Morinville’s chief administrative officer was fired last week, but councillors behind the decision are providing little insight into their rationale.
Milad Asdaghi, the town’s CAO since spring 2007, had his contract terminated last week. Reached on Monday, Asdaghi said council’s decision caught him off guard, but added he enjoyed his experience with the community.
“I very much enjoyed my time in Morinville. I have enjoyed serving this community and I think we accomplished some good things.”
Asdaghi still does not know the exact reason behind council’s decision, but said such a move is within their prerogative. “I respect their authority to make that decision.”
Council members were vague and unusually tight-lipped about their rationale, citing legal reasons and confidentiality. Most would only say it was time for a new direction.
Mayor Lloyd Bertschi said he would like to be more open about the decision, but couldn’t go into details.
“It was just felt by the council that it was appropriate to make a change,” he said, adding the decision to fire Asdaghi was unanimous.
Coun. Joseph Trapani felt Asdaghi was simply not steering Morinville the way councillors expected.
“He was not following council’s future direction,” said Trapani. “We want to carry on with somebody new and move in the direction council wants to go.”
Given the cost associated with such a high-profile departure, Bertschi is asking residents to trust council is making the right decision.
Ending a CAO’s contract typically requires paying a severance, which Bertschi conceded would happen in this case, though no dollar amount was released. Last year Asdaghi was paid $135,864, according to the town’s 2008 financial statements.
“I have to have enough confidence in the people of Morinville that they trust council is acting in the best interests of the community at large,” Bertschi said.
Kevin Robins with Transitional Solutions and a former manager with the City of Leduc will fill in as interim CAO while the town attempts to find a replacement. Robins was interim CAO during the search two years ago that led to Asdaghi’s hiring.
Bertschi hopes the new search will be completed soon.
“We hope to have a new CAO in place by middle of September.”
Asdaghi came to Morinville from Cold Lake where he was the community services director. He replaced long-time CAO Cathy Clarke, who left the position under a cloud of secrecy in July 2006.
