Adjustment utilizes staff expertise

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - May 02, 2008

There’s been some shifts within administration at Vernon city hall. Kim Flick is the new manager of planing and building services while Rob Dickinson has been named manager of engineering services. Marg Bailey has been appointed as manager of administration services. Mayor Wayne Lippert believes the changes were required if city hall was to meet the needs of a growing community. “With the amount of business we are doing, we found we can promote from within,” he said. Previously, planning, building and engineering were under the supervision of one manager, but that individual recently left city hall for the private sector. Flick, who has been long range planner, will be responsible for planning, building inspections and business licenses. Dickinson, who was a municipal engineer, will look after all matters related to engineering. Leon Gous, chief administrative officer, says the issues surrounding planning, building and engineering are complex and it made sense to tap into the skills of Flick and Dickinson. “Each of them have their own strong professional direction.” “The planning, development and engineering department has, by necessity, been growing in size and scope of work in recent years.” Bailey will continue as deputy chief administrative officer, as well as acting as the new administration services manager. Bailey will be responsible for human resources, information services, corporate services, bylaws, community policing, media relations and real estate services. Gous points out that Bailey has an extensive career with the city and she is highly regarded as an administrator. “We want to make sure things like media relations, bylaws and real estate have good administrative support,” he said.