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Regional Council Discusses Hiring Process for Next CAO

They got the ball rolling, on a new recruitment policy for the next Niagara Region CAO.

Council talked about it during a special meeting yesterday.

Regional Chair Jim Bradley says a lot of councillors would like to be kept in the loop as much as possible this time around.

"Some, particularly those would had been involved previously on council as members, had an experience they felt was not satisfactory as far as they were concerned. They wanted to remove any opportunity for that to occur again."

A handful of councillors also voiced their thoughts on the recruitment committee, and who should be a part of it.

Councillor Tom Insinna said he would like members of council on the committee, not just the standing committee chairs.

Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton agreed with him, but also suggested bringing in a third-party to select the recruitment committee members.

West Lincoln Mayor David Bylsma and Port Colborne Mayor Bill Steele talked about their recent experience in hiring a new CAO for the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

Bradley says it was a very informative discussion in the end.

"Some don't want it to be such an onerous process that they will not move forward. Others are concerned that safeguards be there for members of council, so this matter will be further discussed."

Council decided to refer the proposed recruitment policy back to the Corporate Services Committee.

Changes will be made and it should be brought back to Regional Council next month.

The Ontario Ombudsman released a report back in November, which highlighted the tainted hiring process of former CAO Carmen D'Angelo.

Public Works Commissioner Ron Tripp is currently filling in as Acting CAO.

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