The Town of Barrhead has a new chief administrative officer (CAO).
Although the town officially announced they had hired Edward LeBlanc in an April 18 media release it did not become official until councillors unanimously appointed him to the position at their April 23 meeting.
LeBlanc replaces Martin Taylor who officially left the position after seven and a half years on Dec. 31, to take a similar position with the Town of Hinton. He officially assumes the job May 14.
Mayor Dave McKenzie thanked director of finance and administration Kathy Vickery for serving as interim CAO.
Committee appointments
Councillors unanimously approved Nadine Quedenbaum and Leah Jackson to the twinning committee. The Town of Barrhead is twinned with three sister cities, Tokoro, Japan, Drouin, Australia and Chapala, Mexico.
In 2021, Barrhead will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of its twinning with Japan.
Both Quedenbaum and Jackson have been involved with the program hosting delegates from Tokoro.
“My family and I enjoyed learning about Japanese culture and teaching our guests about Canada. With the experience and exchange, we had during the girls time with us, I’m sure I would be able to contribute and share ideas to make future visits as successful as past stays,” Quedenbaum wrote in a letter to twinning committee chair Coun. Shelley Oswald.
Land-use bylaw
Councillors gave first reading to Bylaw 04-2019 and set a public hearing for May 28 at 5:30 in the Town of Barrhead council chambers.
The bylaw if passed would allow the owner of a property on 52 Avenue near 48 Street to rezone the lot from residential to commercial.
“The owner is looking at selling the property for a possible hairdresser and right now it isn’t zoned for that,” Callihoo said.
