Rimoka Housing Foundation, which provides low income senior housing, has made some changes and is looking to its future.
Chief administrative officer (CAO) Jonathan Weir has been let go without cause, board chair Bryce Liddle confirmed on Jan. 13.
Liddle, who is also a Ponoka County councillor, says Rimoka board had decided to go in a different direction and the decision was unanimous.
The board had a special meeting on Jan. 7, and then Liddle and board vice chair Ted Dillon, who is a Town of Ponoka councillor, met with Weir on Jan. 8.
“We’ve decided to part ways. The board was going in a different direction than he was,” said Dillon in his report to town council on Jan. 12.
Weir took over as CAO in November, 2019. From Ponoka County, Weir has a background in mechanical engineering, financial analysis and drama.
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The Rimoka board members are Liddle, Dillon, Nancy Hartford, Sandra Lyon, Lana Curle, Town of Rimbey Mayor Rick Pankiw, and David MacPherson, Royal Canadian Legion representative.
Rimoka has two full time lodges, five seniors housing projects and owns a number of social housing units in Ponoka and Rimbey.
Rimoka updates
Liddle says although Rimoka’s senior facilities have been relatively free of cases, they are hoping for an end to COVID-19 so things can get back to normal for their seniors.
“You feel bad for them with limited visiting … these are their homes,” he said.
There was an outbreak declared at Valley View Manor in Rimbey, but it was isolated, testing went well and the outbreak was lifted near the end of December, says Liddle.
Ponoka County will support Rimoka in applying for funding through the Rapid Housing Initiative.
Rimoka’s goal is to secure funds to build supportive living facilities.
The foundation’s letter of request was discussed during the County’s regular meeting on Dec. 15, 2020.
