City administrator opts for retirement

JOHN MOORHOUSE Thursday, August 6, 2009 Penticton Herald:

After 21 years with the City of Penticton, city administrator Leo den Boer is calling it a career. Den Boer, who had been on medical leave since May, has decided against returning to City Hall in order to spend more time with his family and his ranching hobby. Den Boer has held the city‘s top administrative position since December 2002, after earlier serving for 12 years as city clerk. Before moving to Penticton, he served for 10 years as administrator for the City of Merritt. Looking back on his career, Den Boer said Wednesday the completion of the South Okanagan Events Centre -- with extensive funding from non-taxpayer sources -- represents one of the highlights of his three decades in municipal government. He said over the long term, residents will realize what a truly great facility the city has developed, despite the present emphasis on financing. “Unfortunately a lot of people are sort of stuck in the present day,” he said. “They‘ve got to get out of that mindset and start looking towards the future.” While the SOEC is likely to rack up a substantial operating deficit in 2009, den Boer doubts that trend will continue indefinitely. “I think, all things considered, that (events centre) is and will continue to be a fabulous facility,” he said. “My prediction is as soon as this financial downturn reverses, it will be a money-maker. It‘s just a question of time.” He said many overlook the fact that the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and Memorial Arena have been operated at a $500,000 deficit for years.

Among his frustrations were having to deal with city cutbacks during the current recession and the early 1980s. “We have good staff. Some of the criticism about them isn‘t really warranted.” he said. “The current group with the City of Penticton, in my opinion, is the pick of the crop.” Den Boer said his treatment for prostate cancer over the past three months went well and he looks forward to a long retirement. However, he left the door open to possible consulting work in the future in the municipal field. In announcing the administrator‘s retirement decision at the close of Tuesday night‘s city council meeting, acting mayor Garry.Litke said den Boer has served Penticton well over the past 21 years and will be truly missed. “We are sorry that Mr. den Boer is leaving us,” he said. “But we certainly understand that things happen in a person‘s life, so we wish him all the best with his recovery.” Meanwhile, the search for a new administrator/city manager represents a new challenge for council. Dennis Back, former CAO for the District of North Vancouver, has been acting as interim chief administrative officer since May 19 and has agreed to continue in that role for the time being. Litke said a recruitment process will soon be developed in consultation with the city‘s human resources department. He added the process will have to move quickly. “We have to develop a job description and if there are going to be any changes in the job description,” he said. “Dennis has done a really good job filling in, but we need a long-term commitment to the city.”