It’s been about half a year since the Mayor of Cobourg has grabbed hold of his Strong Mayor Powers (SMP) with both hands and never let go. The Toronto Star has published an exhaustive report (read it here) (if the article is behind a paywall click here) on how the SMPs have been used by...
One month into the election cycle and we have little to go on as to the direction of the electorate in Cobourg. Checking the official website here we find one candidate for mayor one for Deputy and seven for five Councillor positions. Only Brian Darling, of the incumbents, has failed to file. He told me...
Where is this place – The Nature Park – in the newly released Park & Recreation Master Plan? The BurdReport has posted on this topic in the past – three times in fact: January 11th 2025 – “An opportunity for Local Democracy” May 12th 2025 – “How to Bury Activism“ August 9th 2025 – “Failure...
Welcome to Cobourg, Chief! Judging by the comments on the “Cobourg News” site it will be a mixed welcome. But as we hear you are going to move to Cobourg, hello to you and your family. As you have probably not been here before you have no preconceived notions of Cobourg life “As it used...
The Deputy wants to be the “Big Cheese”! Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty has decided to run in the Mayor’s race in Cobourg’s 2026 Municipal Election. Issuing a statement read it here she says she intends to file on May 1st. It should be noted that the present Mayor has told various people that he wants...
It’s 2026 now – HAPPY NEW YEAR – it had better be better than 2025; the nasty year. It will be it’s Election Year! – Ontario Municipals and the US Midterms. Here in Cobourg the electioneering wishers have been all over some members of the existing Council and pledging not to vote for them –...
………For all of those who want to be in the debate about the unhoused in our community. Chance Brown, a local activist in the unhoused community has posted these explanations of the way the ECE bylaw works against basic Human Rights and the mandate of providing a safe haven for the unhoused. A Rule against...
In new blogpost from Brighton Councillor Jeff Wheeldon he explains a couple of things that have happened lately and gives an excellent narrative and explanation why Cobourg’s ECE bylaw prevents proper operation of any warming room located in Cobourg. But more than anything he states very firmly why he is correct in speaking out against...
We don’t care how much or how many “Cover Your Ass” statements (CYA) Cobourg Council issues anybody who condones or supports sleep deprivation is clearly guilty of torture! A Special Meeting of Council was held on Friday 12th December to address the many emails and calls that members of Council had received about the policy...
When Systems Go Bad The topic of the unhoused and the lack of a realistic warming room has just been reignited by a very good blog post which references a letter addressed to the County Council from Brighton Cllr Jeff Wheeldon. Mr. Wheeldon, obviously writing as a troubled private person and not in his Councillor...