Category: News 2020

Town of Cobourg’s Potential Lost Revenue

John Draper

You’ve heard the prediction from Ford on what the Covid-19 virus will do to health provincially, but what about the hit to the Town’s finances?  Only 63% of revenue comes from municipal taxes, the rest from other sources.  So what is the risk that at least some of these other sources will not happen during the virus crisis?  Given what we know and listing the budget revenue items at risk (see below), either 1) the Town will have to go into debt to cover the operating budget or 2) there will be a large tax increase or 3) some things will not get done or 4) a combination of these.  We know that transit fares will not be collected, parking… Read complete articleTown of Cobourg’s Potential Lost Revenue

Cobourg Covid-19 Virus update – April 2

John Draper

Although I keep a page on the status of the Covid-19 Virus which is updated several times a day, I know that many don’t go there but instead rely on updates from blog posts.  If you do go to that page and look for the “New” and “Update” tags, you won’t need to read most of the rest of this article. For everyone else, you should know that there are many changes happening daily with more restrictions as well as more services.  There are also more local cases of Covid-19 and more deaths in the Pinecrest Care home but no deaths yet in Northumberland.  The number of cases for the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) health Unit is now 64… Read complete articleCobourg Covid-19 Virus update – April 2

All Cobourg Parks are now closed

John Draper

Residents are encouraged although not mandated to stay home.  For a start, policing the exceptions like buying groceries or picking up take-out meals would be difficult. In addition, many people go for a walk to get fresh air or walk their dogs.  But now, to increase the pressure to stay home, the Government of Ontario is ordering the closure of all outdoor recreational amenities and this means that the Town of Cobourg is doing the same.  On March 23, the Town closed all play equipment and play structures but now, effective immediately, the Town of Cobourg is closing all outdoor recreational amenities including the dog park, beach, skateboard park and tennis courts.  Closing our “Blue Flag” beach (see photo and… Read complete articleAll Cobourg Parks are now closed

Town of Cobourg On-line Press Conference – 30 March

John Draper

This time the technology worked well.  Members of the media provided questions to Ashley Purdy using a phone only conference call and she relayed them to key members of the Emergency Control Group (ECG) who were using videoconferencing.  This group is mandated by Provincial Legislation which also mandates an Emergency Plan (see link below).  The Plan specifies – by role – who should be in the ECG – see list below.  It’s clear that most are employees of the Town and because of legislated requirements, their names are not provided.  Similarly, according to Chair Fire Chief Mike Vilneff, legislation does not require the meetings to be open to the public.  So that was the answer to my first question: “Why… Read complete articleTown of Cobourg On-line Press Conference – 30 March

Cobourg in Partial Lockdown

John Draper

With most stores closed, all entertainment closed, most restaurants doing takeout only, many businesses sending their workers to work from home and others encouraged to stay at home, Cobourg is in virtual lockdown.  I ventured out today (it was a glorious day!) and looked at what’s happening Downtown, at the Mall and at No-Frills.  The first thing you notice is that there’s no problem getting parking anywhere – although it’s free on municipal meters and parking lots.  The next thing is that since stores and banks are limiting the number who can be inside at one time, there are orderly queues outside. One example was a bit strange: Staples looked closed but on closer inspection they had a sign that… Read complete articleCobourg in Partial Lockdown

Shooting Victim at Hospital

John Draper

At around 10:45 Tuesday morning (24 March), a car delivered an “adult male” suffering from a gun-shot wound to the Northumberland Hills Hospital Emergency department.  Police were called and are investigating.  Their statement says that “this incident is being investigated by members of the Criminal Investigations Bureau, assisted by members of Uniform Patrol, Forensic Identification Services and Special Constables.  The investigation is in the early stages and investigators believe that this was not a random incident.”  The victim is reported to have “serious but non-life-threatening injuries”  And “the location of the shooting is unknown at this time.”  A photo is being circulated of the car that it’s believed dropped off the man – see below. Because of the crime, the… Read complete articleShooting Victim at Hospital

Two Special Council Meetings

John Draper

Council cancelled their regular meeting last night but at short notice, they scheduled two “special” meetings, one after the other starting at 3:00 pm.  However, given the Covid-19 virus issue, they were held using video-conferencing with all Councillors plus Interim CAO Ian Davey and Town Clerk Brent Larmer also connected.  It was then streamed so the public could view it, and I did!  The technology worked quite well although there were a few glitches (that’s technical jargon for “malfunctions”).  The sound was clear but cut out for about 20 minutes and the video froze a few times on individuals.  The two meetings each had a single topic agenda – the first was to take advantage of very recent legislation allowing… Read complete articleTwo Special Council Meetings

Town planning to Financially help re Covid-19

John Draper

With many businesses closed, many others getting less income and a lot of people losing their jobs, at least temporarily, the Town  is planning to provide relief of various kinds.  Although the Provincial and Federal Governments are planning to provide relief, it may come later than needed and may not be sufficient in many cases so the Town is wanting to help out.  This will include free transit, free parking, delayed payment of taxes and generally being sensitive to the difficult circumstances many residents will find themselves in.  Some of the problem is caused by the fact that the public cannot enter Victoria Hall but it’s not just that. Below is a list of what’s being planned and the rationale. … Read complete articleTown planning to Financially help re Covid-19