Mayor denied two full-time jobs

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- The mayor of St. John's, Newfoundland, has been forced to resign, as the provincial premier won't let him have two full-time government jobs.

Mayor Andy Wells announced at a council meeting Monday night he would step down March 3, the same day he becomes chief of the Public Utility Board for Newfoundland and Labrador, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., reported Tuesday.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams announced his appointment to the board but nixed Wells' publicized statement last week that he would work both jobs until September to avoid the expense of a by-election for a new mayor, the report said.

Wells said he would be saving the city an estimated $400,000 by avoiding the by-election, but the premier issued an ultimatum, the report said.

In his announcement, Wells was critical of several of his opponents on the council.

"Look, there's five, I can guarantee you, that I will miss like the bubonic plague," Wells said. "But I certainly will miss the interactions with the public."