Mayor Lucas Cleveland today announced a “Change in Office Hours”. He says that his “business partner at The Market & Smør announced that she will be moving on to new work opportunities. I will therefore be returning to the Market part-time for the next few months to manage the transition until a new team structure is up and running.” He provides no further personal details but his move to being a part-time Mayor is unusual. Lucas does not give a time frame for how long this situation will be in place but he talks of “several months” and seems to be eager to get into business mode again. His announcement talks about great things happening downtown with stores and residential developments.
Splitting Mayoral tasks
Lucas states that:
Over the coming months, you will see a sharing of duties and Mayoral tasks amongst Council as I split my time between the role as Mayor and local business owner. While I am committed to keeping my Open Office Hours on Tuesdays, the Deputy Mayor and members of Council will be taking meetings in the Mayor’s Office the rest of the week.
Progress Downtown
Lucas lists these achievements in the last 19 months since he was elected Mayor.
- 22 grand openings in Downtown Cobourg.
- Stronger occupancy rates downtown than we have in the last 5 and 10 years.
- More people (will be) living in Downtown Cobourg with four downtown development projects currently active.
- Beachwalk Flats (corner Albert & Division) – 7 commercial units, 20 residential units and 3 live/work units.
- 25 James Street East – 27 new affordable and market rental apartment units.
- 296 George Street – 15 unit apartments and 5 townhouses.
- 22 and 36 Queen Street – 4 and 5 storey condo building with ground floor commercial units and 67 residential units.
Lucas also says:
Additionally, I have set a goal this summer to work on securing Recreational Funding to address our aging Centennial Pool and growing request for additional Pickleball facilities. I look forward to reporting back to this community on any progress I have made.
Although he does not mention them, Lucas will presumably still participate in Council meetings and County Council meetings. However, I note that there are no meetings in July or August (except County Council on 14 August) so his timing is right. Council meeting schedule is listed here.
To my knowledge, although previous Mayors treated their job as full-time, I am not aware of any official requirement for this.
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Lucas Cleveland is one of the hardest working mayors I have seen in Cobourg in the 2 decades I have lived here. I give him the benefit of the doubt in continuing to do that. I guarantee you if Adam Bureau’s or any other councillors business needed extra time, they would do the same. I am really looking forward to seeing if it is as easy to get a meeting with another councillor as it was with this mayor, because I have very specific questions for the DM and Adam. Anyone care to join me?!!!
I can only speak to my personal experiences with Mayor Cleveland always returned calls and made himself available for in-person meeting. More than any other local politician gave me in the past!
I think the others on council need to step up and communicate with the constituency on what they have done to make our lives better since they were elected. Unfortunately the state of our Town would answer those questions!!!
I agree that the councillors on the police service board need to answer some questions, but don’t hold your breath they will run and hide and won’t say anything. You will only get lame answers from a board who have outlived their best before date!!!!!
I sent Mayor Cleveland an e-mail, I finally received an answer 6 months later.
Cobourg Taxpayer
Incredibly right.
We have had some duffers on Council and in the Mayors Office to name Mayor Brokenear as one.
We need change in this Town.
We look down on Port Hope but, although they do not have our waterfront, they are beating Cobourg hands Down.
No encampments, less, if any, drug issues, less crime and no Shopping Carts everywhere.
Mayor Cleveland needs our full support through these difficult times for him and all of us.
He has our vote in the next election already!
I agree with this, this guy has a solid work ethic. I emailed him on a weekend about an issue (the bus shelters are death traps for our birds and I suggested anti strike bird decals as a very low cost fix) and first thing Monday morning I had a reply with a resolution in my inbox and he also offered to meet me in person to discuss further.
He’s very responsive and a lot of the issues stalling are because he’s being outvoted by the other county members. He’s got my vote that’s for sure.
I wanted to briefly share what I observed in the ER at Northumberland Hospital, yesterday. A young woman, barefoot, accompanied and guarded every second by two uniformed “Special Police”. The woman was screaming about her mother and babbling incoherently to the police guarding her. The second situation involved a young man with wet hair, also barefoot, led into a room with no furniture by three security guards (also in uniform). They pulled a curtain over the door’s window to keep checking on him. He began screaming – I had never heard anyone scream like that. When the door was opened, the man was lying on the bare floor. A doctor immediately moved me to another section of the ER. Turns out my problem wasn’t serious. But those two young people caught in the web of dangerous drug addiction just broke my heart. If this is too personally revealing, please remove my post. I can’t expound how affected I was by what I saw and heard.
A ambulance silently pulls into ER. Two first responder wheel in a stretcher.and park by the triage desk. The two attendance must stay with there patient until he is admitted,The very old and frail elderly man laying crying like a child in pain. It seems the patient was from a Gov, under funded under staffed senior resident. After a while a Nurse appears and turns him onto his side showing a massive open bedsore and black bruises on his back. Because lack of beds hrs.go by before being moved .Here is a man,someones husband, a father,a grandfather who worked all his life, paid his dues, contributed to society.Contrary to the two drugged out laying on the floor supported by our gov. This man ends up in the same Hospital on a stretcher crying and whimpering “let me die” “let me die” How do you feel now Audrey?
A
Being human, I feel compassion and great concern for the elderly gentleman and for the two young people.
Let’s protect our vulnerable seniors that we have compassion for. They must come first.
I simply recounted my experience at the ER a few days ago. Had I seen an elderly person in great pain being ignored, I would have spoken up, on the spot. And there were available rooms at the time I was there because I asked. I thought I might need one of them. I don’t know who Rod is but his “stick it in my face” crap just makes me roll my eyes. Not to mention the 65 people who have his remarks a thumbs up.
Just guessing but perhaps the thumbs-up are in support of Rod’s disgust at squandering resources on the two addicts:
“Here is a man,someones husband, a father,a grandfather who worked all his life, paid his dues, contributed to society. Contrary to the two drugged out laying on the floor supported by our gov.”
Or perhaps I completely misunderstand.
The problem is Audrey is that your not always there are you?
It’s “you’re” and you’re right. I’m not always there. Nor did I ever say or imply that I was.
Well that’s hitting below the belt and uncalled for.
Try to stay on topic and I’ll try to spell properly.
Rod was being gratuitously dramatic, painting a hypothetical scenario to shame you for feeling bad for addicts…you can be empathetic and still hold people accountable. Empathy is a normal human characteristic which can be felt in more than one direction at the same a time…
Perhaps Audrey was doing the same? Shaming people to feel bad for this scenario? The 2 individuals may not have been addicts. There are many, many possibilities.
I do not understand why this “observation” is being shared in a post about A Message from the Mayor?
Twisted. LOL
I felt that Audrey was trying to shame people for sure when her comment had nothing to do with the topic being discussed.
Audrey,
It is now 102 Thumbs up!
You may have a point but I can guess that the old gentleman in the above did not bring the problem down on himself.
the message to these young people is wake up and get “clean.”
So many thumbs up … and I still feel nothing but sadness for those two young people in the ER, last week.
These young people are likely addicts. Please get informed about what addiction is and how it manifests. An addict does not just “wake up and get clean.”
The health dept. should investigate the retirement/LTC home. The elderly gentleman health should never get to the point that he has to go to hospital for a bed sore. There must be something wrong at his “home”.
Marital separation is difficult, add the complexity of a small business and children, and its becomes all encompassing – it consumes attention, emotion and energy – and that’s assuming things are going smoothly.
And with that being said, that is the end of my sympathy because unfortunately as a resident who is paying incredibly high taxes (among the highest in the Province) I expect outstanding representation from those who choose to run for and are elected. So should the Mayor begin to miss meetings, delegate important tasks, not stay on top of important community related issues, fail to deliver results for the community, fail to find time to listen to the community, not be very prepared for meetings or in any other way take his eye off the ball, the leash should be very short. Critical items can not be delegated to the DM – encampment, 310D, policing,
I agree with others that the first things to delegate or claw back should be indirect tasks that take attention outside of our community. Nothing about the Mayors role is more important or bigger than the effective operation of the Town of Cobourg – not travelling with the MP, MPP, visiting the Premier, representation at the Great Lakes initiative, etc…
Rob,
Totally disagree with you about the mayor’s role.
The effective operation of the Town is the CAO’s responsibility.
Managing Council is part of the mayors job
Representing and advocating for the Town to the higher levels of government is a very important part of the mayor’s job. Where do you think the money for repairing the harbour and other Town infrastructure is going to come from, residents wallets?
There’s $2.4B available for the great lakes initiative. How do you expect Cobourg to get its share without someone (the Mayor) making our case?
Bryan
Drive down King Street East and remind me again about the importance of the pier. Walk downtown at 11:00 p.m. and then lets discuss the benefits to the roadwork in the industrial park. There are immediate, fluid, critical to community requirements that can not be delegated away in the next several months….
Right now the Mayor of Cobourg has three primary responsibilities to lead on. 1. Get rid of the Encampment. 2. Ensure 310 Division does not turn into another encampment/ drug house. 3. Deal with the weak CPS who cost $7.5 million of our tax dollars – either through key changes there or OPP.
All other matters are meaningless to Cobourg law abiding residents at the present time.
If this current situation is a means for Mr. Cleveland to divert his responsibilities then he must resign, with a Bi Election calked.
These three primary responsibilities cannot be delegated to the council members.
Rational,
The mayor has no authority to get rid of the encampment. That is the province’s domain. He has and is strongly presenting Cobourg’s position to the province (DF meeting??)
310 is the county’s domain. The Mayor and Council have enacted the “310” bylaw which provides a measure of control because it has teeth.
A highly unusual and courageous move.
The CPSB should, in theory, take it’s lead from Council as there are two Council members and one Council appointed resident on the board.
In practice, it does not.
The mayor has one vote on Council. Council, as a whole, is responsible for the appointments and the resulting weak board. I suggest that you direct your CPSB concerns and comments to Clr Bureau and DM Beatty, the Council members on the CPSB.
As for a mayoral bi-election, who would run?
Are you prepared to?
The Mayor needs to do whatever is required in order lead Cobourg, and show the electorate that he is a leader by lobbying these three priorities/ responsibilities every day.
The time for excuses on top of excuses needs to stop. Saying nothing can be done because this falls under someone else’s responsibility needs to stop.
You indicate these areas are others’ domain. But this does not prevent the Mayor of Cobourg going in person and presenting our case to sway their decisions to benefit the electorate – whether it be the CPSB, County or Province.
If the Mayor believes his hands are tied as you do then we need another leader.
The Mayor represents Cobourg and its electorate and this is our Town – not the Province’s, not the County’s and not the CPSB’s.
You have indicated these area
I don’t think we’ve ever had a mayor that works as hard as Cleveland for the betterment of Cobourg. When was the last time you made an appointment and went in to talk to him? Find out for yourself what he’s done already and what he plans to do.
100% agree
Bryan I feel you are quick to abdicate the position of Mayor’s responsibility in critical to community, current and urgent local matters and elevate the position to little more than a lobbyist begging for crumbs. Of course there is a time politicking, however given what this community is experiencing today we require a hyper-focused approach to immediate/short and mid term objectives.
The work at 310D is not a fait accompli and will continue to need a common sense, Cobourg first approach. The same can be said for the encampment and the CPS…Cobourg first, absent of personal ideologies or agendas. IMO
Rob & Rational,
I have not said that the Mayor should abdicate his responsibilities regarding the community (Cobourg) and there is no indication that he has.
Other than taking meetings with residents, what duties has he abdicated?
As for a “Cobourg first” approach, how do you think the “310” bylaw came about?
LC vigorously represents Cobourg at NC Council as well with the upper levels of gov’t: MPP Piccini, MP Lawrence, Prem Ford, Fed finance Committee. I’m quite sure that Brookside was discussed with Dougie and has been discussed numerous times with Piccini.
How often have you spoken with (contacted) Dougie or Piccini regarding Brookside?
Bryan,
This is a quote from a response from Mr. Picinni in November 2023 to me.
“The governments legal council has advised that as the site is not currently being used by the government, the situation does not meet the threshold to legally remove them. We have no legal recourse at this time however I continue to work diligently with all partners to get this resolved.”
When asked about 310 Division the Mayor stated when he is in Cobourg he represents Cobourg’s interest; but when he sits on the County council meetings he represent the best interest on the County and that 310 D was a good purchase. Confusing?
7 months have passed since Mr Picinni’s comment above, so how vigorously has LC been pressing these issues?
Where does 310 D currently stand? What are Leaderships views on CPS? If here was positive news I would think news releases would be out – but they are not.
IMO the trip to Ottawa and sitting in the Premier’s chair were simply photo ops. I don’t think the Premier or the Finance Committee are going to place Cobourg’s issues on their priority lists.
Cobourg deserves an update and action plan from Leadership on where these three issues stand and that they are in fact Leaderships priorities.
Rational,
In 7 months, what has Piccini done except throw in the towel?
The Ontario government owns the property, albeit through a crown corporation. It’s very similar to Cobourg owning the electrical distribution business (LUI) through Holdco. Infrastructure Ontario (IO) owns Brookside. The Government’s position is that it is not using Brookside and doesn’t “owe” it. This is correct. That is one of the purposes of holding assets in a “holding company”. It’s easy to deny responsibility and liability.
That does not excuse IO (the owner) from managing the property correctly as a competent professional owner/manager would.
As for the Fed finance committee, you get nothing if you don’t ask.
Regarding meeting Ford, I fully expect that more was discussed than has been publicly announced.
What would you have the mayor say about the CPS? What would trashing them in public accomplish? Once again, the mayor has no voice on the CPSB. That rests with Clr Bureau and DM Beatty, who hopefully take direction from Cobourg Council, assuming Council gives direction. Haven’t seen any yet.
Much of his work is behind the scenes. Public negotiation doesn’t work very well.
It seems that you view the Mayor as some sort of super hero or all powerful magician who can wave his magic wand and fix all of Cobourg’s ills.
He has one vote on Cobourg Council and one vote on NC Council.
That is the extent of his power.
Have you asked the “fab 4” what their Council agendas are?
Perhaps Bryan a collective of government tiers and other municipalities experiencing this needs to be formed – a task force of a kind. One that will examine the past court rulings, the lawyers who have hopped in to more than likely pad their pockets to represent homeless addicted rights creating unworkable demands of low barrier housing mostly ungoverned otherwise encampments may sit as they like, plagues on the community, open to groups that make their money off them sinking further and further into addiction.
A Federal election is slated for next year which is predicted to bring a new government, one not in favour of current Federal laws Time to form a spear heading task force to combat what has been thrust upon us to combat these frauds of supposed human rights.
You say there is possibly more going on behind the scene than what we know? I sure hope so. The more reason to have the mayor on with full hours helping organize Cobourg and bring in higher levels of government for this crisis enacting in our community.
And Bryan it seems you view the position Mayor as quite the opposite – a helpless, rudderless figurehead without any political influence whatsoever, not charged with the political leadership of Council/the Corporation/CAO/the Police Services Board with an inability to impact bylaw enforcement, without a voice at the County…its call politics for a reason.
Public negotiations are an important part of politics but one needs to understand when to use that tool. They are effective when employed correctly.
Based on your post, I’m not sure what we are paying for….but I happen to believe the role is capable of much more than you give it credit for.
Bryan:
As you stated above “”He has one vote on Cobourg Council and one vote on NC Council. That is the extent of his power.”
It follows that in your view/interpretation the Mayor of Cobourg has 1/7th authority or the same as each of the elected DM and Counsellors. I do not agree.
Under your interpretation why then does the Mayor require a $20,000 (44%) remuneration increase from $45,000 to $65,000? (second $10K bump up July 2024). And if the Mayor is just one vote with no other “power” as you state, I guess the same applies to the DM whose remuneration increasing $16K to $51K or 52%, and each other counsellor plus $10K. I believe you supported/presented on these increases in 2023.
Given the Mayor cutting back is he entitled to a remuneration increase? Should all seven be paid the same as they each have only one vote?
In my view, Cobourg residents are in the dark regarding the 3 main issues right now – Encampment, uncontrolled drug addicts, and CPS. A one on one, as some bloggers have suggested, meeting with the Mayor is not the solution. The Mayor and all Council members need to jointly and publicly address Cobourg residents on where issue stand and what is being done.
Rational,
You wrote “Given the Mayor cutting back”. What exactly is LC cutting back?
What duties is he cutting back? There is a difference between power and duty.
“The Mayor and all Council members need to jointly and publicly address Cobourg residents on where issue stand and what is being done.”
What exactly would you have them say?
-we are aware of the issues
-we are working on them
-there is no resolution timetable
These are already known. Why state the obvious?
Would you have them provide negotiation/legal details, the disclosure of which could hamper their efforts and negotiating position?
Do you want them to blow smoke just to placate you?
Bryan –
“Over the coming months, you will see a sharing of duties and Mayoral tasks amongst Council as I split my time between the role as Mayor and local business owner. While I am committed to keeping my Open Office Hours on Tuesdays, the Deputy Mayor and members of Council, will be taking meetings in the Mayors Office the rest of the week.”
Bryan:
IMO the approach you are trying to justify is not productive.
To ask the Leadership to inform the electorate on what I believe to be the three most important issues right now in Cobourg is not an unreasonable or unrealistic request.
I strongly believe that there are more than just me in Cobourg that would like to hear collectively from them all.
If you truly feel that they would be “blowing smoke” then perhaps you aren’t taking today’s Cobourg situation seriously.
Brian, as far as we know Mayor Cleveland is taking 2 or 3 months off from his 48 month term.
That is what we are discussing.
I have seen, at least, one Councillor dozing off in a two hour Council meeting more than once or twice.
Cleveland works hard. Give him a break.!
I’m not sure why this is being downvoted, these are the hard facts of the situation. The Mayor is doing the most he can within the confines of the law. Where is Picinni in all of this considering the encampment is on provincial land? Did he ever respond to our Mayors letter? He’s just a photo opp guy, that’s the dead weight in the situation the province.
I agree. It is time we get to the bottom of this as part time Mayor is not what we what or need. I don’t know how working part time is allowed within the laws of Ontario. If it is, the salary should be adjusted.The residents of Cobourg should be allowed an election as we need full time coverage.
I totally agree with every thing you have stated, especially the last statement you made. Perhaps there are ulterior motives – connections, other job opportunities …
ROB YOU —NAILED IT !
If he can’t perform or deliver at home Base in a small Community of Cobourg
how can he possible be of any use or Value else where .?
It should not have been allowed
What ever happened to References , Credibility and moving up the Line Based
on Great work , Performance , and ability to Produce
Ontario Politics — our MPP ???
Clarification video from Mayor Cleveland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW7ap3QYXKI
The old saying “tempest in a teacup” comes to mind here — Lucas’ cutting down his hours to 40!! from his 60-70 hours/week in the mayor’s office to take care of his retail business REALLY isn’t that newsworthy – but I guess it’s given some people on this site something else to worry about. I, for one, expect that everything will still go according to plan — as I think there are a great many “plans” in the making for the betterment of Cobourg, that we are not aware of, at this point. As for the encampment, yes – it IS a total eyesore on an important entrance to this town — but really – if the enablers would just stop enabling, the situation would soon take care of itself. With stolen shopping carts no longer available for the campers to move their pilfered goods to their “canvas lairs” – why go to the trouble of stealing it if you can’t move it ?!!! My two cents worth for a Monday afternoon…
Federal election next year. Providing the voters don’t again support a government that is a good part of the enabling with its policies and woke propaganda towns and cities may have a chance. When it is no longer politically correct to hug a thug and give sympathy and support to such causes and a new society influence of seek help, get a job, get off drugs becomes the standard society returns you will see improvement and a recovery from what has become the norm.
Otherwise there are still other places to live and many have said their current intention is to fold their business here and move to other locales. One thing which has been discouraging is the abundance of pot shops in the downtown – the new business standard?? Not of the exact problem but with a mental conotation to it that it is all right to walk around stoned.
The Nazis progress to war in 1938 – no one wanted to believe war was imminent. They tried to ignore the signs just like here. Who needs a shopping cart to lift off shelves, have you noticed Shoppers has put under lock the expensive fragrance counter? We are always reading of thefts from businesses in downtown Scottie.
To me whistling in the dark as we are all encroached upon. As I said in a prior post Peterborough has hired a no nonsense police chief. A more active approach is needed. A cut in hours of 20 hours when the extra hours of oversight are badly need will certainly not help the situation with the sharing of decisions and duties to a non-supportive Council is harmful. Myself I see people worried and not wanting to lose hope and whistling in the dark while our elected and law enforcement is not putting in their all.. Batten down the hatches for now as there is a growing number of the addicted proliferating on our streets. Lessening the reins of governance is not the time to do this. Good luck.
Dave, unless I missed the point in the Mayors video, by Pete Fisher, above he is still working harder and putting in more hours than the previous Mayors going back 20 years.
Let us support Lucas and give him some slack.
He wouldn’t have needed to be “working 60-70 hrs a week” if he didn’t require such intensive on boarding. Education and on the job learning that usually comes organically by working one’s way up from being a town counsellor or working in municipal Gov in ANY capacity before running for mayor – and then shockingly being elected with zero experience or understanding of how any of it functions or how the the 3 levels of Gov intersect. If the mayor is cutting back his time/function to part time, then his salary that is paid for by the tax payers should reflect that.
As for the encampment.. we had a tent city here 10 yrs ago set up in the parking lot and cobourg is not the only town with a homeless/unhoused population or mental health/addictions issues. Look around people! This is a symptom of a greater issue that reaches far beyond Cobourg. Not to mention the town can purchase brookside for $150K and control what happens there but clearly that’s not the towns priority.. Annnnd didn’t our lovely Woodlawn get converted into a rehab facility?? Guess they aren’t in the business of helping anyone from the encampment esp if they can’t pay the $20K++
Or maybe we should look into the so called affordable housing that’s being built/has been built. Not truly affordable to begin with but Who sets those targets?? Oh right – the municipality..
Oh no. Rehab is free. It accelerates if you are homeless or an opioid user.
True North & Left,
What encampment 10 years ago? Where?Brookside cannot be bought for $150K? It is listed for over $11,000,000?The Woodlawn was sold by Private Enterprise to Private Enterprise! Nothing sneaky or underhand about that is there?Affordable hosing is truly a joke but blame the Federal Government who pumped billions into the Financial system from 2021 onwards which in turn created massive inflation and the pandemic which drove up crazy house prices and naturally rents.BTW Cobourg may not be the only Town in Canada that suffers from Crime and Addiction but our neighbour Port Hope does not seem to have the same problem!This is big mess which we all need to solve, somehow, if possible. Picking on this Mayor in particular is not constructive and has no point as he is NOT responsible for the issues in your post. Leave him alone please. He has done more in 18 months than others did before him.
Have you considered that maybe Mayor Cleveland got elected because voters were fed us with the same old, same old, of the preceding incumbent’s in that office?
Good and honest video. Everyone should watch.
“Not that my 2 cents carries much weight these days, given inflation and everything else, but I don’t see his announcement as him running away from anything, but rather, when he was elected one of his stated aims was to be available as much as possible to the folks of the town – and I just see this announcement of him not being able to own up to his aim because, well, life happens.
I’m sure if true stuff were to hit the fan, he’ll do what is needed.
Happy Monday folks. Be thankful for what we have, and that there aren’t rockets raining down on our heads at breakfast.”
Below was taken directly from Lucas Cleveland’s statement. He clearly says Mayoral Tasks will be undertaken by other Council members.
“Over the coming months, you will see a sharing of duties and Mayoral tasks amongst Council as I split my time between the role as Mayor and local business owner. While I am committed to keeping my Open Office Hours on Tuesdays, the Deputy Mayor and members of Council, will be taking meetings in the Mayors Office the rest of the week.”
My question is why – other than to get out of the heat. As others have said, the Summer recess period is standard practice, and duties will be light. So why does Mr. Cleveland have to abscond from his responsibilities, handing them over to others? The Mayors job, which has always been part time, is truly part time now. Why not run the store and carry out the Mayor’s job.
Has a Resolution been passed that gives Council Members authority to make Mayoral decisions? What is legally required?
Will Mr.Cleveland also give up the Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Project and delegation trips that he has been taking?
I understand that the Town, to its credit, is not backing down on its March 28, 2024, Emergency Care Establishmenrt bylaw. Looks like no work is being done at 310 Division St. No contractor trucks or dumpster bins outside. Could be a long summer with the encampment staying as is.
Looking at the comments here why on earth would anyone ever want to go into political life.
If anyone payed attention to the actual statement distributed by the Mayor, they would see that he states ‘As council prepares to take a recess for the summer season…’ and if you were so inclined to research further, you would notice that there are no council business, committee meetings, public meetings or scheduled business that the Mayor or his council members are to be undertaking during the months of July or August.
During council recess, all elected officials hold summer office hours which tend to be part time, but most take the well needed time for summer vacation. Even the HoC takes a break from sitting!
Bureau and Burchart own businesses and work at them all year long. Beatty has vested interests outside of council with her non-profits and community organizations and works at them during council sittings. Why does it seem so unreasonable for Cleveland to use summer recess to assist in reorganizing his business interests with his business partner as she ventures on to a new career choice?
I suggest that viewing the Council calendar for July and August will clear up concerns.
Furthermore, it will not hurt to have Cleveland on the streets in one of the closest businesses to the daily ruckus so that he actually sees what happens in the community from a differing perspective.
I understand your point however IMO, given the troubled state Cobourg is in and the issues that need to be dealt with, I believe it is irresponsible for Council to take a two month hiatus/time off this summer. Cobourg needs all hands on deck.
That is standard for all municipal governments as well as provincial and federal. Summer recess is nothing new.
Very good points.
Well stated, Country Girl! Thank you for detailing the facts (as so many make judgment calls without the full picture). The Mayor has been a target for “damned if you do; damned if you don’t “ and the people have no idea what is reasonably expected of a Mayor. Council deserves breaks as well. The council members are also targeted for criticism.
Walk in the park? I would not want to be in their sandals!!! (best post ever CG:)
I am grateful to the mayor for all he’s done for Cobourg. The things I’m grateful for:
Defending us on parliament hill
The ECE bylaw
Fighting for us at county level
Fighting against unsanctioned and illegal consumption sites
Meeting and working with Ford and piccini.
Fighting against GWC
Fighting against sleeping cabins
Open door policy
Hopefully he will continue to fight for Cobourg with the same energy and strength even though it’s part time.
I believe most councillors do have other jobs.
Sonya, thank you for clearly identifying some of the Mayor’s accomplishments, I am of the same opinion.
I also understand Kathleen’s comment. (Slings & arrows that our Mayor has undergone)…they could be a lesson that he is persevering, regardless of just/ unjust criticisms & is a good example to those who choose Victory over becoming a Victim (succumbing to addictions).
CountryGal, I agree not unreasonable for Cleveland to use summer recess to assist in reorganizing his business interests with his business partner as she ventures on to a new career choice.
My concern is that the Mayor’s part-time status is going to be several months (not just summer months) — duties & meetings being split with the Deputy Mayor and the rest of Council. In addition, I would like to see politics remain with political offices & Police Enforcement remain focused on Law & Order. Trying to remain hopeful.
The Mayor recently returned from a conference in Montreal and announced that he is Co-Chair of Economic Development for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence initiative. Given his current circumstances, will he relinquish this position since it will involve demands on his time? I believe that being mayor of Cobourg is basically a full time position. When you add together compensation for Mayor, Northumberland County representative, representation on Boards, and other perks, he is fairly well compensated given the size of the town and county. Without elaboration, we’ve devolved as a community and society. Things have gotten worse and the current council has to shoulder a lot of the blame (not all). Unfortunately, I’m not optimistic that there will be much improvement under the current regime.
Dave’s reply to Kathleen is disgusting.
Get real MAL – Reneging on your responsibilities is disgusing especially when Lucas was well aware of it when he threw his hat in the ring. It did not just come up.
He’s not reneging
Agreed Mal, I guess Dave has always been “a Cleveland Hater” and gives him no credit for the stands he has taken on some of Town issues.
As they say “Rome was not built in a day”
It took years for this mess to be created in Cobourg and will not be solved overnight.
I am surprised at you and others on this Blog for the illogical statements. Cleveland when he threw his hat in the ring was already involved with problems with his “business partner” which was brought out by Pete Fisher at the time. Despite this he felt he could take on the responsbilities of mayor and ran elected to do a job which became a very important job with few standing behind him on Council who desired instead to go with GWC and build tiny homes. He was the one who proposed the by-law which would not allow 310 to operate without rules. Now he has decided he must reduce his time in the mayoral position turning over his responsibilites and decision making to the mainly non-supportive council who are in favour of what everyone here is screaming they don’t want. As he entered the position with the problem he continues to face I feel it is his responsibilty to arrange his private life so he can meet obligations on both fronts. One to the Town he desired to represent and the other which became secondary otherwise best to step down all together and have a by-election to ensure the people of Cobourg get the kind of representation they desire if he no longer has time for the position. Very illogical. I hope you will be happy with the result of the reversing decisions the non-supportive councillors will be making Sam.
Dave,
I am like many people not in love with some of present councilors.
However, this proposed By Election, which I don’t believe is the right term, is possibly unconstitutional and would, if allowed, take months to organise, vote especially in the summer.
If a new Mayor was elected the time to take office is just nonsense.
The present Mayor is just taking a break from an extremely busy schedule. Summer is a quiet Council time anyway with vacations etc.
Are you suggesting that the Councilors with their own business interests should be dismissed also and new elections for their positions be held?
Forgive me but this seems to be the height of insanity.
We would have no Council for probably 5 or 6 months!
Really Dave? Please think it through.
No I am not Sam suggesting other Councillors who own their own businesses should be dismissed. They are not changing their hours. They have continued with the commitment they made unlike the mayor who is reducing his hours. A situation he knew about when he first ran and now he can’t meet the hours. He has stated he does not know how long he will be reducing his hours or if extra meetings will be held in the summer which apparently he has no time to attend. Additionally it is all questionable anyway as he stated clearly he and his wife knew nothing about running this kind of business, had no experience in it but hired knowledgeable staff who organized it and showed them how the business needs to be run. So why all of a sudden is his presence needed when he stated before he provided little input to it – the staff did it all?
Please think it through Sam – you are missing the salient points already brought forth.
Also I see Sam it is your habit to send reply – in this case 6 days after the original comment. I happen to catch it today – 6 days later. Why do you wait so long? Are you hoping your reply won’t be noticed and therefore there will be no rebuttal? You do it all the time. Try being more timely.
It did NOT take years for the encampment to show up. It’s on Mayor Cleveland and the Chief of Police. Plain and simple, now they’re both basically washing their hands of it all.
It was assisted in large part by Missy Mclean & Greenwood Coalition – which the Left of Council support. Not Mayor Cleveland. Where were you?
I wish Mayor Cleveland though had been more pro-active. He never once visited any encampment and issued any kind of statement. Piccini did and encouraged Cobourg Town Council to act. Mayor Cleveland has scripted a by-law to govern 310 but did little when it was reported once again safe injection sites were operating in Victoria Park failing to send by-law enforcement. Better than some on Council but still not strong enough and just when needed going off for his personal agenda. On his business website he stated he and his partner knew nothing about running such a business, they hired knowledgeable staff who showed them how to run such a business so why does he feel he now needs time to show them how?
Peterborough hired a more law and order police chief why has the mayor not called for this?
Actually Mayor Cleveland started that business from scratch. There was no Grocery store of any kind there previously. It might have been MacGregors Pub?
The Mayor does not run the Cobourg Police Services Board either and nor can he control it. Check out its Board Members!
Over the last couple of years I have read many bloggers comments on the performance of the mayor. The majority were not happy with his performance. I find it odd how many up votes you get. I also wonder in attending the New Year levy there was a woman there, an older woman the mayor rushed to meet and shake their hand. They were pictured in his pre election vote waiting for the outcome. The same lady. You are so enthusiastic Kathleen on the mayor – could you be that woman?
No. I’ve never been to a levee. Quite possibly there is more than just 1 older woman like myself who support the Mayor. Hard for you to imagine, I’m sure.
Yes, I support the mayor. Maybe it was me.
Why would you assume I am against the mayor Kathleen? It has been the jist of all your replies to me. I think you see red when there is none there.
One should consider upvotes as recognition of
How the community truly views opinions and situations. They are truth telling.
There are many who are enthusiastic about the Mayors accomplishments and how he has driven in his own lane and how he has taken a seat at Northumberland County and stood up for his constituents. Democracy!
That is what our country has been built on and that is how we vote.
What surprised me is there are many that comment on almost all topics that have not commented on this one. In this blog there are many who voice opinions less in favour of the mayor. On prior blogs I have read many luke warm and less comments in this regard as well. However I guess the work ethic has changed and with so many of you in favour of him reducing his attendance hours as you say the majority wins. By the way did you get out downtown at all today? Downtown was swarming with addicts – they just keep multiplying like bacteria on whipped cream left out overnight by mid summer we’ll be up to our arm pits.
Again I will state that all municipal governments as well as provincial and federal all have seating schedules. They all normally
do not sit during summer months. He is not reducing his attendance. There is no attendance by any elected official.
You want to lay blame how the town got in this situation with the addicts? Contact the Supreme Court of Canada for their ‘Waterloo decision’ and look at organizations such as Moms Stop the Harm who has its Ontario Director, Missy McLean, residing in Cobourg. Want to look further? Have a gander and Green Wood Coalition. They have enveloped a radical, cult like belief that good people use drugs and that we should support them. Want to be more maddened? Check out Jenni Frenke and her go fund me initiative that raised over $25,000 for the encampment this winter. Have a look at her supporters. Tony and his church funders. And while you are at it, do some research on the Welcoming Streets Program that the DBIA were secreting. Asking downtown businesses to take deescalation training as well as naloxone training in part of welcoming the addicts into the downtown core and protecting their rights at the detriment of the law abiding, tax paying residents of Cobourg. Go and take a list of all the supporting stores for that initiative.
Once you have that list, think about boycotting them and not spending money at their business. You will also notice that many of the stores listed also have funds to support Jenni Frenke’s go fund me to keep the encampment where it’s at.
All intertwined and very much associated.
Corruption runs deep and it’s not the Mayor who is involved!
You want to place blame on the Mayor? You need to do some homework.
Who said I was blaming the mayor for it all? I am well aware of all of the above as the saying goes Country Gal however i think the mayor is selecting a poor time to reduce his hours. That is what he said was it not – he was shifting responsibility to council as he will not be able to attend all obligations and decision making processes due to his business. Council before summer break runs until the end of June and in crisis often there are emergency meetings called over the summer. If you had taken the time to read any of my posts you would have noted I said we needed a change in Federal policies as the current ones are kneestrapping all lower levels of government. However removing the captain of the ship as it enters a storm is never a good idea especially when the co-captain tends to be mad.
The Waterloo decision as well as the one in Kingston Ontario was ruled by Justices from The Superior Court of Ontario.
Country Gal,
I think corruption is the wrong word.
Idealist, left wing ideological opinions most probably who support the right of petty criminals etc. to overwhelm our civilised society and now finally we are getting up our knees and speaking out. Shame on us!
Dave,
Have you ever heard of the silent majority?
Maybe people are motivated now just like me to stop some of the uncalled for comments?
You’re right. I was there. I’ve been following. We can’t forget the Waterloo decision either.
Minding my own business, and NOT supporting the encampment. Leaving the “blight on Cobourg” to the officials to get rid of.
Exactly
Actually the start of the large encampment came about because of houses being ‘cleaned’ out leaving them with no home. And in a market that is far too overpriced what are people to do. Encampments are a real thing due to housing so it wasn’t Missy or Greenwood that are to blame. Everyone that works in social services do support the homeless because that is what we do in this field.
Wrong. Lets call water wet. The houses were drug dens, destroyed by drug addicts. Less than 15 of them @ West beach in August. I agree with Kathleen.
Professional Social Services workers are the ones who have been offering denied help.
Housing support workers @The Help Centre do not have the same intense training, Deborah Wood.
You publicly state that all “occupiers” come from NHC — this untruth could jeopardize your credibility & insults townspeople who know the truth. You also publicly support failed “Housing First” policies.
We have a dangerous DRUG problem at the encampment, not a housing problem.
The encampment is there because it is a political protest by your colleague Missy. I’m sure you were probably involved and support this political protest (encampment) the same as Missy.
The people have all been offered treatment and shelter by professionals. They have all refused.
How many times have you been to the encampment and asked people where they come from? Your statement is untrue. These people do not all come from Northumberland County.
Get your story straight before you comment please.
There has been no hand washing with that situation. I urge you to go back and view council meeting minutes and Northumberland County meeting minutes and you will clearly see the position that the mayor takes and who is responsible for perpetuating the continued lawlessness. Don’t anyone forget the name Jenni Frenke! The go fund me of over $26,000 for tents and supplies to keep the encampment going.
Tucker
The encampment at Brookside started in 2023 and Brookside had predecessors on the West beach etc. and the Drug problem has been growing for many many years.
I have probably been stumbling into stolen shopping carts for a decade. So yes it has been years growing into this festering mess.
When a mayor needs to go part-time due to a personal business interest or other reasons, the specific process and implications depend on the city’s governing laws, policies, and the structure of its government. Generally, here are a few common scenarios:
1. **Delegation of Duties**: The mayor may delegate certain responsibilities to the deputy mayor, city manager, or other senior officials to ensure that city operations continue smoothly.
2. **Temporary Leave of Absence**: The mayor might take a temporary leave of absence. During this period, the deputy mayor or another designated official usually steps in to fulfill the mayor’s duties.
3. **Part-Time Adjustment**: In some cases, the mayor may adjust their schedule to part-time but continue to perform their essential duties. This might involve reducing their workload or reallocating tasks to other city officials.
4. **City Council Involvement**: The city council might be involved in decision-making during the mayor’s part-time period, especially for significant issues or decisions. The council may also approve any temporary changes in leadership or responsibilities.
5. **Conflict of Interest Policies**: The mayor needs to comply with conflict of interest laws and policies. They must ensure that their personal business interests do not conflict with their public duties. This may involve disclosures, recusal from certain decisions, or other ethical considerations.
6. **Legal Requirements**: There may be legal requirements or procedures outlined in the city charter or municipal code regarding how such situations should be handled. This can include formal steps for temporary succession or acting appointments.
7. **Public Communication**: Transparency with the public is crucial. The mayor should communicate their part-time status and the arrangements made to ensure the continuity of government operations to maintain public trust.
The specifics will vary based on local laws and the city’s governance structure, so it’s important to refer to the relevant legal and policy documents or consult with legal counsel for precise guidance.
How can any of this take place when the rest of Council have been in Hiding for the better part of the year ?? and I believe the majority of local residents have lost a lot of faith in this Council
and its leader ship .
So is the mayor taking ‘lieu time’ or is he taking a cut in pay for hours he won’t be working – confusing and needs to be more transparent on this
Please watch clarification video by mayor Cleveland. He’s very transparent unlike a group called GWC.
In municipalities such as Cobourg, and surrounding areas, the Mayor and Council positions have always been considered Part Time – even if you are retired. It was Lucas Cleveland, that when elected, spun the job as full time and stated that he was also distancing himself from his business to carry out the Mayors role.
Cobourg is in the mess (encampment, crime, drugs, deteriorating downtown, at least 22 store closures if there were 22 grand openings, etc) due to lack of effective leadership. This will, IMO, become worse as the Mayor’s position (a Leadership position) is carried out now by 7 individuals.
A question – is this a Mayor/Council strategy to divert any responsibility and blame regarding issues such as the Encampment, drugs, crime, CPS vs OPP and calls for the Police Chief to resign?
There are 2 1/2 years to the next election. Musical chairs will not work.
A Bi-Election is required for the position of Mayor.
By-election!
I can only guess what a bi-election would look like!
LGBTQ2+?
Leaving the position to DM in my opinion is BAD. she I all for tenters , GWC and tiny homes. Ya.. here goes the worst of it just in time for summer. Brilliant idea Mayor
Disagree, his hands are tied,he can do nothing about Brookside, and he has tried.
He managed to get the by-law passed that is to govern 310. Now that he has stepped aside will the by-law collapse too? Left in the hands of a Council led by the DM as stated all for GWC.
Our past 2 Mayors had the luxury of retirement life and they had equity.
Lucas is young and must still pivot and adapt to achieve retirement life.
I would think he would be a good lesson for some people who delve into drugs to avoid the slings and arrows that life throws.
Kathleen I can’t imagine why 52 people at this point would up vote you. What tragedy?? Pete Fisher exposed the fact the Mayor was found to be swiping left on his phone if you get the understanding of the app he was on when he was running for mayor. This is nothing sudden. As you point out he is young, able to find another partner and has actively been doing so for quite some time.
To commit to a vital and important position such as mayor he has let Cobourg down badly by not committing and knowing full well his personal circumstances. Shame on the man.
Why his personal life is any of your business is beyond comprehension.
Perhaps you should be addressing your remark to Kathleen Beachwalker – she’s the one who brought it up. My concern is that he has decided to renege on his responsibilities to this Town – very unprofessional.
It must feel very heady from your position on top of the mountain.
Not all our personal lives are exposed for all to see and be judged by trolls like yourself.
You’ve just helped to make my original point….
“I would think he would be a good lesson for some people who delve into drugs to avoid the slings and arrows that life throws”.
Oh and btw…I never used the word “tragedy”. Stop putting words in people’s mouths. Maybe deal with your own problems – like reading.
Kathleen – your tirade is over the top. As far as tragedy goes you implied that stating it would the major’s personal life would be enough to drive people into becoming addicts. I hardly think so. I do recall a family where I grew up – they lived upstairs from me. Their young son was taken by a violent, reoffending pedophile to a downtown hotel where before he was murdered was brutalized. The police found his body. Neither were driven into becoming addicts. That story was all over the news.
My point is the man accepted a position, he reneged on his obligation, leaving Cobourg at a time of crisis rudderless under the control of many on council that are in communication with GWC and are in favour of their proposals.
Dave, I am not sure how your story of a tragedy not driving the parents to become addicts has anything to do with the mayor. The mayor has been criticized by some so maybe transferring some duties is good news for the criticizers. The reason for the change seems to have resulted from his business partner’s decision to move on. I recall a councillor decided to run as a liberal party representative for our local riding. If successful she would likely have had to leave her position as councillor. Was she reneging on her obligation? If you do not like our politicians being in contact with GWC and in favour of GWC proposals do not vote for them next election. Better yet, remind us at the next election just in case we forget. This way they may not get re-elected.
Re: Kathleen’s point – riding through the slings of life – I hardly saw that as a reason to become an addict – if you wanted real tragedy I gave her an example.
Addicts come in all shapes and sizes – both poor poor and wealthy. I drew my reference from seeing a number of spoiled and lazy kids growing up to be spoiled, lazy and addicted adults.
Well perhaps you should have grown up where I did. In the papers outlined as the worst area of Toronto to grow up in. Growing up there I personally found working families albeit of lower income, myself I began work at age 12 going full time at 15. In that job I met many people working on a progressive addiction problem as they frequented the business mostly from working class families. Opposite end of the scale our upbringing. My mother was pleased none of her children became “guests of the state” as she became sole carer after the early death of my father.
Today I wonder if they come from inadequate parents whether rich or poor, parenthood can not be licensed and is often entered into for selfish reasons.
I stated when you take an important position such as mayor you should be commited. His current situation has been ongoing, is nothing new and was part of his life even when he threw his hat in the ring. Have you seen the latest Rebel News story posted on YouTube on Cobourg? The residents including you have stated they want a strong stance against the addicts roaming our streets which some of the other councillors direction which the mayor is leaving to make decisions has indicated they would rather go with GWC and tiny homes. As for the rest of it I will leave it to you to bugle before the next election, seems more your style.
Shame on you, Cleveland has tried and is trying to clean up the mess.
Never said he hadn’t stood for stronger policies Sandy – but now he is taking a back seat leaving the continuation of dealing with Brookside to Councillors in favour of GWC and its policies. A commitment is a commitment. No shame on me Sandy – just shame on how you perceive a man who steps down on a commitment.
Dave your remarks are of no value. Do you have any idea of how your reasoning is derogatory towards achieving fairness to all?
Reread the comments! Cleveland is NOT ‘stepping down’. It’s been self-explanatory.
How lucky for your non-commital lifestyle. Wait…maybe you don’t understand commitment?
Run for council! Maybe your commitment will be tested, and remember…no hiding!
Exactly what derogatory remarks have I made JanB? I find your comments with regard to myself personally derogatory. non-committal lifestyle?, don’t understand commitment? I will not waste my time outlining my accomplishments to you JanB – I haven’t seen any you have listed a about yourself that are honourable – just an ability to throw insulting, unjustified barbs. So tell me what derogatory remarks have I made? I suggested if the man is have trouble honouring his commitment perhaps he should step down.
He is not stepping down or back, chill out
22 GRAND OPENINGS Show me ?
Tattoo shops a 5 th coffee shop & Bakery- someone won’t survive , More used Clothing & Junk stores
How about all the Closures and Collapsed Business in the last 24 months Never counted
The 4 Down town Development Projects have been on the Planning Dept books for nearly 15 years or more Not New only 1 finalized , the rest still have hurdles to over come Besides No ones running the Planning Dept now , And just announced quietly last wk 4 of our local Drs are opening a practice in Ajax and
they have handed out new Business Cards advised their Patients that they will have to travel if they want to keep seeing their present Physicians .
We need a Mayor with actual Management Experience , Maturity and Dedication to the Job
Who on Council can fill those shoes ? or wants to
Who is next in line? DM. To me that is more of a concern.
Never heard about our doctors leaving. Who are they???
Just Google Durham Spine & Pain Institute
Its new Just opened in Ajax and the 4 Drs are listed
They have advised several friends their patients that they will have to travel
for treatment in order to retain any of these Drs they were requested to sign up
if interested in continued service
I tried Googling as you suggested. They appear to have only 5 doctors listed on staff and a quick search has only one of them (Macpherson) with Cobourg connections. Are you sure there are four?
Thanks, but never heard of any of them.
When a small Town has to fork over a huge chunk of their revenue on its own Police Force then rents on businesses go up, taxes go up, residents must pay for their own parking in their own town. And businesses end up closing or they leave town.
Finally, under Lucas as mayor, have saner and fiscally responsible heads prevailed and people are opening a door to discuss police amalgamation
Along with Lucas’s achievements that Sonya listed earlier, I personally wish him all the best in his mayoral goals, and at providing job sucurity to staff in his private business.
Perhaps the Mayor would be willing to reduce his town paycheque by an appropriate portion during his escape to “business” requirements. Seems fair to me.
Other Councilors own businesses, why would you suggest that Lucas reduce his salary? It would be more appropriate that ALL Councilors take the same reduction then.
You’d have to ask Adam and Aaron for years of back pay then.
Good idea.
First of all – part-time pay equals part-time workers and really with what our Mayor and Councillors are paid we can’t expect them to work full time on Council duties unless they are already retired and have supplemental pensions. Mayor Cleveland has a young family to support and a retail business that he needs to attend to! Maybe the Mayor’s part-time return to his retail business will require our VERY highly paid and frequently absent Chief Administrative Officer Ms Vaughn to actually become a FULL-TIME CAO who spends her time in the office actually “administrating!!”and less time on vacation and/or sick/personal leave and the multitude of conferences she attends!
He should have thought about that when he decided to run for mayor. As mayor, he should divest himself of financial interests in the community to avoid even the appearance of conflict of interest.
And what about the other councilors that already have a business. Are they to quit their positions or sell their businesses.
Borys,
How ridiculous many Councilors have businesses!!!!
We sure don’t have the CAO like have had in the past. I often wonder what we benefited from Sri Lanka and India for our town. I am not sure how much best interest MS Vaughan has input community or is it just a job to her
This could be a concern for Cobourg. Too many dogcatchers with detrimental “progressive ideologies” oozing from their pores.
Yes, so all we are left with are councilors with damaging “progressive” (super far left) ideas. Beatty, bureau and Burchat.
I believe they were voted into office by Cobourg residents legally how many times?
Perhaps a reflective look in the mirror by those who enabled those results should be taken.
Always thought Mr. Cleveland was in over his head. Hope he is taking a pay cut to “part time” wages while he tends to his business.
There is more than Lucas who has a business and is a Councilor. They should all take a pay cut.
Totally rude comment and uncalled for!
Feels premature to tout achievements.
(could not download compete statement – link missing)
Link is now fixed – thanks for letting me know.
Perhaps it is premature but people have criticized the mayor for not doing anything. Now we know what has happened or can check to see if it is true. We know Beachwalk Flats is active because we can see the construction. 25 James St. East does not look very active. However, there could be lots of planning and approvals happening before construction can begin.