Given during the 2018 State of the City addess (EverythingGP file photo)

By Shaun Penner

Stepping down in January

Given feeling bittersweet as he accepts role as CAO in Jasper

Nov 23, 2020 | 6:38 PM

Bill Given says now, or January, is the right time to take the next step of his career.

This comes after it was announced on Monday that he would be stepping down as the Mayor of Grande Prairie effective January 1, 2021, to take on the role of Chief Administrative Officer in the Municipality of Jasper.

Speaking during a conference call late Monday afternoon, Given said though it was a difficult decision altogether, he is excited for his new opportunity.

“Grande Prairie is my home community, I love it very dearly,” said Given. “So, it will make leaving difficult, when it happens in January.

“But I know that I am going to a very special place. My understanding is that they have a fantastic municipal team in Jasper, and I am really looking forward to getting started with all of them in the new year.”

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Given, who began his time on Grande Prairie City Council as an alderman in 2001, had informed his council colleagues prior to Monday’s news that he would be accepting the job as CAO in Jasper.

Given had earlier announced in October that he would not be seeking re-election in the 2021 municipal election, after spending the last 10 years in the Mayor’s seat in council chambers.

“I think they all realized this would happen, eventually, for me. So, they have been nothing but supportive through the whole process,” said Given, speaking on the support he received from his council colleagues upon receiving the news.

“I think that really speaks to the comradery that we have built over the course of this term.”

He will now transition on to the administrative side of municipal government in Jasper where he will head up the communities municipal operations. With his transition out of elected office being top of mind, Given says staying within municipal government operations is right where he belongs.

The longtime Grande Prairie Mayor refers to municipal governments as “the best level of government.”

“The impact you can have on a community is just so direct and relatively immediate,” said Given. “The people that work in municipal government, I think, are doing meaningful work each and every day. That’s something I look forward to continuing to be able to do that.”

Looking ahead to this chapter in both the lives of him and his family, Given is looking forward with confidence in his new role.

“My time as an elected official was over, and I don’t feel at all bad about that,” added Given. “And, there is a long future in front of me and my family and we’re looking forward to all the opportunities that might provide.”

Council will now be guided by the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and City Bylaws as to how to proceed once Given officially steps down. Though there is possibility of a byelection, the MGA has no requirement for council to hold a byelection for the position if there are 12 months or less left in council’s term.

“I think it is relatively unlikely that council would choose to hold a byelection, given how little there is left in the term,” said Given. “I think this council is fully capable of running with the council members that it has. “

The next municipal election will take place on Monday, October 18, 2021.