As the outgoing CAO was presenting her final Quarterly Report, a councillor commented. “I’m going to miss these, unless that becomes a job requirement for the next CAO,” said John Hirsch. 

Other councillors echoed the sense of loss, as well as uncertainty about how Ms. Wallace’s standards would be maintained going forward. 

“This is one example of an innovative tool to communicate in detail, in great detail, with our constituents. All the highlights, breadth and complexity it offers about the items that staff and Council are managing,” said Councillor Janice Maynard. 

Ms. Wallace’s  expertise was noted in an address full of accolades from Councillor Bill Roberts.

“Madam CAO, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for all that you’ve done for Prince Edward County. Thank you for raising the standards. Thank you for the award-winning innovations. Thank you for that incredibly encyclopedic base of knowledge and skill that you brought to the CAO role. Sincerely, thank you so much,” he said.

The chamber broke out in applause after these remarks.

“I want to say exactly the same thing. The appreciation and gratitude for your years of service to the municipality, our residents, our businesses. Thank you sincerely, most sincerely, Marcia, for everything you’ve done,” said Mayor Steve Ferguson. 

Ms. Wallace’s resignation coincides with a divided time at Shire Hall. On the agenda of her final Council meeting was a non-confidence vote brought against Mayor Ferguson.

One of the clauses of the resolution asserted, “relations between staff and the Mayor have deteriorated to unhealthy levels.”

During a heated debate, Councillor MacNaughton noted, without naming names, that the rift with the CAO involved other Councillors. 

Ms. Wallace departs April 30th after five years in the role. She has a PhD in urban planning from the University of Waterloo. Before her appointment as CAO to Prince Edward County, she worked as an Assistant Deputy Minister for the Ministry for Municipal Services in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The search for a new CAO is underway. The announcement of an interim CAO is expected soon.