OLDS — Mayor Judy Dahl says she’s happy for Michael Merritt, the town’s chief administrative officer (CAO), as he moves into retirement.
Merritt announced late last month his plans to retire after an approximately 40-year career as a public servant including four-and-a-half years at the helm of town staff. His last day of work will be Feb. 25, 2022.
“I’m very happy for him, actually,” Dahl said during an interview.
Dahl noted she was the mayor of Olds when Merritt was hired.
Merritt became the town’s CAO on May 8, 2017, replacing former CAO Norm McInnis.
Before coming to Olds, he had served as the CAO of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia.
Merritt 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.
“You’ve got to remember in the day, the council of the day, we hired him specifically to do what he’s done for the Town of Olds in being able to have his background in Municipal Affairs,” Dahl said.
“And the past four years, there’s been a lot of connection with Municipal Affairs, so I’m really happy that he’s made the decision to finally – after 40 years – do something for himself and his family."
Dahl was asked if she believes the timing of Merritt’s decision has anything to do with the fact that some new councillors were elected during the Oct. 18 municipal election and that the fate of O-NET, the town-owned internet, phone and TV service, was a big issue in that election.
“Absolutely not,” Dahl said. “You know, when we hired him, we were well aware – the council of the day that were there – that he was only going to be here for four to five years, and he’s spot on for timing.”
At the time of Merritt’s announcement, town officials were asked the same question and gave much the same reply.
An emailed reply said, “No, Mr. Merritt has 40 years in municipal government and is retiring to embrace his future with his family and travel.”
