Emotional day at Town as CAO Rogers steps away: “Thank you for your dedication and leadership.”

What’s the plan now for Bill Rogers?

“Running a zoo,” he said jokingly to Lakeland Connect. “If that’s what you call two grandkids, ages 7 and 9, doing lots of snowmobiling at the acreage, and whatever my wife has on the list. That’s the plan.”

Rogers worked his last day as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Bonnyville on Friday, after his final council meeting last Tuesday.

Although, commentating Saturday’s Santa Claus Parade might have been his last shift.

The 65-year-old previously worked as a CAO for the Village of Ryley.

It’s a decade of work for the Town in the books, from the assistant CAO position, to then taking over from Mark Power after his retirement in 2020.

“The last 10 years in Bonnyville have been the best of my career. I love everybody I work with. I get to work with some of the best people I’ve ever met. The staff is fantastic. I’ve never really had any bad experiences in Bonnyville. It’s been all great and I’m going to miss it,” Rogers said.

WATCH: CAO Bill Rogers’ last day

Highlights

Rogers talked about the regional waterline, the completion of ID 349, and being on the cusp of Highway 28 are all highlights.

“The province has agreed to do all the work that’s identified in the Highway 28 corridor report, in the Town of Bonnyville I think for 2025,” he continued.

“We’re going to see new traffic lights, intersection upgrades, lighting improvements, the lights at The Neighbourhood Inn are going to come in, maybe not in 2025, the year after. All the things we’ve been lobbying the province for and I’m really excited to get that done. It’s a nice cap to the career, and great job by council to make that happen.”

So now the Town will look to fill that position. Renee Stoyles will be the interim CAO as the application is sent out.

Town staff compiled well-wishes to the outgoing boss. You can see it on the Town of Bonnyville Facebook page.

An emotional mayor Elisa Brosseau said during council that Rogers was going to be sorely missed.

“I want to thank you for your years of dedication and leadership. Thank you for always having our back. That’s the number one you said, and that’s something that I don’t think anyone on this council can say that you didn’t do for us,” Brosseau said, near tears.

“You’ve been a great mentor, advocate, and friend, and I’m going to miss your guidance and your reminder to me that you should always take the high road, even in those instances that I really did not want to. We’re also going to miss your smiling face.”