Landon Chambers will end his short tenure as CAO at the end of the month. (Submitted Photo/Landon Chambers)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

CAO Exit

Battleford CAO announces plans to step down

Apr 8, 2024 | 10:40 PM

The hunt is on for a new Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Battleford, following the surprise announcement at Monday night’s council meeting that Landon Chambers will be vacating the position at the end of the month.

“I wouldn’t say it’s just kind of a new thing, it’s just the opportunity presented itself,” Chambers said, noting his decision was based on a family decision.

“My wife is actually an administrator as well, so, it’s nice when your partner can actually empathize with you,” he added of the home support.

Chambers took on the job in the beginning of September and though his tenure was short, he said he wanted to “Make his mark” and get the community back to the long-term sustainability of the municipality.

“We’re all just short-term stewards. The town of Battleford was here long before me, it’ll be here long after,” he said.

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“I just wanted to get respect and transparency back into the town office and give the rate payers confidence of what the elected officials and the administration was doing.”

Mayor Ames Leslie said Chambers leaving is “bittersweet.”

“I wholeheartedly would make the same decision he did for his personal life and I’m the kind of person that will always put family over position or job and I think it gives me more respect for him as an individual when he made a decision what’s best for him and his family’s future.”

Leslie said Chambers has presented a “good roadmap” and he has committed to helping the transition and they will be looking to find an interim CAO to serve from within.

Looking back, the CAO said his tenure was just at the start and he hopes the community appreciates the stability brought into the Town Hall.

“There’s still a lot more work to be done and that can be done but I think I’l always be happy with the legacy of leaving the town better than I found it,” he said.

“There’s always more work that can be done and always nice to be doing it with a group of committed individuals to their community such as council, ‘cause it’s not always for the faint of heart and we’re all just doing the best for the community that we can.”

Leslie said the search will commence later this week and while they are hoping to find someone sooner rather than later, it may take some time.

“It has to be the right fit for the town as well, we just don’t want a warm body sitting in the seat, we want somebody who’s going to gel with the council and the employees and the long-term strategic goals of the community.”

Moving forward, Chambers will take over the role of CAO for the RM of McKillop number 220 and will begin his term next month.

“Everything is very positive and will continue to move forward for the Town of Battleford, it’s just simply a personal kind of thing that I had to move on to be closer to my spouse and I think the Town of Battleford is in a great position.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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