Councilman takes leave to work cruise ship

Langley City Councilman Doug Allderdice is cruising away from his elected duties over the next few months.

Allderdice, who is a physician, will be serving as a doctor at sea starting later this fall when he works aboard a cruise ship chartered for the University of Pittsburg's Semester at Sea.

To take the position, Allderdice asked the council and Mayor Lloyd Furman on Aug. 21 for permission to miss a number of future meetings. The council granted his request. To maintain a quorum, at least three of the remaining members of the council must attend meetings at which Allderdice is absent.

Allderdice said working on the Semester at Sea is a dream job he has wanted for some time.

"I've just been sitting on their doorstep," he said.

Allderdice has worked as a doctor aboard cruise ships in the past, but this is his first time working shipboard for the University of Pittsburg.

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