Re: Mayor, council clash over top bureaucrat’s $476,000 departure, News (Dec. 19)
Why is Mayor Atwell the focus of criticism over the costly $476,611 severance package for the termination of Saanich’s Chief Administrative Officer, when he played no part in this generous package? Why is the criticism not focussing on those responsible for the overly generous compensation and severance awarded to a CAO with no previous track-record or experience.
Moreover, do we have any evidence the CAO was doing a stellar job or, would be willing and able to strive to fulfil the campaign promises of good governance, transparency, accountability made not only by candidate Atwell, but also, heard at the all-candidates meetings from just every candidate? It is inappropriate to discuss such details in public, so it is unlikely we will ever know the true reason for the CAO’s departure.
In the long-run, will the departure of the CAO be good for Saanich? Only time will tell. But what we do know is Mayor Atwell was not responsible for the cost of the severance package.
Bob Furber
Saanich