A Cobourg councillor took matters into his own hands and literally cleaned up the garbage in downtown Cobourg on Monday, July 6, 2020.
Councillor Adam Bureau who is also the interim chair of the DBIA (Downtown Business Improvement Association) and who also owns a business in downtown Cobourg said some of the garbage receptacles downtown haven’t been picked up by Northumberland County in at least a month.
“I’m going to clean up all the garbage that’s on the streets to make sure our downtown looks good so our stores, our visitors, our locals can come and enjoy a nice clean downtown.”
Starting on King Street by Second Street, Bureau cleaned out garbage containers where some were overflowing with garbage.
Along the way to others, Bureau cleaned up garbage along the streets saying when garbage receptacles are full, the garage will get blown around the downtown area.
“Part of the DBIA’s responsibility is to maintain downtown Cobourg.”
Bureau said not only as interim chair, but as a business owner, councillor and a person who takes pride in their community, he wants to make sure the downtown is kept clean.
“I know garbage is an ongoing issue – we all have it. I’m just doing my part to make sure the stores and the downtown look good.”
Bureau said he’s contacted County staff several times on behalf of the DBIA to find out why the garbage isn’t being picked up. After over a month, Bureau still hasn’t received an answer.
“They said they were going to look into it and rectify it soon.”
“To me that’s a little to late – it’s been over four weeks.”
“Some will get emptied – some won’t. It seems the ones that need to be emptied the most, aren’t getting emptied.”
Bureau said he’s proud of the business owners in the downtown “doing their part” by cleaning their sidewalks.
As for the County, “if there is some issues, maybe the DBIA and the town can work with the County to fix this.”
There are a number of new garbage cans that were installed last year.
‘Is that an issue? We don’t know.”
Picking out the garbage by hand and also using a grabber to help, Bureau worked his way east along King Street.
Near First Street, Town of Cobourg Operations Department staff arrived with a giant suction truck.
The truck is normally used for maintaining roads and sewers, but to avoid any possible hazards in the garbage including needles, the was used to clean the garbage receptacles.
Today’s Northumberland has reached out to Northumberland County and will update as soon as County responds.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
