Duffy resigns as committee chair
Charlottetown councillor steps away from planning committee over health reasons
Charlottetown Coun. Mike Duffy has resigned as chairman of the city’s standing committee on planning and heritage.
In an interview with The Guardian on Tuesday, July 6, Duffy said he is stepping away for health reasons.
“I have medical concerns that are exacerbated, aggravated, by pressure and stress, that sort of thing,’’ Duffy said, declining to go into detail.
“It’s in my best interest to resign from planning board and heritage board and the planning committee.’’
Duffy said he will remain on council as the representative for Ward 3.
He has served as chairman of the committee for the past eight months following a shuffling of the committee chair positions.
Coun. Alanna Jankov has stepped in as the interim chairwoman of the planning committee and will present the committee’s monthly report at the regular monthly meeting of council on July 12.
Then, the interim title comes off.
Mayor Philip Brown said the search for a replacement is already underway.
“Council will have to decide where it goes,’’ Brown said.
“One of the councillors will have to decide if they want the responsibility of being the chair. Coun. Duffy’s health is more important than anything. This is one of these issues where his health has to come first.’’
Duffy said there are some significant issues facing the planning committee that played a factor in his decision.
The city is in the process of renewing its Official Plan. Council also has to deal with the need to create a bylaw governing short-term rentals.
“This is a high-pressure area,’’ Duffy said of sitting on the planning committee, “and you please no one. You cannot please anyone.’’
Duffy said he would consider chairing another one of the 10 standing committees, but it would have to come with a lot less stress.
If no one volunteers to take over as chair of the committee, there is one possible option.
Under former mayor Bill Martin’s leadership between 2014-18, Summerside council chaired planning as a whole.
Summerside council reverted back to a single councillor chairing the committee in 2018.