THUNDER BAY – As Thunder Bay city council reconvened for their first meeting in three weeks, they did so without the mayor.
The Monday night meeting was the first since mayor Keith Hobbs – along with his wife Marisa – was criminally charged with one count each of extortion and obstructing justice, which was announced by the OPP last Friday.
Hobbs on Friday announced he would be taking an indefinite leave of absence, resulting in a trio of councillors stepping in as acting mayor for the coming months.
“The acting mayor system is entrenched in our bylaws and has been in place for many, many years. Council, by resolution, appoints the acting mayors for the year,” Coun. Trevor Giertuga, the acting mayor for July, said prior to the start of the council meeting.
Coun. Linda Rydholm is scheduled to serve as acting mayor during August with Coun. Joe Virdiramo in line to assume the role for September.
The charges against the mayor are not related to municipal business, Giertuga added.
Under the provincial Municipal Act, every member of council has the right to take a leave of absence for up to three months.
“As the mayor works through this personal matter, city council commits to our citizens and our community to work together to cover the duties and responsibilities of the mayor,” Giertuga said. “We are working with administration to cover the meetings, appointments and events in the mayor’s calendar.”
There will be no additional cost to taxpayers, Giertuga emphasized.
“There is no change in our remuneration for acting mayor duties,” Giertuga said. “There is no increased pay or benefit for these extra duties.”
