Longtime Calgary councillor Ray Jones resigns from council citing health concerns

Longtime Calgary city councillor Ray Jones is resigning from council.

In a letter to the city manager dated Oct. 19, the Ward 10 representative says his departure will be effective at the end of the day.

"I am retiring due to health concerns and want to take this opportunity to thank you, administration and the citizens of Calgary for all the wonderful opportunities that I have experienced since becoming an Alderman in 1993," reads the letter.

Jones spent weeks away from council last year after being hospitalized in June. Prior to his return to the council chambers, he toldthe Calgary Herald that he had fallen on his driveway and suffered a concussion and broken ribs.

He said by phone on Monday morning that his health has deteriorated since that time and it wasn't an easy decision to make.

"I've been diagnosed with kidney disease and with Parkinson's," he said.

Jones says his office staff will remain in place to help residents of his ward until the municipal election next year.

He said he has mixed emotions about leaving.

"I'm definitely not going to miss the long meetings," said Jones.

"I was noticing in those long meetings that I was starting to lose concentration. I was oblivious. That was why I decided I'm not doing anybody any good, I'm just doing the motions more or less, so it was time to leave."

He says he has no plans for the near future other than going through a "whole bunch of doctor's appointments that I've got and hopefully get my health back in check."

There is no requirement to hold a byelection this close to the next municipal vote, which is scheduled for Oct. 18, 2021, meaning Jones' seat will remain vacant until that time.