Author: John Draper

Committee formed to decide on Memorial Arena

John Draper

In the summer of 2019, Council agreed that because of the cost of continuing to operate the Memorial Arena, that it should be closed (see link below).   Council agreed and directed that an Ad Hoc Committee be set up to decide what the future of that asset should be.  Nothing happened on this until the Committee of the Whole meeting on 29 March 2021 when Council directed staff to start the process to set up the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee.  It had been hoped that the 2019 Cultural Master Plan would provide ideas for its use – but no such luck. (In fact the Cultural Plan has had no noticeable effect on any actions by Council or Town Staff).  Then… Read complete articleCommittee formed to decide on Memorial Arena

Council Reviews Priorities

John Draper

At a special Council Meeting on Thursday, April 1, Council looked at the Strategic Plan that was created at the start of their term in 2019 to see if it still reflected their priorities.  After more than 5 hours of discussion, they made only minor changes but a lot of details were revealed about each councillor’s thinking. The process was facilitated by session leader John Matheson (of StrategyCorp) who spent time with councillors in advance of the meeting to get their ideas.  As a result, the starting point was a chart showing priorities as he understood them – see below.  The comments of councillors in reviewing those priorities pointed to how each saw their role and what they hoped to… Read complete articleCouncil Reviews Priorities

Police Issue Fine – Group Broke Rules on Gatherings

John Draper

For some time now, a group of people have demonstrated in front of Victoria Hall every Saturday; they don’t like the restrictions mandated by the Province as a result of the pandemic.  Police have been patiently warning them and I have declined to give them publicity.  But today they went too far and at around 1:50 pm Police issued a ticket.  According to a statement by Police Chief Paul Vandegraaf, there were between twenty and twenty-five individuals on scene. He said that “Officers spoke with individuals/the group requesting they comply with the Shutdown Zone gathering limits, and the group was educated on the current provincial restrictions regarding outdoor gatherings.”  A previous statement by Police said that “If residents refuse to… Read complete articlePolice Issue Fine – Group Broke Rules on Gatherings

Vaccine Update – 31 March

John Draper

Cobourg is in the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit which is headed up by a Medical Officer of Health (MOH).   This position was held by Dr. Lynn Noseworthy up to her retirement on December 11, 2020 and for the last four months Dr. Ian Gemmill has come out of retirement to do the job in an “acting” role.  He has conducted weekly media sessions that provided good information that could be disseminated but now the new Medical Officer of Health – Dr. Natalie Bocking – will take over on April 5 (see photo below).  At his final media “Zoom” meeting on March 31, Dr. Gemmill gave his usual informative briefing as outlined below.  He continues to stress that… Read complete articleVaccine Update – 31 March

On-Demand Transit Trial to Start

John Draper

Last August Judy Smith made a presentation to Council suggesting that instead of using large buses on a fixed route that small buses should be used on a route that dynamically responds to actual passenger needs.  The idea of “Micro-Transit” or “On-Demand” was accepted by Council and money was approved in the 2021 budget. At Monday’s Committee of the Whole Meeting, Council approved paying the current transit operator – Century Transportation – to conduct a trial using current large buses. One feature is that instead of having two services – one regular and a “Wheels” service for passengers with disabilities – there would be one service for all. The trial will start April 19 using Century buses and Rideco Software… Read complete articleOn-Demand Transit Trial to Start

New Employer Coming to Lucas Point

John Draper

A company called Audcomp is an IT company that also invests in Real Estate and they have offered to buy about 3 acres of land in Lucas Point Industrial Park at the north west corner of Dodge and Thompson Streets for $40,000 per acre.  Their offer was accepted by Cobourg Council at their C.O.W. meeting on Monday night, 29 March (subject to ratification at their regular Council meeting next week – Update:  It was ratified).   Audcomp plan to construct a building of approximately 8,000 ft2 to 14,000 ft2 to accommodate their tenant, Davey Tree of Canada who plan a National Distribution/Logistics Centre for their Canadian operations.   They are a US based company and plan more than 50 new local jobs… Read complete articleNew Employer Coming to Lucas Point

Should West Headland be a Nature Park?

John Draper

In late 2019,  Richard Pope and Margaret Bain of the Willow Beach Field Naturalists made presentations to four Advisory committees, to Council and to the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) suggesting that a Natural Park should be declared that encompassed the West Harbour, the West Beach, the West Headland and the Ecology Garden.  After a report by Director Dean Hustwick provided in March 2020, the idea was turned down by Council.  Dean’s report said that the area is currently identified as a “Landmark Park (under the name Marina Park)” which should “enhance tourism and economic development” and “accommodate increased commercial use” with a primary function as support for “tourism, festivals and large gatherings” [See below for definition of Landmark Parks… Read complete articleShould West Headland be a Nature Park?

Two Developments Progressing

John Draper

Both the Cobourg Creek Lofts and the Rondeau development look like they will actually happen.  The Cobourg Creek property is at 415 King West on the corner of Tremaine Street.  They plan to take the building previously used by the local daily newspaper (Northumberland Today or Cobourg Star) and convert it into 26 rental apartments.  They are not specifically “affordable housing” but will add to the rental pool.  Rondeau are moving ahead with their major project in Cobourg’s North East: the Villages of Central Park – near the corner of Brook and Elgin.  They recently got permission to remove some trees so they could do some earth moving and now they are asking permission to build a fairly large but… Read complete articleTwo Developments Progressing