ALC APPROVAL | Land commission signs off on proposed Lavington pellet plant [A4]
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Sunday, April 13, 2014
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Diane Madden putts on the 11th green of The Ridge course Thursday afternoon. Spring weather has allowed Predator Ridge to fully open both championship courses, Predator and The Ridge.
RDNO decision doesn’t upset Hall RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
The Regional District of North Okanagan’s former administrator says there’s no hard feelings over his departure. On Thursday, the RDNO board announced that Trafford Hall is no longer chief administrative officer. Trafford Hall “I can’t comment on the departure and the reasons and the reasons are those of the board’s, but I understand that boards have the right to do this,” Hall told The Morning Star. “These things happen and I’m not bitter.”
Hall, who had worked for the District of Kitimat for 17 years, began as RDNO administrator in May 2011. “There’s wonderful staff there and we accomplished some wonderful things,” said Hall of restructuring Greater Vernon’s parks system and developing a master water plan. “I am very proud of the staff. It’s a great organization and the staff provide important services and they deserve the respect of the public.” Hall would not speculate on what his future plans include, except for some work on his home. “Do I want to go back to work or do I want to retire?” said the 62-year-old. Specific details are not being released about Hall’s departure as personnel matters are considered confidential.
RDNO says it will initiate a search for a new administrator and Rob Smailes, general manager of planning and building, will serve as acting administrator. “The board will post the position as soon as possible and depending on the number of applicants we have, it (filling the position) could be as little as three months,” said Rick Fairbairn, vice-chairperson. “We want to have someone in place before November’s elections.” A number of major issues are currently being addressed at RDNO, but Fairbairn isn’t concerned that the lack of a full-time senior administrator will negatively impact the process. “We’ve got a very brilliant staff handling all of these issues and they have them under control,” he said.
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A re-evaluation of priorities has Colin Mayes preparing to leave the federal scene. The Okanagan-Shuswap MP announced during a Conservative gathering in Enderby Saturday that he will not run in the next federal election Oct. 19, 2015. “If I go into another term, I would be in my 70s and I thought, ‘Would I want to be there in my 70s?’ It’s time to focus on my wife and family and to be closer to home,” said Mayes who turned 66 Friday. “I really thought and prayed about it and I’m comfortable with my decision.” Mayes was first elected Colin Mayes as MP in 2006 and was reelected in 2008 and 2011. He says he will complete his term in Ottawa but he hasn’t completely squashed speculation that he will run this November for Salmon Arm mayor, a position he held for nine years before becoming MP. “I don’t think I would do that, it’s about 80 per cent no.” He hasn’t considered his long-term plans after politics. “I have thought about doing some writing and taking courses at university. I want something to keep me active,” he said. Mayes’ announcement about retirement came two days after former finance minister Jim Flaherty died of a heart attack. The 64-yearold had resigned as minister last month. Mayes says that the death of Flaherty and the loss of friends and acquaintances has reinforced his decision to retire and consider “every day as a blessing.” Mayes admits that he will miss being an MP once the term comes to an end. “Serving people in the constituency and seeing things get done, like the swimming pool in Armstrong, and knowing you and your staff played a part in that happening that’s where I get my high,” he said. While there isn’t an election until late 2015, Mayes says he decided to announce his intentions now so the Conservative Party has time to find a candidate. “It gives people in the riding time to look around the community and say, ‘This would be a good person for the job.’”
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