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34 Pages ~~ The Voice of North and West Vancouver since 1969

Director of
| finance
axed in WV

Council mum on Horwood’s dismissal

Catherine Barr

Contributing Writer

WEST Vancouver District’s director of finance
was formally terminated on Tuesday.

The axe fell a week prior to the public release of an independent report
about the municipality’s senior staff and council.
George Horwood, director of finance and chief’ financial officer of the
district, had worked for the municipality for approximately 22 years. He had
been director of finance since 1986.
District councillors and staf¥ have refused to comment on the matter. But
a Wednesday afternoon press release from the mayor's office stated explicit-
ty that the termination “did not in any way involve allegations of *cause’.”
Calling it a “joint decision” berween all of the parties involved, Mayor
Par Boname would not elaborate, saying it was “a personnel matter (which)
can’t be discussed.”
She likewise refused comment on questions surrounding the terms of the
dismissal and inquiries about compensation.
Horwood, who had been on leave since July, was also unavailable for
coniment,
According to Boname, a leave of absence was granted to Horwood
because of illness.
“It was (due to) a doctor's certificate saying he needed time off,” she
said.
Reaction around the community has been nixed. But on the eve of the
release of an independent organizational review of municipal affairs, many
are remaining tight-lipped.
“Personally Fo regret his departure,” said Lionel Lewis, Ambleside and
Dundarave Ratepayers Association vice-president. “In my mind, George
Horwood has been one of the most capable senior staffin the municipal hall
for many years. 1 found bir forthright in providing requested information
which js often not the with other senior members of staff.”
Former West Vancouver councillor Andy Danytliu calls the departure
unfortunate.
“Well I'm surprised because [ wasn’t aw: Horwood j was look-
ing for a change, he’s been there so long,” sai wliu. “For him to Teave
I’m assuming he was asked to (and) that it’s the result of the Cuff report.”
The organizational review, also known as the Cutt report, was commis:
sioned by council last January. George Cuff, who lives in Alberta, was hired
to condita series of interviews with council and staff'and to review sever: ,
al municipal processes and procedures. Cuth’s final report. which cost the fA Tn eT ; ; : : ; eo ge a
municipality approximately $50,000, mentions the perfocmance of severa " ame — — .
senior me Terabers, including Horwood’s. NEWS photo Terry Peters

As reported fast June by the News, the report calls into question the P bli | h
jeaclership ability of municipal: manager Doug Allan, According to. the r 0 em p ay ouse
report, Allan “lacks the confidence” of council and the administration.
WEST Vancouver resident Stephen Sinclair can come out to play, but his backyard “playboat” is
See Review page 3 under municipat scrutiny because Sinclair didn't apply for a building permit. See story page 3.

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