Taxpayers may never know the cost of Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac’s decision to rescind the hiring of CAO Trevor Lee.
But, according to the mayor, the issue has been resolved.
“The matter has been resolved amicably and on a confidential basis,” McIsaac told OrilliaMatters on Tuesday.
He said he could provide no other comments or context.
In a brief email Tuesday afternoon, Lee confirmed “the matter has been resolved amicably and on a confidential basis.”
He was also asked about the nature of the settlement, the impact of the mayor’s decision on his personal and professional lives and if he has found a new job.
“Regarding your additional questions, I remain optimistic and am looking forward to future opportunities,” Lee said.
The saga began in the midst of the ice storm that ravaged the city on March 28.
In the days after the city declared a state of emergency at 7 a.m. on March 30, McIsaac requested strong mayor powers to help deal with the storm’s landscape-changing wrath.
Robert Flack, the province’s minister of municipal affairs and housing, granted temporary strong mayor powers on April 4.
But in a move that shocked city councillors and citizens alike, McIsaac used his newly granted powers on April 7 to rescind the hiring of Lee, who was to start his new job days later, on April 14.
In a mayoral direction letter posted on the city’s website, McIsaac noted the city was at a “critical point” in its history.
“The decisions we make now will define our direction for years to come. At a time of such complexity, strong, stable, and proven leadership is not optional; it’s essential,” he wrote.
“As part of a leadership transition, I want to advise council that Trevor Lee will no longer be assuming the position of chief administrative officer. To ensure stability and continuity, I have appointed Amanpreet Singh Sidhu as the chief administrative officer, effective immediately.”
Sidhu had been the city’s deputy CAO/solicitor.
At the time of the mayor’s decision, Lee was in the midst of his onboarding process with the city; he’d been given a new laptop, phone, and other work items by Orillia staff.
He had already quit his deputy CAO job in Guelph and put his house up for sale.
At the time, he said he was “bewildered” by the sudden change of direction.
“I currently do not fully understand why the decision to make a complete reversal of the onboarding process was made by the mayor,” Lee said on April 8 via email.
“I believe that a full explanation of the basis for the decision after months of the recruitment process leading to my hiring being completed will be forthcoming.
“If I may put it another way, I believe the public knows as much as I do at this point.”
The city issued a news release on March 21 announcing the hiring of Lee.
In that release, McIsaac said: “Mr. Lee’s experience and leadership will help guide the corporation as we continue to advance council’s strategic priorities and deliver services that enhance the quality of life for our residents. We look forward to working with Mr. Lee to build on Orillia’s successes and plan for the future.”
In part, that is why Lee was so surprised at the move.
“It was a complete surprise to me. As many may easily imagine, I am still processing my emotions,” he wrote. “At first, it was difficult to process. Up to that point, I had every reason to believe that my onboarding had the full support of the mayor and the council members of the City of Orillia.
“I am still somewhat bewildered.
“My spouse and I had already made plans for a relocate to the Orillia area, including advising family, friends and colleagues of my career move and listing our house for sale.
“I am by nature an optimistic person and I am striving toward a fair and equitable resolution that allows both myself and my family and the hard-working administration and staff of the City of Orillia to focus on moving forward.”
Lee hired a lawyer to help with negotiations.
At a city council meeting later on the day of McIsaac’s decision, council voted 7-2 to call on the province to rescind the powers granted to McIsaac.
“This is a slap in the face for democracy ... I think it’s incumbent on this council and everybody in this community to appeal to the minister who doled this power out that it is not wanted here in Orillia … and it should be revoked as soon as possible,” said Coun. Tim Lauer.
“It’s the prerogative of the minister how he chooses to respond to that request,” noted Coun. Janet-Lynne Durnford. “We are hopeful that he responds in our favour, but we acknowledge that it’s a request and we can’t ... direct his decisions.”
When asked about the settlement between the city and Lee today, Durnford said: “No comment.”
— With files from Richard Vivian and Gisele Winton Sarvis
