Mayors on the north and south shores of Joyce’s Bay of Islands district are taking a wait-and-see approach with the news about their MHA.
Mount Moriah Mayor Joe Park said he is a Conservative but has known Joyce all his life and voted for him.
“I have never known Eddie to be a bully or someone who harasses people,” said Park. “He is innocent until proven guilty, which is the way it should be. We’ll have to wait and let this investigation play out.”
On the north shore, the mayor of Irishtown-Summer side would say little more than he was surprised to hear of the allegations against Joyce.
Like Park, Tony Blanchard said he will be following what transpires from here.
“It will be interesting to see how it unfolds,” said Blanchard.
Neither of the mayors had concerns about how the district will be represented during the investigation, nor the municipal affairs portfolio from which Joyce has been removed from for the time being.
“I think Eddie has done a fantastic job as our MHA and will continue to do so during this,” said Park.
Justice Minister Andrew Parsons will be taking on the responsibilities of handling the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment.
“I think the department is in good hands with Andrew Parsons,” said Blanchard.
