Wednesday May 29, 2019 ~ SOOKE
West Shore Voice News
As reported last week, the District of Sooke has hired a new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO): Norm McInnis will start in the job July 2, 2019.
How did he end up in the job? There were some unverified statements made by some in Sooke this past week that the search done by Waterhouse Executive Search was unsuccessful and that a direct-hire recommendation then followed through Interim CAO Don Schaeffer. As a matter of record, in 2016 McInnis followed Schaeffer as CAO in Fernie, BC.
To clarify what happened, Sooke Mayor Maja Tait has responded to questions from West Shore Voice News with this statement:
“Waterhouse Executive Search was engaged on November 27, 2018 as the result of a Request for Proposals in the amount of $17,000 plus expenses. Over 150 applicants applied for the position. Waterhouse provided a shortlist of 10 exceptional quality candidates in March which included Norm McInnis. From this 10, Council selected four to interview from a set of questions prepared by all Council members. So that all members of Council could be involved in the process, interviews were conducted in April and the offer made to Mr. McInnis. Our Corporate Officer provided administrative assistance and coordination; our Interim CAO Don Schaffer was not involved in the process. Mr. Schaffer will be with the District until June 30, our Corporate Officer will be the Acting CAO until Mr. McInnis commences work on July 2.”
The CAO job posting issued December 7, 2018 highlighted Sooke’s ‘Wild by Nature’ branding to highlight tourism and related service sectors. The municipal area was represented as “a unique balance of retail, commercial, tourism and service sectors that attract young families, first-time homeowners, independent businesses and active retirees”. And more context: “A rich First Nations and pioneer history, strong public volunteerism, and a vibrant arts calendar.”
With Sooke in the process of developing a new Official Community Plan (OCP), the posting said that Sooke is aiming to “retain a small-town, semi-rural character while undertaking controlled strategic development in proximity to Langford, one of Canada’s fastest-growing municipalities”.
All staff reports to the CAO, and the CAO reports to Council.
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This article was first published on page 2 in the May 24, 2019 print/PDF edition of West Shore Voice News.
Previous article posted May 14, 2019: Newest Sooke CAO to start July 2