By Dominic Abassi

With CAO, CFO on leave, City being led by committee of ‘experienced’ staff: mayor

Mar 5, 2018 | 9:46 PM

Nanaimo’s mayor sought to reassure citizens with a brief statement Monday night, as the City moves forward without its top two employees.

Bill McKay addressed his mayor’s report to the citizens of Nanaimo, relaying how “the corporation intends to ensure the work of the City moves forward” with the chief administrative officer and financial officer both on indefinite leave.

“In the short term the City is being led by a committee of experienced City staff involved in those positions that reported directly to the CAO…We anticipate addressing leadership roles in the near future,” McKay said.

The Community Charter mandates the City have a corporate and financial officer, but does not require a municipality to have a CAO.

McKay said those mandatory roles will be filled by city clerk Sheila Gurrie and accounting services manager Laura Mercer.

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He thanked staff for their “resiliency” through an “unusual situation.”

McKay said he would not comment on specific staff members due to privacy laws, but promised swift action on the personnel matters.

CAO Tracy Samra has been on paid leave since Jan. 31 when she was arrested for allegedly uttering threats. She was released and no charges have been laid. The City will only confirm there was an arrest related to an incident at City Hall and an independent investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, financial officer and deputy-CAO Victor Mema was suspended by Council last week for unspecified allegations. In that instance, the City will only confirm Mema is on indefinite leave and an investigation was launched after Council “learned about an allegation of significant concern.”

As part of his address, McKay also asked Council to direct “inquiries to staff that may involve a degree of work” through the mayor’s office.

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi