by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — The administrative staff at Whitewater Region township is losing an experienced deputy-clerk.
Hope Dillabough joined the staff as the secretary/receptionist in September, 2005. Over the next many years, she was successful in earning various certificates relating to municipal administration. In the summer of 2013, she became the deputy-clerk for Whitewater Region.
Her final day is April 29.
In May, she begins her new career as the administrative/planning assistant for Horton Township under the direction of Chief Administrative Officer Mackie McLaren.
“It’s time for a change,” Ms. Dillabough said. “I’m always interested in learning new things and being challenged.”
She is leaving behind a large group of people she has developed a close working relationship with, many who have become good friends, she said. However, she will remain in touch with many of them.
As for Horton Township, she will have to get used to working in a small group.
“I will be creating new relationships again,” Ms. Dillabough said.
She debated a year ago whether she would apply for this same position when it became available and she didn’t. When it became available again, she knew she had to apply for it.
“I wasn’t surprised I decided to apply,” she said. “It worked out in my favour.”
Chief Building Official Doug Schultz, with whom Ms. Dillabough has been working with for many years, said, as he walked out of the office, “She just got too educated working in this office, and she’s got too valuable now, and now they stole her.”
“It makes me feel good that he says those things,” Ms. Dillabough said. “It makes me sad to leave too, because we’ve had such a close working relationship for so long. The hard part is leaving that.”
Ms. Dillabough’s resignation was accepted at last night’s council meeting.
“I really want to, personally, congratulate, Hope,” said Mayor Hal Johnson. “It’s very hard to lose one of your good staff members, but if they feel they are going to do better in the future, or make a move in their life that suits them better, then I’m behind them all the way.”
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin agreed with the mayor.
“To move on and do better for herself is what we want to see,” he said.
