THUNDER BAY -- Long-time city councillor Trevor Giertuga is citing health reasons for taking a two-month leave of absence from city council.
Giertuga, in a memo to the city clerk's office, says he'll be off the job from March 1 to May 3.
"My duties as an elected official for the City of Thunder Bay are very important to me. I want to reassure constituents that I do not take this time away from my duties lightly and am proceeding because it's required," Giertuga writes in the memo.
"In my absence, I would welcome constituents to contact any at-large members of council if they have questions or concerns and thank my fellow at-large councillors for their continued service to our community."
Giertuga was first elected to council in 2000 and served as the McIntyre Ward representative through the 2018 municipal election, when he switched over to the at-large race.
He is the longest-serving current city councillor.
Councillors, under the Municipal Act, are allowed up to a three-month leave of absence, with pay.
