Sherman R. Frederick
Novato Advance
Rookie City Council member Amy Peele dropped a bombshell at the last Novato City Council meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 14). She said she quits because the job is too stressful.
She told her colleagues and the public via a Zoom Council meeting that when she was elected in 2019 she knew the job would be difficult. “I had every intention to complete my term. I am not a quitter,” she said.
But, “the intense stress and demands of this position in the current climate have severely affected my mental and physical health.”
“I am unwilling to subject myself to it (stress) any longer.”
In particular, she cited the Brown Act and the COVID shutdown for creating a situation in which elected leaders are placed in a “silo.” The Brown Act prevents elected leaders from meeting privately and making decisions out of the public eye. COVID restrictions have curtailed in-person public meetings.”
“I’ve only had three in-person meetings since I was elected,” Peele said. It has restricted collaboration.
On top of that, she cited the lack of civility in the public square.
“Equally difficult have been dealing with the constant name-calling, vitriol, shaming and toxic comments and emails from members of our community. We need to do so with more civility,” she said.
She thanked her colleagues and the city staff for their professionalism. She said her resignation was “effective tonight,” but did not specify a time. She continued to vote on items before the Council, but no vote was close enough to call into question the timing of her resignation — was it after the meeting, or at the time of her announcement?
Peele represents District 5, which includes the Hamilton area and Bel Marin Keys. Her term expires in 2024. Replacing Peele will be discussed at the next Council meeting, which is on Oct. 28.
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