August 17, 2011
Carroll to be town
treasurer
by Vance Gutzman
Chris Carroll has stepped down from town council, but he's not leaving
town hall.
Carroll tendered his resignation from Deep River council last week and
is poised to become the town's new treasurer in September, pending the
retirement of incumbent treasurer Brian Quibell.
Deep River Mayor David Thompson confirmed last week that an offer of
employment for the treasurer's position had been both extended and
accepted, noting that council members had no role in the hiring process.
That was left up to the town's chief administrative officer, Michelle
Larose, and Renfrew County's long-time treasurer, Jim Kutschke, was
also brought to assist her in vetting the applicants for the job - with
Carroll coming out on top in the CAO's recommendation to council.
Carroll tendered his resignation from council a week ago Monday, August
8, and council's striking committee was set to meet this past Monday,
August 15, to discuss how to fill Carroll's vacancy on council (whether
by appointment or a by-election).
Council as a whole will also discuss the matter at tonight's meeting.
"We will definitely miss his experience and wise counsel," Thompson
said of Carroll's departure from the council table.
At the same time, the mayor said he's looking forward to seeing Carroll
put forth his enthusiasm for the community into a full-time capacity as
the town's next treasurer.
Carroll, who owns a chartered accounting practice in town, has been
involved in municipal politics as a member of town council for 20
years, as a councillor, reeve and deputy mayor.
He served four terms on council from 1991 to 2003, and was also
appointed to council twice (in 2006 and again last year) to fill
vacancies left by resignations.
He ran again for a council seat in last fall's municipal election, and
was elected handily with 1,312 votes - second only to Daniel Banks.
Quibell announced his impending retirement this past spring, and
Carroll says it wasn't until just a short while ago that he considered
applying for the treasurer's position when it was advertised in the NRT.
If he had known of the vacancy prior to last year's elections, Carroll
says he probably wouldn't have filed his nomination papers, because of
the nature of the position.
"In the long term, it's an opportunity that will arise just once and
it's one I couldn't pass over," he says of his decision.
"And it's a way to stay involved with the municipality and public
service."
Carroll will still maintain his chartered accountancy practice, with
his employees stepping in to maintain the integrity of service to its
clientele.
"It does allow some promotion internally that wouldn't have happened
otherwise," he says.
Quibell, meanwhile, who has worked for the town of Deep River since
1999, is looking forward to his retirement.
"It's time to hang up the hat and try something else," says Quibell,
who has 23 years of municipal administration experience under his belt,
coupled with 21 years in the baking industry prior to that.
"I haven't even been out on the river in my boat yet this year.”
Pending council's approval, Carroll's first day on the new job will be
Monday, September 12.
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