Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland says he has filed a formal complaint with the Ontario Ombudsman over alleged violations of the Municipal Act involving council members’ communications ahead of an Oct. 13 special meeting.
Cleveland alleges councillors coordinated motions and amendments privately while discussing concerns about the town’s finances and the Cobourg Police Board’s financial oversight.
He says the alleged breaches are documented in public records and meeting video. The complaint asks the ombudsman to review the matter.
Lucas released a public statement on Thursday morning which states in part that:
“In a grossly unprofessional attempt to continue a potential cover-up from the public regarding critical information about the Town of Cobourg and the Cobourg Police Board’s finances, led by Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty and Councillor Adam Bureau (both also sit as the Town of Cobourg’s representatives on the Cobourg Police Board), there were clear and deliberate acts of collusion by Members of Council to privately pre-strategies Motions and Amendments to advance their agenda of silence.”
Nicole Beatty released a brief comment after the statement was released:
“I am fully prepared to work with the Ombudsman’s Office if an inquiry actually occurs.”
The allegations have not been independently verified.
(Richard Evans)
