Cecilia Naismith wrote a story on July 2nd. The headline is telling – “Breaking News – Cobourg Mayor Walks Out of Council Meeting” read it here. Summing it up for the readers: 

Backstory – what has happened since Thursday 26th 2025:

 

• The Mayor calls for the Citizens to fight back against the inactions of the Police Department and the “criminals” who  are terrorising the Community.
• The Chair of the Cobourg Police Services Board, standing next to the Chief of Police say that the Community is safe and call for Unity not Division.
• The Deputy-Mayor, who also sits on the PSB also issues a statement about the need for unity in the Community.

A couple of days later somebody on Council called for a special meeting to discuss the Mayor’s statement because some on Council felt that a public statement should be made by Council amidst the confusion about conflicting positions. Deputy-Mayor Beatty explained – “I did feel that letter spoke on behalf of council, and that letter was unnecessary given the collegial and consensus-building decisions council made the night prior.”

So the Special Meeting, held on Thursday July 3rd, went ahead in open session for 30 minutes but some on Council wanted a more frank discussion between Councillors and the Mayor and felt that such frankness could only be expressed behind closed doors. The Mayor felt that any comments about the letter or his handling of the situation needed to be in public stating, “I have stated clearly I will not be partaking in any closed session because I don’t believe it’s necessary, and I believe the entire Town of Cobourg deserves to hear where each member of this council stands and what issue they take with that letter.”  Cllr Darling was the only member of Council to want an open session, “In the open, for everyone, is a better way to get the message, the true message, out there,” 

A vote was taken to go into closed session and it was reported that as the Yes votes became the majority the Mayor started to pack up his things and readied to leave. As he left his parting comment was telling, “I will pass the chair – enjoy your closed session,”

The unanswered questions:

• Who on Council set up the Special Meeting?
• Just what was it that the members of Council wanted to say to the Mayor? The tone was set by Cllr Bureau who is reported to have said, “Nobody is here to attack anybody – nobody is here to do anything except have a conversation with our mayor about a letter. That’s it. That’s absolutely it,”
• What was the conversation in the closed room when the final motion that was passed, was sugary sweet and non-confrontational. I can just imagine the members of Council probably felt like the dog who caught the car and then didn’t know what to do with it as soon as they got in the back room!.
• Motion made at the end of the meeting: “During the conversation, Council reaffirmed its continued commitment to support a safe community within the Town of Cobourg, including supporting the Mayor and his initiatives, through decisions of Council. This includes continually working collaboratively with the Cobourg Police Service, other levels of government and community partners to work within their respective mandates and responsibilities. Council will continue to listen and work diligently to keep our community safe for everyone.”

This Council brou-hahhah will not die down what with a petition calling for the mayor’s resignation circulating on Change.org read it here and social media lighting up today with an identical letter of support headlined by the image to the left, being signed by more than one person read it here.

 

 

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A collection of footnotes taken from another page detailing the war of words:

Footnote dated 28th June:

• This situation has morphed into something else, other than a rant by the Mayor. His letter, which has been edited and published on the Cobourg News site here, spawned an appeal from the Cobourg Police not to rant about criminals – read it here – the CPS has it under control. In the meantime others have written to the Mayor about his inflammatory and negative language read it here. This affair has legs – stay tuned.

Footnote dated 29th June

• In a battle of duelling letters a letter has been published on the right-wing local ‘hang-’em high’ website. In that vein the letter from Carol Leighton – read it here – leads the cheers for the Mayor’s stance in this issue and takes aim at the letter referenced above. However in this letter Carol Leighton did attack Theresa in a very personal way, this is unacceptable when speaking in a public forum. The distasteful paragraph  has since been edited out.
• Also the Deputy-Mayor – Nicole Beatty, speaking as a member of the Police Services Board has issued a statement read it here calling for unity in the Community.

Footnote dated 30th June

• This affair may have the potential to turn really ugly, in a letter written by Heather Stubbs and put up on Facebook – read it here, she explains her dismay at the attitude and conduct of the Mayor and actually says: “In conclusion, Mayor Cleveland, I would like to compliment you on the success of your Market and Smor business. It’s my favourite place to shop for produce, and there are numerous meals created in your kitchens that I particularly enjoy. However, until I see a recognition in you that everyone, even those who are homeless and suffer from addiction, deserves respect, dignity, and a helping hand when in desperate need, I will not shop at your store, and I will encourage all my friends to do the same.”
• Another letter – from Valerie Rhodes, supporting the Mayor. Read it here.

Footnote dated 3rd July

• Another letter from Lois-Anne Johns where she pledges allegiance to the Mayor read it here. An identical letter has turned up on Facebook but signed by a different person – Margaret Taylor. As I mentioned in a comment if identical letters turn up on the Mayor’s desk will they all carry the same weight or will it be one letter signed by many people – just like a petition!
• Facebook is full of “I support the Mayor” posts and comments; this situation is heating up.

Footnote dated 4th July

• Two more letters from familiar letter-writers, unfortunately one from  Margaret Taylor is so inflammatory that Pete Fisher must have burnt his fingers when receiving it. Read it here
• The other one asks a reasonable question; if local residency qualifications have to be used to dump stuff at the County dump why are local residency rules used to access County social services? Read it here
• The Mayor has issued a statement standing firm in his resolve and explains why he walked out of a Council Meeting. Read it here

I just hope that this does not carry through to its worst conclusion

 

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For those who have not been following the news from America

This image taken from a news site in America shows security personnel handcuffing a disabled person they have deemed to be a criminal. In fact the person was participating in a protest against Medicare cuts.
It is placed here to show the extremes that security forces are going to enforce the law as they see it. “Nobody is above the law and it will be applied equally”

I will continue to monitor and opine.