Category: News 2018

PC Leadership Election Fiasco

John Draper

Although the PC leadership race is not strictly a Cobourg issue, it is of interest to Cobourg citizens, so I’ll try to bring everyone up to date.  During the campaign, local PC candidate David Piccini supported Christine Elliott and said that a strong majority of PC members in the Riding also supported her. As the votes from Party membership were being counted last night, it emerged that there was a problem: the result was scheduled to be announced around 3:00pm but by 7:30 pm, everyone at the Convention was sent home with no result being announced.  The rumour on the floor was that Doug Ford had won.  At around 10:00pm, Doug Ford was declared the winner because “the conclusion of… Read complete articlePC Leadership Election Fiasco

New  Partnership for Mental Health

John Draper

A significant number of calls for Police help often end up transporting an individual to the Hospital for “Mental Health” reasons.  One of the health goals of the Central East Local Health Integration Network (Central East LHIN) is to help individuals remain in their communities and homes – that is, look after people before their problem reaches a crisis stage and before they need to go to a Hospital.  A new partnership between the OPP, Cobourg Police and community health providers will mean that people with mental health or addictive issues can get assistance sooner.  Funded by the LHIN and called M-HEART (Mental Health Engagement and Response Team), existing Mental Health Response Officers will be accompanied on ride-along with new… Read complete articleNew  Partnership for Mental Health

Marijuana Facility confirms Financing

John Draper

Two days ago, FV Pharma, the Cannabis company who bought the Kraft plant, announced that they had closed their financing agreement with Cannabis Wheaton Income Corp.  They had previously announced a letter of intent to do this (see link below).  They are saying that the deal has “the potential to build out the largest indoor cannabis cultivation facility in the world” and that they will produce 400 million grams of Cannabis a year of which half will be “paid” to Cannabis Wheaton. Chuck Rifici, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cannabis Wheaton commented that “it has the potential to create hundreds of jobs for the City of Cobourg.” What they don’t say is that there are a whole lot of competitors… Read complete articleMarijuana Facility confirms Financing

New School in New Amherst

John Draper

When the New Amherst development was first proposed, a new Public Elementary School was included but that idea was subsequently dropped.  But now a French Catholic Elementary School is proposed there for up to 250 students. This would cater to a large area (all of Northumberland) with most students being bussed in.  The proposal is in initial stages and although it meets the requirements of the Town’s and County’s official plans, rezoning will be required. That means a public meeting must be held within 120 days. Currently, the proposal is to be presented to the Sustainability and Planning committee at their meeting on March 6.  Approval is recommended by Director of Planning Glenn McGlashon, therefore, subject to input from a… Read complete articleNew School in New Amherst

Cobourg Commercial Real Estate Update – March 2018

John Draper

Cobourg has a dynamic Commercial Real Estate Market and the Town’s Economic Development Department publishes an update regularly (see link below). Their intent is to help prospective businesses find a suitable location in Cobourg although they no longer provide prices. My intent is to report on what’s happening in this field in Cobourg – that is, what’s news.   Therefore this report provides highlights (only) and adds prices where available. Some properties are of interest because they are Cobourg icons (like the Woodlawn) or already in the news (Tannery property) and others because they have been on the market for a long time.   The properties are grouped by “interest” categories: “Businesses for Sale”, “Still Available”, and “In the News”. Businesses for… Read complete articleCobourg Commercial Real Estate Update – March 2018

Celebration of 10 years in Business

John Draper

Adam Bureau is the Chair of the DBIA but also the owner of one of Cobourg’s successful businesses – Buy and Sell.  Today he celebrated 10 years of operation complete with presentations, speeches, food and entertainment. But as well as operating his own business he is working in tandem with three other businesses who share his premises in a prime location on King Street.  The three startups don’t need and can’t afford to rent a full store so they are located in his store.  Video Games City, WD Cyber Solutions and Classic Coins and Bank Notes get cheaper rent, they can back each other up when they need to leave their position unattended and they generate traffic for each other. … Read complete articleCelebration of 10 years in Business

Armistice ’18 Program Announced

John Draper

The First World War ended in 1918 with an Armistice and Cobourg will be commemorating this with many events this Fall in the several weeks up to November 11.  Director of Recreation and Culture Dean Hustwick, said that Cobourg’s commemoration will be the largest in Canada!  At the Council meeting on February 26, historian, playwright and organizer Hugh Brewster gave some of the history of Canada’s and Cobourg’s involvement in the War and listed all the planned events.  Canadian General Arthur Currie, who played a major role in the success of the Canadian army, was accused by the Port Hope Evening Guide of pursuing a last minute effort to capture Mons for his own glory.  He sued them for libel… Read complete articleArmistice ’18 Program Announced

Two Big Bicycle Events Coming to Cobourg

John Draper

Tonight, Cobourg Council is being asked to approve two events this summer that will bring visitors to Town – on or with their bicycles.  The Cobourg Gran Prix will be in summer and will be an event in the Criterium series (more below) and will happen downtown in a circuit around downtown streets with around 150 participants.  The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure will be on Sunday July 29 with about 150 participants who will stop in Cobourg as part of a ride from Ajax to the Quebec border.  This group will mostly camp overnight in tents in Victoria Park. Both events are up for approval at the Council meeting tonight.  By coincidence, also up for approval is the rental of… Read complete articleTwo Big Bicycle Events Coming to Cobourg