Follow live, interactive coverage of the Ontario Heritage Conference 2011 at Victoria Hall, Cobourg, on Friday June 3, 2011, starting at 10 a.m. To join us Click Here Continue Reading →
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Battle over heritage preservation far from over
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By Robert Washburn
A gathering of heritage activist, bureaucrats and politicians for the Ontario Heritage Conference in Cobourg this weekend marks an opportunity to assess and strategize around the way municipalities, the province and the federal government is protecting our past for the future. West Northumberland presents a textbook of the strengths and weaknesses of the current system, but also the challenges for the future. The recent debate over the prospect of 139 Bagot Street is a good example. Heritage property owner Grant Watson applied for a demolition permit, but the town denied him, waiting for an engineering report. (more…) Continue Reading →
Filed under: Columns, Featured, Heritage
Idling bylaw being studied by environmental committee
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By Robert Washburn
A bylaw to control idling cars or trucks in Cobourg is currently being considered by the Environmental Committee, the town’s engineering manager confirmed last week. Teresa Behan, manager of engineering, said the committee is looking at creating a bylaw similar to other municipalities that would prevent people from leaving their cars running while waiting or unloading. The biggest concern is getting a bylaw that works and is enforceable, she said. “We are aware Port Hope has a bylaw but they have not enforced it,” she said. “So we are hesitant to bring a bylaw forward to council that is not enforceable.” (more…) Continue Reading →
Filed under: Featured, News, Environment
Cobourg’s parking mess
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By John Draper
All of a sudden, parking has become a big issue in Cobourg. Last summer it was parking by visitors at the beach – despite signage, parking was allowed on the pier and no waterfront parking was free, even for residents. The residents in the new (white) waterfront condos are unhappy because not enough visitor’s parking required by the building permits. They pay taxes so they expected to be able to park on the waterfront but now, that’s very limited. This is not an easy problem since other residents also want to park on the waterfront in the summer. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Community Voices, Featured, Planning and Development
Frost chilly to ice cream vendor’s request for bylaw exception
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By Robert Washburn
The attempt by several councillors to find an exception for a local businessman wanting to sell ice cream from a push cart fell on a cold hearts Monday night. Deputy Mayor Stan Frost warned council not to support an application by Ryan Mullins for an ice cream cart bicycle, similar to the Dickee Dee carts. Mullins hopes to get special permission for a licence to ride throughout Cobourg selling ice cream in neighbourhoods from the street. However, the refreshment vehicle bylaw bans anyone from selling food from a public roadway. The only place it is allowed is on private property. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Featured, News, Community, Politics
Council delays approval for annual beach volleyball tournament
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By Robert Washburn
A delay in approving an annual provincial volleyball tournament in June for Cobourg beach will not affect the event, says the vice-president of the Ontario Volleyball Association Thursday. Gord Ley, who represents the organization holding the Ontario Volleyball Association Beach Volleyball Tournaments on the weekends of June 18, June 25 and July 16, said he is not worried about council’s decision to table the approval of this year’s events. The same tournaments took place over the last three years. “No, I don’t think so,” he said. Ley is a founding member of the Northumberland Breakers Volleyball Club, which has more than 200 athletes, where he has served as beach director, coach and assistant coach. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Featured, News, Politics, Sports
Canada’s social capital could be ripped away
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Voters in Northumberland County and across Canada may not realize what a watershed election is about to take place on May 2. And, it is rare when a choice is so clear and the sides so distinct. The results will not just set the path for the next four years or so, but for decades to come. The corporate state is on the verge of realizing its dream. The outcome would be a political system driven solely by ideology and deeply divisive. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Columns, Featured, Federal Election 2011, Politics
Local issues must triumph over national campaign
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“In fact, the whole town and county is a hive of politics and people who have only witnessed gathering such as the House of Commons at Westminster and the Senate at Washington and never seen a Conservative Convention at Tecumseh Corners or a Liberal Rally at the Concession school house don’t know what politics means”
Stephen Leacock, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town
With the federal election well underway, it is difficult not to get swept up on the national campaign, pitting Conservative leader Stephen Harper against Liberal Michael Ignatieff, NDP leader Jack Layton, Green Party leader Elizabeth May and Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe. (more…) Continue Reading →
Filed under: Columns, Featured, Federal Election 2011, Politics
Mutton and Frost share tense moment over motion
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By Robert Washburn
An effort to clean up some procedural practices and policies led to an emotional exchange Monday night as Councillor Miriam Mutton squared off with Deputy Mayor Stan Frost. Frost was visibly frustrated when he tried to introduce a motion calling for a review of the policy and procedures process. While many residents might find this a boring topic, he is hoping such a review will mean fewer and more enforceable bylaws and clearer and up to date policies. It is also his goal to make sure the procedures actually match what staff and politicians do, he said in an interview. Finally, it will review terms of references for the town’s committees, which advise council on everything from planning to environment to disability services. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Featured, News, Politics
Feminism still relevant despite tough road
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As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day this week, it is worthy of some careful reflection in Northumberland. Feminism no longer holds the same cache as it did 30 years ago as women struggled to find equality with men in business, politics and at home. For some young women, even the term feminist brings to mind radical, angry women from middle-class families struggling to find their own identity in a world bent on imposing one. (more…) Continue Reading →