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Council not unanimous on decision to drop CAO

The decision to end the contract of the Lac La Biche County Chief Administrative Officer was not a unanimous one.

The decision to end the contract of the Lac La Biche County Chief Administrative Officer was not a unanimous one.

Lac La Biche County Mayor Omer Moghrabi told the POST earlier tonight that he wasn't in favour of the decision that came after what he calls a "robust" discussion behind closed doors.

While he wouldn't say who did vote in favour or who brought up the discussion, he did say the result ends up being a decision of all of council, whether it is a unanimous decision or an approval with five of the nine council members approving.

"It is a motion of council and a decision of council, " he told the POST, explaining that Amblie, who has been the municipality's top administrative official since 2015 was let go without cause.

• FULL STORY is HERE

• Press Release and Council photo HERE

• Cote says firing decision wasn't easy

Councillor dislikes process

Lac La Biche County councillor Lorin Tkachuk responded to the POST's request for a comment on Tuesday night just as the municipality's communication department released a short notice saying that the employment contract of CAO Shadia Amblie had been terminated.

Tkachuk said he too did not vote in favour of the decision.

"I  voted against the motion for dismissal of the CAO because I do not agree with the process that was taken. To fire without cause is not something I could vote in favour of," he told the POST, but added he too understands that a majority of votes means a council decision has been made.  "As far as the decision goes I will support the will of council and we will move forward to find a strong leader for our administration.  I thank Shadia for her efforts and time with Lac La Biche County."

As for moving ahead, and re-assuring community members — Tkachuk said it is a corporate change, similar to the hirings and firings in other public sector areas or in private business. He said the change in administrative leadership can bring more opportunities to the community.

"This is not an uncommon situation in municipal governance and I would hope to provide some reassurance to the voters that appointed us as their representatives that we will choose a strong leader for us to continue to move forward with the strategic priorities of council," he told the POST Tuesday night.
Municipal officials say they have no set timeline for discussions on legal or hiring matters in relation to the dismissal.

Rob McKinley

About the Author: Rob McKinley

Rob has been in the media, marketing and promotion business for 30 years, working in the public sector, as well as media outlets in major metropolitan markets, smaller rural communities and Indigenous-focused settings.
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