It appears there are more questions than answers when it comes to NIagara-on-the-Lake’s search for a new chief administrative officer.
The town’s CAO recruitment committee was formed in early 2024 and has met nine times since then.
A meeting on Wednesday was the first of the new year.
The committee, consisting of Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa, Couns. Erwin Wiens, Sandra O’Connor, and Maria Mavridis, met in closed session Wednesday for about 40 minutes.
Returning to open session, the committee directed the headhunting firm brought on last year, The Phelps Group, to “proceed as directed” in closed session. No more details were provided.
But at Tuesday night’s council meeting, Coun. Gary Burroughs asked that The Phelps Group be invited to speak to council and give an update, not behind closed doors.
“What’s going on in the marketplace for Niagara-on-the-Lake?” he asked. “It’s important the rest of council understands the challenges we’re having,” said Burroughs.
Coun. Adriana Vizzari questioned whether Burroughs’ request is an “override” of the selection committee, to which Zalepa said he would be glad to take Burroughs’ invitation to the headhunting firm.
“I don’t think that’s an overreach,” said Zalepa.
Coun. Wendy Cheropita agreed with Burroughs that the rest of council wants an update. "I’d like to know where we’re at,” she said.
Zalepa responded that any time there is information that can be shared, that’s what is done. “We’ve updated you every time we’ve had something to update you with,” said Zalepa.
Since January 2024, the position has been held on an interim basis by NOTL resident Bruce Zvaniga, a former staffer with Niagara Region and the City of Toronto. He has said publicly he does not want the position permanently.
It was also said last year by town officials that the recruitment process, which began in March, was expected to last about six months.
Zvaniga came onboard following the resignation of Marnie Clukie, who departed for a top staff position with the City of Hamilton.
In an interview last September, Zvaniga said it was likely a handful of candidates, five or six, would be considered by the committee, but that The Phelps Group started its search “with a much, much, bigger number than that.”
An email sent by The Local to Zvaniga, Zalepa, and communications staffer Marah Minor was not answered by late Wednesday afternoon.