Petrolia Councillor Wade Deighton is taking a three-and-a-half month absence from his elected position.

Council gave approval for the move at the Dec. 13 council meeting.

“I’ve been offered an opportunity at work to further my career and have decided that the opportunity is too good to pass up,” Deighton who works in the petrochemical industry. 

“Unfortunately, it does take me away from my duties here at Petrolia. So, I do request a leave of absence I’ll be gone from basically the end of December until sometime in mid April.”

Council approved the request which Mayor Brad Loosley says is the maximum allowed under Ontario’s Municipal Act. The leave cannot be extended and should Deighton need more time, the seat would become vacant just five months before the next election.