Dean Sauriol, chief administrative officer for the Township of Whitewater Region, is changing municipalities as he will fill the vacant CAO position at the Township of Laurentian Valley.

“I felt personally it was time for a change,” explained Mr. Sauriol.

Mr. Sauriol began working for the village of Cobden in 1991, when he was hired as the clerk/treasurer. He held the position until 2001 when the village amalgamated with the village of Beachburg and the Townships of Ross and Westmeath. Mr. Sauriol applied and was hired for the CAO position.

Mr. Sauriol said accepting the new position, “is a good opportunity for a change. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Whitewater and have had the privilege of working with outstanding staff and councils.”

Former mayor and current reeve for the Township of Whitewater, Reeve Donald Rathwell, said Mr. Sauriol will be missed, but understands he has an opportunity to work for a larger municipality.

“We are one of the bigger municipalities and Laurentian Valley is bigger. There is a lot of responsibility there,” said Reeve Rathwell. “It is going to be a loss for us. All we can do is wish him well with his new endeavours.”

Whitewater Mayor Jim Labow concurred, “We are sorry to see him go. He is a valuable employee who knows our history.”

He added, “It is going to be very difficult to find someone to replace him.”

A resident of Laurentian Valley, Mr. Sauriol is looking forward to working with council and staff in regards to the economic development, learning about the Ottawa Valley waste recovery centre, plus the challenges the municipality faces as it continues to grow.

In a press release, the Township of Laurentian Valley stated, “Mr. Sauriol was chosen as the successful candidate following an exhaustive recruitment effort by Laurentian Valley’s personnel committee headed by Councillor George Hodgkinson, who believes Mr. Sauriol’s knowledge and experience will be put to good use in Laurentian Valley.”

“Mr. Sauriol certainly impressed our interview committee and we look forward to working with him,” Coun. Hodgkinson said.

Mayor Jack Wilson added, “we are pleased to welcome Mr. Sauriol to Laurentian Valley.

“He comes with a reputation of being a strong leader who will undoubtedly fit well with our staff and council.”

Township treasurer Charlene Jackson has been acting CAO for the township since former CAO John Baird left June 24 to assume the position of CAO for Hamilton Township in Northumberland County.

Mr. Sauriol’s last official day with Whitewater is Sept. 28. However, he will be taking time off before he starts his new position with Laurentian Valley on Oct. 1.

Cyndi Mills is a Daily Observer multimedia journalist

cyndi.mills@sunmedia.ca