City engineer heading east

by Richard Rolke Vernon Morning Star - updated Jan 2, 2015 at 6:54 AM

The City of Vernon begins the new year with a major vacancy in senior administration. Rob Dickinson left his duties as engineering manager Tuesday after eight years with the city. “I had an awesome time at the city,” said Dickinson, who is returning to the private sector to help open an engineering office in Saskatoon, Sask. “It was an opportunity professionally that was too good to let go of.” The Manitoba native says he will miss working with his highly professional colleagues at Vernon city hall. “The reason I started working with the city is the community and being involved in the community.” While at the city, Dickinson played a key role in establishing a long-term infrastructure strategy and an integrated transportation network. “He is a bright young engineer who brought much to the corporation and the city,” said Will Pearce, Vernon’s chief administrative officer. The position of engineering manager will be posted in January. “Skilled and experienced municipal engineers are difficult to recruit. It could take three to six months or longer (to fill),” said Pearce. During that period, Ed Stranks, engineering development services manager, will be acting department head. “My focus is to maintain momentum on numerous key projects — the strategic infrastructure investment plan, the transportation plan and the liquid waste management plan, among others,” said Pearce. “All of these are key to the integrity of our municipal infrastructure.”

Vehicle allowance fuels council talk

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: June 16, 2013 1:00 AM
Vehicle allowances for staff has driven some lively debate among Coldstream politicians. Councillors Pat Cochrane and Peter McClean opposed a motion Monday that calls for exempt employees to receive a monthly vehicle allowance, if approved by the chief administrative officer, to cover the cost of personal vehicle expenses in the discharge of their duties. “This is opening it up to all exempt staff at the discretion of the CAO,” said Cochrane. “It leaves things a little open. I’d prefer a list of who qualifies. It allows the CAO to add it to contracts without council input.” Council had been asked to approve a policy that only included a vehicle allowance for the chief administrative officer, director of financial administration and the director of development services. Other staff would have been paid mileage for using their own vehicles. However, Coun. Doug Dirk presented an alternative motion that referred to exempt employees in general and did not specify any positions. “If there is enough usage, submitting a mileage report frequently doesn’t make sense,” said Dirk. “This simplifies the process. If there are 14 requisitions in a month, it may make more sense to have an allowance.” Except for McClean and Cochrane, the rest of council endorsed Dirk’s plan. “It doesn’t affect anyone at this time. It only affects anyone new,” said Mayor Jim Garlick. Coun. Gyula Kiss was absent from Monday’s meeting.