CBRM to seek new chief administrator after top staffer announces retirement

Cape Breton Regional Municipality has a new mayor and council, and it's going to have to look for a new chief administrative officer.

Marie Walsh is retiring after seven years in the top staff position at CBRM city hall in Sydney, N.S.

She says at 60 years old, she wants to spend more time with her children and grandchildren, and less time fighting with the province over policies and funding.

"I think I've given a lot and ... I'm done with the fight," she said in an interview at her home, where she'll be working until her retirement date Friday.

"I'm done with that role and I just want to move on to bigger and better things."

Walsh said between the pandemic, several big storms and the battle for a new financial deal from the province, the last few years have taken a toll.

Walsh said she worked well with Cecil Clarke when he was mayor from 2012 to 2020, though they didn't always agree on things. Now that he's been elected for four more years, Walsh said it's time for someone younger to run the municipality.

"It's a new administration, a new vision and it just seemed like the right time," she said.

Council vote on retirement package

Walsh's retirement package includes two years salary at just over $220,000 a year plus benefits.

CBRM council met behind closed doors for nearly two hours on Tuesday and emerged to vote 12-1 to accept the package.

While several councillors said they wanted more information on the financial implications, only Coun. Steve Parsons voted against it.

Council also voted 9-4 to name solicitor Demetri Kachafanas as interim CAO.

In an interview after the special meeting of council, Clarke said there are financial implications with appointing Kachafanas because he can't be solicitor and interim CAO.

The mayor said the budget includes money for professional service, which could include hiring an outside legal firm to replace the solicitor.

However, Clarke said he wants a financial update from Kachafanas before council makes any other decisions about Walsh's replacement, which could include hiring a permanent chief administrator or someone on a term basis.

Value-for-money audit coming

Clarke already got the new council to agree to a provincial value-for-money audit of CBRM's operations at a special meeting on Nov. 1 and he wants to make several big changes, including having the municipality budget four years ahead and having municipal public works running 24/7.

"It's an ambitious plan to move forward," he told reporters Tuesday.

"It's going to take ... a lot of heavy lifting for us to get better outcomes and better value for dollar for our taxpayers, as well as getting a long-term plan that reduces tax rates."

Clarke said council's first regular meeting will be Dec. 3 after councillors have attended an orientation session and Kachafanas has had time to prepare an update on CBRM's finances.