BARRIE - Ward 9 Coun. Andrew Prince has decided to take a leave of absence.
Charged with assault in relation to an Aug. 14 incident, Prince is to appear in court March 8 for a pretrial.
The 30-year-old south-end councillor has missed several key meetings, including the last-two in which politicians reviewed and approved the 2010 budget and 2.3-per cent tax increase. The Heritage Barrie chairperson also missed a meeting when several owners of heritage buildings told council they opposed their properties being added to a heritage register.
His duties have been divvied up among his colleagues.
Taking over some of his busiest committees is Ward 10 Coun. Alex Nuttall.
Nuttall has rescheduled the Heritage Barrie meeting for tonight, joined the Development Services Committee, become involved in the Barrie Public Library’s Branching Out campaign for the Painswick branch, and the Barrie Farmers’ Market committee.
Ward 8 Coun. Jerry Moore adds the PowerStream board of directors to his slate that includes the Barrie Police Services Board and the finance committee. Ward 4 Coun. Barry Ward adds the finance committee to his agenda. Ward 7 Coun. John Brassard joins the chamber of commerce board, as well as the local doctor recruitment committee.