The hunt is on for a new executive assistant for the City of White Rock.
In discussing the position posted to the city’s website Aug. 20, city manager Dan Bottrill confirmed that the role formerly held by Wendy Cantin is now vacant.
Bottrill would not say if Cantin left the job of her own accord or was let go, but Mayor Wayne Baldwin said Friday the decision was Cantin’s.
“She just wanted to make a change,” he said. “I’m sorry to see her go.”
The opening is at least the third that has come up at city hall since last December. That is when Bottrill’s predecessor, Peggy Clark, suddenly retired.
Rob Thompson, the city’s director of engineering and municipal operations, left his position at the end of June, after the two-year contract he had been hired on was not renewed.
Baldwin, in the lead-up to the November election, made the salaries of both Clark and Thompson an issue, describing their compensation as “exceedingly generous.” When Thompson’s job was posted in April, Baldwin reiterated that the position had been overpaid.
According to the city’s financial statements for 2011, Thompson received $220,365 in remuneration last year, plus $434 in expenses.
Cantin’s 2011 remuneration is not on the list, which only names employees who earned more than $75,000, but Baldwin assured Peace Arch News that neither compensation nor performance were issues.
“She was a really good employee with us. I’m sorry to see her go.”
According to the job posting, the successful candidate will be tasked with “a variety of highly responsible, confidential and complex administrative duties… and exercises considerable independence of judgment in providing assistance and clarification in response to internal/public queries relating to city policies, bylaws and regulations.”
Their responsibilities will also include maintaining and preparing confidential records and correspondence, and undertaking research and special projects.
Applications are being accepted until 4:30 p.m. Sept. 10..