Town Departments give up their morning break to give a heartfelt “thank you” to former interim CAO Ian Davey on Friday, October 2, 2020.
Davey was appointed as Interim CAO on August 30, 2019 for a period that was supposed to be six months, but lasted until Friday.
Davey held two roles during his tenure as interim CAO and also his regular position as Municipal Treasurer/Director of Corporate Services.
Tracey Vaughan will be Cobourg’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), effective Monday, October 5, 2020.
But on Friday after a scheduled meeting at the Cobourg Community Centre, Davey, with his wife Julie at his side was surprised when a parade of vehicles from various departments lead by the Cobourg Fire Department with sirens wailing drove by with signs of “thank you” on the side of some vehicles.
One person even got out of their vehicle and saluted the now former CAO.
A letter to Davey from Town Staff conveyed their appreciation.
Davey is a lifelong resident of the Cobourg area and is greatly respected by town staff and returns to his previous job as Municipal Treasurer/Director of Corporate Services.
Dear Ian,
When you stepped up to take the position of Interim CAO at the end of August 2019, it was with the acknowledgement that you would be balancing two very important portfolios – a daunting task for anyone. But you said yes.
Who could have imagined what was to come? The first pandemic in over a century and the shutdown of our economy, stilling our town in March.
So much has been written about leadership; what it is and what it looks like. Definitions vary. But we know what it feels like. It’s how someone acts in the moment a crisis hits and in the time to follow.
On a moment’s notice, you sent many of us home to work to ensure our safety while you continued to show up EVERY single day to Victoria Hall.
From our quiet home offices, we received your encouraging messages – messages that continued to unite us as a team, while we were spread apart.
You helped us make decisions that we’ve never had to make before and reassured us that we were on the right path.
You kept us abreast of the constantly changing rules and helped us decipher what they meant.
Thank you for going “above and beyond” and showing us what it is to be a leader. We want you to know that we have appreciated it all.
Town of Cobourg staff
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
