Robin Dalziel, chief administrative officer for the City of Greenwood, was suddenly and unexpectedly relieved of his duties last Wednesday. No explanation for his dismissal was forthcoming from the city.
“As of May 13, 2015 Robin Dalziel is no longer employed by the city of Greenwood,” confirmed Mayor Ed Smith. “The city wishes Robin every success in his future endeavours.”
Councillor Colleen Lang did come forward to offer a personal statement.
“The immediate dismissal of our chief administrative officer/chief financial officer is very unfortunate. I am strongly opposed to the action taken and I truly feel he was entitled to proper notice under Section 152 of the Community Charter and procedural fairness.
“He had a right to be heard. I share the community’s concern over this event, as our city has been placed in a very vulnerable situation. As an 18-year veteran of council, having served nine years as councillor and nine years as mayor, I was re-elected to serve the community and to represent our citizens; however, I was totally excluded from this whole process. I was not informed nor given a chance for input prior to May 13, 2015, the date of dismissal.
“As an elected official I have a right to be at the table, a right to attend meetings and should be properly notified and included in all council proceedings.”
Not unexpectedly, Greenwood residents, according to social media posts, are outraged and eager for an explanation for Dalziel’s dismissal. Dalziel has issued a statement in the form of a letter to the residents, in which he recounts the events of last Tuesday.
“On May 13 at 1:50 p.m., my employment with the City of Greenwood was terminated without notice. The Greenwood City Council unilaterally decided this action. There was no discussion or negotiation between council and myself in relation to this matter. At no time was any censure of my performance as CAO, chief financial officer, or corporate officer given to me in writing.
“The dismissal did not follow the policies and procedures of the city, and it came without warning. I was handed a letter by Mayor Smith, allowed a few minutes to gather my belongings, and escorted by Mayor Smith and Councillor Tutti from City Hall. I was not permitted to say goodbye to my staff.”
He goes on to say that he looks forward to seeing his friends around Greenwood and has no plans to leave the community.
Dalziel is not the first CAO in the province to be removed from his position since municipal elections last November. At least eight others were fired shortly after governments were changed, with some of the dismissals proving very costly indeed
