City Hall is losing its head.
Maple Ridge Chief Administrative Officer Jim Rule has announced that he will retire from his job at city hall this spring.
Rule’s last working day will be May 29.
“He’s an extremely steady CAO, and it’s been a pleasure working with him,” said Mayor Nicole Read. “He’s been very supportive.”
Rule has been the chief administrative officer of Maple Ridge since 2002, when he and his family moved from Sudbury, Ont.
Revitalization of the town core has been a challenge for city hall, and Read said among Rule’s accomplishments is good work in that area in recent years.
It has seen a spate of condominium building in the area, beautification, and commercial investment, she added.
“As I approach my 67th birthday, it is time to turn the page and enter a new chapter so I can pursue other passions in life with my wife and family and retirement will allow me that opportunity,” said Rule.
“When there is fresh powder on the mountains, we will be off skiing; when it is a beautiful sunny day, we will be off kayaking or hiking; and in between, traveling to all the places we have been yearning to visit.”
Read wished him a healthy and happy retirement.
“Change is good, and this opens a new opportunity for the city,” said the mayor.
The city will conduct a nationwide search to get the best possible candidate. The big chair at a city hall, in a growing community of 80,000 people, should be an attractive position for potential candidates.
“It’s a really exciting time for the city, and a lot of people will see that as a great opportunity,” she said. “We have a great foundation, and we’re going to build on it.”