Northumberland students “paint a plow”

Talented artists from three local elementary schools helped Northumberland County to celebrate this year’s Local Government Week (Oct. 15-21) by painting County snowplows in the theme of ‘Ways We Work Together.”

Student artists from St. Mary Catholic Elementary School in Grafton and St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School and Ganaraska Trail Public School in Port Hope took part in the project.

The plows were proudly on display at County headquarters in Cobourg during the monthly meeting of County Council on Oct.18, earning high praise from the mayors of Northumberland’s seven municipalities. These works of art will be plowing roads near the participating schools this winter.

“It’s pretty cool. I really like painting and some time when I’m driving, I might see the plow that I painted,” said Grade 3 St. Anthony CES student Chelsea Clark, who helped paint her school’s submission.

Local Government Week aims to increase awareness among the general public-and in particular youth-about the important role of local government in our communities. The ‘Paint the Plow’ project encourages students to think broadly about the many ways that the programs, services and initiatives managed by municipal government touch their lives.

“Northumberland County Council and staff sincerely thank the principals, teachers and students who were involved in this year’s ‘Paint the Plow’ project,” said Kate Campbell, the county’s communications director.

County Council intends to repeat the project next year, turning it into a contest judged by the councilors with the winning school receiving a pizza lunch.