By Laurel J. Campbell
Looking back over four years in the CAO’s chair, Jerry Knox says there are some things he would have done differently, “but I still would have done Memorial Gardens. The Battalion is one of the best things to happen in North Bay. It’s unfortunate what happened to some of the projects (undertaken during the refurbishment) but it was still a good decision. It has put us on the map.”
Knox made the comment during a news conference at City Hall this morning where he announced he would be retiring from the CAO position on June 3, 2016.
“This is something I have been mulling over for a long time,” he said. “You don’t just wake up one morning and the decision is made.”
Knox described the CAO position as more than a nine-to-five job and admitted that he questioned whether he still had enough energy to do the job as it should be done.
“The answer was no,” he said, admitting he no longer had the drive, commitment or burning desire for the job.
Knox met with Mayor Al McDonald two months ago informing him he would not be staying until the end of the council term. In deference to projected project planning and development the two mutually agreed he should leave in the spring.
“City Hall is facing a number of changes in how we do business,” said McDonald. “Mr. Knox and I recognize that there must be change in the city, that the city has to grow, and it would not be fair for (Knox) to leave half-way through that process. A new CAO will see out all the changes through to 2018.”
The Mayor would not comment on what changes are being considered, but he did say there needed to be a new protocol for how the city goes after development opportunities.
“I’m a realist,” said Knox, “and this is the right time to go.”
Both Knox and McDonald alluded to two major projects that Knox will be overseeing before he retires, but neither would elaborate on what they were.
“We have two important files that Mr. Knox has worked very hard on,” McDonald said. “We expect to be able to make an announcement about them in February or March, but I can’t say anything more until contracts have been signed.”
A small recruitment committee will be struck by council and a professional recruiter will be brought in to find a suitable replacement for Knox who holds what the Mayor called “the most important job in the city.
“Whether we hire internally or externally, we have to make sure we hire the right person,” McDonald said.
All of Council were present for the announcement, with the exception of Coun. Tanya Vrebosch who sent regrets, as well as city senior management and many of the City Hall staff.
Knox, who has worked at City Hall for 14 years, the last four as CAO, said he would be taking away many good memories, and praised the city staff for their hard work and dedication.
“I am proud of the work we do and what we have accomplished here,” he said. “We have a great community and we have to continue to work together to make it an even better place.”
