The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is going through a bit of a transition with a couple of high-profile administrators retiring, but the mayor says not to worry because there's plenty of talent to go around.
Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Dr. David Colby has retired and is currently on vacation trying to catch up on holidays not taken during the pandemic.
Outgoing Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Don Shropshire is also semi-retired but continues helping Interim CAO Tony Haddad until a permanent CAO is found.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said the municipality won't be caught with its pants down because there are many qualified individuals working for taxpayers, including Haddad.
"There's a lot of very competent people that work under Dr. Colby and that work under Don. So, it's just a matter of them filling in. I'm seeing it already, a number of people stepping up on various projects etc. So, I'm not concerned at all about things falling between the cracks," said Mayor Canniff. "That's why we brought Tony in as well. He has vast experience to keep his hands on the wheel and make sure that leadership is going in the right direction, but I think we're solid moving forward."
Haddad said the municipal executive team is strong, resilient, and impressive from what he has seen over the past few weeks.
"While the departure of the Doc and Don certainly leaves large gaps in the organization, I think it's safe to say any organization does not rely on anyone individual. We have a strong executive team, we have a strong senior team," said Haddad.
The CAO position became vacant in March when it was announced that Thomas Kelly was no longer a municipal employee.
