Town dismisses two department heads

Two long-time municipal employees were released from service with no more than an hour’s notice Feb. 6.

Stan Baliant, director of property services and Gerald Matichuk, director of engineering and development, were dismissed in a quick meeting with CAO Brad Watson.

Watson said the change will allow the town to undertake re-organizing and restructuring within its ranks. “We’re looking at doing some things differently.”

That is all Watson said in a phone interview Feb. 8. The town will be advertising shortly, but he did not explain for what position or how many.

Town staff were notified of the change and will proceed with their duties and make the necessary decisions according to their jobs.

“We will undertake to have things (transition) as smoothly as possible,” he explained.

In some cases they will be able to follow town policies to guide them through uncertain areas.

Baliant was an employee of the Town of Ponoka for the last 12 years, six as a public works foreman and six as director — and he was as surprised as coworkers and residents. He was given the same reason of “re-organizing and restructuring.” It appears there was no particular action of Baliant’s that found him to be fired.

“There’s no just cause,” he stated.

Fighting personal feelings, Baliant wants to stay in Ponoka but he has updated his resume and plans to send it to companies around the province.

“Personally I’d like to stay here, but if I have to move, I will,” explained Baliant.

Mayor Larry Henkelman said the town is considering moving forward with one position, but it has not been decided yet and changes might not be done.

“How do we make things better?” Henkelman asked.

Watson said he followed Alberta Employment Standards when terminating Baliant and Matichuk. Baliant was a contract employee and received a severance package under terms of his original contract.

Matichuk had worked for more than 20 years with the town. He was unavailable for comment.

Town administration recently hired Wes Amendt, director of community services, and has also hired a new accountant position to assist Betty Quinlan, director of corporate services.

There is a Coffee with Council evening planned for Feb. 22 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.