By Ian Holmes

Lantzville’s mayor not shocked by quick departure of CAO

Sep 9, 2016 | 4:31 PM

LANTZVILLE — The District of Lantzville is looking for a top bureaucrat following the sudden news that CAO Brad McRae is leaving.
 
He accepted a newly created Chief Operations Officer position with the city of Nanaimo.

Lantzville mayor Colin Haime says the district will be looking for a CAO who is versatile and fits well with their team.

“You’re not just given one department, you’ve effectively got all departments under you, and also in dealing with small senior management staff, as well as CUPE staff, an individual that can make that group work together, in my opinion, is the most important criteria,” says Haime.
 
Haime says losing McRae after only 13 months on the job is a bit of a surprise, but not a shock by any means.

“There’s a realization that in these small districts, we’re a bit of a proving ground for untested CAO’s, or alternatively an individual who’s at the end of their career.”

Haime notes that McRae’s last day with Lantzville is September 30.

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Haime says they’ll bring in an interim-CAO before a permanent one is hired.

McRae, who previously served as the CAO of the town of Lillooet, was hired in Lantzville during the tail-end of a turbulent time for the small district, which saw the resignation of two top managers and four councillors.