DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard
BROCK: Township of Brock Mayor Debbie Bath-Hadden is taking a leave of absence from her township duties.
The decision was announced by the mayor in a statement released on Friday, November 20th.
“This morning I notified the Municipal Clerk that I will be taking a medical leave of absence from my role as Mayor of the Township of Brock to focus on my health over the next several months. I am tremendously disappointed that I must take some time to step back and take care of some personal health issues,” the statement read. “At this time, I do not have a timetable for my return, but I can take comfort knowing that the Township is in good hands with Ted Smith as Deputy Mayor, a dedicated Council, and devoted staff looking after the best interests of our community.”
The mayor added she looks forward to resuming her mayoral duties when she is healthy.
Brock council held a closed session meeting on Monday, November 23rd to discuss the mayor’s decision.
“We wish her well in her attempts to get better, and certainly wish her nothing but the best,” Regional Councillor and deputy mayor Ted Smith said, at a council meeting later in the day.
Mayor Bath-Hadden has only chaired one virtual council meeting since September 21st.
In late October, the mayor provided an update on her health condition, after going to a hospital in late September for what she described as “a pain and breathing issue.”
“I was diagnosed with severe back pain at that time, through EMS and the [emergency room] doctors. I experienced two or three days of back and forth. They kept me for a couple days to find out that I’m experiencing acute pneumonia,” she said, at the time.