Category: News 2019

Update on House Prices in Cobourg

John Draper

There’s been a lot of discussion recently on the need for affordable housing in Cobourg – both new and rental. But many in Cobourg own their own house – in 2016, according to the census, there were 8,788 households in Cobourg and according to CMHC, in October 2018 there were 1068 rental units. The difference of over 7000 are mostly homes that are owned although perhaps with a mortgage. For many of these 7000+ households, this also represents a large part of their net worth and therefore their savings for retirement.  So the sale price of their home is important and the good news is that despite well-publicized talk of prices dropping, they have not. (Or bad news for renters). The same is… Read complete articleUpdate on House Prices in Cobourg

Sustainability Committee Chair wants East Village Improvements

John Draper

When the expansion of East Village was discussed in Council on 24 June, it was just about the need for a minor change to the Official Plan and a minor re-zoning change.  Despite this, Councillor Emily Chorley wanted advisory committees to be consulted about sustainability and accessibility despite the comment by Director Glenn McGlashon that there are few specifics so this would be premature.  As a result, the Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory Committee is holding a special meeting on Wednesday July 17, 2019 at 12:30 pm in the Committee Room, Victoria Hall, to consider a motion requiring very significant sustainability “improvements” to Stalwood’s plans.  Since the development is not even at site plan stage, there are no building plans… Read complete articleSustainability Committee Chair wants East Village Improvements

Student Entrepreneur Summer program – 2019

John Draper

Entrepreneurship in Northumberland is alive and well – seven students were at Staples this morning where they explained what their start-up businesses were about.  Funded by the Province to the tune of $3000 for each student and organized by the County’s Business and Entrepreneurship centre, Manager Rob Day said that 142 summer businesses have been started since 2001.  The idea is that some individuals like the idea of being an entrepreneur and may well be good at it, but lack experience or financing.  The program provides first hand knowledge on what’s needed to succeed – or at least point them in the right direction.  As well as cash, the program helps them with their business plan and assesses the viability… Read complete articleStudent Entrepreneur Summer program – 2019

A Busy Day in Victoria Park and on the Beach

John Draper

Probably not a record, but a lot was happening on Sunday.  On a perfect summer day, Cobourg’s Victoria Park was host to the 25th Anniversary Lakeside Antique and Classic Car Show organized by the Great Pine Ridge Region of the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada.  There were around 200 cars ranging in vintage from the early 1900’s to the 1990’s.  On the beach, as well as regular beach goers and sun-lovers, there was competitive beach volleyball staged by the Ontario Volleyball Association.  Despite the large number of competitors and onlookers, there was plenty of room for others.  The high lake water levels were not a problem although some may have stayed away fearing a problem.  The third event… Read complete articleA Busy Day in Victoria Park and on the Beach

Marie Dressler Foundation Awards Four $1000 Bursaries

John Draper

Once again, the Marie Dressler Foundation (MDF) has awarded bursaries to four outstanding students in Northumberland who are planning tertiary studies in the performing arts. On Saturday, 6 July 2019, awards of $1000 each were presented at Marie Dressler House which houses the amazing Museum dedicated to the memory of Marie Dressler – one of the three Canadian actresses to win an Academy award (the others were Mary Pickford and Norma Shearer). One of the four winners was honoured with the 2019 Bill Patchett Devotion to Community Award for exceptional community service. Many will know that Bill Patchett left us recently after a long life of working for many causes, big and small, including the restoration of Dressler house after… Read complete articleMarie Dressler Foundation Awards Four $1000 Bursaries

Holdco Releases Annual Report for 2018

John Draper

Published by Lakefront Utilities, this is primarily a report on operations with minimal Financial information.  Audited financial statements are available but are not on the Utilities web site but instead are on the Town’s web site – see links below.  This is no doubt appropriate since the Town of Cobourg is the majority shareholder but as recently as the last Municipal election, many were not aware that this information was available.  The Annual report does include a single page of financial numbers and this would be sufficient for most.  But the full statements do list the full “profit” and the “dividend” paid out – to Cobourg.  The profit not used for the dividend appears to be used to add to… Read complete articleHoldco Releases Annual Report for 2018

Piping at Sunset Continues into Fourth year

John Draper

The Cobourg Legion Pipes and Drum Band are continuing their tradition of piping the sun down.  Once again this year in July and August, a lone piper will be piping at sunset on the East pier on Thursdays through Sunday.  They avoid Tuesdays and Wednesdays when there are concerts in the nearby Victoria Park.   The video below shows highlights of piper Ross McKie’s performance tonight from about 8:35 pm to around 9:00 pm when the sun went down although clouds covered it so Ross relied on the scheduled time and the fact that it was getting dark.  As the days progress, the time of sunset will be earlier.  Although there were few people watching, those that were there seemed to… Read complete articlePiping at Sunset Continues into Fourth year

Council Decides on East Pier Consultation Process

John Draper

The debate on what to do with the East Pier continued at the Regular Council meeting on July 2.  There were two sides to the debate.  Councillor Brian Darling backed by Councillor Nicole Beatty wanted to have some Engineering done first so citizens could have more details of what was proposed but Councillor Emily Chorley backed by Deputy Mayor Suzanne Séguin wanted to hold a public meeting before any money was spent on Engineering which might be going down a path that was not wanted.  As Emily explained it, there should first be a narrowing of options.  Separately, the Town will be implementing a web site using Bang the Table software which will be a way for citizens to comment on… Read complete articleCouncil Decides on East Pier Consultation Process