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MERRITT HERALD TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
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Interim CAO named Public works manager Shawn Boven will temporarily take over from outgoing chief administrative officer Allan Chabot on Aug. 10. Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
ROCKIN’ THE RIVER The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band played the main stage of the Rockin’ River Music Festival on the opening night (July 30). See Thursday’s paper for full photo spread. Michael Potestio/Herald
Water use restricted on Coldwater David Dyck THE MERRITT HERALD
Responding to a continuing level 4 drought, the province has placed a temporary water use restriction on the Coldwater River and its tributaries. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said the measures are being put in place to protect coho, chinook and steelhead salmon populations, which are threatened by low stream flows. The restrictions went into place Friday at midnight. Water from the river may only be diverted from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. This will continue for a week and a half, until
Aug. 11, when the restriction will escalate. At that time, no water whatsoever may be diverted from the river, until Sept. 30. “These measures strike a balance between providing water during a critical time for agricultural producers, while still taking the action necessary to protect fish populations,” the ministry stated in a press release. There are 50 water licenses affected by this restriction. The Nicola Valley has been suffering from a Level 4 “extremely dry” drought since July 21. On July 22, all angling was suspended on the Coldwater River, as well as the Nicola and Spius rivers.
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The City of Merritt has named public works manager Shawn Boven as its interim chief administrative officer effective Monday, August 10. Current CAO Allan Chabot will be leaving for the same job in Revelstoke, and his last day at the City of Merritt is Friday, August 7. The CAO position oversees the management and operations of city staff, ensures policies, programs and other directions of council are implemented and advises council on city affairs. Merritt Mayor Neil Menard said council appointed Boven because he’s been an interim CAO in the past. City council is still leaning toward hiring a corporate officer to work under the CAO, but council wants to have the CAO position filled first. Once it is, council will consult with their new CAO before deciding whether or not to hire a corporate officer. Deciding what to do about the vacant economic development manager position is a decision council will make once they hire and consult their permanent CAO as well, Menard said. Menard has told the Herald he wants to recruit a permanent CAO by the end of the year and is working with the municipal recruit-
Public works manager Shawn Boven. Ted Nodwell/Submitted photo
ing firm Ravenhill Group to find Chabot’s permanent replacement. “We definitely want the new CAO’s input,” Menard said. “I’m hoping that the person we hire will be able give us some very positive guidance on what we should do,” he said. Boven said he’s honoured to be able to assist council in this time of transition. “I’m just excited for the opportunity and to work with council and staff in a greater capacity than I have been,” Boven told the Herald. Boven served as an interim CAO back in 2013 when the position was last vacated, sharing the duties of the role with leisure services manager Larry Plotnikoff. That, however, won’t be the case this time around as Boven will be responsible for all the duties that come with the CAO job in addition to his role as public works manager.
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