A veteran member of Timmins city council is stepping down.
Coun. Noella Rinaldo made the announcement at the council meeting held Tuesday, Aug. 11.
“I have accepted the role of community economic development at the TEDC (Timmins Economic Development Corporation),” she said. “Because it is a city position, I have to step down from being a councillor.”
Her resignation is effective Sept. 8.
She will also be leaving her current job as executive director of the Downtown Timmins Business Improvement Association.
Rinaldo has been a member of council for 10 years.
“I am very sad to be leaving this position on council, but I will still be able to serve the community,” Rinaldo said. “I’ll miss the other councillors, the mayor and the discussions. We don’t always agree, but we all enjoy working for the good of the city. I think I’ll miss the back and forth of the discussion we have together.
“I’m very thankful to the people of Timmins for giving me that honour. To serve them as a councillor has always been a privilege.”
She is looking forward to her new position with the TEDC.
“Especially at this point in my career, it was the perfect job for me,” she said. “It kind of envelops everything I’ve done — 20 years as an entrepreneur, my work with the BIA for 10 years and being a councillor for 10 years.
“I’m very excited about that.”
Rinaldo also holds a record for city council.
“I’m leaving the legacy of being the longest female councillor on council ever,” she said. “I hope that in the future that record gets broken a few times.”
Members of council offered their heartfelt thanks for her service as an elected official.
“I congratulated her on her new position,” said Deputy Mayor Andrew Marks. “It’s going to be very good for the City of Timmins.
“We’ve been together on council for 10 years. We’ve been together on the BIA for 10 years. I’m sad to lose her as a colleague at the council table. She’s always shot straight from the hip at the council table. This will certainly leave a hole on council.”
A report will be brought back to council at its next meeting detailing the options available to fill the vacant position.
