The CCRD’s last Board meeting of 2012 marked some significant changes within the organization. Not only was this the first time all five Directors had attended a meeting together since the 2011 local government elections, it also saw two new Director’s take up the positions of Board Chair and Vice Chair.
Director Tallio attended his first meeting since July, and while Director Anderson was also in attendance, he left the meeting approximately one hour after it began.
Elections for the positions of Board Chair and Vice Chair were the first order of business. Outgoing Board Chair Brian Lande nominated Director Cathi McCullagh as Chair, while Director Tallio nominated Director Moody. Voting by ballot declared Director Moody as Chair.
For the position of Vice Chair, Director McCullagh nominated Director Lande. Director Anderson nominated Director McCullagh, and Director Moody nominated Director Tallio. Voting by ballot declared Director Tallio as Vice Chair.
In response to community concern over his long absence and whether or not he now planned to attend Board meetings regularly, especially after being elected Vice-Chair, Director Tallio appeared unconcerned. “The only ones who can oust me are the members of the Nuxalk Nation,” he said, “because they’re the ones that elected me.”
When reminded that, as Area D Director, his constituents included all Valley residents living west of Hagensborg’s Augsburg Church to Tatsquan Creek, Director Tallio replied, “Well, they can try and fire me then, but I’m going to fight it.”
Despite the fact that the excessive use of Alternate Director’s is a concern in the community, and noting that Director Tallio’s Alternate Director, Archie Pootlass, has attended more meetings then he has, Director Tallio did not have a problem with this. “It’s not an issue for me,” he said.
On the administrative side, Joy MacKay has now officially resigned as CAO, and Interim CAO Isabell Hadford confirmed that the CCRD will be advertising for the position of CAO immediately.
Stephen Waugh announced that, while he will continue to assist with emergency response matters, he is not renewing his contract as Emergency Program Coordinator for 2013.
“Following the challenges associated with the past several years of serious emergency events, I’ve decided to take a rest from the responsibilities that the EPC position entails, while allowing the organization to reassess their priorities with respect to the issues facing the District,” Waugh said.
However, Waugh will keep his contract as part-time Property Manager for the CCRD. Amidst continuing questions from the community as to how Waugh obtained the contract without a competition, Interim CAO Hadford explained that, at the time, the CCRD was desperate to fill the position, so they awarded it to Waugh as he had already been doing much of the job in conjunction with his emergency management duties.
“The Board did approve Stephen Waugh’s property management contract,” said Hadford. “However, the Board is set to review the position in six months, and if it increases from the current half-time, a new contract will be put out to public competition in the usual manner.”
Despite the obvious challenges facing the CCRD, Hadford has a positive outlook and contends that the Board has overcome many of the difficulties that have dominated the past year. “The staff and Board are committed to moving forward,” she said. “I am very hopeful for improvement and I feel they are getting back on track.”
