Synergy, it’s the way forward!

Since they blasted his salary scale over the town with a story earlier in the week, the Daily News decided it was time for us to learn a little bit more about Gord Howie, the new Chief Administrator for the city of Prince Rupert.

Howie spoke of synergy at a Chamber of Commerce meeting on Wednesday, and the Daily reported on that appearance and Howies’ vision for the way the city should run while he’s back in Rupert.

NEW CITY MANAGER SHARES HIS VISION
Gord Howie back after stint here back in the 1980’s
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Page Five

The City’s new Chief Administrative Officer is hoping synergy between all parts of the community will continue to carry Prince Rupert forward.

Gord Howie, who was administrator in Prince Rupert back in the 1980’s, recently returned to take up the position vacated by Victor Kumar.

“It’s a great pleasure to be back in Prince Rupert and offer a few years of service to the community,” said Howie, speaking to the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce yesterday.

“I grew up in a small town, a town of 300 people,” he said. “It was the best place in the world to grow up because it gave me an understanding of how communities’ work and how they have to pull together.”

For example, if the kids at his hometown high school wanted a basketball team, they formed one and then fundraised and worked with other parts of the community to reach their goal.

“My particular philosophy towards municipal management is based on synergy, breaking down silos and getting people to work together.

“That just doesn’t happen at the city centre or the public works yard, but throughout the community,” he said.

By working with organizations like CityWest, Tourism Prince Rupert, the chamber and North Coast Community Assets among many others, “it will provide all of us with a better community,” he said.

One example of synergy recently created is between the Prince Rupert Port Authority and the city. The city is responsible for the maintenance of the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry terminal and dock. The dock requires emergency repairs of $150,000.

However, the port has offered to help save the city some money as they are able to provide some new pilings and have offered to take on the management of the repairs given their expertise in marine structures.

“When it comes to synergy I think there’s a tremendous opportunity for the city and the chamber to expand on the work done in the past and foster economic growth in the community,” said Howie.

Another tact the new administrator will be taking is planning. ”I believe firmly in strategic planning at both the council and the city level,” he said.

In the near future, the community can expect to be engaged in the review of the Official Community Plan, which was last reviewed in 1985.

“We will look at the long term vision for the community on the waterfront lands and some city properties,” he said.

The review, which will be done by a consultant with the help of a co-op student from the University of Northern B. C., is expected to start this month and end in March or April of next year.