Cobalt Mayor And Council

Mayor – Angela Adshead

I was born, raised, went to school, and came back to retire here in Cobalt in 2016.

I moved away in 1991 for school and afterwards stayed in Southern Ontario where I had a career that allowed me to gain experience and insight into many different areas including Municipal, Provincial, and Federal Government.  I also have a background in Legal Administration and currently operate a small bookkeeping business.  All of this will be very useful experience to draw on when making decisions.

When I came back in 2016 I bought a house on Cobalt street where I spend a lot of my time on the veranda with my companion dog Mork, when weather permits. I especially love looking out over our wonderful town as I enjoy my morning coffee and watch the sun rise over the hill while the birds begin their day singing.

I am very approachable, so if anyone has concerns or ideas and would like to discuss them, feel free to drop by the office on Thursdays, between one and two or  contact the town office and leave a message and I will contact you.

I do take my oath of office very seriously and will always do my best for ALL residents of Cobalt and the wonderful Town of Cobalt that we all call home.

Email: aadshead@cobalt.ca

Councillor Pat Anderson

I first discovered Cobalt and fell in love with our wonderful mining history back in the 60’s when I picked up a tourist brochure called “Cobalt, the Town that Silver Built”. Twenty years later, after a varied career in teaching and geophysical research, I arrived at the Cobalt Resident Geologist’s office to research the mining history of all the Cobalt Silver Camp mines and townships.

During that time, we also designed and opened the Heritage Silver Trail sites. Subsequently, I moved to the town office to continue tourism development primarily in Cobalt and also throughout the Tri-Towns.

I’ve served on a number of Councils over the years as well as volunteering for many organizations.

Highlights include over 20 years with the Cobalt Mining Museum and Miner’s Festival, the Cobalt Historical Board, the revitalization of The Bunker, the Cobalt Legion, the Golden Age Club, the Cobalt Food Bank, Science North Board, Nordic Ski Club Board and the initial development of the Pavillion Women’s Centre.

Cobalt is my forever home.

Email: panderson@cobalt.ca

Councillor Rene Lafleur

Rene Lafleur came from Windsor  in 2001 to teach Transport Driving.  He taught at 5th Wheel for 5 years.

He drove a truck for 39 1/2 years, helping out where he was needed.  Rene was president of the Legion in Cobalt during Covid.

He has been retired for 4 years.

Councillor Gary Hughes

Email: ghughes@cobalt.ca

Councillor Angela Hunter

Originally from Salmon Arm BC, I moved to the Temiskaming area in 2013 because it reminded me of home while still having affordable housing.

My education is in geography, economics, environmental studies and education which combine to fuel my interest in sustainable urban planning. For a small town, I believe Cobalt has a history of being ahead of the curve in implementing sustainable initiatives to the overall benefit of the community.

In my personal life I am a mother of 2 young boys, business owner, wanabe cyclist/bike mechanic volunteer, and occasionally find the time to read or listen to audio books about biographies/historic fiction/mysteries.

I look forward to being part of the ongoing development of our town.

Email: athunter@cobalt.ca

Councillor Jim Starchuk

I was born in Hamilton On. Sept 1964 and was placed into a foster home for 8 months awaiting adoption. Rose and Nick Starchuk adopted me and I joined them and their already adopted boy Paul Starchuk and was placed in (at the time) the small village of Waterdown Ontario. In June of 1970 we relocated to Burlington due to my brother Paul’s special needs. I began a musical journey at age 5 with the start of many piano lessons for which I’m very grateful for to this day. I played on a lot of house league sports teams in various different sports types (Hockey being my favourite) this taught me how to work as a team to achieve a common goal.

I attended high school at both Burlington Central and Waterdown District High School and later attended Mohawk College for Applied Music. During the college years I worked as a Lawn and garden maintenance worker which I enjoy doing to this day.

I also spent a lot of time at Grace Anglican church in Waterdown practicing on their pianos and pipe organ during the college years and played various live shows with the Michael Granka band back in the mid to late 80’s which again taught me how to work with others and improvise in the moment . I have also done a lot of studio keyboard work for various local (Southern Ontario) artists at the “Garage Studio” in Waterdown.

I have one very musically talented daughter from a previous marriage whom has had to deal with Cerebral Palsy from the time she was a small child. My brother Paul was recently moved from Community Living in Burlington to Central West Developmental Services in Oakville On.

I have had many different kinds of work experiences but some of my long-term employment was with companies such as The Toronto sun newspaper as a District manager (10 years) and Schneider National Carriers (15 years) as an ACZ Licensed driver which included being a trainer both over the road and inhouse.

Currently I am a Transit Bus driver in Temiskaming Shores.

My wife and I own 2 properties in Cobalt, one of them being a rental apartment building. We have a beautiful American Bulldog and a Cat.

Email: jstarchuk@cobalt.ca

Councillor Doug Wilcox

A proud Cobalter, I attended Cobalt Public and High Schools before earning a BA at the University of Waterloo, where I also represented Arts Undergraduates on the University’s Senate and Board of Governors.

There then followed a decade in financial services which included a year of trading on the floor of the Toronto Stock Exchange, and a stock market report on Calgary’s CBC radio.

I then returned to Ontario and Cobalt, where I worked for Community Living and have begun my fourth term on Council. I have two children and one adorable rabbit. My main objectives for this term are to keep taxes as low as possible by reviewing all contracts and expenses to find savings and to repair, maintain, and replace Town assets as required.

Email: dwilcox@cobalt.ca

Committee of Adjustment

A Committee of Adjustment is a municipal body responsible for reviewing and making decisions on minor variances from the local zoning bylaw and consent applications (such as land severances or lot line adjustments). Appointed by the municipal council, the committee evaluates requests that do not fully comply with zoning regulations but still meet the general intent of the bylaw and official plan. Decisions are based on factors like land use compatibility, public interest, and potential impacts on surrounding properties. The committee operates independently, following the Planning Act, and its decisions can be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).

By-Law 2025-05 to appoint person to the Cobalt Committee of Adjustment

Application Form For Boards And Committees

Boards & Committees

The Town of Cobalt, like most other municipalities, could not survive without the tireless efforts of those dedicated individuals who contribute their time and talent to the community. The Town of Cobalt is indebted to these individuals who make us a community to be proud of.

Application Form for Boards and Committees

All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise posted and are held at the Cobalt Community Hall

• April 1, 2025
• April 29, 2025
• May 27, 2025
• June 24, 2025
• July 22, 2025
• August 19, 2025
• September 16, 2025
• October 14, 2025
• November 11, 2025
• December 9, 2025

The meeting schedule is subject to change when necessary.