Category: News 2021

Update on Adult Fitness Park

John Draper

At the next Committee of the Whole Council meeting (on Monday October 4), the Agenda shows that Council will be asked to approve the award of a contract to supply and install Adult Fitness equipment – but the location would not be per the original request.  In Keith Oliver’s original requests in 2016 and then 2019, he suggested it be in Victoria Park and close to the boardwalk at its East end.  But the report from Staff states that at the Parks and Recreation Committee,  “the general consensus was that the Adult Fitness Park not be placed in Victoria Park”.  So they are suggesting that it “be placed at the Cobourg Community Centre, or at Peter Delanty Park”.  The cost… Read complete articleUpdate on Adult Fitness Park

Truth and Reconciliation event

John Draper

An estimated 300 people watched the ceremonial inauguration of the Seven Feathers crosswalk on Albert Street on Thursday – the first Truth and Reconciliation Day.  The road was closed for the event from Division to Third and starting at noon, several people spoke about the atrocities of the residential school system and the promises to First Nations that have been broken.  Tracey Vaughan, the Town’s CAO, did a superb job as MC and introduced Jessica Outram, Poet Laureate, Chief Dave Mowat, Mayor John Henderson, MPP David Piccini and Elder Stephen Pashagumskum.  Each spoke about the failed promises and the need for learning and reconciliation.  The seven feathers crosswalk was finished only a short time before the event and represents the… Read complete articleTruth and Reconciliation event

Council to Decide on Expansion of Sidewalk Snow Clearing

John Draper

One of the action items in the current Strategic Plan is to “Explore enhanced sidewalk snow clearing including the clearing of arterial bike lanes and multi-use paths”. Staff have therefore prepared a report to Council at the next Committee of the Whole Meeting on October 4.  Currently, the town clears 13.5Km of sidewalks in front of Municipal properties (including Parks and Transit stops) but individual property owners are responsible for clearing in front of their properties.  The expansion of the service to as much as 57Km would clear snow on some of the arterial and collector roads – the  report provides seven options with varying scopes, response times and of course costs.  The report is authored by Laurie Wills, Director… Read complete articleCouncil to Decide on Expansion of Sidewalk Snow Clearing

Big Changes at Cobourg Legion Pipes and Drums

John Draper

In April 2018, the Cobourg Legion Pipes and Drums partnered with Cobourg Police so they effectively have two roles, two names and two tartans – see link below for article explaining this.  They have been a “fixture” in Cobourg for 50 years – originally with founding Pipe Major George Lovett and more recently with Mary Ito as Pipe Major.  She was Pipe Major for 12 years but has now retired and there are a number of other changes with the band.  Their Communication Officer, Ian McFarlane, calls it a new era.  The Town supports the Cobourg Concert Band but not the Pipes and Drums – they have left that to the Police to support. This year the Highland Games were held… Read complete articleBig Changes at Cobourg Legion Pipes and Drums

AGN Leads Project to Decorate Garbage Cans

John Draper

In September 2018 Wally Keeler teamed with Lydia Smith to ask Council to fix the eyesores of ugly garbage cans around town (see link below).  The Parks and Recreation committee agreed with them  and in June 2019 Council passed a resolution to implement a “Trash to Treasures Pilot Program” and add it to the 2020 budget.  This did not happen and also did not happen in the 2021 budget – it’s currently listed in the 2021 operating budget as a special project in 2022/2023 with an estimated amount of $2000.  But all is not lost.  The Art Gallery of Northumberland has taken it on as an Education project for the Youth Council.  They plan to beautify 25 metal garbage cans… Read complete articleAGN Leads Project to Decorate Garbage Cans

Cobourg Police Hire Deputy Chief

John Draper

In November 2014, Cobourg Police hired Paul VandeGraaf as Deputy Chief from Belleville to replace Terry Demill, who retired after 33 years with Cobourg Police. Then in July 2019, Police Chief Kai Liu retired from Cobourg Police and joined Treaty Three Police Service based in Kenora.  At that time Paul was named Chief and a search was started to find a Deputy.  On Wednesday, September 22, Dean Pepper, chair of the Cobourg Police Services Board, announced that Jeffrey Haskins, currently an Inspector with Durham Police, will take on the role of Deputy Chief of Cobourg Police.  He has an impressive resume (see full announcement below) and is sure to make major contributions to Cobourg.  He starts work in his new… Read complete articleCobourg Police Hire Deputy Chief

Capitol Theatre re-opening

John Draper

By some measures, we are “getting back to normal” – the beach is open, Rainbow Cinema and the Loft are operating with a “normal” program albeit with limited capacity, and the CCC is gradually opening up. Last year, all entertainment events at Victoria Hall and the Capitol were cancelled but now the Capitol is opening up – will Victoria Hall be next?  The Capitol started with a live show “The Importance of being Earnest” and is hosting the long running Vintage Film Festival this coming weekend. There are safety plans in place which follow Provincial guidelines and these include a requirement that all patrons are fully vaccinated.  The program this year consists of films that are “based on a true story” such… Read complete articleCapitol Theatre re-opening

Liberals win minority – Local MP returned

John Draper

The Liberals won the election with another minority.  Of course special ballots (almost a million votes – mail in or well in advance) won’t be counted until Tuesday so the results for some seats won’t be known for a while.  But, as predicted by polls, local Conservative incumbent MP Philip Lawrence did win – see the numbers below. Notable results are in the PPC and Green Party.  Maxime Bernier’s party (PPC) did better although he personally came nowhere close to winning his seat – it was won by a Conservative.  And the Green vote was down with their leader losing badly although they still won 2 seats (down 1). BQ (+2) and NDP (+1) did about the same as in… Read complete articleLiberals win minority – Local MP returned

Early look at Organization Review

John Draper

One of the things that any CAO wants to know, is whether their organization is optimum.  So CAO Tracey Vaughan has hired KPMG to find out. On Monday, an initial report was presented to Council by Oscar Poloni with a final report due in another week.  It’s not clear if all of it will be public so let’s look at what we have.  Oscar pointed to the earlier Service Delivery Review for complementary information (it focused on what you do and why you do it) whereas the Organization Review focused on “how you are structured to deliver services” and emphasized that the Organization should be aligned with Strategic priorities.  Given that, he was concerned that changing priorities meant that some… Read complete articleEarly look at Organization Review

Town of Cobourg Employee Arrested

John Draper

In the early morning of Saturday, September 11, 2021 Cobourg Police started an investigation into a Town of Cobourg Employee because of a complaint by a resident. Initially, the name of the man charged “was not released to protect the integrity of the investigation and ensure the victim’s privacy”. But today, Police announced that 27-year-old, Michael Dale Orleck of Hamilton Township has been arrested and charged with sexual assault, mischief to property under $5000 and criminal harassment.  This is because the investigation suggested there may be other victims so “the name and photo of the suspect are being released”. Police say that Orleck worked at the Cobourg Community Centre but is “currently prohibited from attending there until the conclusion of the… Read complete articleTown of Cobourg Employee Arrested