Bruce County’s top public servant is leaving.
Chief Administrative Officer Sandra Datars Bere, who started in May 2020 at the County, is heading to the City of St. Thomas to be the City Manager at the end of the year.
Before coming to Bruce County, Datars Bere worked in London as Managing Director of Housing, Social Services and the Dearness Home long term care facility.
When Datars Bere was hired, then County Warden Mitch Twolan said in a release, they they were looking for someone with her background to bring her expertise to the County and the long-term care homes in particular.
Warden Janice Jackson says, “On behalf of the entire County, I would like to thank CAO Sandra Datars Bere for her public service and guiding leadership that saw us through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sandra has helped build a foundation of modernization, good governance, and people-first support for our community. We wish Sandra well in her new position.”
A release from the County says, “She has successfully guided the municipality through the timeline of the pandemic while continuing to enhance essential services through initiatives related to fiscal responsibility, health care, community growth, and economic development.”
In a statement, Datars Bere says “Thank you to my Bruce County colleagues. It has been a privilege to work with this motivated council and Staff group, supporting a healthy and strong community through these challenging times. Thank you also to Bruce County’s business community, residents, and care providers. Under Bruce County’s talented leadership team, I see continued success and a bright future.”
The county says council will discuss and make decisions on next steps for County management in the days and weeks ahead and will begin to recruit a new CAO.