Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland has issued a public statement addressing concerns he says have been raised by residents regarding campaign donations made during the 2022 municipal election.
In the statement, Cleveland said Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty and Councillor Adam Bureau each received campaign contributions of $1,200 from members of the Balder family, the developers behind the proposed 202 Second Street project.
Cleveland characterized the proposed development as controversial and stated that the donations were disclosed through the candidates’ financial filings, as required by law.
The mayor emphasized that he was expressing his own views and noted that municipal rules permit individuals and companies connected to the development industry to contribute to campaigns and seek elected office.
He also stated that councillors are not required to remove themselves from discussions or votes involving donors to their campaigns. However, Cleveland pointed out that Bureau declared a conflict of interest and did not participate in the recent debate involving the 202 Second Street proposal.
Cleveland added that neither the mayor’s office nor municipal staff have the authority to intervene in such matters and encouraged residents with questions to contact individual members of council directly.
The statement also addressed mayoral candidate Max LeMarchant. Cleveland claimed that LeMarchant was the largest overall contributor to five current members of council during the previous election campaign. He further stated that there is nothing improper about developers making campaign contributions within the limits permitted under Ontario law.
The mayor’s statement did not include allegations of any illegal activity, and Northumberland 89.7 FM has not independently verified the claims regarding campaign donations.
