Indigenous Maya women share perspectives on gender-based violence

By Cecilia Nasmith

Three local agencies invite you to a free Nov. 20 lunch-and-learn session whose guest speakers will be two Indigenos Maya K'iche women from Guatemala sharing their perspectives on gender-based violence.

Horizons of Friendship, the Cobourg Police Service and Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre are hosting the event, a follow-up to their recent exchange visit to Guatemala to work with the Association for Health Promotion, Research and Education. This multi-million-dollar project funded by the Government of Canada is aimed at reducing maternal and child deaths, but also includes initiatives to help end violence against women in close collaboration with the Guatemalan Ministry of Health.

Guatemala has one of the highest rates of femicide in Latin America, and visitors Irma Ixcayau and Mirna Pretzantzin will offer their perspectives on addressing this issue. Ixcayau is a traditional Indigenous Maya midwife (known as a comadrona) and Pretzantzin is a health educator and traditional community leader.

Representatives from the three local agencies will also discuss their experiences on the September exchange visit,

“We are proud to continue helping strengthen the understanding and co-operation between North and South on ending violence against women, and this event is a great opportunity for the community to learn about that collaboration,” Horizons executive director Patricia Rebolledo said in the press release.

Cornerstone executive director Nancy Johnston said her agency felt privileged to participate in the knowledge-exchange project.

“We are excited to be able to offer an opportunity for the community to hear more about our exchange, and to learn firsthand from two visiting Maya K'iche women – an event not to be missed,” Johnston added.

The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m at Victoria Hall (55 King St. W., Cobourg). The Cobourg Police Service is sponsoring lunch, with dessert sponsored by the County of Northumberland.

Cobourg council plans special meeting Nov. 26

By Cecilia Nasmith

Prior to its new council taking office, the Town of Cobourg announces a special meeting for its current council Nov. 26.

The 4 p.m. meeting has been called by Mayor Gil Brocanier for the purpose of considering two agenda items – statutory planning matters and the preliminary 2019 budget for the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority.

The session will take place in the council chambers, third floor east at Victoria Hall, 55 King St. W. It will also be broadcast live on the Town of Cobourg YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/town/cobourg).

The agenda will be published by 4 p.m. Nov. 15.

For more information, contact municipal clerk Brent Larmer at 905-372-4301 or blarmer@cobourg.ca.

Wear purple to show solidarity with victims of domestic violence

By Cecilia Nasmith

Purple is the colour of solidarity and support for women and children faced with domestic violence.

And as November is Woman Abuse Prevention Month, wearing those colours is also a timely statement.

Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre is urging everyone to wear the purple ties and scarves they are selling so you can show your true colours.

Manager of communications Carly Cunningham issued a press release to show the immediacy and scope of the problem.

Within the first eight months of 2018, Cunningham said, 106 women and girls were killed in Canada as a result of gender-based violence. This averages out to one woman or girl killed every other day, and half of these deaths take place in the victims' homes.

“This means that women are at greatest risk where they should feel safest,” she said.

At a time when this issue is of greatest concern – and a time when the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements making the news – the demand for Cornerstone’s services is reaching historic rates.

In fact, the press release stated that their shelter program is now forced to turn away more women and children than they can provide service to in a year. As well, they can no longer accommodate all the requests they receive to provide education to young people and other members of the community about such prevention topics as consent, harassment and supporting survivors.

“Declining an offer to discuss prevention or having to turn away women and children is not the place Cornerstone wishes to be,” Cornerstone executive director Nancy Johnston said in the press release.

“But this is our current reality, as the shelter has operated over 100% capacity for four out of the last five years, going as high as 134%.”

Perhaps most troubling is a far-too-common scenario Johnston described.

“Often a women has struggled to decide whether or not she's going to open up to anybody about what's happened to her. When she is ready, when she reaches out and is told that there are no rooms, or there is a wait time to get in to see someone, she may never resurface again,” Johnston said.

The strength and courage this woman may have gathered is the right moment to make a connection. If that chance is lost, it may never return.

To break the cycle of violence and alleviate the stresses on Cornerstone's shelter system, the press release said, domestic violence must be brought further into the open. It's the only way to examine and dismiss stereotypes and misconceptions that lead members of the community to believe it couldn't happen here in Northumberland County.

“On the heels of #MeToo an #TimesUp, we need to show our support and create opportunities for dialogue between activists, policy makers and the public, now more than ever,” the release said.

“We need to have conversations about domestic violence and abuse, and recommit ourselves to understanding that we have an obligation as a community to care about the issue of gender-based violence – not just when it is a personal experience, not just when it happens to someone you know, but when it occurs in our community.”

During November, Woman Abuse Prevention Month, Cornerstone reaffirms the fundamental right of every woman and girl to live in safety and security in her home and community, free freom the threat of violence.

The agency also encourages members of the community to participate in the province-wide Wrapped In Courage campaign by purchasing the purple scarves and ties now on sale. Cornerstone is located at 40 Swayne St., Cobourg, and the purple items are $20 each.

Cornerstone also reminds you that, if you or someone you love is struggling with abuse, stand up and seek support any time of the day by connectiong with their 24-hour support line, 905-372-0746.

New Era in Port Hope Transit Service Launches

From left to right: drivers Julia Zubkova, Cindy Hutton and Transit Coordinator Jerry Siebarth.

The Municipality of Port Hope begins their roll-out of their new municipally operated transit service this Tuesday (November 13 th ) when the Municipality assumes the operation of the ROLLS Specialized Transit service.

The new service uses a specialized transit van that can carry 2 passengers and 2 wheelchairs. Eligible residents can book the service by giving at least a 24 hour notice and costs $2.50 per one-way trip ($1.50 for seniors and students per one-way trip).

Reservations need your name, date and time of trip, pick-up address, destination and arrival time, purpose of the trip, return pick-up time, whether there will be someone accompanying you, and whether you are confined to a wheel chair.

To register for this service, you must complete the ROLLS application form which can be obtained from the Municipality by calling the new ROLLS telephone number 905-885-9891.

When approved, you will receive a Membership Card which must be shown to the transit driver at pick-up.

Any resident of the Municipality of Port Hope who is unable to board regular public transit due to a physical disability is eligible to use this service, but is currently only available within the urban area. Driver assistance is available to board and de-board with the service being available Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 am and 8 pm and on Saturday between 9 am and 4 pm excluding statutory holidays. The service is available for travel to and from work, school, appointments, shopping, visiting, entertainment, recreation, and other purposes within the urban area.

Cobourg reminds everyone that winter parking regulations now apply

By Cecilia Nasmith

The Town of Cobourg reminds everyone that winter-parking regulations have come into effect as of Nov. 1.

This means Bylaw 080-2014 s. 34 now applies in governing the parking of motor vehicles so as not to impede weather-related clearing operations between 2 and 7 a.m. Through March 31. This includes not parking on a list of designated collector and arterial roads as well as all roads listed within Schedule O of the bylaw.

The section also authorizes the Chief of Police or his designate to have any vehicle moved (towed away and impounded if necessary) if it is parked on one of these roads or highways. Though residents are still allowed to park on all residential streets during this period of restriction, they are also subject to the bylaw if their vehicle is parked in such a way as to obstruct snow-clearing operations.

“The Town of Cobourg appreciates the efforts of its citizens in parking off-street to allow for safe and efficient snow-removal operations during the winter season,” the town's press release said.

“It is especially important that collector and arterial roads (major roads) remain clear for safe passage.”

For more information contact the public-works department at 905-372-9971 or the legislative-services department at 905-372-4301.

For a full list of designated collector and arterial roads, visit www.cobourg.ca.

Christmas Magic kicks off Nov. 23

By Cecilia Nasmith

Christmas Magic season is about to kick off in Cobourg, bringing six weeks of holiday brightness every member of the community can enjoy.

An epic night of events kicks it off at Victoria Hall Nov. 23, starting at 6 p.m. with the big lighting-up ceremony.

The Town of Cobourg press release said preparations are well underway for it all, complete with a vintage-holiday theme.

“Each year, Christmas Magic in Cobourg continues to surprise audiences with creative displays and striking uses of colour, drawing in a growing number of locals and tourists alike,” the release said.

“This year's light display theme will take on a vintage-Christmas vibe, and will also showcase a beautifully decorated Victoria Hall with a wrapped portico, lamppost banners, and new projection-animated snowflakes cascading along the building.”

The 6 p.m. gathering at Victoria Hall (55 King St. W.) will enjoy Christmas music and an official welcome before the holiday lights go on at that location. Everyone is encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the Northumberland Fare Share food bank to turn in to the Cobourg Police Service representative in exchange for a lighted candle.

At 6:45 p.m., the official walk will proceed down Second Street, past the Rotary Harbourfront Park rink and to the waterfront. There, at 7 p.m., Mayor Gil Brocanier will lead the countdown for the main lighting.

The centre of the Esplanade will include one 44-ft. Christmas tree that will glow with more than 3,000 lights to create a glittering landmark in the evening darkness. The tree was generously donated by Nancy Oliver and her husband Stewart Richardson of Cobourg.

The countdown will also lead to the illumination of 190,000 lights along the waterfront, Division Street south and Rotary Harbourfront Park. DJ Dominic will blast out some festive music and a special surprise is in store for all. As well, Santa Claus will put in a guest appearance on Second Street, with special treats to give out.

After years in Victoria Park, this new location offers a display that is both walkable and driveable, the press release noted. Those who walk among the displays will enjoy the spiral trees, holiday cut-outs for selfies, holiday vignettes, as well as reindeer and other festive animals.

A new addition celebrates the true spirit of the holiday season with Trees For Charity. This town initiative offers charitable organizations the chance to decorate an eight-ft. Christmas tree of their own, with the town supplying the tree. Any organization interested should contact community-events coordinator Jackie Chapman-Davis (jchapmandavis@cobourg.ca) by Nov. 12.

“All they have to do is bring the decorations,” council community-services coordinator Suzanne Seguin said in the press release.

“What a beautiful display it will be, and a chance to raise even more awareness to the issues that matter most.”

Habitat For Humanity Northumberland is bringing back its Gingerbread Festival starting at 5 p.m. on King Street West, with gingerbread cookie kits for children who are attending the tree lighting (baked by the Dutch Oven and sponsored by the Town of Cobourg).

Inside the Sarby's store (across the street from Victoria Hall), the Downtown Business Improvement Area will feature a night market with some wonderful vendors, and the winner of the Home For The Holidays local shop contest will be announced. In the street, local hockey players will enjoy some old-fashioned road hockey to a background of festive music.

“The success of Christmas Magic is largely attributed to the thousands of hours contributed by volunteers, town staff, councillors ad local high-school students,” the press release said.

“The Cobourg Police also supply a large number of volunteers for the opening ceremony.”

Organizers also thank generous sponsors, including Cameco, Lakefront Utilities Inc, Iron Wood Tree and Landscape, Wharram Tree Service Ltd.

The spectacular Christmas Magic display can be enjoyed free each night from 6 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 7.

Macleans commends Cobourg's Armistice 18

By Cecilia Nasmith

“Ottawa is doing a lousy job of honouring Canada's fallen from WWI,” said the headline atop the Macleans Magazine on-line editorial.

But the writer goes on to say Cobourg is acing the task with its Armistice 18 commemorations – and that this small Ontario town is doing more to honour the centennial of the Great War's end than the entire Federal government.

In short, small-town Cobourg can boast one very big thing: the ability properly to appreciate and respect the nation's history.

Historian Hugh Brewster (who wrote Last Day, Last Hour about the famous libel suit occasioned by an editorial on Sir Arthur Currie's command during the closing days of the war) offered his comments, mentioning art exhibits, stage presentations, concerts, sold-out speakers, walking tours and other commemorations with pride.

The editorial set out commemorations being undertaken by a number of other nations who fought the war that claimed 66,349 Canadian lives – processions, tours and even a peace summit.

Back home, Fredericton is hosting a nightly bagpipe performance called 100 Laments, but little else of such scope is being undertaken – and certainly nothing by the Federal government on that scale.

More Canadian soldiers died in that war than in all other wars combined, the write-up said.

It also quoted one of those speakers who are part of the Cobourg's Armistice events, military historian Jack Granatstein – who insisted Canada's military prowess paid a large part in the capitulation of the Kaiser's forces 100 years ago Nov. 11. Without that contribution, Granatstein said, the war would have dragged on.

It's a moment Canadians can take rightful pride in, and Cobourg's communications manager Ashley Purdy is delighted the town's commemorations are being noted and commended.

“This an incredible moment, truly putting Cobourg on the map and highlighting all of our efforts with Armistice18, but most importantly our public pride in Canada’s military,” Purdy said.

Her e-mail contained a link to the editorial (https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/canada-commemorating-100-remembrance-day/) and an invitation to share it around.

Local Rona Stores Escape the Axe

by Collin Whitehouse

In a release issued by it’s parent organization Lowe’s, it was announced today that 31 Rona and Lowe’s stores will be shuttered in Canada. The affected stores are expected to be closed by the end of February 2019.

"While decisions that impact our associates are never easy, the store closures are a necessary step in our strategic reassessment as we focus on building a stronger business," said Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe's president and CEO.  "We believe our people are the foundation of our business and essential to our future growth, and we are making every effort to transition impacted associates to nearby Lowe's stores."

A check of the 9 locations closing in Ontario reveal that neither the Cobourg or Port Hope Rona locations are closing.