No place for medical waste at curbside collection, county says
By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland County reminds residents that safe disposal practices for medical waste – items such as IV bags and tubing, gauze, latex gloves, syringes, medication and prescription drugs – definitely do not include being left out for curbside collection.
These items must be handled properly to avoid the risk of harm to county staff, the press release said, as well as to other members of the community.
Director of transportation, waste and facilities Mobushar Pannu said that they are seriously concerned by the hazardous materials they see coming through the county's landfill and recycling facilities.
“Improper disposal of medical waste poses harmful and potentially life-threatening risks to our collection and sorting staff, and also presents a risk to community members, pets and wildlife at curbside,” Pannu warned.
The news release offered tips on the safe disposal of this kind of waste.
Medications and prescription drugs can be returned to one's local pharmacy, or – if placed in a sealed container such as a two-litre pop bottle) taken to the household hazardous waste depot. This disposal method also applies to medical sharps (when placed in an appropriate sharps container), and these should be kept separate from medications and prescription drugs.
Items such as IV tubing, IV bags, gauze and latex gloves can be placed in the household garbage, but never in the recycling.
To find your local pharmacy and to learn more about return and collection programs, visit www.healthsteward.ca.
To find local household hazardous waste depots and to learn more about proper medical waste disposal, visit www.northumberlandcounty.ca/ medicalwaste.
Mayor introduces students to Tim Hortons for the first time
By Cecilia Nasmith
Cobourg Mayor John Henderson reports success with a new initiative – community projects undertaken with local students.
His first outing was with four international students from William Academy, he said at Monday's council meeting. Accompanied by one student each from Vietnam, Brazil, China and Mexico, they made up a party that went out Saturday for three hours to pick up garbage.
“These students were beyond excited,” Henderson said.
“The trade-off is, I said I would treat them to lunch. It was the first time ever they had been to a Tim Hortons.
“I got questions like 'What's a bagel,' 'What's chili,' 'What does that taste like.' So I can tell you, I blew the budget. We tried a little bit of everything.”
The students agreed to join him on future projects, the mayor said, and the invitation is open to other secondary schools. If any of them would like to be involved, he said, feel free to give him a call.
Economic growth is a recurring theme at council
By Cecilia Nasmith
Economic growth was a recurring theme at Monday's Cobourg council meeting.
Items on the agenda included a report on the offer of Port Hope's Loadstar Trailers to purchase 4.5 acres in the Lucas Point Business and Industrial Park to build a new facility, as it has outgrown the old one (as well as a right of first refusal on two additional acres).
Herman Vander Schaaf has also offered to purchase 1.5 acres to construct a 5,000-sq.-ft. industrial building for his business of constructing insulated modular products for homes – often used in northern and First Nation communities, Mayor John Henderson noted.
Meanwhile, in the Northam Industrial Park, there's expansion at Maplehurst Bakeries. Henderson said they are looking for 50 new full-tine employees.
“Northam Industrial Park is now operating one-million square feet of on-going operations - one-million square feet of operations, and we have more who are trying to get in,” the mayor declared.
Cobourg resident asks for clemency for her dogs
By Cecilia Nasmith
Cobourg council this week referred a Park Street resident's request for an exemption to the Animal Control Bylaw to Legislative Services for a report to assist them in making a determination.
Linda MacDonald has been served with papers requiring her to downsize her pet population to two from four. The first time she was served, MacDonald said she was given to understand that it would be acceptable to accomplish this through attrition. The second time, she tried registering two of the dogs in her name and two in a friend's name. She blamed a disgruntled tenant in her building for being served a third time.
Two of her dogs, four-year-olds in reasonably good health, were obtained in anticipation of losing their two older dogs – a nine-year-old with heart disease and a 14-year-old who may not be around much longer.
All are toy fox terriers ranging in size from three to seven pounds. All are spayed and neutered and up to date on vaccinations. They are also well supervised, she said, and never free to bother anyone.
MacDonald is terrified of losing two of her precious pets, whom she considers family.
“And how do you choose which two? I'm heartbroken,” her letter said.
MacDonald pledged to abide by whatever council determines, but did attach seven letters of support from fellow tenants and neighbours.
Councillor Aaron Burchat noted that he had had discussions with an individual who opposes such an exemption.
“I have indicated to that individual to write to the clerk, as well as that they were welcome to do a delegation,” Burchat said.
“Anyone out there with concerns, it's best to address your concerns to the town clerk,” Mayor John Henderson agreed.
Petition requests more parking near Terry Fox
By Cecilia Nasmith
A number of concerned parents whose children attend Terry Fox Public School have approached Cobourg council with a petition to change the no-parking rule on Riddell and White streets.
It was begun by Debbie Davis, whose six-year-old grandson is a student at Terry Fox. The document came before Cobourg council this week.
“As you know, the parking on Riddell St. is No Parking from 7:00 to 9:00 and No Parking from 2:00 to 4:00,” Davis wrote in her petition.
“School hours are from 9:30 to 3:40, therefore we cannot park in front of the school to pick up our children, having to park way around the corner on either Rayner or Tillison.”
Davis mentioned that both the principal and vice-principal at Terry Fox are supportive of the change.
Councillor Brian Darling's motion was to refer the petition to public-works staff for a report back to council, but Councillor Emily Chorley wanted an amendment – that the report be prepared and submitted to council within three months.
“The rationale is for council to take responsibility to make sure we are addressing this petition in a timely manner, as this petition was presented in November,” Chorley explained.
The motion, as amended, was carried.
Cobourg Councillor alternates named
By Cecilia Nasmith
Cobourg councillors have been appointed to their portfolios for the 2018-2022 term, and a motion before council this week named their alternates in the event they are not available.
It also unveiled the new name for Councillor Adam Bureau's portfolio, changing from Community Services Co-ordinator to Arts, Culture and Tourism Services Co-ordinator – his alternate is Councillor Emily Chorley.
Chorley is Parks and Recreation Services Co-ordinator, and her alternate is Councillor Brian Darling.
Darling is Public Works Services Co-ordinator, and his alternate is Councillor Nicole Beatty.
Beatty is Planning Services Co-ordinator, and her alternate is Councillor Aaron Burchat.
Burchat is Protection Services Co-ordinator, and his alternate is Bureau.
Mayor John Henderson and Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin are alternates for each other in their roles as Economic Development Services Co-ordinator and as General Government Services Co-ordinator respectively.
Town crier gives council a history lesson
By Cecilia Nasmith
Cobourg Town Crier Mandy Robinson chose the first regular meeting of the new council to offer a presentation on the history and evolution of the town crier through the present day.
“I have never heard anyone, except for myself, explain the true role of the town crier throughout history,” Robinson said Monday night, wearing her civilian attire instead of the ornate red-velvet gown in which she performs that duty.
The job goes beyond entertainment, she pointed out.
“Part of my job description is ambassador for the Town of Cobourg, and I am so pleased to be the bearer of good news for 2019,” she said - particularly since the earliest town criers who brought bad news risked being put to death (hence the phrase “don't shoot the messenger”).
The practitioners were also known as bellmen or heralds, and the earliest ones she could find were Spartan runners in the Greek empire. One of the outstanding ones is said to have had a voice like 50 men crying out – his name was Stentor, and this is the origin of the term “stentorian.”
The term “post a message” grew from town criers posting their scrolls on exteriors of taverns or public buildings after a cry, so citizens could review them at their leisure – post offices, as these locations might have been called.
Their role expanded to include announcements of judicial verdicts, newly enacted laws, impending dangers, market openings, tax levies, even lost dogs – virtually all matters of local and national importance. Much like Robinson's predecessor Tom MacMillan on prom nights, town criers made ringing announcements of arrivals at grand balls and celebrations.
Just as she represents the town, monarchs realized that town criers represented their interests as well. As such, any assault on them was potentially punishable by death. Robinson admitted that this has afforded her some feeling of safety as she goes about her duties.
There are perhaps 500 town criers around the world, she added, and she looks forward to participating in the Ontario championships in June.
“On behalf of council, we are pleased to have you as our town crier,” Mayor John Henderson said.
“You serve us exceptionally well, and we look forward to more good news in 2019.”
