First term councillor Marcus Tignanelli has resigned from council effective immediately.
"It is with an emotional and heavy heart that I announce my resignation as Councillor for the City of North Bay effective immediately," he announced on his website.
"It was a tough decision," Tignanelli told BayToday.
He says the resignation occurred because he is taking a new economic development officer job with the City of North Bay starting September 13th.
Tignanelli points to the success of growing arts and culture in the city as his proudest moment on council plus accelerating active transportation by implementing the completion of the Kate Pace Way, the addition to on-street bike lanes and the promotion of safe and active transportation methods.
"Working with our arts and culture community members we successfully implemented a Public Art Policy as well as 2 high engagement art commissions in the now annual Traffic Box program," he said.
"t is my sincere hope that my leadership, dedication, and heart have inspired future generations of leaders to put the weight of our community on their back. I hear all the time that it “must take tough skin” and the truth of the matter is it is indeed a painful and thankless position in which you are constantly tested to remain stoic. The comments, negativity, accusations and stress are all worth it because at the end of the day your voice will bring about the change you wish to see in the world."
Tignanelli was elected as a rookie councillor in 2018 as a 22 year old "with big dreams, a burning desire to make the world a better place and a passion to grow the most beautiful place in the world, The City of North Bay," he adds.
"The tears of overwhelming joy the evening I was elected by the citizens of North Bay was the single greatest moment in my life, what was once a longshot bid to inspire a community that I would bring about change became reality. Over the last 3 years, we have endured many trivial and joyous times together as citizens of this community.
"Admittedly there have been many times of great difficulties as we struggle with the effects of the opioid crisis, lack of affordable housing, a rapidly changing climate, distrust in government and the cynicism and destruction of community spirit due to social media. We have made it increasingly acceptable to sit back and judge others without self-reflection and considerations of their efforts and emotions. It is time for all of us to look in the mirror; reflect, seek to understand others perspectives and show mutual respect for opposing opinions. We live in one of the greatest democracies the world has known, we cannot take this for granted.
"I am thrilled to join the City of North Bay’s
Economic Development team as its newest innovator, creator, and teammate. Business retention and expansion, attraction and development of new industries, businesses and services for the purpose of expanding our economy of the community, have been the focus of my time while on Council. From hosting networking events in our urban centers, to speaking as a keynote at economic conferences and networking abroad for the purpose of foreign direct investment I have been dedicated to providing local employment opportunities and strengthening the property tax base of the City.
The annual salary range for the non-union position is $69,157 to $86,438.
The posting reads, "The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of Economic Development, the North Bay economy and Northern Ontario. With relevant post-secondary education and a minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years on the job experience, or an acceptable combination of formal education and related experience, the candidate will be accustomed to working in the field of economic development and ideally has obtained, or be presently working towards, his/her professional designation in Economic Development. Bilingualism is considered an asset."
If council follows the precedent of picking the next highest vote-getter in the last election, Ed Valenti will soon be North Bay's newest councillor, finishing 12th in the 2018 election.
The last vacancy, caused by the sudden death of Mike Anthony, was filled by 11th place finisher George Maroosis.
