Bruce Walkinshaw - Penticton Western News Published: July 31, 2010 7:00 AM
Penticton council is close to finding a new Chief Administrative Officer. Speaking with the Western News Monday, Mayor Dan Ashton said that after receiving 175 applications for the job, council is getting ready to start conducting in-person interviews with shortlisted candidates. "It is going good," said Ashton of the process. "We are hoping to start personal interviews very quickly and then we will take it to the next step. "This is an incredibly important hire for the city and the appropriate time will be dedicated to make sure every shortlisted applicant is given a good opportunity. We want to make sure that we hire the right person."Ashton said council is looking for an administrator with a broad base of ideas and experiences and an open mind. "We are looking for leadership. We are looking for integrity. We are looking for somebody who brings new ideas and new ways that are not status quo," said Ashton. "We want a good communicator and we want somebody that is community orientated because being involved in the community is really important."
Hired on an interim basis in May 2009 to fill-in for former administrator Leo den Boer who had fallen ill, current CAO Dennis Back was eventually contracted for one year when den Boer retired. Back's contract is up in September. "Mr. Back has done an incredible job not only helping council but helping the city get back on track and get a lot accomplished during his time," said Ashton. "He was able to step into the position at a full run while there were some substantial changes taking place at the city. He stepped up in a difficult time and has done an absolutely exemplary job. Ashton described Back as prompt, efficient and extremely courteous and said that he will be missed
1 comment:
175 applicants....I thought there was a real shortage of these characters. That's the line we hear all the time, which of course justifies the huge salaries for senior civic admin types.
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