Charlottetown Coun. Eddie Rice said he not only intends to return to his city council duties, but also re-offer in the November municipal election.
Rice took a medical leave from council on Sept. 22 and hasn’t attended a council meeting since.
In an interview on Wednesday, Rice said he’s also been dealing with other family issues in addition to his own health. The councillor told The Guardian he had a brain bleed last year that led to his medical leave.
“I (recently) went through a whole series of tests and everything (and) I’m back home,’’ Rice said.
“I’m back looking after myself and taking care of everything.”
Mayor Clifford Lee previously told The Guardian council needs a doctor’s letter before Rice will be allowed to resume his duties.
Lee said Wednesday nothing has changed.
“Basically, Eddie is still out on sick leave,’’ the mayor said. “I have yet to receive a letter from a doctor saying that he is able to return to duty.’’
No problem, says Rice.
“I’ll have the letter for Clifford soon. I’m seeing the doctor on Monday. They’re doing a report on my whole condition and the report says that all things are good. I’m making sure that everything is all healed up.’’
Lee said he has run into Rice quite often recently and says Rice’s health seems to have improved.
“I actually met him three weeks ago and I thought he looked really good and was doing extremely well. (We’re) just in a holding pattern waiting for a doctor to forward a letter.’’
Lee said even though Rice has been absent since September, residents in Ward 1, which the councillor represents, haven’t been ignored.
Lee said he and Coun. Kevin Ramsay have each been fielding calls from those residents and any concerns have been taken care of.
In addition, Rice’s duties as chairman of the water and sewer file continue to be handled by Deputy Mayor Mike Duffy, who was Rice’s vice-chairman.
Lee said by city legislation, a councillor is allowed to miss a maximum of three consecutive meetings before they are deemed to have resigned their position. The one exception is if the absence is for an illness. So, Rice’s standing is still considered good.
Lee also confirmed to The Guardian that Rice has been and continues to draw his council salary. Rice’s council salary, which the city defines as his stipend and benefits, is $3,150.56 per month.
“There is no certain time period where the member of council stops drawing his salary. The reality is, the man has an illness,’’ Lee said.
