Lame Duck Council expected on July 27

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.

CAO Stephen Peacock
CAO Stephen Peacock

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.

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Tim
5 years ago

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!

Bill Thompson
Reply to  Tim
5 years ago

No need…..Clr Suzanne Seguin is a candidate for Deputy Mayor as of today ! 👍

sandpiper
5 years ago

The Name is Paul Pagniello

Walter L. Luedtke
Reply to  sandpiper
5 years ago

Sandy, actually his name is Paul Pagnuelo.
But then maybe it’s close enough for an experienced consultant like you.

Mrs Jenkins
5 years ago

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

Cobourg Person
Reply to  Mrs Jenkins
5 years ago

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.

Bryan
Reply to  Cobourg Person
5 years ago

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?

Cobourg Person
Reply to  Bryan
5 years ago

What I fear is the likes of Paul Pagneulo, Bryan Lambert, and any other incapable CTA member being elected to council.

Bryan
Reply to  Cobourg Person
5 years ago

Incapable…How exactly?

gerinator
Reply to  Bryan
5 years ago

A thoughtful question – how about it CP care to share?

sandpiper
5 years ago

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 .

Durka
Reply to  sandpiper
5 years ago

There’s an anecdotal, and hard to follow, story if I’ve ever heard one.

Fact Checker
Reply to  sandpiper
5 years ago

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.

Bill Thompson
5 years ago

As if he hasn’t been runnng the show all along…….

Linda
Reply to  Bill Thompson
5 years ago

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.

Albert
Reply to  Linda
5 years ago

Did he ever serve on an Advisory Committee?