New public works manager is “a big roads guy”

Craig Bakay | Apr 19, 2017

With 25 years experience working on roads crews, new Central Frontenac Public Works Manager Brad Thake hopes to be a “voice of reason” and provide the same sort of stability in the position that his predecessor, Mike Richardson brought.

“Mike was a heavy roads guy and a big bridge guy,” Thake said after his first solo Council meeting and a couple of weeks on the job. “He left the Township in good shape infrastructure-wise.”

Thake is originally from Brockville but he’s no stranger to area as much of his family is from Westport. That village’s legendary Reeve Bill Thake was his great uncle.

“I’m glad I’m here,” he said. “It’s close to friends and family and there are real people here.”

Thake started his career with a private firm contracted to MTO that covered roads in the 401 corridor from Kingston to Brockville. From there he moved on to Port Dover and started to move into management as an area supervisor before settling into Chatsworth Township (south of Owen Sound) where he was roads supervisor.

“I was even part of a declared state of emergency when Williamsford flooded,” he said. “I’ve done lots of things regarding roads from accident investigation to rebuilding and contracts.

“This is a great opportunity to make an impact on taxpayers’ lives.”

By that, he means keeping a tight lid on budgets.

“My focus is certainly going to be on roads,” he said. “(But) people can’t afford tax increases.

“Luckily, we have a fantastic staff, a great mayor with a lot of integrity and I think (Clerk) Cathy MacMunn and I have the same vision moving forward.”

He said he’s looking at a new grading program and is on board with his counterparts in the other Frontenac County Townships on landfill and waste diversion programs aiming at zero waste one day.

Thake and his wife Dana (“I wouldn’t be where I am without her”) live in Salem with a great dane, a bull mastiff and a bulldog. He has two sons from a previous marriage.

He hasn’t decided how he’ll spend his free time in the north country but after seeing all the lakes around here he said: “I may have to take up fishing.”