Cobourg taxpayers should be deeply troubled by the recent display of political posturing at Town Council.

Mayor Lucas recently prepared a motion requesting the Cobourg Police Service Board to commission an immediate, independent operational and financial review of the Cobourg Police Service. The scope was straightforward and necessary: examining staffing levels, supervisory ratios, civilian vs. sworn officer ratios, court security costs, facilities, fleet, and the net contribution of the Business Centre. Crucially, it sought to clearly distinguish mandatory provincial policing costs from local discretionary spending.

Yet, not a single Councillor had the courage to second the motion. By refusing to second it, Council blocked even the possibility of a public debate and vote.

Seconding a motion is not an endorsement. It simply opens the floor for debate, public scrutiny, and potential amendments. A councillor can second a motion, point out its flaws, and still vote against it. By refusing to second the Mayor’s motion, Council didn’t just reject a review. They shut down a public debate on millions of taxpayers’ dollars.

Why? Seven months into the fiscal year, reports show police spending is already $1.2 million over budget, putting the Service on track for a potential $2 million (14%) overrun by year-end. This comes directly on the heels of a 20 percent budget increase this year alone. Ignoring these figures isn’t fiscal responsibility; it is a clear dereliction of duty.

It appears several Councillors prioritized political friction with the Mayor over doing the right thing for residents. With municipal elections on the horizon, one must ask if members of Council are simply trying to avoid answering for why they approved a 20 percent budget hike in the first place.

If this financial trajectory continues unexamined, Cobourg citizens must brace for another significant hit to their property taxes. Residents deserve representatives who prioritize sound fiscal governance over personal squabbles. Mayor Lucas may not always play the popularity game, but he demonstrated a willingness to tackle tough financial realities. The remaining members of Council failed to do the same.

Shame on them. We only hope that Cobourg voters are smart enough to remember this silence when they head to the polls.

Dennis Nabieszko
Cobourg ON