A Cobourg man says he was literally left in the dark by Town officials for something that wasn’t his fault.
Thirty-eight-year-old Darrell Demmings has lived at 303 Spring Street for over a year. Demmings said his rent is paid monthly ($950.00 plus heat and hydro) for the one bedroom apartment in the duplex.
But it was no joke when his power was cut-off on April 1, 2024 at 3:08 p.m.
On Thusday, March 28, 2024, officials with the Town of Cobourg including by-law and fire officials told Demmings they were also shutting off power to his apartment. But he would have at least a month to get things in order and look for another apartment.
An electrician came in to his unit on Thursday and checked all of his outlets, “and there were no issues with power.”
The electrician told him even though appeared fine, they would be shutting off his power as well because of a liability issue and officials couldn’t confirm if the rats have chewed the wires.
The electrician told him he would have a month before the power was cut-off, but after Easter weekend the power was abruptly shut off.
“That was Easter weekend. How do you get anything done. It kind of put me in a pickle.”
Acting Chief Fire Prevent Officer Jennifer Cooper told Demmings a woman would be stopping by on Tuesday, April 1 (after Easter weekend) to help him with his needs and lodging.
“They said that was all going to be looked after through them.”
Demmings also said at no one has anyone ever told him he had to leave his apartment when the power was cut-off on Tuesday, April 1.
“I haven’t been given anything in writing and nothing was followed through.”
“I had to throw out all the food in my fridge it all went bad – in my freezer. It leaked out all over the floor.”
Speaking to Today’s Northumberland on April 6 inside his apartment he’s still at a loss of what to do and where to go with no power or hot water.
“No one’s kicked me out.”
“I’m not losing my unit because of my own doings. It all has to do with this rodent issue.”
Demmings said there is “tons of them” even in his apartment.
Pointing out the holes in the ceiling where the rats have chewed through, he’s also had to nail the cupboards shut to prevent the rodents from getting at his food.
He’s been trying to stay in his apartment for as long as he can – but for the first time in his life he said he will be homeless.
“How am I supposed to survive and live normally. This is effecting my reasonable living of my enjoyment and my unit.”
Up until April 6, Demmings said no one has helped him out with anything.
“I’ve been left in the dark about it.”
Demmings was told the power would be shut off, but not for at least a month so he would have time to get matters in order.
Today’s Northumberland reached out to the Town of Cobourg for comment on April 1, but as of April 11, 2024 have had no response.
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
