, it’s Hazel Mae, born to Angela and Bruno Gelao of Port Hope – well actually to Angela but father Bruno gets some of the credit (see photo below).  The Hospital’s announcement said: Hazel “weighed 6 pounds and 11.2 ounces (3,035 grams) at birth. Hazel, who carries her maternal grandmother’s name as her middle name, is warmly welcomed by older sister Nevaeh… Read complete articleIt’s a Girl!

Predictions for 2023 – Opinion

John Draper

At this time of year, I like to look ahead and try to predict what will happen in the new year.  But first let’s see how I did last year. In 2021 I had four categories: Politics, Covid-19, Town and the Economy.  In Politics I predicted the Provincial election result but missed by predicting Emily Chorley would run again. I was right that the Cultural Plan would be ignored.  With Covid-19, I was mostly right but I thought we would still be mandated to wear masks indoors.  For Town activities, I was mostly right although I thought that the Province would have made a decision on Brookside by now.  I correctly predicted no action on Sidbrook, the Tannery property, the Park… Read complete articlePredictions for 2023 – Opinion