Tuesday October 24, 2023 | SOOKE, BC [Updated October 25, 2023]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
A sudden hiring change has happened at the District of Sooke.
Back in July the District of Sooke was pleased to announce the hiring of Jeremy Denegar as their new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
Sadly, Denegar experienced the loss of his partner through death, before the start of his job that was scheduled for September 5, and then postponed to October 16.
Position rescinded:
However, today the District of Sooke announced that Denegar has rescinded the CAO position altogether, as he continues to grieve the loss of his life partner. For the community, it’s a reminder of how life sometimes has a way of taking over the best laid plans of people and organizations.
“As Denegar grieves an incredibly difficult loss, he has rescinded acceptance of the position,” it was stated in a District of Sooke news release on October 24, 2023. In that release, District of Sooke Communications Coordinator Christina Moog quoted Jeremy Denegar:
“I appreciate the understanding of Council, staff and everyone in the community as I come to this difficult decision. Out of respect for Sooke, I must step back to allow for more healing and grant the community the opportunity for a leader who can wholeheartedly meet the District’s needs,” said Denegar.
“I have a great deal of respect for Jeremy,” said Sooke Mayor Maja Tait today. “His tremendous care for our community is evident in this decision.”
Interim CAO:
Interim CAO Raechel Gray will continue to serve as CAO while Mayor and Council meet to determine the next steps.
“It’s a series of incredibly unfortunate events that everyone is doing their best to navigate,” said Moog in a statement to Island Social Trends.
Previous CAO:
The previous District of Sooke CAO was Norm McInnis, who left the job last year for health reasons. In the meantime, Don Schaffer had been the interim CAO until Raechel Gray stepped in temporarily after Denegar was hired.
===== RELATED:
New CAO at District of Sooke (July 26, 2023)
District of Sooke CAO taking medical leave (April 27, 2022)
===== ABOUT ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
Island Social Trends is the evolution of the former MapleLine Magazine (2008-2010) and Sooke Voice News (2011-2013) that were both spawned in Sooke. In 2014 the publication series morphed into West Shore Voice News, then in 2020 became the fully online IslandSocialTrends.ca. Editor for the full series: Mary P Brooke.
Ms Brooke also ran as a school trustee candidate in the Sooke School District (SD62) in 2022, on the Belmont Zone side (Langford, Colwood, Highlands and Metchosin). In 2023 Mary P Brooke was nominated for a Jack Webster Foundation award for journalism by a woman journalist who serves her community through journalism.
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