Isabell Hadford, a Clearwater resident and former chief administrative officer for District of Clearwater, has been appointed as municipal advisor for the Village of McBride.
The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development announced the appointment on Friday, Dec. 16.
Last month, three McBride municipal councillors resigned, leaving the Village of McBride council without quorum.
On Nov. 29, Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, signed a ministerial order to allow the remaining two members of council to constitute a quorum until the vacancies are filled through a by-election.
Hadford, who has 25 years’ experience in smaller, rural communities, is to begin her work with the village immediately. She will work with McBride municipal staff, council and the community to stabilize short-term municipal operations and help support long-term confidence in the municipality. The advisor will report directly to the inspector of municipalities.
The inspector of municipalities has met with the remaining McBride council members and staff to discuss the role of the advisor and emphasize expectations for the two-member council while they act in their limited capacity.
The McBride town council’s immediate priority is to appoint a chief election officer and deputy chief election officer to run a by-election. Council is expected to meet on Dec. 19 to appoint the chief election officer.
Experienced elections staff from the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George have indicated they are available to support McBride’s by-election. The date for the municipal by-election must fall on a Saturday no later than 80 days after the appointment of the chief election officer.
Assistance provided by the province is to help McBride council work collaboratively with village staff, the municipal advisor and the community to achieve stability for the municipality.
Hadford was Clearwater’s CAO for three years before retiring in 2011. Before that she was CAO for Bowen Island.
