Seibel replaces Stamhuis

The District of Coldstream has a new Chief Administrative Officer, effective three days ago.

Chartered accountant Trevor Seibel moves from Director of Financial Administration into the position left vacant with Michael Stamhuis' retirement.

The real plus is the continuity brought about by hiring from within.

The real minus--in a candid observation made as soon as the newspaper announcement was issued today--is that both Seibel and Stamhuis were likely "credited" on the bureaucratic pay scale with their respective professional designations.

But did Stamhuis ever use his Professional Engineer education while he was CAO?  "Nope," says the candid and anonymous observer, adding "he hired consultants that were professional engineers".

By extension, then, Seibel will likely put his chartered accountancy skills into the broom closet as a new chartered accountant is sought to fill his vacancy.

"High-priced help, with edited job descriptions that preclude using their designations," offers Kia.

That's the way of the bureaucratic process in British Columbia.