Notes: Council 2021-04-01 – CAO Terminates Three Senior Staffers

Photo Credit: The Brampton Guardian/Fair Dealing

At an unusual Thursday night sitting of Council, it was learned that the CAO/Town Manager, Mr. Harry Schlange, had terminated the employment of three senior staff members on Tuesday.

Near the start of the meeting and before reading the closed session declaration, Mayor Jordan stated:

“On Tuesday March 30 a decision by the CAO resulted in the termination of three senior-level employees. This was a decision solely by Mr. Schlange. There was no resolution or Council support”.

Shortly thereafter, Council Kadwell asked the Mayor asked for clarification as to “what classifies senior, as I believe one of the employees doesn’t have the time in that the other two (have). So how do you classify senior employees?”

Mayor Jordan expertly handled that inquiry with “senior level can be determined on length of service or be determined on position in the corporation”.

Councillor Vaine made a statement of “clarification” inferring that Mayor Jordan’s opening remarks suggested that Council approval was somehow needed. The Mayor corrected Councillor Vaine and stated he was “just getting the facts out”.

Although one of the employees has been identified on social media, to ensure their privacy and legal recourse is robust, their identity is being withheld. This individual however recently received “high praise” from all of Council and Staff members for their work.

Council then proceeded into a 90 minute closed session, presumably to discuss matters further. At the conclusion of which Councillor Ritchie indicated he had “something I’ve been working on” which was “handwritten” and then submitted to the clerk as a motion. It read:

“WHEREAS in 2019 Council established their priorities before interviewing candidates for the CAO’s position; and
WHEREAS in 2019 Council committed to a CAO and supported the CAO to review the organization and make organizational ~~cultural~~ changes; and

WHEREAS in 2020 and 2021 Council continued to support our CAO in these organizational ~~cultural~~ changes; and

WHEREAS these organizational ~~cultural~~ changes are to fulfill Council’s expectations of building a high-performance team for residents and for the community of the Town of Grimsby; and

WHEREAS these organizational ~~cultural~~ changes are human resource matters, so Council and the Town of Grimsby will not be providing any further comment;
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the update from the Town of Grimsby CAO be received.”

Councillor Dunstall seconded the motion. The rather wordy motion was in effect a vote of confidence/non-confidence on the actions of the CAO.

Now if you are asking “How They Voted?”…. here is your answer: