By Dominic Abassi

Nanaimo Council saying little as future of city manager remains unclear

Feb 8, 2018 | 8:52 PM

Nanaimo councillors are staying quiet after discussions about their beleaguered chief administrative officer at a pair of closed meetings this week.

Council went in-camera both Monday and Thursday and are not offering any comment on the situation, one week after CAO Tracy Samra was arrested for allegedly uttering threats at City Hall on Jan. 31.

NanaimoNewsNOW emailed each councillor asking several questions, including what proactive steps were being taken to find clarity after it was announced last week Samra was hired by the shíshálh Nation in Sechelt and would begin work there this month.

Councillors Bill Yoachim, Bill McKay and Diane Brennan replied, saying they could not offer any comment. Coun. Sheryl Armstrong said “The City of Nanaimo has a legal and moral obligation to protect the privacy and confidentiality of its employees. Council members and the City will therefore not be commenting.”

Samra remains on paid medical leave and the City also did not answer questions about the situation.

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Shíshálh Nation director Keith Julius offered an update at Thursday’s Sunshine Coast Regional District board meeting.

“I know there are a lot of things going on out there right now when it comes to the CAO we were planning on hiring. We haven’t said that we are not going to hire her, we haven’t said that we are going to hire her. We are sitting back and we are trying to find out what the ‘beep’ is going on over there so we can either bring her on board or let her move on,” the Coast Reporter’s Sean Eckford reported.

In an email Thursday, the Nation said a press release would be sent out on Friday.

Meanwhile, many staff at City Hall are wondering what will happen next.

A member of the City’s non-union management staff, speaking to NanaimoNewsNOW on condition of anonymity, said staff are hoping for a quick resolution so “we can begin the rebuilding phase.”

“The fact that no resignation letter from the CAO has been provided yet — despite the events that have transpired — is mind-boggling.”

They said despite a political situation which has become “an unfortunate bad sitcom,” staff continue to show resolve and remain focused on “celebrating any positive things instead of the negativity swirling around Council.”

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi