Recycle Right bin deliveries begin
By Cecilia Nasmith
The blue and grey bins that will help Northumberland County institute the dual-stream Recycle Right program in September are now being delivered.
Between now and the end of August, county staff will be dropping off a set of bins at the end of each residential driveway, each labelled with the appropriate set of materials to put inside for collection and each with brochures inside that provide instructions and information about the program.
These deliveries mark an exciting milestone leading up to the fall launch of the Recycle Right program, director of transportation, waste and facilities Mobushar Pannu said in the county's press release.
“These programs will further reduce the quantity of materials destined for our landfill, and increase the quality and value of recyclable material for resale, the revenues from which can then be reinvested into services for our residents,” Pannu said.
Another milestone will be the August delivery of green bins by waste-collection staff so that organics can also be collected.
Starting Sept. 3, the new green-bin program and Recycle Right program will all be in effect. Residents will be asked to separate their recycling by sorting containers into the blue bin and paper materials into the grey bin.
With the green-bin program expected to divert approximately 60% of household waste, the number of curb-side garbage bags accepted weekly will decrease from three bags per household to two.
Also starting in September, additional recycling bins will be available for purchase for $6 from the Northumberland County office at 555 Courthouse Rd. in Cobourg.
County staff remind everyone that the first week of Recycle Right follows the Labour Day holiday. For that week, garbage and recycling collection days will be bumped one day later in the week – pick-ups regularly scheduled for Monday take place on Tuesday, Tuesday pick-ups take place on Wednesday, and so on.
For more information about the Recycle Right program, visit www.northumberland.ca/RecycleRight.
Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P.) July 2019
The Cobourg Police Service is committed to the safety of drivers, passengers and the members of public utilizing the roadways and sidewalks within the Town of Cobourg. The Cobourg Police Services Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P.) for the month of July 2019, is unsafe loads, commercial motor vehicles, unsafe motor vehicles, modified motor vehicles and loud mufflers (unnecessary noise violations).
Vehicles with modified or damaged exhausts exhaust systems may not comply with Environmental Protection Act, the Highway Traffic Act or local By-Laws related to noise emitting from their motor vehicle or car stereo and the Highway Traffic Act will be enforced if the Cobourg Police Service receive a complaint or stops a vehicle during this initiative.
Along with the regular traffic stops, Cobourg Police Service will also host safety initiatives during the month with the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Environment and Ontario Provincial Police resulting in inspection lanes for commercial motor vehicles, motor vehicles and vehicle inspections.
Traffic stops, including inspections lanes, can result in drivers being charged for moving and administrative violations, as well as, deficiencies in equipment that are required for safe operation. Commercial motor vehicles, motor vehicles and vehicles not found in compliance may result in an Out of Service and/or impounded.
Charges are contrary to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and other Provincial Acts and may result in Criminal Code offences depending on investigations. Provincial fines start at $65.00 and go up to $2000.00 with some charges having demerit points, depending on the charges laid.
The Cobourg Police Service welcomes engagement from the community to make this a successful program and encourages our community members and visitors to contact the Cobourg Police Service when they see vehicles in contravention of this program.
Officers remembered in Cobourg police ceremony
By Olivia Waldriff
The Cobourg Police Service held a ceremony this morning honouring William Rourke (1853 - 1915) and Christopher Garrett (1965 - 2004), two officers who died in the line of duty.
Rourke's two great great grand-daughters and Garrett's mother and three sisters were in attendance.
At the ceremony the Wall of Honour was unveiled in the front entrance as well as the Rourke Community Boardroom and the Garrett Training Room, located upstairs.
Sarmiento joins NHCC in time for Hispanic Heritage Month
By Cecilia Nasmith
The Northumberland Hispanic Cultural Club extends a welcome to its newest board member, Antonio Sarmiento.
In the group's press release, board president Mario Pareja expressed admiration for Sarmiento's innovative talent and extraordinary contribution to the local cultural scene.
“Antonio is a well-loved and respected member of our community, and we are sure that his presence in our organization will help us with great achievements,” Pareja predicted.
Most recently artistic director at Port Hope's Capitol Theatre, Sarmiento is currently working in Cobourg as the artistic and creative consultant who will develop a strategic operational plan for the Victoria Hall Concert Hall. In more than 20 years as an entrepreneur, producer and artistic director in both national and international stages, he has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations.
He expressed his appreciation for the NHCC's invitation to join the board.
“As a Colombian-born immigrant, I am very proud to offer my help in supporting and promoting the rich cultural of the Latino community in Northumberland and Canada as a whole,” he added.
Last September, following the group's presentation to Northumberland County council, October was officially proclaimed as Hispanic Heritage Month through Resolution 201-09-19-214.
This year, a second Hispanic Heritage Month is planned, featuring a gala, film festival, concert, gourmet food festival, and an art-and-heritage exhibition – details to be announced soon.
For more information, visit NHCC
Piccini brings million-dollar news to NHH
By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini delivers good hospital-funding news at Northumberland Hills Hospital
An additional $1-million in base funding for Northumberland Hills Hospital will go a long way to address some chronic challenges it faces in service delivery and planning.
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini made the announcement Thursday in the hospital's Bistro to a delighted audience.
“Over the past year, our government has made a number of landmark local health-care investments, including this one today, and I am really pleased to announce NHH will be receiving an increase in base funding of over $1-million and up to $335,000 in one-time funding by the province,” Piccini said.
“This increase in base funding is above the provincial average, and it is important because the strains a medium-sized hospital faces in Ontario today deserve that recognition. You need the support from your provincial government for the unique strains we race as a growing community outside the GTA.”
While needs are growing in all areas, Piccini acknowledged high levels of ALC (Alternative Level of Care) patients who no longer need acute care but lack the community-based supports they require to be discharged (and who continue to occupy a hospital bed in the meantime).
Piccini said his government has pledged to deliver 15,000 long-term-care beds that could relieve this bottleneck, of which 6,000 have already been invested in.
They have also acknowledged NHH's continuous struggles with surges in patient admissions with special surge funding, he added.
“After years of the hospital struggling with an operational shortfall, this increase to base funding will assist in building sustainability for acute-care services by providing a stronger financial situation,” Piccini stated.
“We know we need to invest right here in the important work our health-care professionals are doing on the front lines. Thanks to you, I have had a much better understanding of the pride and the challenges you face on a day-to-day basis, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to come in and get a snapshot.
“And it doesn't stop today. Every day from here on, you have an MPP and a government that is listening and that so thanks you for the work you and your remarkable team do for the community.”
As her first official act as board chair, Pam Went thanked the MPP for the increases – which are actually $1,003,504 more in base funding and up to $335,940 in one-time funding.
From left, Northumberland Hills Hospital president and chief executive officer Linda Davis and board chair Pam Went welcomed Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini Thursday for a good-news funding announcement, along with NHH chief of staff Dr. Mukesh Bhargava.
