ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — After six years as a city councillor, Coun. Dave Lane announced on social media Sunday evening he will resign at the end of 2020.
He called it a “very difficult decision.”
He and his wife have one son, and are expecting another baby boy this summer. In preparation for their growing family, Lane said, they purchased a home in Torbay.
“I am moving to another community, so there’s a couple of reasons, then, that I would want to step down.
“One is the reason I’m moving, is because my family is growing and that’s going to be a bit more responsibility, and I want to be able to focus on whatever it is (that) is in front of me, which means I’d have less attention for council.
“The other reason is simply the perception, for sure, of being in one community and working on behalf of another community. I just think it’s the right thing to do.”
[Announcement About My Role On Council] Hi everyone, I have some changes coming in my life that will impact my role on...
Posted by Dave Lane for St. John's on Sunday, February 16, 2020
He said he’s announcing the resignation now to give people plenty of notice, but he will officially step down in December.
That timing also means it would be less than a year left to his term on council, and regulations state that if a resignation takes place with less than 12 months remaining to a councillor’s term, then a byelection is not required.
“A byelection can be very costly – almost $300,000 is my understanding, so I don’t want to put that burden on taxpayers. As well, it can be very distracting for getting work done on behalf of residents. I just feel like for my family and for residents, this is the right decision.”
That will give Lane time to get some more work done on a few projects that are important to him, he said, such as his business support initiative, the bike plan and budget work.
After December, Lane’s chair at the council table will remain vacant until the next election in September 2021.
"I just feel like for my family and for residents, this is the right decision.” — Dave Lane
He said he won’t pursue a seat on Torbay town council, but rather focus on his growing family.
“It’s going to be two young boys that are going to be going to school, maybe joining music, maybe joining sports – that’s where you’re probably going to see me getting re-engaged for the next couple of years as they grow up.
“I’m going to spend the time with them, I’m going to focus on my career outside of public life, and then get back involved with the community with my children.”
Lane said when he first ran for city council, his main pitch was to improve public engagement, and within the first couple of years council formed the public engagement framework. He said that improvement to the decision-making process, as well as “a more open and robust budget process,” are two things he’s most proud of during his time on council.
Twitter: @juanitamercer_
