Thursday, May 19, 2011

Change in the Crowsnest Pass, CAO is leaving Wow

Resignation

Note: Check out the following article pointed out to me by one of my readers.

www.crowsnestpasspromoter.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=2860758

There is more available from this reader/commenter just go down to the right side of my blog and click on the Miners Journey.



The purpose of this email is to let you know I’ve submitted my resignation to Council, my last day of work in Crowsnest Pass will be June 15, 2011. Though my time here has been short I’ve really enjoyed working with all employees. It’s difficult working for local government as we are criticized often and praised seldom. Please know that I appreciate your efforts and acknowledge that Crowsnest Pass could not survive without the fine work of the employees of the Municipality. I’m glad that so many of you recognize that we’re working for our friends and neighbours and that you come to work each day to perform your duties to the best of your ability. Because of your efforts the Municipality offers a very wide range of services and programs to our residents and businesses. Though Council speaks of change you should be proud of your day-to-day work and all your accomplishments and not view change as a negative. Change is difficult and is often seen as a criticism. I challenge you instead to look at change as an opportunity to make a good organization even better. Through change it is hoped that additional opportunities for growth and advancement will be made available to employees and that Crowsnest Pass will continue to evolve as a fantastic place to live and visit. Thank you for working with me during my short time here.



Tully

50 comments:

John Prince said...

Is this for real, Dean?

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

Yes just found out, I know you saw my comments on my other post.
I'm surprised but not.

Anonymous said...

How is it you came to be in possession of an email that is quite clearly an internal document?

Anonymous said...

I am sure there must be a “D list” of CAO’s looking for work and are happy to be a puppet for the mayor. Look at what a good job Lundy did of being Irwin’s yes man.

This is a sad situation. Does this mean we will never keep good people?

peter rosner said...

i personally dont find this "shocking" at all. This council and mayor are running things much like the previous one and they will have to quit micro-managing things if they want to keep competent people. A previous CAO filled me in years back on how things run at the municipal office and thats why he quit. He also told me that the word is out there and in the future it is going to be very hard to recruit people to work for the Municipality. How many of these administrative types and public works superintendants have we gone through in the last 10 years.

Anonymous said...

An internal document? LOL. I saw this before Dean posted it. The one I saw had at least 20 addresses on it, its probably seen more circulation than this weeks paper. Remember we are in the Crowsnest Pass where there are no secrets.

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

Peter I had the same conversation with the same former CAO.

Anonymous said...

well that frees up space in the municipal office and in the budget

Anonymous said...

Hopefully before the CAO leaves he will spill the beans on how the council is run "behind closed doors"!! Hopefully, if he has some inside information, he'll also pay the RCMP a visit and discuss the skullduggery committed by the past mayor and a couple of his cohorts.
It's time to get everything out in the open! The people deserve this! Do the right thing, Please!

Joe said...

Who is next? How do you spell Myron? We thought Irwin was bad. Everything behind closed doors with this council. Where is Lisa now? Who says you can`t buy the press.

Anonymous said...

For Pete's sake they were talking about this in Tim Hortons this afternoon. Do you think that people don't talk to each other in this town. If more than one person knows it's no longer a secret.

When will the paper start the countdown to the next election?

Ted

Anonymous said...

Hire five hourly people eliminate one administrator.

Do the dollars balance out?

Anonymous said...

Hi Joe,
Who is this Myron that you mentioned?

Anonymous said...

he probably quit because of the municipal fire ban.

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

Myron Thompson is the director of Public works

Anonymous said...

Looks like we replaced one micro managing Mayor with another!

John Prince said...

Well it looks like 'here we go again'.

Dean, you and your council before the end of your last term ensured that we got professional, experienced, knowledgeable management people, which is exactly diametrically opposite, I suggest, of what the former mayor and now our new mayor wants. They want weak-kneed individuals who will do their bidding, doing what they are told, including putting their careers and reputations on the line at times in order to keep a good paying job and *bonuses* coming their way.

This new mayor is too much a neophyte in this community to know what strings to pull and how in order to get things running the way they use to (micro-managing) under the former mayor for the sole benefit of the establishment (old boys club) here. Therefore it stands to reason it is he who is getting his strings pulled by you know who. So nothing has really changed with the last election, except this community has managed to “Toss out one set of bums for new ones giving them more of the same bums with different faces”.

As someone on my blog said, it stands to reason the mayor must have had a majority on council supporting him to force the CAO to quit in frustration. Therefore, if true, this council for all intents and purposes is dead in the water as far as public opinion goes, I’m thinking. The bunch who sided with the mayor in forcing the CAO out and the bunch (if any) who sat on their hands and let this happen have once again become part of the problem rather than the solution to our municipality’s problems. Sad, but probably true.

But what the hell, the municipality has plenty of money. We can afford a handsome severance package, once again, and the cost of searching for and hiring a more amenable CAO who does what he is told, by those who should be listening, rather than telling. Is Myron next? Both to be replaced soon by good ol’ local boys or ones who know how to play the game the way it has always been played here? Emperor Pic would be proud, as long as the law didn’t catch up to him everything was fair game, wasn’t it? And isn’t it still?

Anonymous said...

I do not expect much editorial comment from the Pass Herald on the mayor’s micro management or the secret meetings (retreats) taking place. “Good relations” with the press is all bought and paid for by the tax payers.

Anonymous said...

Time for another Municipal Affairs visit. I am sure they would be quite interested in the crap that is going on. Mr Tully would be the person to contact them with all the info he has.

Anonymous said...

I hope we don't get the old "he left for personnel reasons crap"

Larry

Anonymous said...

Obviously the power has been established for the next two and a half years.
Which CAO will stand up to Council now?

Anonymous said...

Didn't he get a signing bonus? How can he leave the community in a lurch like this? What a message! I am so disappointed.

Anonymous said...

Larry said:
I hope we don't get the old "he left for personnel reasons crap"

I'm trying to read between the lines in the letter, especially the last part:
"Though Council speaks of change ... "

Is he saying he left because of resistance to change by employees?

Anon said:
Hopefully before the CAO leaves he will spill the beans on how the council is run "behind closed doors"!! Hopefully, if he has some inside information, he'll also pay the RCMP a visit

Unfortunately being a whistleblower is a bad career move in Canada and more so in the US.

Anonymous said...

126 weeks to the next election we need "CHANGE"

Anonymous said...

I am now hoping for a new "fab 4" to do what is right for the community and not for a few select few.The mayor is a bully who is not willing to be flexible with other councilors and with municipal employees.Mitchell is useless and just does as he is told.Londsbury will not likely be willing to break free, but maybe if it gets bad enough.Saindon needs to become the next leader and bring Gallant, Sage, and Gail with him.I know some of you guys read this blog, I think it is the only way or we may be in big trouble.
Why do I have visions of the Crowsnest Center reopening.I no longer fear the worst and hope for the best, becuse the best is now dead.How bad can it get?
I hope all that wanted change are now happy.

Anonymous said...

If Tully is leaving for other than personal reasons, I hope at some point he reveals why he is resigning. If he’s leaving because of issues with council or anything else, he should come forward and inform the residents of Crowsnest Pass. Unless we get some of these internal things straightened out, we’re never going to attract the right people to the Pass to help us out of this mess we’re in. The kind of help we need will not come from within this community, that's for sure.

the miners journey said...

change, change, change
change, change, change

If I were your brother
could I spill your blood on me
We, who share a mother
would we spite the sons
she sees?

Walls are crumbling
cities are burning
the presidents on tv
bombs are falling
the fire is rain
as walls close in on me

change, change, change
change, change, change

If Fate brought out a leader
would you kill him for your cause
Though he be your sole salvation
pull the trigger without pause


Faith is crumbling
cities are burning
the war's on cable tv
Hope is falling
the fire is rain as
walls come down on me

change, change, change
change, change, change

If there's one solution
there could be one for every man
who cries for constitution
finds belief inside of "can"

The clouds are lifting
The houses, the homes
The soaps are on tv
and me, asleep somewhere
in this country
basking in the dream

change, change, change
I'm basking in the dream

Peter Rosner said...

My how things have changed in 6 months. Check this site out. http://www.crowsnestpasspromoter.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=2860758

Anonymous said...

Didn't you council hire this guy? Looks like you chose the wrong man for the job.

Anonymous said...

So Dean, what's your take on all this?

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

The previous council did hire the CAO, some people argued that it should have been left to the next council.
Totally unrealistic, it took us from the beginning to the end of the process 4-5 months. Who would have led council especially a totally new council with zero experience through the budget process? the first six months of their term.
This annoucement came out May 19th we will see how long it takes to find a replacement. The only way you will find somebody in a shorter time frame is if you have an internal candidate available.
During the interview process council agreeded unanimously that the CAO hired was by far the best candidate available.
(And yes I would challenge any member of that council to stand up and say that was not true)
Also I would drawn your attention to another number of points, go back and read the article posted above from the Promoter sounds very positive.
Then go back and read all the comments made in the press by the Mayor about the administrative team over the last six months nothing but glowing.
In addition I have been to every council meeting since the election and have heard until recently nothing but praise heaped upon the administrative team.
So to sum it up I say two things, one previous council made a very good choice.
Two what happened between November 15th and now?

Anonymous said...

But Dean, you still have not said what your position or stand is on this issue? You only answered the previous commentater's question on who hired the current CAO.

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

We are in trouble, unless there is an internal candidate available good luck finding a new CAO for the Pass

Anonymous said...

Just hire a "yes man", pay him half of what a qualified person would get and save some money.
Or maybe there should be a POLICY as to what the role of council is and what the role of Administration is.The mayor should be very much in favour of such a policy that clearly states "who does what"

John Prince said...

What's wrong with keeping the current CAO (Tully) by you and others in this community putting pressure on council to stop trying to micro-manage our muncipality, and allow our professional administrator and management to do their jobs, free from undue and unwarranted interference?

Loreena Russomanno said...

First, I say we find out for sure why Tully is leaving. If it is because of a conflict with the council, I agree with John Prince. We should be doing EVERYTHING we can to keep Tully Clifford in the CNP!

And in future, maybe we should be quicker to acknowledge that we do appreciate the efforts and challenges faced by people who come here and attempt to get us on track.

Loreena Russomanno

peter rosner said...

Hello Loreena nice to hear from someone you will support their opion with their name. Good on you anyway i dont know if we will ever find out why the CAO is leaving.If he is like the rest who bailed on this community because of the mayor or council he will probably keep it to himself. They tend to not waste time on the past as they prepare to move on. Maybe Mr Tully will have the intestinal fortitude to offer an explantion that isn't sugar coated.If not i wish him luck in his future anyway.

Anonymous said...

Your argument that you had to hire him before the election doesn't make sense. There was a CAO in place to guide the new council through the budget. You dismissed him early. You also said you had a list of candidates already so there wouldn't have been a 4-5 month delay. They could have reviewed what you had. Good candidate or not it doesn't sound like he was the right man. Maybe you should cut out the conspiracy theories for a while and enjoy the long weekend with your family. :-)

Anonymous said...

Dean, I liked it better when the comments had a time stamp with them. It made it easer to refer to a specific comment. Since the last comment is anonymous and has no time stamp, I will refer to the writer as Buddy, weather it is or is not Buddy does not much matter as these are Buddy‘s/Lisa’s thoughts. They are the only ones I know who are still putting their energies into discrediting Dean.

Buddy, do you remember Lundy advised the previous council he was retiring on December 31 2010. The previous councils proactive direction looks quite prudent to me. Do you remember your crony comrade Larry was on the committee that recommended Tully as the best candidate then voted against giving him the new job.

Please explain your comment “it doesn't sound like he was the right man”. Sounds like you are suggesting the resignation of the new CAO should be interpreted as mismanagement by the four horsemen. Please feel to use all the space you need in the Pass Herald to further berate the four horsemen.

How the mighty have fallen, once “wielding that mighty sword” it looks like you have been relegated to a few anonymous blog comments and a few cronies who can spread your hatred to the uninformed.

Loreena Russomanno said...

Lets not loose sight of the issue at hand. We have a top notch CAO in front of us that can't wait to get out of here. Why is that? Is there something we can do to change his mind? What is it we have to change to keep the quality people? Lets figure it ut and do it already!
Hey Peter, good to see you use your name also.

peter rosner said...

well it looks like this weeks article in the Pass Herald will feature a glossed over view from the CAO of why he is resigning. Looks like its personal reasons and i am sure the Herald will be more than happy to report that.

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

Just want to address several comments for my good buddy (4 comments back).

First of all in the Cuff report under the part where it talks about the CAO, it clearly states that the CAO will be retiring by the end of the year 2010.

Second the CAO with quite a bit of notice informed council in writing that he would be finished by the end of the year.

Third when you take into consideration time off the CAO had accured he was actually done by the first week in November.

Lets get to the list of candidates three weeks prior to council sitting down and interviewing.
We had a short list of 8-9 potential candidates. By the time we interviewed, five of those candidates had gone elsewhere.
By the time new council reviewed the list we had, there would have been nobody left on it.
(Call any head hunter that works in this field, check out the facts)

CAO's are in great demand, there has not been a lot of new blood go into the CAO's field if you do a little research you will find out the average CAO is 55.
(Heaven's forbid that you do a little research and again have to deal with FACTS)

This council is going to find out in short order the pool of available experienced CAO's is very limited.

The only way it will be a short process is if they hire an internal candidate on a permanent basis).

Conspiracy Theory??
The only thing I have raised is from the information previously provided, we had a CAO that appeared to be thrilled to be here.
We had a council that had nothing but good to say about him.
Then suddenly out of the blue he's leaving.????

Finally thanks for caring I had a wonderful long weekend with my family.

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

Time stamp is back just a slight mix up on my part.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Dean for giving the history of this issue in writing as all these details are important. When someone will put things in writing, put their name to it, then put in the public domain for scrutiny or correction if needed, I think the interests of the community are served. One of the problems in the Pass is the misinformation spread by gossip and no one is held accountable for it. The advent of the blogs has been progressive since it helps to hold the Pass Herald somewhat accountable. They have had to tone it down considerably over there.

Anonymous said...

what if..

-he is leaving for personal reasons

-there is no sinister plot underfoot

Anonymous said...

Six months, a professional with a back ground like his.
Did not think through a move like this.
Come on wake up

Larry

Anonymous said...

To >>Tue May 24, 05:49:00 PM 2011

What if, Santa clause and the Easter bunny are real?
Gifts galore and chocolate too!

Anonymous said...

Check out Emile Saindon’s blog. How insulting! That is the oldest trick in the Crowsnest Pass. Try to make people feel bad for asking questions they have every right to have the answers to.
Of course Mr. Clifford deserves respect. We all do and we as tax payers have every right to ask why he is leaving and have opportunity to say we want him to stay. That is not a bad thing Mr. Saindon that is a good thing!!!
Mr Clifford is a professional. He would understand that.

Anonymous said...

Wow I checked out Saindon's blog does not look like he can handle the heat.
Dean good thing he didn't have to face what you guys did in the Herald every week.

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

That's for sure.
Wait until they get some nut bar driving down the street yelling at them.
The honeymoon phase is coming to an end.