NDIT: Funds its 1,000th project since 2005 A4 Friday, September 14, 2012 Another season at Theatre North West about to kick off A11
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www.pgfreepress.com Mr. P.G.
on the
Move
A lla n W ISHA RT/ Fre e Pre s s
Workers from Farr Installations get ready to take the legs and one arm of Mr. PG from its location at the corner of highways 16 and 97 on Thursday morning. The longtime city symbol will get some rest and restoration work, then return at the same corner, but on the other side of Highway 16, next to the Prince George Playhouse.
■ council
Outgoing city manager gets pay hike
Politicians say they have to keep up with salaries in other communities DeLynda Pilon newsroom@pgfreepress.com
The process to find a new city manager is underway and will likely take about six months, according to Prince George Mayor Shari Green. A firm is managing the process, Green said, to fill what she described as a critical leadership role within the city. A handout documenting the results of a restricted council meeting on Aug. 20 reviewing the wages paid to the city
manager confirmed her statement that Prince George is on the low end of the pay scale when it comes to what other city managers are earning within the province. Green pointed out this may make the task of filling the position even more challenging. City manager Derek Bates announced last month that he will be leaving at the end of the year. According to the document released at Monday’s council meeting the 2011 sal-
ary for the position was $202,000. Other cities listed paid their managers anywhere from $13,000 to nearly $82,000 per year more than Prince George. A subsequent vote led to an increase in salary in 2012 to $212,000 with a $10,000 annual car allowance (comparable to what is offered by other cities) and a one-time retroactive vacation leave of 10 days on top of the 35 days of annual paid vacation leave already received. Green added the right person for the job will be aiding the city as it goes
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through many changes, incorporating recommendations resulting from the core review. The person will also need to be someone who can work well with council and integrate into the community. “The city manager is as much of a leader as the mayor,” she said. She added there will likely be internal as well as external applicants interested in the job. Where the candidate comes from, she added, doesn’t matter, however the person’s ability and expertise does.
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