Baie-D’Urfé mayor steps down, calling it ‘difficult decision’ during second coronavirus wave

Maria Tutino, the mayor of Baie-D’Urfé, is resigning from her position as the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

In a letter published to the town’s website, Tutino said she had already planned not to seek re-election but the health crisis required her to “change the timing” of her departure from municipal politics.

“The needs of my family, since July 2018, have grown substantially and with COVID-19 the demands on my time are even more significant,” she said in the statement.

“My family’s needs are now such that they require more and more of my attention leaving less time to properly manage and deal with the matters and issues of the town and of council.”

Tutino described the decision as difficult but said she has been honoured to serve as mayor of the West Island town for 15 years. She says her last day will be Nov. 9.

“I have thought long and hard for the past few months as to whether I could continue doing justice to my job as the mayor of this special town while devoting the necessary time to my family during a second wave,” she said. “I have concluded that I cannot do so.”

Beny Masella, the mayor of Montreal West and president of the Association of Suburban Municipalities, told Global News he was saddened to hear Tutino is leaving office but he completely understands her decision.

“And knowing Maria as I do, I’m sure she realized she could not devote the time she needed to satisfy the needs of her job and of her family. In that case, the decision is clear,” he wrote.

Masella decribed Tutino as a friend, mentor, trusted counsel and confidante over the years.

“I know her love for her town and residents as demonstrated by her work over these 15 years as mayor,” he said.

— With files from Global News’ Gloria Henriquez