Aurora
August 14, 2008 11:10 PM
Simone Joseph
The record must be set straight regarding an appointment of an administrative assistant for the town’s cultural centre, Aurora Mayor Phyllis Morris said yesterday.
Ken Whitehurst was offered the position last month and a report on the matter released Tuesday explains how the events leading to the appointment transpired.
Town staff had hoped Cathy Molloy, the former head of the Aurora Historical Society, could fill the position, but when she left to join the Town of Markham, this option was no longer available, a report by town treasurer and director of finance John Gutteridge confirms.
“There is no time to do a formal recruitment process so we need to find someone with the knowledge and the skill set for the project,” staff stated in its report.
The appointment of Mr. Whitehurst, however, set off a storm of criticism and speculation, including from former councillor and mayoral candidate Nigel Kean, who said this report does not change the fact council did not go through the proper channels for hiring, he said yesterday.
“They are rushing it through. There is no reason to rush it. They should have put it out to the public. It should have been advertised,” he said.
“This mayor promised open, transparent government. We are not getting it. How did John Gutteridge have Mr. Whitehurst’s background without talking to the mayor?” he asked.
Mr. Kean had earlier criticized the selection because Mr. Whitehurst had helped with the mayor’s election campaign.
The person hired will develop a communication plan, develop a board of directors, solicit perspective sponsors, set up a new charitable corporation and other duties assigned by director of finance/treasurer. assigned by the director of finance/treasurer.
Mr. Gutteridge recommended Mr. Whitehurst in the report, saying he is passionate about the project, has been involved since the beginning, would require no training and has the needed communication skills, along with other positive attributes.
In the 2008 budget, council set aside $98,545 for a manager and temporary and permanent administrative assistant.
A temporary assistant would work until a manager is hired, which staff estimates will be at the end of September.
The temporary assistant would earn $60 per hour for 20 hours a week.
“It (the position) is only for a number of weeks,” Ms Morris said.
“I am disappointed Mr. Whitehurst was maligned the way he was before the report was released,” she said.
Staff advised council there was no time for a full-fledged recruitment.
Mr. Whitehurst was offered the position, but has not yet accepted.
The arts and culture centre will offer creative arts and heritage programming, including drawing, painting, spoken word and literary arts, ceramics, textiles and music.
The heritage programming will include the social history of Europeans, aboriginals and other cultures as well as archaeological heritage, architectural and commercial and industrial heritage.
Aurora’s arts and cultural centre will be housed in the historic building at 22 Church St.
The town wants to create an independently run corporation so it would eventually be self-sufficient.
The centre’s name will change from Aurora Heritage Centre to Church Street School Cultural Centre.