By Dominic Abassi

City of Nanaimo silent on departure of communications director

Sep 21, 2017 | 6:07 PM

NANAIMO — There’s more upheaval at Nanaimo City Hall with the sudden departure of the director of communications and engagement.

CUPE local 401 president Blaine Gurrie confirmed unionized communications staff were informed Wednesday, Sept. 20 Philip Cooper is no longer with the City.

“We’re not hearing very much and we had no idea Philip was about to be let go, so that came as a surprise to us and his staff,” Gurrie told NanaimoNewsNOW. “We’re hoping we get some direction about what’s going to happen with the staff in the department, what the leadership will look like but we don’t have any of that information yet.”

Gurrie said staff have been told to carry on with what they can and fill in the gaps.

The City has not responded to numerous requests for comment on Cooper’s departure or reports he was given just minutes to clear out his desk and was escorted out of City Hall. Cooper’s name has been removed from the City’s website.

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“He’s not in the building and he’s not in charge anymore so that generally means people have been let go, especially when there’s no notice,” Gurrie said.

Cooper was hired in 2012 as Nanaimo’s first ever communications manager. He was later promoted to a director role, overseeing the communications and engagement department. He was also the staff lead on several advisory committees, including tourism and community engagement.

Bill Manners, a volunteer and selected spokesperson for the Community Engagement Committee, said committee members have not received any communication from the City regarding Cooper’s departure. “He was an unbelievable asset. He really knows exactly what he’s doing,” Manners said, adding he had been working with Cooper for several years on various projects.

“With NoVote2017 when we were fighting against the events centre, Philip Cooper helped us every way he could. Even though the City wanted it, if we needed any time he was there to help us.”

The latest departure from the City comes less than two weeks after manager of bylaw services Rod Davidson was let go. At the time, human resources director John Van Horne said the move was part of the latest realignment of staff, although he specifically denied rumours Cooper was given six months notice on the same day as Davidson.

Data provided by the City showed more than 30 mid-to-upper level managers have left since 2015. In an email, Van Horne estimated there were 65 managers in total at the City.

“When there’s changes, especially sudden changes like that out of the blue, it does throw morale in to a bit of a tailspin. It’s difficult for them and I can tell it’s having an effect,” Gurrie said.

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi