Frances Bula header image 2
← →

A job opens up at city hall

October 15th, 2009 · 6 Comments

This just in, or going out to city hall, or something. I’m a bit surprised. I thought Marg WAS the city clerk and doing a good job.

From: Ballem, Penny
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 2:35 PM
To: Mayor and Council (COV) – DL; Corporate Management Team (COV) – DL
Cc: Di Nozzi, Caterina; Naklicki, Andrew; Coulson, Marg
Subject: Process for Permanent Appointment of City Clerk

Dear Council Members and Memers of the CMT, As most of you are aware, the position of City Clerk/Chief Election Officer has been vacant since April, 2008.

Marg Coulson, Deputy City Clerk, was asked to act in the position for approximately one year to ensure continuity in the Chief Election Officer role throughout the 2008 civic elections, at which time the position was to be put to a competition.

We are a bit behind the original schedule  however we  will commence the competition process with advertising of the position this weekend.

I wish to extend my sincere  appreciation to Marg for her willingness to perform the extended acting assignment. She has been an important resource for both me and our new councillors  over the last 10 months.

I look forward to finalizing a permanent appointment to this key position in the City.  Thank you.

Categories: Uncategorized

  • Brenton

    As an aside: Anything new on the city deficit? CKNW is reporting a huge reduction, from $61m to $28m.

    http://brentonwalters.blogspot.com/2009/10/city-of-vancouver-budget-update.html

  • Higgins

    So, Marg Coulson held this position since April 2008 doing a pretty good job I presume. Good.
    She cannot continue in this job apparently and she now must face some outside competition!? Penny is putting Marg’s job on the “Free market” in a strange but not unexpected move so to show everybody that the Office of the CM is following the “process”. Why wasn’t the process followed in Penny Ballem’s hiring as well… but I digress. Perhaps, another green “in between jobs” American pal is in the books too!
    Following MB’s final comment from the previous post : “Give Ballem a chance”, don’t you think now that it sounds as true as “Give peace a chance… in the Middle East”? Funny, eh!

  • michael geller

    Speaking of the 2008 Municipal Election…

    Saturday November 14, 2009 will mark the one year anniversary of this historic event. Therefore as someone who always likes to celebrate anniversaries (even the anniversary of my former employer’s receivership) I, along with a few friends have decided to organize a community forum THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS! to look at the many activities and accomplishments of the new Council and City administration over the past 12 months.

    The preliminary details can be found at http://www.gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com and further details will be forthcoming. However, the event will be held on November 14 from 8:30 to 12:30 at the SFU Wosk Centre for Dialogue. Admission will be on a first come first served basis. Coffee and muffins at 8 am.

    It will include visual presentations and panel discussions on planning/development/ housing and fiscal matters.

    The final panel will include some of Vancouver’s premier urban affairs commentators and I am delighted to say it will be moderated by the dean of urban affairs commentators,….Frances Bula.

    I am hoping that all Fabula readers will mark the date and plan to attend, wearing name tags bearing their nom de plumes!

  • eleanor

    Michael, I’ll be there on Nov 14th wearing my black collectors’ edition “I survived the 2008 Vancouver Civic Election” button! Worth lighting a yurzheit candle for, don’t you think?

  • Higgins

    What a great idea.
    In other news, Michael, I heard that the people behind the Plain of Abraham re-enactment of the 1759 may need your expertise too!
    I’ll try to make it for the coffee/ muffin combo though.
    Sorry Frances, but after you removed my initial post re: “Hippocratic Penny not hired according to City procedures, but Marge’s job will face the competition…huh?” Funny, eh!
    It seems Michael simply got caught in the friendly fire…I’m already craving sweets.

  • Frances Bula

    Higgins

    I didn’t remove your post but simply hadn’t got to putting it up during my travels.

    Just for the record, not that this seems to be a burning issue, but Marg was the acting clerk all this time and I’m told did not want the job permanently.