RDNO Managers Retiring

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 28 June 2011 14:26

There will be some big changes to a pair of top staff positions with the Regional District of North Okanagan this fall.  Long time Parks and Rec G-M Al McNiven and Engineering G-M Arnold Badke have both given notice of their plan to retire in September.  The notices come just a couple months after Trafford Hall was hired as the new administrator.  Board chair Herman Halvorson  is not sure if that had anything to do with it, but admits Hall is still being evaluated.  "I guess we'll see. Time will tell. He's on a probationary period and we've got to November 2nd for the board to decide to stay the course he's chosen, or whatever." Halvorson says he hasn't had too much communication with the new administrator, who took over for the retired Greg Betts. Halvorson estimates the Parks and Engineering departments account for 85 to 90 percent of the RDNO budget, meaning they will have big positions to fill.  "We'll have to go out and advertise." Vernon mayor and RDNO director Wayne Lippert says Hall is more hands on with the roles of staff and the politicians, than his predecessor Greg Betts.   "He understands what the roles of staff are, and what the political roles are too. He's just establishing what his job is, and what staff's job is, and what the role of the elected officials are. I welcome that because it brings consistency, and I think that's something we need at the regional district."  Lippert says Betts was perceived as more laid back and let the staff have a bit more freedom.  "Not saying Mr. Hall is taking away any freedom, but he's just reminding them what their jobs are, and to make sure all of us stay within the proper process and roles, so nobody gets into any trouble."  Hall started at RDNO in May, and had previously worked in Kitimat.