Axe falls on Hay River's top administrator
Mayor says Murdock-Smith wasn't good fit for community
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, January 23, 2017
HAY RIVER
The Town of Hay River has parted ways with its senior administrative officer.
Council passed a motion to end the employment of Gloria Murdock-Smith following an in-camera session at a special meeting Jan. 11.
"It was a decision that was hard to make, but it was a decision that council had to do," Mayor Brad Mapes told News/North.
Mapes said Murdock-Smith just wasn't a good fit for the community.
"I agree with the motion," he said.
"I agree with the fact that we had to make a change from understanding all the situation."
Mapes noted Murdock-Smith was still in the probation period of her employment with the town.
Since it is a personnel issue, the mayor said he could not say much more on the matter.
The Town of Hay River issued a news release on Jan. 13 announcing the departure of Murdock-Smith, who grew up in the West Channel and was away from Hay River for more than 30 years before returning to become SAO.
The town expressed gratitude for her service to the town as SAO.
The news release stated she is returning to British Columbia, where she lived before taking the SAO position in September of last year.
"I would like to thank Ms. Murdock-Smith for her contribution to the town and wish her all the best as she explores other opportunities in an environment she is professionally familiar with," Mapes stated in the news release.
Four councillors voted in favour of the motion to end Murdock-Smith's employment, while two were absent from the meeting and one abstained.
As a result of Murdock-Smith's departure, Ruth Boden, the town's director of finance and administration, has become the acting senior administrative officer.
Murdock-Smith could not be reached for comment.
