Cobourg’s Council has a total of seven members and Provincial legislation says that if on nomination day (July 27), fewer than 75% are running for re-election, then it is in a “lame duck” position and restrictions apply as to what it can do. So far, Gil Brocanier, Debra McCarthy and Forrest Rowden have declared they are not running so there will be a “lame duck” council on July 27. At the next Council meeting on July 23, it is planned to pass a by-law to delegate the missing authority to CAO Stephen Peacock. The issue has not previously been as big a concern but the period from Nomination day to election of a new council is longer this time than for previous elections.
As far as I can tell, the concern is that Councillors not planning for another term would feel less responsible for their decisions so should not be allowed to make major decisions.
Restricted actions
In the lame duck period, Council cannot:
- Hire or fire employees;
- Sell anything with a value over $50,000
- Make an expenditure of more than $50,000.
The governing Legislation permits delegation to a person or body and that is what the planned by-Law will authorize. So if there are any emergencies, the Town will be able to handle them.
Current Candidates for Council
Those who have currently filed to run (as of 13 July 2018 – not yet certified):
Mayor: John Henderson
Deputy Mayor: No Candidates yet
Councillors:
Adam Bureau
Randy Curtis
Johnny Percolides
Miriam Mutton
Aaron Burchat
Councillors Suzanne Séguin and Brian Darling have not yet declared their intentions. For more on who’s running, see my Municipal election page here. Updated as required.
Links
- Changes in Municipal Governance – 15 August 2017 – first mention of delegation of authority during “Lame Duck” period.
- Proposed By-Law
Print Article:
At the next Council meeting on July 23, it would be a mistake to pass a by-law to delegate the missing authority to CAO Stephen Peacock. A lame duck council is a blessing! At least we won’t have to sit back and watch any more money being squandered while we wait to elect a new, and hopefully better, council. Leave them lame. It will be uplifting for the collective soul of this community. Let’s enjoy it while it lasts!
No need…..Clr Suzanne Seguin is a candidate for Deputy Mayor as of today ! 👍
The Name is Paul Pagniello
Sandy, actually his name is Paul Pagnuelo.
But then maybe it’s close enough for an experienced consultant like you.
l wonder what happened to the gentleman whos name l cannot remember who ran for council and unfortuately did not win a seat in the previous election – he is an accountant l believe and having heard from others he is one of the brightest and best – also how about drafting Lydia Smith – a wow lady who will keep the lame duck council we have at the moment on their toes
Currently no CTA members have indicated that they will run for Council (other than Johnny Percolides). Further, Paul Pagniello ran for Deputy Mayor in 2014 and received only 29% of the total votes (he received 135 more votes than Donna Todd).
Why should any CTA member be delegated with any authority? If the CTA members want to represent the residents then they should run in the upcoming election.
Paul Pagnuelo ran for DM in 2014 and polled second….your point is?
Exactly what authority has been delegated to any CTA member and by whom?
Johnny P may be a CTA supporter…so what. The CTA has over 220 supporters.
All the CTA has done is ask hard thoughtful questions backed by solid research and analysis.
Are you afraid of people who are thoughtful, analytical, don’t accept the status quo and ask that decision making be evidence based?
Is that what you fear, Cobourg Person?
What I fear is the likes of Paul Pagneulo, Bryan Lambert, and any other incapable CTA member being elected to council.
Incapable…How exactly?
A thoughtful question – how about it CP care to share?
Lets hope they can reverse decisions Like the sale of the parking lot by the Post office that no one heard about until after the fact .
A local contractor I know who had been quoting on the Park Theater job along with a electrical and roofing Co. for the owners told me that the second the owner found from out from 1 of his proposed tenants that the parking lot was about to change or even be tied up in construction for a few years they put the project on hold and may have to mothball the whole idea ., as its the only visible and serviceable parking in the area and the tenants he had are wanting out .
There’s an anecdotal, and hard to follow, story if I’ve ever heard one.
If the Park theatre is to be re-developed, it would likely happen in the same time frame as the Queen St development, so why are tenants concerned about lack of parking? The Queen St development will have the same number of public parking spots (about 65) as are currently available. The Park’s owner needs to get the facts instead of relying on rumours.
As if he hasn’t been runnng the show all along…….
Why don’t you run, Bill? I’m not being facetious. You have a strong commitment to this town and could bring another voice to this council.
Did he ever serve on an Advisory Committee?