Hub Staff

Saugeen Shoes CAO Larry Allison is set to retire later this year. Allison has served as town CAO since 2009, and said it's time to look at “something different”.

“I think I've had time to reflect over Christmas holidays, and I've done a little bit of math and as my communication said, I've worked for three communities (Saugeen Shores, Innisfil and Aurora), I've worked for six mayors and a baker's dozen of groups of elected officials over my 34 years, and I think it's time to get out of that routine,” Allison said March 29.

When asked what he will do in his retirement he said, “I’ve got a couple of commitments in the community, I'm involved in the local hospital board that I'll continue to work on, and I participate on a provincial committee through the Electrical Contractors Registration organization and I'm going to continue to do that as well." Allison added he will see where that takes him.

Over the past seven years as town CAO, Allison is happy that he’s been a part of a new Official Plan and that staff is close to a new zoning bylaw and feels that the community is in a better financial position.

“I think that on the whole the opportunity for rejuvenation of the organization is a good thing,” Allison said, adding that he will be just down the road to help out, and there will be a long overlap with his successor.

Town staff and the Striking Committee have initiated a process to seek proposals from recruiting firms to assist with the search. A recommendation is anticipated at the April 11 Council meeting. The Committee wants to hire Allison’s successor in August, thereby allowing a generous overlap period for orientation.