Cobourg Mayor Issues Statement Following Northumberland County Warden’s Statement

In Local

Friday, January 30, 2026
Statement from the Office of the Mayor
I have never directly said or inferred ever the sentiments attributed to me by Northumberland County Warden Bob Crate and Acting CAO Glenn Dees.

My remarks have always been in regard to actual criminal activities as defined under both Federal and Provincial legislation.

The patently ridiculous conflagration to say I have called all social service workers as “criminal enablers” or to say I have “inferred” ever in a single public instance that those “people accessing social services are all criminals” is not only wholly false and an outright lie, but is libelous.

Never have I, at any point in my life, called for, to use the term in their statement “widespread investigations.”

Again, not only is this not true, but hyperbolic fantasy.

I challenge County communications staff who presumably drafted this so-called statement to show proof that I have said these things.

I will immediately be exploring all means of redress.

I will ask the Warden and Acting CAO Dees and County Communication Staff to immediately cease and desist from making any further such egregiously false and misappropriate statements.

Unfortunately, this personal attack against my character, in my humble opinion, is more about my refusal to accept what has happened to Cobourg around encampments, also criminal drug activity, and the previous operations of 310 Division St.

All of which I have fought against frankly at times at great personal cost. Aside from the obvious personal antipathies against me by certain members of County Council and certain department staff I will not be bowed by bullying or any childish intimidation ploys.

I personally believe this “statement” is more about a subversive electioneering tactic wrapped in false self-righteous indignation to try to create an outcome of the election of a Mayor of Cobourg, some at Northumberland County would prefer.

To those County Councillors who reached out to me to express dismay and sympathy at this disturbing “statement”; I thank them.

Lucas Cleveland
Mayor of Cobourg

Northumberland County Responds to Cobourg Mayor’s Interview with Today’s Northumberland

Pete Fisher
Author: Pete Fisher

Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love

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