The Town of Comox received a golden thank you following the donation of recreation equipment to the Village of Cumberland.
During Wednesday’s council meeting, councillors and staff received a miner’s lamp from Cumberland Coun. Kate Greening, acting mayor on behalf of Fred Bates.
“The Village of Cumberland is extremely thankful for all of the recreation equipment that you gave from the Town of Comox … and people are really thrilled with it and are really excited that we got new equipment,” she said, alongside mayor-elect Leslie Baird, Coun. Gwyn Sproule and David Durrant, acting chief administrative officer.
Earlier this year, council agreed to donate fitness equipment to the village following the opening of the new fitness centre at the Comox Community Centre.
“We just want to say thank you. Our biggest honour that we can do is a miner’s lamp. It can help light the way,” added Greening.
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Honouring the memory of a former Comox councillor has taken one step closer to fruition, as council approved three key points for the Ray Crossley Community Achievement Awards Wednesday.
The terms of reference, eligibility and the establishment of an advisory committee for the awards was approved, with the next step being the creation of the committee.
Richard Kanigan, the town’s chief administrative officer added potential committee members could be contacted by direct approach or through advertisements.
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Council has agreed to take a closer look at rodents roaming the streets of Comox.
Following a letter by Church Street resident Sharon and Gene Scheidl, Coun. Ken Grant suggested that staff take a closer look at what can be done about a rat infestation, particularly near open composting and vacant lots.
“… is there a way to stop open composting? Is that the right way to go?” asked Grant.
In their letter, the Scheidls noted they have trapped seven rats in the past month, and are concerned about open compost bins as rat breeding grounds on nearby streets.
They also noted the need to eliminate places for rats to feed breed, and suggested bulldozing a vacant lot.
“Is that even within our purview to do, and would that solve the problem?” Grant added.
“The short answer is that I’m not sure. We haven’t looked into the properties specifically,” said Richard Kanigan, the town’s chief administrative officer. “In past years we have had people reporting rats coming across their property. Quite often it is on vacant lots, and quite often again the vacant lots are used as a dumping ground … it becomes comfortable homes, nests for the rats.”
He added the Town could inform residents about areas conducive for creating rat habitation in an upcoming newsletter.
Grant suggested a motion for staff to create a report to examine the issue of open compositing, which was approved by council.
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