By Cecilia Nasmith
Councillors at this week's meeting expressed a wealth of gratitude to everyone who is helping everyone else get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I would like to thank the good citizens of Cobourg for their actions,” Mayor John Henderson said.
“I know we have been in emergency for almost a month, and I would very much like to thank them for following the procedures and health regulations. I want to recognize, on behalf of council, that you are doing exactly what we would expect you to do.”
There are a few exceptions, Henderson acknowledged, and enforcement has begun.
“That's certainly not our first choice, because those tickets start at $750. Add HST, and you are well into the $800 sector.”
Along with health-care staff and emergency first responders, he said, front-line workers who deserve recognition include bus drivers, store staffers, restaurant workers and delivery personnel.
“You are providing essential services at a critical time, and I want you to know council is deeply appreciative of your efforts as you serve the rest of us.”
Henderson reminds everyone of the public-information hotline that has fielded 45 calls so far at 289-677-0585, and thanked the municipal staff who have been manning the line.
Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin added her thanks.
“The numbers are good here in Northumberland, so keep up the good work, everyone,” Seguin said.
She urged everyone to support small businesses as much as possible so they will survive beyond the emergency, referring everyone to the Downtown Business Improvement Area Facebook campaign to encourage customers to buy gift cards.
She also extended her thanks to another group – the sewers who are whipping up face masks. Her sister – a nurse with a 30-year career – is one such star, having turned out 130 masks.
“I have a sewing machine downstairs that's going to be put to good work making isolation gowns,” she said.
“I have a pattern, and I'm about to start sewing.
“This is an amazing community, and I think we are all doing our part. We will all get through this somehow, hopefully sooner rather than later.”
Councillor Aaron Burchat added a message from the fire department: stay home, stay safe, check your smoke detector and take advantage of the downtime to practice your home-escape plan.
