Council wonders if mayor will use Strong Mayor powers to hire CAO
Welland's mayor clarifying he's not sure if he'll use Strong Mayor powers to hire a Chief Administrative Officer.
Council fired former CAO Steve Zorbas in the summer.
Frank Campion told council last Tuesday he doesn't know enough about the power he'll receive in November, and suggested councillors defer making a hiring panel until then.
Councillor John Chiocchio was not happy with that. "I'm not going to defer, because our job on this council is to move this city forward. We're not ready to wait 7 or 8 weeks to figure out what you want to do. We have to move the business of Welland forward, and that's what this council promised our citizens and the people who elected us to keep moving forward."
The mayor pointed out they have an interim CAO.
Councillor Claudette Richard asked the mayor about a hiring panel, which would consist of councillors and the mayor.
"'Is it fair for us to go through this process of hiring, if you're going to use your powers?'... Mayor Campion 'That's a determination you have to make on your own. I've advised you, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do... I know you don't like that answer.'".
Councillor Graham Speck added that using a hiring panel is common practice.
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