The District of Hope is once again on the lookout for a new chief administrative officer after Brian Woodward announced his retirement at a closed meeting, Monday night (July 6).

Although Woodward’s retirement was not known to be imminent, according to Mayor Laurie French the council had been “informed earlier” of the CAO’s intentions to retire.

Karla Lanktree, the District of Hope’s director of corporate services, was appointed acting CAO late Thursday afternoon by the mayor.

With union negotiations previously headed up by Woodward, Karla Lanktree, stepped up to the table in talks between the district and CUPE 458 – negotiating under the direction of council, adds French.

And the “talks continue to be in mediation,” said French, Monday, July 14, with the District of Hope awaiting the union’s response to our most recent offer.”

Details of the offer remain confidential added the mayor, noting only that council is anxious to settle the contract and get on with moving the district ahead.

The District of Hope employees have been without a contract for 18 months.

Council will be meeting to discuss various options open to them on filling the over $100,000 CAO job posting including perhaps a “different model of governance,” for example cutting the position to three days a week, added French. They are expected to begin discussions next week.

Until the CAO position is permanently filled the District of Hope will be under pressure with many projects in mid-stream but “we have capable staff and I think they will be able to handle it,” said French.

Brian Woodward told the Hope Standard, last Wednesday, that Hope will remain his home, however, a small retirement home in Mexico, where Woodward and his wife assist needy communities, may be in their future.

Woodward had been with the district for three years.