Penetanguishene mayor takes top admin role in Wasaga Beach
Penetanguishene’s mayor has a new job in Wasaga Beach.
Gerry Marshall has been appointed the town’s chief administrative officer, replacing long-time CAO George Vadeboncoeur who announced his retirement in late July.
He is stepping down as mayor; he filed for re-election — because of the timing of the announcement his name remains on the ballot — but said he will not actively campaign. Marshall said if he is re-elected on Oct. 22, he will decline the post.
Marshall was elected Penetanguishene’s mayor in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. He has served as the warden of the County of Simcoe since 2014. The Municipal Elections Act requires that he step down from his mayoral job; as he is no longer a mayor, he is also no longer a county councillor.
Essa mayor and the county’s deputy warden, Terry Dowdall, will serve as warden until the end of the term.
“I was surprised like most people when I heard the announcement,” Dowdall wrote in an email. “We are fortunate to have great County Councillors to whom I will reach out to for assistance and extremely qualified and dedicated staff to continue moving forward with all our services.”
Marshall said he actively sought out the job after Vadeboncoeur’s announcement, and reached out to Mayor Brian Smith, Deputy Mayor Nina Bifolchi, and the town’s alternate county councillor, Coun. Bonnie Smith. He was one of two candidates presented to council by the town’s consultant on the file, Nigel Bellchamber, for consideration for the job.
He starts Aug. 23.
“I wasn’t seeking to be a CAO, or interim CAO, of any other municipality in the province,” Marshall said. “I’m here because Wasaga Beach is doing everything that excites me about the municipal world.
“They’ve got a vision for the downtown, they’ve got the beachfront, they have tourism, the town is growing. It was an excitement level for me, and that’s what attracted me,” he said. “George’s retirement opened up an opportunity that I thought I would thoroughly enjoy.”
Marshall’s contract is for six months, though he said he will pursue the role when it becomes permanent.
Marshall worked in senior management roles in the telecommunications industry for 30 years.
Mayor Brian Smith said Marshall’s business and political experience stood out to him when it came to choosing a candidate.
“Both candidates were very strong candidates … but because of my knowledge of (Marshall), I know Gerry to be a builder, I know him to be a person who acts with speed and precision,” he said. “In the last four years working with Gerry on county council, under his leadership, county council has accomplished a lot of great things.
“Gerry was much more well-rounded for me when I looked at where our community was headed. Gerry’s experience, both in municipal government and the corporate world, was a total package to me.”