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Long-time Wasaga CAO George Vadeboncoeur retires

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In Council Watch
Jul 18th, 2018
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George Vadeboncoeur

Ian Adams Wasaga Sun

Wasaga Beach’s long-time chief administrative officer has retired.

During a special council meeting on July 18, following a two-and-a-half-hour session behind closed doors, councillors accepted the “early retirement” of George Vadeboncoeur.

Vadeboncoeur was appointed the town’s CAO in 2005. He was previously the CAO for the Town of Penetanguishene, where he served 10 years in the CAO position.

Prior to his role in Penetanguishene, Vadeboncouer — whose background includes land-use planning — held several municipal administrative positions in the Ottawa-Carleton area, including as a clerk.

Vadeboncoeur stated in a news release issued by the town it was for him the right time, both personally and professionally

“There’s never a perfect time to retire, but for me, this makes a lot of sense,” Vadeboncoeur said in a news release. “The town is in a sound financial position, and council is well on the way to developing the new community hub with the twin pad arena along with the new library.”

He also acknowledged both current and past municipal staffers he had worked with over the years, as well as elected officials.

“I sometimes wonder if the community truly appreciates the sacrifices that they make to serve in that role.”

Vadeboncoeur’s retirement date is Aug. 17, though he could remain in place until Sept. 28 at the latest.

The motion accepting his retirement was accepted in a five-two vote, with Deputy Mayor Nina Bifolchi and Coun. Sylvia Bray opposed.

Both declined to comment on their vote. Bray said she had known Vadeboncoeur prior to her election to council in 2014, and that she wished him well in retirement.

There was no discussion to the announcement. In a news release, Mayor Brian Smith said that he wished to thank Vadeboncoeur “for his years of dedicated service,” and noted the CAO had played a significant role in the growth of the town and its evolution to a more complete community over his years of service.

Wasaga Beach CAO to retire

News release from Wasaga Beach July 18 2018

George Vadeboncoeur, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Wasaga Beach, announced his retirement today after almost 13 years of service as CAO to the community.

His last day in the position will be August 17, 2018.

In making this announcement Vadeboncoeur noted that it was for him the right time both personally and professionally.

“There’s never a perfect time to retire, but for me, this makes a lot of sense. The town is in a sound financial position, and Council is well on the way to developing the new community hub with the twin pad arena along with the new Library.”

He also said “I’ve had the opportunity to work with some excellent elected officials over my career. I sometimes wonder if the community truly appreciates the sacrifices that they make to serve in that role.”

He noted that he had had the good fortune to work with some tremendous administrative and operational staff members over his many years with the town.

“Many of them have retired but there are some who are still here and continue to serve in an exemplary fashion. Without a talented and committed team behind him or her, a CAO cannot succeed nor a community reach its potential,” said Vadeboncoeur.

Speaking on behalf of council, Mayor Brian Smith said that he wished to thank Mr. Vadeboncoeur for his years of dedicated service and noted that George had played a significant role in the growth of the Town and its evolution to a more complete community over his years of service. The Mayor noted that members of council joined with him in wishing George and his wife Catherine many happy years of retirement, noting that he would not be surprised to see George continuing to serve the broader community in some fashion.

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