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Belmont hockey guy puts unique spin on raising cash Page A3
NEWS GAZETTE
NEWS: Women in leadership focus of RRU panel /A3 COMMUNITY: Ailing Hannah Day earns reprieve /A10 SPORTS: Football Rebels honoured for service /A21
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
www.goldstreamgazette.com
Colwood hires a permanent boss for city Economical nationwide search yields dozens of applicants Katherine Engqvist News Gazette staff
Katherine Engqvist/News Gazette staff
Dale Davies is surrounded by grandsons Jacob, 3, Tristen, 8, and Linden, 7, and a pair of massive balls of copper wire in his workshop. The group is attempting to create the world’s largest snowman made entirely using the metal. They’re primarily stripping the copper out of old strings of Christmas lights.
From recycling project to record attempt Holiday fun for the entire family that lasts all year Katherine Engqvist News Gazette staff
A dim light casts a glow over the plywood walls of a West Shore work-
shop. Dale Davies stands in the yellow light, a black leather vest providing little warmth over his blue t-shirt in the cool fall air. But his eyes sparkle like twinkle lights as he pulls back the lid on a tub to reveal the brightly coloured bulbs it contains. He points to several more neatly stacked on shelves. He collects discarded strings of lights, the kind that fill garages col-
lecting dust and forming knots that many have long since abandoned any attempts at untangling. Davies collects these old lights, carefully breaking them down and recycling the pieces. Some would call it a labour of love. Davies laughs and calls it a lot of work. PlEASE SEE: Unknown record, Page A7
The City of Colwood has hired a new chief administrative officer, its fifth permanent or interim CAO since 2012. Ian Howat replaces interim CAO Gary Nason, who has been serving in the position since April 1. Howat takes up the post on Dec. 7 after finishing his duties as general manager of corporate services with the City of Nanaimo. He has also served as chief administrator for three other Vancouver Island communities: Ucluelet, Tofino and Lantzville. Howat was selected after a nationwide recruitment process which began in May. Rather than contracting an external company to vet potential applicants, the City opted to have Nason and another retired CAO co-ordinate the search. Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton said taking that step saved the City a considerable amount of money. She estimated a professional head-hunting firm would have charged roughly $30,000, but by keeping it in house they spent an estimated $5,000 on the project. The search yielded more than 90 applicants. “It was a pretty respectful showing,” Hamilton said, adding that many of the applicants were known to staff. “You’re getting built-in references. Coming out of this we’ve got a pretty good sense.” She said a lot more than just experience goes into selecting a successful applicant. “We’re really looking to find … someone to fit the family.” Hamilton said Howat will make a good addition to the team. “Council has plans, the City has plans – we’re trying to mesh those plans. It’s really going to be a good partnership.” While Hamilton couldn’t disclose details of Howat’s contract, she did say they expect to get “some good years of service” from him. “It’s good to keep the train on the tracks,” she said. She also noted his salary is consistent with comparably sized cities in the region. katie@goldstreamgazette.com
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