Cobourg Council voted to officially open Victoria Beach during the week, but keep it closed on weekends.
The vote at the regular council meeting on Monday, August 31, 2020 was five in favour of the beach opening through the week with two, Councillor Adam Bureau Brian Darling voting to not open the beach.
Before the vote, Bureau brought forth a amendment to the motion that read:
WHEREAS It is Councils first responsibility to make policies and laws to keep each resident safe during these unprecedented and difficult times and
WHEREAS opening the beach will have financial impact on the town since maintenance costs may be high and town staff will be required to open and close the gates each week at the tax payers expense and
WHEREAS September has many hot humid days and this year the Great Lakes Temperatures are predicted to be at a record high due to climate change and could bring mass tourism which could put our Town Staff, Police officers, special constables and auxiliary officers at risk of contracting the virus while educating the beach goes about physical distancing and
WHEREAS opening the beach could potentially cause a possible outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Cobourg putting our residents, our frontline workers, our Doctors, nurses and hospital patients and even our seniors homes staff and residents at risk and
WHEREAS Schools not returning to a normal schedule in September could mean that locals and tourists are able to crowd the beach during the week and
WHEREAS the COVID-19 case count is continuously back on the rise and there is no measures to implement COVID-19 contact tracing or Physical distancing protocols in case there is an outbreak of cases upon opening the beach and
NOW THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED that Cobourg Council keep the beach closed till October 1st for the health and safety of all of Cobourg.
Darling said, “it is a very touchy subject in the community.”
In his six years on council Darling added, “I think this is the first time I’ve ever voted for something at the Community of the Whole and upon reflection seriously considering about changing my mind.”
Darling was the only one who voted in agreement with Bureau’s amendment that was turned down.
Council voted in favour (5-2) of opening the beach throughout the week starting on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 with the beach being closed on weekends.
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
