DBIA announces 2019 Attractions

John Draper

The new DBIA Events & Communications Coordinator Jenna Leslie has now announced the 2019 Downtown events with a few changes.  Gone is the Busker Festival on the second Saturday in June but in its place is “Saturdays on Second Street” for four Saturdays in June. The Art Walk in August returns with the same format but loses the accompanying Pub crawl.  In its place is a new OctoBEER pub crawl in October.  Also returning are favourites including the February Pub Crawl (I guess we like our beer!), the Girls Night Out in May, the Food and Music Festival the weekend after the Waterfront Festival, the Sidewalk Sale on the August long weekend, the Harvest Festival late September and in November,… Read complete articleDBIA announces 2019 Attractions

Venture13 opens to Telecommuters

John Draper

Venture13 is owned by the Town of Cobourg and jointly managed by them and Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC). It’s located in Northam Industrial Park and now that the Park’s Mortgage has been paid off, the Mayor and CAO can turn their attention to this new boost to local Economic Development.  Newly elected Mayor John Henderson mentioned Venture13 in his inaugural speech on Monday and on Tuesday, CAO Stephen Peacock joined CFDC’s Wendy Curtis in announcing an expansion of an area in Venture13 called the NewVenture Zone.  That’s the area intended for new entrepreneurs needing work space. Called the VentureZone Inn, it’s a new type of VentureZone “Membership” aimed at individual professional telecommuters whereas regular VentureZone members are entrepreneurs… Read complete articleVenture13 opens to Telecommuters

New Council Sworn in

John Draper

It was more of a declaration that they would work to the best of their ability, be honest with no improper payments and be loyal to the Queen.  At a special Council meeting tonight, the new Mayor, Deputy Mayor and all Councillors made their declarations in front of Justice of the Peace Jack Le Blanc and finished with the statement that this was “of the same force and effect as if made under oath”.  The ceremonies started with the usual Town cry from Mandy Robinson and a poem by Ted Amsden – who finished with the exhortation to Councillors to “Have Fun but never at our expense”. There were about 200 citizens at the event but both MP Kim Rudd… Read complete articleNew Council Sworn in

Reindeer Run

John Draper

It must be getting close to Christmas because the latest fundraiser had a Christmas theme – that’s if Reindeer count.  The YMCA and the NHH Foundation jointly sponsored a Reindeer run in Victoria Park this morning (that’s Saturday December 1st).  There were about 150 participants in 4 events all starting at around 9:30.  The first was for toddlers who just wanted to join in; the second was a 1km Reindeer dash for kids (they followed a costumed “reindeer”) and the other two were a 3km and 5km run although many participants took it easy – walking or even strolling with a stroller.  The route for the runs is shown in the map below and the photos give an idea of… Read complete articleReindeer Run

News Sources in Cobourg

John Draper

With the closing of Northumberland Today and with Northumberland News only published once a week, Cobourg residents are looking for alternative sources of daily local news.  About 160 people came to a public meeting on 20 March 2018 and a group was subsequently formed to try to do something about it.  The result has been Northumberland Hub – a web site that provides links to the latest local news reports.  The intent is to help people find online news sources. Although local news is now covered quite well, it’s more scattered and you have to work at getting all the same information. The situation with traditional newspapers seems to get worse each year with many of them moving online and… Read complete articleNews Sources in Cobourg

CTA complaint supported by Ombudsman

John Draper

On May 4 2018, four members of the Cobourg Taxpayers Association (CTA) attempted to attend a Parks and Recreation Advisory Steering Committee meeting but were refused by Director Dean Hustwick.  He was supported by the Municipal Clerk and Mayor Gil Brocanier who insisted the meeting was not open to the public. Then at a council meeting on 4 June 2018, Dennis Nabieszko of the Cobourg Taxpayers Association – backed by Debra McCarthy – asked why steering committee meetings for the waterfront study were not public. Dean Hustwick said that the steering committee was not an advisory group and not public. In fact, the “steering committee” role was assigned to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee whose meetings are generally open to… Read complete articleCTA complaint supported by Ombudsman

Survey on Cannabis Retail Outlets in Cobourg

John Draper

The Town of Cobourg is looking for input from residents on whether to allow Marijuana retail stores within Cobourg Town limits. The deadline for a decision is 22 January 2019 but before then there will be an information session in Victoria Hall on December 17, an online survey and two Council meetings. The deadline has been set by the Provincial Government for a one-time opportunity to opt-out of hosting retail cannabis outlets although it will be possible to opt-back in at a later date. The online survey is now open (see link below) and it will be open until 2 January 2019. If you don’t like online surveys, you can also email up to the same date or attend one of… Read complete articleSurvey on Cannabis Retail Outlets in Cobourg

Party Atmosphere for Lights-on

John Draper

Downtown Cobourg was alive and in a Festive mood on Friday night.  Hundreds turned out to see the 23rd annual ceremony to turn on the lights.  The Legion Pipes and Drums entertained as did the girls from Jennifer’s Jazzitup Studio with their dance routine in front of Victoria Hall.  The empty store opposite Victoria Hall was filled with Christmas Market vendors as well as entries in the Gingerbread house competition (see photos and link below).  The temperature was just above freezing but cold enough to make the Market popular as a keep warm location.   As well as vendors and the Gingerbread Festival, a group of carollers entertained and Christmas characters strolled around both in the Market and outside.  Also spotted… Read complete articleParty Atmosphere for Lights-on