Hot topics in 2019

Although major newspapers and magazines (e.g. Time) publish Person of the Year and News of the Year, these are selected by journalists and not the readers of these publications.  But the blog format provides a way of measuring interest – the number of hits and the number of comments.  Although the Cobourg News Blog email goes out to about 1200 subscribers, not everyone clicks on the link to read more.  And although others look at the home page, not everyone goes past that to the detailed articles. So what are Cobourg people really interested in? I have listed below what people read about in 2019 with ranking based on hits.  Note that unlike many web sites, the count of hits… Read complete articleHot topics in 2019

Pay Review proposed for Town’s Non-Union Employees

Most Town employees are covered by a Union agreement but there are 36 positions not covered by the Union Agreement.  A review in 2017 determined that the salaries for some positions were quite low compared to the competitive pay market – but these rates have not yet been adopted. The stated policy is to be competitive with comparable Towns and to be at the 50th percentile – that is, at the median of salaries paid by comparable Towns for similar positions.  At the Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting on 6 January, Human Relations Manager Melissa Henke will present a report recommending adoption of a revised pay grid for non-Union (Management) employees and adjustment of some positions/employees on the grid…. Read complete articlePay Review proposed for Town’s Non-Union Employees

Council to Decide Options to Replace CAO

Last September, after CAO Stephen Peacock went on Medical leave, Ian Davey was appointed Interim CAO for 6 months with the idea that at the end of that time, an “interim CAO” would be named for a further 24 months.  But at a special closed session Council meeting on December 16, Human Resources provided a report to Council that “confirmed Council’s ability to proceed with filling the Chief Administrative Officer position on a permanent basis. Council requested that the Human Resources Manager (Melissa Henke) provide a revised report with their options related to the recruit of the permanent full time Chief Administrative Officer.”  That report will be presented to Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting on January 6. The report… Read complete articleCouncil to Decide Options to Replace CAO

Merry Christmas from Cobourg News Blog

Once again we come to the Holiday Season with Christmas as the central attraction – whether you are Christian or not.  For everyone it’s a time where we get together with family and/or friends and forget the troubles of the world – so I won’t be reporting on any Town events in this Post.  But I would like to thank everyone who has participated in the forum provided here and a special thanks to those who see me around town and take the time to let me know that they appreciate my work. As you know, I don’t operate this “blog” as a business but instead as a service.  As such, I am quite happy to recommend others in Cobourg… Read complete articleMerry Christmas from Cobourg News Blog

Holiday Hours – 2019

This time of year is definitely a Holiday season – all stores (with few exceptions) are closed for both Christmas day and New Year’s Day, most businesses are closed for those days, the schools are closed for 2 weeks and even the Mall Rainbow Cinema is closed for Christmas day.  But hours on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Boxing day vary.  If you are not sure, you should get your shopping for food and essentials done before Christmas Eve.  You can search the Internet or phone around to get hours, but I have done that for you.  The table below lists most stores plus Entertainment venues in Cobourg.  The Internet is not affected by holidays – links are attached… Read complete articleHoliday Hours – 2019

Rogers Hometown Hockey comes to Cobourg

If you are a hockey fan, you probably already know that Rogers Hometown Hockey will be coming to Cobourg on January 4 and 5.  According to announcements from the Town, it will stage outdoor entertainment and Hockey events at the Marina Parking Lot on Third Street next to the Marina/Yacht club buildings – they’ve called this space “the West Harbour” but they don’t mean in the water. The event is one of 25 events across Canada and finishes on the 5th with “a live outdoor viewing party of an NHL broadcast from the Sportsnet Mobile Studio” – for Cobourg, this will be a game between the Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild. I understand that the Mobile Studio is a tractor-trailer sized… Read complete articleRogers Hometown Hockey comes to Cobourg

County Taxes for 2020

At the County Council meeting on 18 November, the focus will likely be on the election of a new warden for 2020 but also on the agenda is a report from Glenn Dees, the County’s Director of Finance.  With 44 pages, the report details the rationale for the County’s 2020 budget, how it is structured, how the money is spent and where it comes from.  Although it has much less detail than Cobourg’s Draft budget (which has also just been released), it uses more graphics and is more user friendly in its explanations.  It also shows a high concern for long term trends and viability.  But their targeted levy increase was 3% and that is what is proposed for approval. … Read complete articleCounty Taxes for 2020

Seniors’ Programs moving from Market Building

Currently, there are five seniors’ programs that operate out of the Market Building (see list below) but effective January 6 they will operate at the Cobourg Community Centre (CCC) at the same times.  Staff are working with members currently using the Market Building to assist with transfer of supplies, card tables etc.  There will also be a “Welcome Reception” on December 19 at 10 am at the CCC. The reason given is that when the CCC was originally built in 2011, “the intention was to house all seniors’ programs in this new state of the art facility. While a few programs have remained at the Market Building, during our 2020 budget deliberations it has been decided to move those programs… Read complete articleSeniors’ Programs moving from Market Building

Draft Budget for 2020 Available for Comment

You have to give Deputy Mayor Suzanne Séguin credit – the initial budget requests by staff were well over her 1.9% target but the draft budget being presented for approval is very close to the target.  I also appreciate the clarity in the numbers – a great job by Treasurer Ian Davey. You have to look at the numbers closely – actual expenditures excluding Police are 4.4% higher but an increase in expected revenue brings that down to 3.8%.  Then add the Police budget of $6.3M with a small 1.09% increase and include $240K of additional tax revenue because of Town growth (more taxable properties) and the total Operating budget proposed for 2020 comes to $24,262,417 or 2% over the… Read complete articleDraft Budget for 2020 Available for Comment

New Waste Programs Finally Operational

If you live in a house in Cobourg and not certain Condos, you will now be using the new Blue Box, Grey box and Green bin program as well as continuing with garbage bags.  It’s just as well that it does not apply to Condos like the one I live in because we don’t have anywhere to put multiple boxes – friends with a house and connected garage don’t have this problem.  Our garbage gets sorted by recyclable or not then gets taken by a contractor to Lindsay!  (I don’t know what other Condos do).  It seems that Northumberland is moving the work of sorting garbage to the taxpayer instead of it being paid for by taxes.  And some recent… Read complete articleNew Waste Programs Finally Operational