Cobourg resident extends Brookside pleas beyond town borders

By Cecilia Nasmith

Not content to present his plea to the Town of Cobourg or Infrastructure Ontario alone, Cobourg home owner R. Keith Simpson has addressed his angst over the Brookside encampment to “Cobourg Police, Cobourg Town Council, Northumberland County Council, MPP Piccini, Infrastructure Ontario, MP Lawrence, the Press, Fellow Citizens and others.”

Though Simpson's letter was received for information following its appearance on the agenda of this week's meeting of the Northumberland County council Social Services Committee, Councillor Mandy Martin asked that it at least be acknowledged.

Simpson and his wife came to Cobourg nine years ago as seniors, enjoying the privilege of feeling safe, walking downtown at night, even “promoting the friendly ambience of our chosen town.”

Fast-forward to what he terms “our new normal,” where “a large proportion of Cobourg residents are being held hostage by a disproportionately small number of unfortunate folks (to whom societal rules apparently don't apply).”

Simpson has heard of realtors advising residents in the vicinity of the former Brookside Youth Centre “that their properties, if at all salable, have diminished in value. Why are they expected to bear that loss?” he wondered.

“Folks are being hassled and threatened, Drug abuse, discarded paraphernalia, petty crime, trespassing and the resultant demand for emergency services are increasing. Students of three nearby schools are at risk. Businesses are being adversely impacted. The quality of life has eroded. Cobourg's reputation as 'the feel good town' has suffered. Are we not the real victims here? What is to be done to reclaim our town?”

Simpson quoted Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland's insistence that all four levels of government are on the same bus, but noted that the bus is going nowhere. Piccini “appears to talk tough, but what has he accomplished? As a Minister, he seems preoccupied with other issues.” Infrastructure Ontario is protecting its building “at considerable taxpayer's expense,” but doing nothing about the squatters on its property. And MP Lawrence “appears to want little part of this local problem.”

“Predictively, some frustrated locals are advocating egregious self-help reprisals,” he said, declining to give specifics.

“I would like to see this letter responded to, even if it's out of politeness,” Martin requested.

“He has taken a great deal of care putting his thoughts together.”

The motion to receive the letter for information was amended to add that it should also be acknowledged.

County celebrates achievements on National Housing Day

Northumberland County observed National Housing Day on Nov. 22 with a press release that contained some sobering statistics.

At this week's meeting of county council's Social Services Committee, Associate Director of Housing and Homelessness Rebecca Carman shared a video that celebrates the accomplishments that have been made in addressing the issue.

Carman shares some information in the video, such as the fact that the county has some 360 units in its stock of affordable housing, but most of the content consists of individuals telling their own stories – how they found themselves in desperate need of housing as a result of relationship problems, health issues and financial challenges.

“There's nothing that goes untouched when you don't know where you're going to go,” one woman shared.

Getting that roof over one's head made all the difference for these people – a place to raise a family where they stay put and the children never have to change schools, for example, or a place to decorate for Christmas as one remembers having spent last Christmas living in a car.

“I had so many advocates looking out for me and helping me through the process,” another woman recalled.

The need continues, Carman said, and all levels of government are needed to keep these stories coming.

“Kudos – this is all from the heart,” Councillor Mandy Martin said.

“It just exemplifies what's being done.

“I want a copy of it. I want to blast it all over. It's fabulous.”

Told she could find it on YouTube, she vowed to spread the word.

“I don't think there's a person in Northumberland County, a person in Ontario, likely a person in Canada who is not well area of the housing crisis we are in right now, and the fact that we need to build more housing nonstop,” she noted.

“This is an opportunity, for National Housing Day, to celebrate housing and what it means. Thanks to the tenants who volunteered to share their stories.”

“Sometimes, in housing and homelessness, the job can get pretty tough – we wanted the opportunity to celebrate the work we do,” Carman said.

“Every month we are giving keys to households and families who otherwise didn't have a safe place to go, or couldn't afford it.”

Carman also paid tribute to “the unfailing work of our front-line staff, both at the county level and our partner agencies, who are meeting people where they are every day and supporting them in their journey.”

The video is called Building Brighter Futures. The county's communications team led the effort to get it made, Carman noted, and used a local producer.

The committee will recommend that it be viewed by the entire complement of county council at their Dec. 13 meeting.