North Frontenac's Cheryl Robson has seen it all, and now she is moving on.

Jeff Green | Dec 15, 2021

Cheryl Robson started her municipal career in 1988, after working for the federal government for 10 years.

“I found a home in the municipal world. It is always changing. You work directly with other people on community problems, deal with local politicians who live in the communities. It's been a great place to work,” she said from her office at North Frontenac headquarters, near Plevna, last week.

When she started working for Marmora and Lakes Township in 1988 it was pre-amalgamation days, and she was one of two people in the office at the time.

“We were treasurers and administrators and everything else. We did everything back then.”

She came to live in North Frontenac for family reasons in the late 90's.

“We had a house in Marmora and a mobile home on Bishop Lake, where my father ran Bishop Lake campground at the time. (Her brother Bob and sister-in-law Allison run it now, along with Bishop Lake Outdoor Centre.) I said to my husband, we need to make a decision. We can't keep both places going. So we decided to move to the lake and build a permanent home there.”

At the time, she was working in Stirling for Stirling Rawdon-Township, which was a long commute from Hwy. 41.

In 2002, she was at a municipal meeting when Penny Sharman, who was the then clerk for North Frontenac, when Penny told her North Frontenac was looking for a treasurer, and she should apply.

“That's how I came to live and work in the same township.” she said.

Her first role in North Frontenac was as Treasurer/Tax Collector/Deputy-Clerk, under Mayor Stan Johnston. When Penny Sharman left in 2004, Cheryl moved to the Chief Administrator/Treasurer posting, and since 2010 the Treasurer position became a stand alone job, and she has retained the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) position.

That is, until next week, when she will retire from her full time position. But, in keeping with the methodical way North Frontenac administration works, she will stay on with the township 4 days a week, on a contract basis, to mentor and train Cory Klatt, who is currently the Manager of Community Development, and who will take over as CAO in August of 2022.

One of the key elements to the transition will be to hire a replacement for the Manager of Community Development position, a process that will be overseen by Robson, Klatt, and Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Personnel-Audit Committee Gerry Martin.

“I have struggled with trying to find the right date to retire and there is no right date; however, with the next Municipal Election being held in November 2022, I feel the first of August 2022 is a good time for the new CAO to be in place,” she said.

With four grandchildren, Cheryl said she is tired of having to miss some of the games and concerts, many of the important events as they grow up, because her responsibilities in North Frontenac are quite demanding.

As for the transition of the position to Cory Klatt, who was appointed as the CAO backup in 2011, as part of a long term succession plan that is coming to fruition now.

“It is very difficult to recruit and keep senior people to municipalities such as North Frontenac, which is far from any large centre. We have seen municipalities around us have problems over the years. Cory lives in the township, he knows the communities and he is devoted to them, and he will do a great job with the team we have assembled over the years,” she said.

The North Frontenac Township operation in 2021 is different from the one that Robson came to work at in 2002.

“I remember when I asked employees to start keeping time sheets, and one employee went to the mayor and asked him where I had come from.”

When the provincial government informed municipalities that they would need to have Asset Management Plans in place, so that all costs related to maintaining and replacing major infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings were part of budgeting each year, North Frontenac jumped on it aggressively.

It fit with the direction that the township was already headed in.

The capital budget in North Frontenac is based on a ten year plan that is updated each fall. The operating budget is completed early in the new year.

“We find it works really well to have a long term plan like that. That way when we are able to get grants, which we have been successful in doing, we have been able to move things forward.”

One point of pride for Robson has been the way the staffing in the township office has developed.

“I care about the performance of all employees, and the future of the municipality. I try not to get rattled, and try to treat everyone the same, while following policy, and try to maintain a healthy morale, manage conflicts and deal with issues, right up front, to avoid them from escalating.

“We have an effective and stable team environment. We work together, without silos, to meet legislation and the goals/policies set by Council, while looking at possible efficiencies and how we can work better together. I am extremely proud of our municipality and all our devoted employees.”

She also said that while the four mayors (Stan Johnston, Ron Maguire, Bud Clayton and Ron Higgins) that she has worked under have brought very different perspectives to their role, the mayors and councils have all been good to work with, and committed to the future of the township.

“For many years I have appreciated Councils’ forward thinking, respect towards all employees, their support and encouragement for employees training and well-being, and taking care of business.”

She said that as she leaves the township and the municipal world, she is happy that she came to work in North Frontenac in 2002.

“I have had a very rewarding time working here. I will miss it.”