Not so fast, councillor told
Mayor says he needs doctor’s letter before clearing Eddie Rice to resume duties
“I have had a discussion with Mr. Rice and I have advised him that since he did go out on medical leave I now need some type of letter from his doctor saying that he is clear to resume his duties as a member of Charlottetown city council.” Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee
Charlottetown Coun. Eddie Rice hasn’t been cleared for duty on council yet, says Mayor Clifford Lee.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, Rice proclaimed himself fit to return to city council after suffering a serious head injury a couple of months ago. Rice said he was returning to his duties as chairman of the Water and Sewer Utility committee.
On Wednesday, Lee said Deputy Mayor Mike Duffy remains chairman of the committee, at least for now. Duffy was vicechair before Rice took a leave of absence from council on Sept. 22.
“I have had a discussion with Mr. Rice and I have advised him that since he did go out on medical leave I now need some type of letter from his doctor saying that he is clear to resume his duties as a member of Charlottetown city council,’’ Lee said.
“Once I have that letter, then, at that point and time, I will be able to adjust the standing committees of council again. But, as of (Wednesday) Deputy Mayor Duffy continues to chair the Water and Sewer Utility and Mr. Rice is not on any committees of council. I’m waiting for that letter.’’
Rice was at City Hall on Wednesday. When The Guardian informed him of the mayor’s comments, Rice said the doctor’s letter is being taken care of.
“It’s in the mail,’’ Rice said. Rice said his head injury happened after he took the medical leave on Sept. 22 to deal with personal and family issues.
And, his leave came one week after Holland College issued a statement saying Rice was involved in an altercation in July with an employee at the school that resulted in a stay-away order.
“I’m not trying to be difficult,’’ Lee said.
“I’m just saying that, realistically, you can’t go out on medical leave in today’s workplace and just reappear and say ‘I’m good to come back now,’ especially when you’ve been on an extended leave.
“As was indicated in The Guardian, Eddie suffered a serious head injury and we need to be assured that his doctor says he’s been cleared to resume duties and, as of yet, I don’t have that letter.’’