Director of building and planning named interim CAO as search for Stratford’s top staffer begins

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The search for the most important staffing position at the city level has begun.

At the city council meeting on March 24, Adam Betteridge, the City of Stratford’s director of building and planning, was unanimously voted to be the interim CAO.

Betteridge joined the city in 2023. He has previously worked in the planning departments of Perth East, Perth County, the Region of Waterloo, and he served as CAO for the Township of Malahide most recently.

Betteridge takes the city’s top staffer position temporarily as council struck a new selection committee for the position, appointing Mayor Martin Ritsma, Coun. Mark Hunter, Coun. Harjinder Nijjar, Coun. Jo-Dee Burbach and Coun. Brad Beatty to be on that committee.

Loreena McKennitt delegated on the selection of the city’s new CAO. She reminded council just how important the position is for not only the administration of the city, but for its long-term viability.

“This may be the most important file and decision in front of this council right now and in the long term; to get this position right is essential,” McKennitt said. “Perhaps other things can be temporarily set aside until the position is properly approved and which no doubt will benefit from having the right person in place.”

Then CAO Joan Thomson attended her last meeting that evening before her retirement. On behalf of all past mayors, council and staff, Ritsma thanked Thomson for her work and particularly highlighted the work she has done in service to Stratford residents.

“That's what we're here for, is to serve the residents of our city. And you've done that with great courage, great commitment, for 40 years,” he said.

In response, Thomson said that she is humbled.

“It has been 40 amazing years,” Thomson said. “I remain fascinated by all that you do and all that we as a team have accomplished. I expect great things to continue with council. I can't say enough about this great community. … If you have never been a municipal employee, you do not understand what it means to serve the public. And we serve at the local level, meaning that we run into each other in the grocery store and in the parks, and we hear a lot.

“And as I said, if you have never served at the municipal level, you don't know what that commitment is like. So, it is unique, it is special and I remain humbled by all the employees who continue to show up every day and try to do the best that they can.”