The Question That Mystified Northumberland County Council
By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Everyone around the horseshoe at December’s Northumberland County council meeting was figuratively scratching his or her head at a question Councillor Lucas Cleveland asked Acting Chief Administrative Officer Glenn Dees – “can you please confirm the date and time at this moment?”
The question came as the last in a series Cleveland asked in relation to a report made to a committee meeting on the county shelter at 310 Division St., Cobourg.
Cleveland asked for the chance to pose three questions, and led off with asking the capacity of the shelter. Homelessness Services Manager Bill Smith said they had 22 bedrooms and 35 beds.
The second question was whether the shelter is at capacity.
“Most nights, for the last few weeks,” Smith said.
Conversations are taking place to explore the possibility of increasing the capacity, he added, but it’s early in the process. Dees noted that a report is coming to the January Social Services Committee meeting on this matter.
Cleveland’s third question was how long the shelter had been at capacity.
“My best guess – probably four or five weeks at or near capacity,” Smith replied.
Cleveland added a fourth question with his enquiry to Dees about the date and time, and was asked by Deputy Warden Mandy Martin what exactly he meant.
“Just asking the date and time at the moment,” Cleveland said.
“What is the intent and purpose and how is this advancing the discussion for moving business forward?” Dees asked.
“I don’t mind answering questions. I am just not sure how this is relevant to the discussion.”
Councillor Brian Ostrander said he would be happy to take that question, announcing that it was Dec. 17, 11:32 AM.
“I have a device in front of me, as does Councillor Cleveland, that tells me that,” he noted.
