Q&A with Clearview's CAO

In 1999, Sue McKenzie was employed as Shelburne’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), when she heard Clearview was looking for someone to fill the same position. Sparked by the chance to work where she lives, Sue (who has called Creemore home since 1997) decided to go for it – and won.

Fourteen years and three Mayors later, Sue is now preparing for a new stage: retirement. The Echo caught up with Sue during her last week at the municipal office to find out what she’s leaving behind and what the future has in store.

Has being Clearview’s CAO lived up to your hopes and dreams?

Absolutely! It has been a whole series of changes, challenges, successes and lessons learned.
There have been a lot of “best moments.” We conducted an original branding exercise in 2001, but we weren’t ready for it then. We are ready for it now and the new brand is great. I believe people are ready for a professional, progressive municipality.

We have established a business plan, built the infrastructure and got the funding. It’s a huge feat. Now that the infrastructure is in place, we will encounter more growth in the next few years. And we recognize that we need people to do specific things, like the Small Halls Festival in the fall, which will bring Clearview together.

It’s been challenging, stimulating and rewarding. I believe that every day you should learn something and I have learned so much.

What challenges have you faced?

In this job, you never turn off. You have to care and do your best every day. There are times when you just have to sit down and laugh. And if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry. Luckily, I have never cried over issues.

You also have to meet four levels of legislation – federal, provincial, county and municipal. That’s a lot of legislation!

Clearview is so geographically large and diverse that there is always controversy. It is a whole series of communities and we need to bring them together in civic pride. It’s a fascinating place. The differences in the communities give strength to the whole.

I have positive memories and enjoyed every moment of what I do, even when there have been frustrating times or when I had to do things I didn’t necessarily agree with.

I’m the meat in the sandwich! I’m between the politicians and the staff. It’s up to me to try to make things work.

Why retire now?

It’s the right time for me professionally and personally. I think I’ve done all I can and Clearview is ready for new energy and thoughts. The new Council should start in the fall with a new CAO in place.
What will you miss?

You can’t always make things work and please everybody, but you can deal with the pressures if you have a great team. My proudest achievement is the team I am leaving behind and their capacity to take Clearview forward. I have 100 per cent confidence in that team. They are supportive and amazing; I’m just a small part of it. We sit down, talk and do the best we can with the tools we have. Everyone puts their heart and soul into it every day. That’s what I will miss the most – the people.

You have a reputation as a snappy dresser. Now that you’re retiring, is it sweats-and-sneakers time?

I don’t own a track suit! I do have workout clothing that I hope to use, however. I have been sitting at a desk for 35 years and I want to become more active.

What are you looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to opportunities for doing new things – and doing more of the things I love. There is a very special person in my life and we are planning to travel, play golf and do things with our friends and families. I’d like to ski again for the first time in eight years. I like hiking, golfing, reading, cooking and entertaining. I love making beef tenderloin in a mustard peppercorn crust!

I’m on the Board of the Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Society and I want to continue working in my community. I’ve always been able to get things done, but now it will be amazing to wake up and have time to do it.

Will you consider politics?

No! I have a lot of energy left to do positive things with, and it will be for the community, but not politics.

I still love what I do and where I am. I love the people and I feel fortunate to have had this time in such a wonderful area.