North Bay Mayor Al McDonald continues to maintain that he was not aware that former CAO Jerry Knox was given the title of “Corporate Advisor” following his retirement from the city.
“Obviously there’s been a lot of talk, but I didn’t want to mislead anyone. I stand by my comments that I was not aware of that title,” said McDonald.
Last summer McDonald was asked during a live televised phone-in show about the title given to Knox, what the job description was and why Knox was being paid over $200,000 for doing no work for the city by citizen activist Kevin Ferris.
“I was asked about the corporate advisor, and I stand by my comments I was not aware of that title. There was direction and it is in the transitional agreement that council directed staff to develop that transitional plan, and we were not part of that,” said McDonald.
“So when the IPC or the privacy commissioner asked for the information to be made public, we did. It basically is an HR matter, but I can tell you, and I stand by my words, that I did not know about the title.”
McDonald was asked if he knew something was in the works to keep Knox on as an employee after his retirement.
“In the transitional agreement it actually states that there was direction from council, but I can’t disclose what was said in the in-camera session.”
Ferris, whose persistence to learn more about how Knox made the Sunshine list following his retirement, made an application under the Freedom of Information Act, but met with resistance from the city in disclosing documents.
See: FOI documents show McDonald heavily involved in Phantom Corporate Advisor payment
Ferris says McDonald has left many questions unanswered.
“I’d like to have clarification on how this direction from council was given to staff to enter into this agreement. Was there a vote taken? Was there a resolution of council even though it was in an in-camera meeting? There haven’t been any answers to that. I didn’t receive anything in my documentation back from the city to show how the direction was given,” said Ferris.
“So in my mind, there had to have been a vote. But if there was another means please let me know, or let the people of North Bay know how the direction was given.”
McDonald was also pressed for more information about the corporate reorganization of city hall this week, including details surrounding the departure of CAO Keith Robicheau.
“As you know, I can’t speak to an identifiable individual, so I will just leave it at that.”
McDonald says the restructuring move is about creating efficiencies.
“I think you can take a look at the reorganization and read into it that we want to grow,” said McDonald.
“I ran on a mandate of growth and so did the vast majority of council and that is what we want to see. This restructuring really is a signal to our community that we are open to investment.”
The mayor credited city hall staff for coming up with the restructuring plan.
“Credit goes to David Euler and the senior staff. They were looking at the structure and this was the recommendation they brought back, so credit to them. That’s not something I can take credit for,” said McDonald.
“I can tell you I did have conversations with Davie Euler about if there was a change, would he be willing to take on the role (of CAO). It is interim, and we will be going out to search for a new CAO. David Euler has made it very clear that he is going to be one to apply, but we will definitely be going out for a CAO.”
