OLDS — Director of finance Sheena Linderman will become the town’s interim chief executive officer (CAO) as of 4:30 p.m. Feb. 25 when current CAO Michael Merritt officially retires.
She will hold that position until a new CAO is chosen.
Town council made that decision during its Feb. 14 meeting.
Merritt has served as the town’s CAO since May 8, 2017, replacing former CAO Norm McInnis. His decision to retire was announced last November.
Before coming to Olds, Merritt served as the CAO of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia.
He had also served as an assistant deputy minister in Alberta’s Municipal Affairs department and held various posts as a civil servant in New Brunswick and Ontario.
Mayor Judy Dahl and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper, who attended the council meeting, both paid tribute to Merritt.
"Thank you for inspiring the staff, Mr. Merritt, with your laughter and your mentorship during the past four years and your collaboration with council as well,” Dahl said.
“As you retire from your career of service Michael, we wish you a happy and healthy life filled with joy and travel with your family and friends.”
There was applause as Dahl presented Merritt with a gift and they hugged each other.
Cooper, who sat on Carstairs council years ago before becoming an MLA, also thanked Merritt for his years of public service.
“You know, sometimes mayors and council get all of the glory,” Cooper said with a short laugh. “So often it’s the hard work and dedication of those who support elected officials that really allow for smooth-functioning organizations.
“I really do appreciate your hard work and wish you nothing but success in the future and a retirement full of shuffleboard and cardigans or whatever; travel, now that some restrictions are lifted."
Merritt said, "Thank you so very much, mayor and council for the gift, but more importantly the words. It's been truly an honour to work with you and the past councils over the last – since 2017.
“It’s been a great enjoyment to be in the town of Olds, a great community . . . it’s even better than it ever was."
Merritt praised town staff and the community as a whole for coping with COVID-19 as best they could over the past couple of years, adding he knows that was difficult for all.
Both Dahl and Cooper made joking suggestions that once he’s officially retired, Merritt, a long time Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Red Sox fan, may wear the jerseys of those teams more often than wearing suits.
“MLA Cooper’s right. I won’t be wearing suits too much in the future. And you’re right, your worship (I’ll be wearing) a lot of Maple Leaf and (Boston) Red Sox jerseys for sure,” he added.
“I may have to hand off the Maple Leaf fan Club to Coun. (Darren) Wilson, keep it going here in the town.”
