Minister John Ottenheimer to serve as acting Minister of Municipal Affairs

Premier Danny Williams announced today that effective immediately Intergovernmental Affairs Minister John Ottenheimer will serve as acting Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal Affairs, will be on medical leave while recovering from a surgical procedure performed in a St. John�s hospital on Thursday, September 14.

"On behalf of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, I wish Minister Byrne a speedy and complete recovery," said Premier Williams. "Our thoughts are with him during this time, and I encourage him to concentrate on his health and to take all the time he needs for a full recovery."

General inquiries for the Minister of Municipal Affairs should continue to be directed to that department, and media inquiries should continue to be directed to the Director of Communications for the Department of Municipal Affairs.

Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 351-1227, elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
John Tompkins, Municipal Affairs, (709) 729-1983, 690-2498, jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2006 09 15                                 9:45 a.m.