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'Returning to family and friends'

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Mayor John Lessif may well speak in greater depth on his decision to step down during his final council meeting on April 28.

But in the interim, Tillsonburg’s mayor spoke briefly to its core.

“This is all about returning to my family and friends,” said Lessif Monday morning inside his office on the second floor of the Town Centre Mall.

The mayor announced his resignation from the position with the Town of Tillsonburg, effective April 30, 2014 in a letter addressed to Tillsonburg's council, CAO, clerk and citizens dated April 4.

"After much deliberation, I have made this decision for personal reasons related to my family," Lessif stated in the letter. "During my lifetime, my family has always been a number one priority in the decisions I have made over the years. It is no different today, thus I am listening to the 'voices' around me."

A copy of the letter was emailed to media at about 5 p.m. on Friday.

"This has been an incredible journey serving proudly as the mayor of the Town of Tillsonburg," Lessif wrote in his resignation letter. "It is an honour and privilege to have served with pride the Town of Tillsonburg in this capacity."

Lessif, a retired businessman, was elected in 2010 when he unseated incumbent Stephen Molnar.

In his letter, Lessif thanked those who expressed confidence by voting for him, to town staff and to fellow members of council, closing with: "I have given it my best each day and have no regrets."

Lessif also clarified Monday his decision was not due to any negative health issues.

“I’ve had a lot of inquiries. Fortunately, there are no health issues for either myself or my family.”

Lessif’s experience as mayor ‘enriched his life,’ via a new group of friends sharing a common goal of getting things done, in part through ‘healthy, strong relationships.

“It’s been great to be part of that,” said Lessif.

Over the weekend following announcement of his upcoming resignation, Lessif said he received many phone calls and emails from those in the community, at the county level and with SCOR, from people he has worked alongside or been on committees with.

“It’s always a humbling experience when people go out of their way to say thanks and support the decision you made.”

And in closing Monday, Lessif reiterated the key to that very decision.

“It’s time for me to get back to my family,” he concluded, adding with a laugh, “I’m not so sure they’re going to like it – but I’m going to be around more.”

 

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