I see nothing wrong with having someone come in from outside the Municipality and investigate what is going on with drugs and homelessness. I have been following Cleaveland performance on the Cobourg blog. He is a new politician and from what I read is trying to make things better in Cobourg. I believe it is time the Province has an investigator come in and do an audit of Municipality’s. Staff and long time elected officials get set in there ways. Sometimes a new broom can fine ways to save money. One example of in my time on council questioning the administration on a programme. After a discussion the answer was well it gives a person a job. At present in Trent Hills I have questioned what the utilities customers are paying for and perhaps some services should be billed to all tax payers. I am waiting on a reply.
Solid reporting on a tricky issue. The tension between addressing criminal activity and supporting vulnerable people in these situations rarely gets resolved with antagonistic rhetoric, but its also unrealistic to expect perfect unanimity on such complex stuff. Cleveland's threat to involve the province feels like a risky escalation given the Ford government's centralization tendencies lately.
In a fistfight between these two gentlemen, the smart money's on Crate. He knows a thing or two about box-ing (crate, box ... I digress).
I do have a few questions about this ongoing dispute:
-- how, exactly, are social services staff contributing to the problem of homelessness and drug use in the community, in the opinion of Cleveland?
-- how many beds are in use at the shelter and how many of that number are over the limit as he sees it?
-- how often if ever are reviews undertaken of county departments, and when was the last time social services was put under the microscope if in fact reviews are undertaken according to a schedule?
-- what is the estimated number of homeless -- er -- unhoused individuals in Northumberland and has the county reported on how successful its efforts have been to address the problem?
Sorry for all the questions, Art. Just something to keep in mind the next time the issue arises at council (Trent Hills or county) as no doubt it will in the near future.
As always, appreciate the good work you're doing to keep the community informed (especially important in an election year).
I have some answers. Left them out of the story because I often hear that the stories are too long. The warming centre has 35 beds and has been extending to 40 because of demand. The county staff says occupancy limit is 46 and they told Cobourg they would be flexible above 35 depending on demand. County approved the move to 40 cause it didn't require extra staff or expense.
Re the review -- Cleveland has a three page motion setting out detailed questions. Mostly about how other places handle homeless and addiction services.
Re number of homeless -- 310 Division, which has been restricted, is full and the warming centre is full at 40. Not clear how many others don't get any service.
Re social services staff contributing -- he favours putting anyone using drugs in jail. Not offering housing and shelter.
I see nothing wrong with having someone come in from outside the Municipality and investigate what is going on with drugs and homelessness. I have been following Cleaveland performance on the Cobourg blog. He is a new politician and from what I read is trying to make things better in Cobourg. I believe it is time the Province has an investigator come in and do an audit of Municipality’s. Staff and long time elected officials get set in there ways. Sometimes a new broom can fine ways to save money. One example of in my time on council questioning the administration on a programme. After a discussion the answer was well it gives a person a job. At present in Trent Hills I have questioned what the utilities customers are paying for and perhaps some services should be billed to all tax payers. I am waiting on a reply.
Solid reporting on a tricky issue. The tension between addressing criminal activity and supporting vulnerable people in these situations rarely gets resolved with antagonistic rhetoric, but its also unrealistic to expect perfect unanimity on such complex stuff. Cleveland's threat to involve the province feels like a risky escalation given the Ford government's centralization tendencies lately.
In a fistfight between these two gentlemen, the smart money's on Crate. He knows a thing or two about box-ing (crate, box ... I digress).
I do have a few questions about this ongoing dispute:
-- how, exactly, are social services staff contributing to the problem of homelessness and drug use in the community, in the opinion of Cleveland?
-- how many beds are in use at the shelter and how many of that number are over the limit as he sees it?
-- how often if ever are reviews undertaken of county departments, and when was the last time social services was put under the microscope if in fact reviews are undertaken according to a schedule?
-- what is the estimated number of homeless -- er -- unhoused individuals in Northumberland and has the county reported on how successful its efforts have been to address the problem?
Sorry for all the questions, Art. Just something to keep in mind the next time the issue arises at council (Trent Hills or county) as no doubt it will in the near future.
As always, appreciate the good work you're doing to keep the community informed (especially important in an election year).
I have some answers. Left them out of the story because I often hear that the stories are too long. The warming centre has 35 beds and has been extending to 40 because of demand. The county staff says occupancy limit is 46 and they told Cobourg they would be flexible above 35 depending on demand. County approved the move to 40 cause it didn't require extra staff or expense.
Re the review -- Cleveland has a three page motion setting out detailed questions. Mostly about how other places handle homeless and addiction services.
Re number of homeless -- 310 Division, which has been restricted, is full and the warming centre is full at 40. Not clear how many others don't get any service.
Re social services staff contributing -- he favours putting anyone using drugs in jail. Not offering housing and shelter.
Thanks.
As for stories being too long, use shorter words?
OK
I was kidding.