Brandon finally hires new city manager

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This article was published 27/02/2021 (2036 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A year after former city manager Rod Sage retired after spending months on leave, the City of Brandon has finally hired his replacement.

The new city manager is Ron Bowles, who is leaving his position as general manager of community development for the City of Campbell River in B.C. to come to the Wheat City.

According to a release sent out by the city, Bowles was born in Winnipeg and has family connections to Brandon.

Speaking to the Sun from Campbell River by phone, Bowles said it would be an understatement to say he’s excited to be returning to his home province. He said that most of his wife’s family lives in and around Brandon, which was part of the appeal of coming to the Wheat City.

“Working for a progressive council in a city that has so much going for it is definitely the other part, but family plays into it as well,” said Bowles. “I’d like to do my part in helping the community progress and grow. Things like getting the Optimist Park relocation project started, helping council deal with solutions for helping the vulnerable population and homelessness and the opioid crisis, flood protection, First Nations business interests and social programs in Brandon.”

Bowles said he started in the business sector, but has worked in municipal positions for the last 15 years. He described the role he’s leaving in Campbell River as dealing with customer-focused departments like recreation, building and development services, the airport, bylaws enforcement, policing and such.

One of his goals in Campbell River has been to improve the amount of available and affordable housing, something he’s keen on working on in Brandon as well.

After finishing up his final commitments in B.C. and undergoing COVID protocols upon arriving in Manitoba, Bowles is expected to start his duties on April 26.

Until that time, city treasurer Dean Hammond will continue to serve as acting city manager as he has done since Sage first went on leave.

Bowles’ appointment will be approved at Monday’s city council meeting.

Mayor Rick Chrest said Friday that there were more than 55 applicants for the position, which eventually got whittled down to two candidates who were interviewed by council.

“The process has been longer than you normally would want to have,” said Chrest. “COVID certainly put a little bit of a twist on things.”

He said appointing a permanent city manager would provide the city with a certain amount of safety and stability.

The mayor said he believes that Bowles’ work back in Campbell River shows that he has a can-do attitude and that he’s a person that can organize staff and community groups to get projects accomplished. Chrest also had a lot of praise for Dean Hammond’s job as acting city manager.

“Dean’s done a very solid job,” said Chrest. “He’s a valuable part of our organization and will continue to be.

 

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