Today’s Northumberland has learned the interim CAO isn’t even in the running for the full-time position with the Town of Cobourg.
Numerous sources have confirmed that interim CAO Ian Davey had to sign a document stating he would not run for the position.
Whether it was under duress or not is up to speculation.
But having him sign a document goes against the process of getting the best person for the job – even if it wasn’t him.
Davey has been with the town for many, many years and is extremely respected throughout employees with the town, senior management and the public.
Davey has been interim CAO with the Town of Cobourg since August 29, 2019 after taking over from Stephen Peacock.
The shocking revelation that Davey wasn’t even allowed to apply for the position is something that should be a concern to members of the public.
Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin sits on the hiring committee along with Mayor John Henderson and Councillor Emily Chorley.
When asked about the document, Seguin stated, “unfortunately, I signed a non-disclosure agreement during the time I sit on the hiring committee so can’t answer your questions.”
In a release issued by the Town in August 2019, Henderson himself stated, “(Davey’s) long-standing familiarity with local government operations and proven attention to fiscal responsibility positions him for success.”
Certainly sounds like an endorsement by the mayor.
So why take him out of the process?
When Davey was appointed interim CAO, the release stated he is a lifelong resident of the Cobourg area having attended CDCI West prior to obtaining a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and receiving his designation as a Chartered Accountant in 1983. The first half of his career was spent in the practice of public accounting in Cobourg prior to joining the senior management team for the Town of Cobourg in 2002. Mr. Davey currently holds the position of Municipal Treasurer and Director of Corporate Services.
He’s local, has been with the town for nearly two decades as senior management, has the endorsement of the mayor and has successfully been interim CAO for nearly a year. So what’s the problem?
There were six options available and council decided in January 2020 at a cost of approximately $30,000 to hire a firm to look for a new CAO.
If he wasn’t good enough for a full-time position of CAO, he should have never been allowed to be interim CAO.
It’s coming up close to a year Davey has been in the position as interim CAO. Several of those months have been under a State of Emergency as a result of COVID-19.
If there ever was a chance to see if he would be the right person for the job, a State of Emergency would be one of the factors.
As it stands, a firm will decide on who a new CAO will be by September.
Council has to make many difficult decisions in their tenure. COVID-19 certainly hasn’t helped as the world, including Cobourg is in new and difficult times.
This includes all levels of government including municipal.
By the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor Chorley who sit on the committee to not allow Davey who is highly qualified for the position, who has been doing it for nearly a year under extreme conditions to not even apply only begs the question – what type of CAO are they looking for?
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
