COBDEN — Andrew Kenny was hoping for a permanent position with the Township of Whitewater Region once his 91-week contract as entrepreneur development officer had ended.
That didn’t happen.
Believing he didn’t get a chance to talk to council members prior to the termination of his contract, Mr. Kenny was hopeful of speaking at last month’s corporate services committee. But again, that didn’t happen.
Mr. Kenny sent a detailed delegation form to the committee in hopes those members, who are also all on council, would see the benefits he provided to this community during his contract.
Councillor Charlene Jackson, who is chair of the committee, noted his report was included in the package and committee members had an opportunity to review it themselves. There was no need for him to go over it as well.
“If a decision is made to go forward with hiring an economic development officer, the position will be advertised,” she said. “Even if you were here on contract, the position would have been advertised.”
She noted the township was not successful in hiring an economic development officer/deputy-clerk, so it it now looking to hire a planning assistant.
However, Coun. Jackson added, that position will not be filled until the chief administrative officer’s position is filled.
She thanked Mr. Kenny for his report, saying, “This gives us a good idea of what to put in the job description.”
Mr. Kenny said he would like to review his report with the council, just to ensure they are wholly informed of what he did.
Coun. Jackson did not allow him to review it.
Here excerpts from the report:
“I was asked to achieve modest results to prove that Whitewater Region could benefit by having a permanent economic development position. On the first day of the job, the CAO explained the main goal of the contract position. If I showed progress, council would consider creating a permanent economic position that I could apply for.
“I was left on my own to develop a plan to achieve results for Whitewater Region. Key personnel began leaving Whitewater Region and this kept the CAO busy. She was unable to make time for meetings with me and gave me strict instructions not to contact council for direction.
“My written reports were either denied, delayed or cancelled.
“I turned to the business community for suggestions and advice. Their contributions are responsible for the success that Whitewater Region is seeing.
“Economic development is a slow-moving process that takes time to see financial benefits. It takes time for businesses to make big decisions such as relocating their business to Whitewater Region.
“My first priority was to offer assistance to our local taxpaying business community. The second priority was to encourage Whitewater Region to start or expand their businesses.
“The third priority was to attract new businesses to increase our tax base. Near the end of my 91-week contract, council saw the beginnings of the financial benefits from economic development. Cheques coming into the township would exceed the wages paid by the township for the EDO.
“These achievements were not expected or even considered. These were amazing results that got attention around the province.
“What council did not see was the five or six other businesses that had not yet confirmed their big moves in Whitewater Region. They were also unable to see hundreds of businesses that I worked with. These deals are delicate and confidential. These business owners continue to look for assistance from me and some are now calling me at home.
“I have been helping some of these businesses on my own time.
“I would like a chance to come back to Whitewater Region in a permanent economic development position to continue working with the business community.
“With good leadership I think we could see even more fantastic results.
“I am asking council to consider creating a permanent economic/community development officer with expanded responsibilities to take pressure off other staff positions. This would require a marketing professional trained to perform (many duties).”
