Category: News 2022

Queensview Development to Continue

John Draper

In 2018, Council agreed to a deal where the parking lot at 36 Queen (opposite the Post Office) would be sold to a developer who would then build Condos that included public parking spaces as well as spaces for residents.  The original deal allowed the public parking spaces to be charged at a rate no more than twice Town rates.  The 5 storey condos would be “high end” with a roof top garden – see the presentation by the developer in resources below.  The time frame for this project expired due to Covid as well as planning department delays but the developer continued work on it.  At Monday’s Committee of the Whole (CoW) meeting, Council agreed to an extension (which… Read complete articleQueensview Development to Continue

Council asked to approve increases to Staff wages

John Draper

The collective bargaining agreements between the Town of Cobourg and CUPE expired on December 31, 2021 and new agreements were reached on the 2nd of June 2022.  The agreement is for a 9% increase spread over 3 years at 3% per year with an effective date of January 1, 2022.   In addition benefits will go up 2%.  Council have no doubt been discussing this in their many closed door sessions so this will not be news.  I expect that they will therefore approve the increases at their CoW Council meeting on July 11.  In addition, non-union wages will increase by the same amount “to ensure that internal equity is maintained across positions and workgroups”.  The financial impact is significant but… Read complete articleCouncil asked to approve increases to Staff wages

Ad Hoc Committee Provides Four Options for Memorial Arena

John Draper

In 2021, an Ad Hoc Committee was set up to review options for the future use of the Memorial Arena which was closed in 2019.  A public survey was posted in May 2022 and at the next Committee of the Whole (CoW) meeting on July 11, the committee will present their recommendation.  Their first choice is that it become the location for the Canadian Fire Fighters Museum which had opened in Port Hope in 1984 and operated for 33 years but then closed.  They then stored their artifacts pending finding a suitable location.  The committee’s second choice was that it become the location for Top Prize Events which stages Entertainment events, notably professional wrestling. Third choice was to issue an… Read complete articleAd Hoc Committee Provides Four Options for Memorial Arena

Council Meeting on Homelessness – Part 2

John Draper

The special Council meeting on homelessness on Monday July 4 had two overlapping motions to approve or modify, essentially: 1) should there be a moratorium on enforcing by-laws prohibiting camping in Cobourg’s Parks? and 2) what should be done longer term to help Cobourg’s homeless?  The final approved motions are provided below. But before Council debated, there were 10 delegations who mostly spoke about the bad experiences of being homeless.  Not all wanted a moratorium on enforcing  By-Laws – most just wanted affordable housing.  After the delegations council debated the two motions with most time spent on the first one on banning encampments. Neither of the two Options by staff were fully endorsed although the motion by Suzanne did include… Read complete articleCouncil Meeting on Homelessness – Part 2

Special Council Meeting on Homelessness

John Draper

At the last Regular Council meeting, a delegation by 7 people, who said they were homeless residents of Cobourg, asked Council to immediately suspend enforcement of by-Laws prohibiting camping and otherwise living in Cobourg’s Parks by people who are otherwise homeless.  Councillors were reluctant to take any action until responsible authorities such as the County, Police, the District Health Unit and By-Law officers were consulted.  The delegation asked that they also be consulted.  The time frame for suspension would be until all the homeless people were provided with homes.  In the end, Staff were asked to provide a comprehensive report in time to be presented at a Council meeting specially called to consider this plus a motion by Councillor Beatty… Read complete articleSpecial Council Meeting on Homelessness

Canada Day Parade Returns to Cobourg

John Draper

After two years when it did not happen, once again we have a Canada Day Parade, albeit a bit shorter.  As usual the parade was led by the Concert Band but there were only two other bands – the Legion Pipes and Drums and another Pipe Band bringing up the rear – sorry I could not identify it.  I saw that all Councillors participated – they were right behind the Concert Band.  In the middle there was a group of 6 cars which seemed strange until you read their notices – they were electric cars (3 are in the video below).  My favourite participant was the Southern Ontario Twirling Association – see the video. There were the usual favourites but… Read complete articleCanada Day Parade Returns to Cobourg

Shooting in Cobourg

John Draper

At about 10:06 this morning (June 27, 2022), police were called to a shooting at the Jamaican Patty Shop at 12 King Street East.  Shortly after the gunshots, two suspects were seen fleeing in a black Lexus and drove quickly up Division Street.  Police soon arrived along with paramedics who were seen to be applying CPR to a male on a stretcher.  He was transported to Northumberland Hills Hospital but “succumbed to his injuries”.  The victim was later described as a “business owner or partner” but has not yet been identified pending notification of next of kin. The last shooting reported to Cobourg Police was in March 2020 and before that at the Hospital in 2017 (see links below) but… Read complete articleShooting in Cobourg

Preliminary Review of Municipal Election

John Draper

Nominations to run in the October Municipal election have been accepted since May 2, 2022 – they close August 19 so there’s plenty of time yet.  So far John Henderson has filed to run as Mayor, Suzanne Séguin is wanting to be Deputy Mayor again and Adam Bureau has filed to run for a Councillor position.  The last 4 years have been turbulent with the pandemic but also with major Capital Projects and a new-found interest in County responsibilities: affordable housing and homelessness.  Culture and Downtown vitalization seem to be on the back-burner and Tourism will no doubt take a hit with the new Parking fees. Big expenditures are planned to fix the Harbour and maybe enhance the East Pier. … Read complete articlePreliminary Review of Municipal Election