Ottawa mayor's chief of staff quits

The chief of staff to Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien has announced heis about to resign.

Walter Robinson, who is just six months into his two-year contract,saidhe plans toleave the jobat the end of July.

Both Robinson and O'Brien cited differences of opinion as a factor in the "mutual" decision.

"Larry has a very focused business background that I'm not used to," Robinson told reporters on Wednesday.

He added that the mayor's agenda has now moved into the implementation stage.

"I totally agree and fully support his agenda going forward in what he wants to do We've had some disagreements on the how, not the what," he said.

Theskill set needed to help the mayorat this stage is differentfrom the one he himself has developed in 20 years of mainly political work, he added.

'The reality is the team that the mayor brought in to accomplish his objective just lost one of its star players.' Coun. Alex Cullen

Robinson is the former head of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, a group that lobbies for reduced taxes and accountability in government. O'Brien hiredhim in November, two weeks after being elected mayor on a promise to freeze taxes forfour years.

In response to reporters' questions, Robinson said his resignation has nothing to do withan ongoing Ontario Provincial Police investigation intobribery accusations against O'Brien, and that he was not pushed out.

Mayor hopes to stay friends

O'Brien said he wasannouncing Robinson's resignation"with a sad heart."

"I think Walter feels that he's accomplished quite a bit and think he's off to other challenges," said O'Brien, whotold reporters thatdifferences of opinion are bound to happen "when you have two alpha males in the office."

He added hehopes to maintain hisfriendship with Robinson.

Councillors said they were shocked by Robinson's departure and didn't see it coming.

Coun. Alex Cullen said the event does not bode well for the mayor's agenda.

"The reality is the team that the mayor brought in to accomplish his objective just lost one of its star players," he said.