Duane Hicks
The Town of Fort Frances has hired Jason Kabel as its new Community Services manager starting next month.
Kabel, 39, will be filling the shoes of George Bell, who is retiring after 18 years of service.
“I am both thankful and excited for the opportunity ahead,” Kabel said yesterday.
“I know I have some big shoes to fill, but I’ll put my nose to the grindstone and try to put my stamp on things.
“[George] is going to stick around for a few weeks and mentor me a bit, and introduce me to everybody and whatnot,” Kabel added.
“I am looking forward to it.”
The responsibilities of the Community Services manager range from the Memorial Sports Centre, Fort Frances Museum, and Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre to the Sister Kennedy Centre, Sunny Cove Camp, and Sorting Gap Marina.
“It’s a very large portfolio, and honestly, I don’t think George got the credit he deserved for the portfolio he carried,” Kabel remarked.
“I am looking forward to the challenge,” he added. “I know it’s not going to be easy but I am certainly up for the challenge.”
The only aspect of the Community Services’ portfolio Kabel won’t be taking on is oversight of emergency services (police and fire department), which now will be handled by Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig.
“The rationale is it’s somewhat of a cost savings, there’s a fiscal element to it, and we wanted the focus of the new manager to be pretty specific in certain areas,” explained McCaig, though adding that’s not to say Kabel won’t be responsible for emergency services at some time in the future.
“When you’re talking about cost-saving measures, everyone has to do their part. . . .
“I brought the concept forward to council and they endorsed it,” McCaig added.
“It will mean some extra hours and time for myself, and more specific responsibility . . . but that’s fine.
“The organization’s facing big challenges, as are all the other corporations throughout Ontario,” he noted.
Kabel attended Bemidji State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education degrees.
He currently is working on his Master of Business Administration degree.
Kabel started his career as a teacher at Fort Frances High School, then relocated to Winnipeg, where he worked as general manager at ClearOption Technologies.
He currently sits on the board of directors at Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc. and also is a member of the Committee of Adjustment for the town.
Kabel lives in Fort Frances with his wife, Barb, and three children.
In his spare time, he likes to play squash and golf, as well as train for and compete in triathlons.
I’ve turned into a bit of a fitness buff, and I hope to bring that a little more to the forefront of the community and push that a little bit more than perhaps it has been,” said Kabel.
McCaig, meanwhile, said he’s excited to have “new blood” as part of the management team.
“We’re going to miss George but we have an opportunity to move forward, have a new set of eyes,” he remarked.
“In those circumstances, there’s always opportunities for some positive change while utilizing some of the things have been successful in the past, as with any job.
“It’s an opportunity for the organization to get a little younger, and to have a new perspective brought into it, which is nice to have at any position or at any level,” added McCaig.
The tentative date for Kabel to start as Community Services manager is Monday, April 9.
