Duane Hicks
With the Town of Fort Frances currently searching for a new Chief Administrative Officer, about 120 co-workers, friends, and family gathered Thursday evening at the Copper River Inn here to celebrate the nearly 40-year career of Mark McCaig.
“Thanks for letting me do this job,” McCaig said during his speech.
“It’s an honour to be the CAO. It’s an honour to work for the town,” he added.
“It’s an honour to work with some of these volunteers and these councillors.
“And it’s an honour to talk to people in town even if they don’t like you or don’t agree with you,” said McCaig.
“That’s what I will remember; that’s what I’ll take away. Thanks a lot.”
McCaig said he’s been fortunate to have worked with a “crack team” of staff over the years, and has come to have the utmost respect for what mayor and council does for the town.
“They don’t do it for the money,” he stressed, adding “that’s pizza money” compared to the hours they spend doing their job.
“It takes courage,” he remarked.
McCaig also lauded volunteers, noting “this town does not run if you don’t have those volunteers.”
“Volunteerism is waning,” he warned. “We don’t have the service clubs, and it’s crucial we have [volunteers] in place to run this community.”
McCaig also said honesty has been the byword of his tenure.
“Contrary to public thought, we don’t decide things behind closed doors,” he noted.
“The mayor’s eight-dollar lunch is in the newspaper.
“We’re very transparent and I take pride in that,” added McCaig. “As a result of being transparent, we’re honest.
“I think you always have to be honest,” he reasoned. “If you’re honest, you have the trust of your council, and if you’re honest, you’ll have the trust of your employees.
“You always have to be honest—tell the truth.”
Looking ahead, McCaig said the new CAO must take a look at what’s been done, improve on the things they can improve on, keep moving forward, and be better than he was.
“And for myself, I’ve got to find a way to disconnect,” McCaig admitted.
“Maybe not read the newspaper so much and see what the next chapter brings.
“I’m not worried about it but I’m not going to act like I’ve got it all under control,” he added.
“I’ve never been retired before.”
McCaig also shared kind words about his supportive family, as well as the numerous individuals he’s worked with over the decades and the roles they played in shaping him.
McCaig, who turned 55 on Oct. 20, began as a summer labourer with Fort Frances Public Utilities in 1976. In 1983, he was working for the utility full-time—first as a linesman and then as an engineering technologist.
In 1998, he became CEO and president of the Fort Frances Power Corp. (FFPC), in which he led the utility through its incorporation and then the defence of the 1905 historic power agreement in the then newly-deregulated market.
He was hired as Fort Frances CAO in September, 2003.
McCaig officially retired as CAO back on Nov. 15, but has been retained on an interim basis while the town undertakes the process to find the right individual for the job.
While not all of the memories shared are fit for print, many of the comments made by other guests painted a portrait of McCaig as a dedicated, passionate, and thoughtful leader who accomplished the difficult task of balancing his professional and family life.
“Mark has always been one who accepts a challenge determined to do his best, excels under pressure, and always worked in the best interest of the corporation,” noted Coun. Paul Ryan, reading remarks on behalf of Mayor Roy Avis.
The mayor added McCaig is “a true leader” who has “a passion for our community,” and “built and directed an excellent management team” during his tenure as CAO.
“During the 14 years I’ve worked with him, I liked to refer to him not as a CAO but as a friend,” noted Mayor Avis.
“He was always concerned with how council would be perceived and wanted to provide council with the information required to make the best decision for the residents of our community.”
McCaig’s interaction at budget time, during strategic planing, and all other times was “greatly appreciated and will be missed.”
Mayor Avis said he has asked himself many times, “What will we do when Mark retires?”
“I know these we will be big shoes to fill,” said Mayor Avis. “Actually, I wish he would have stayed for this term of council.
“I would also ask myself: Is Fort Frances is a better place to work, play, and live because of Mark McCaig? And my answer is yes.”
On a personal note, Coun. Ryan said McCaig is a “hard-working, dedicated” leader who has guided town council through many major and minor decisions.
“And I stand firm we made the right ones,” he remarked.
Coun. John Albanese said McCaig has helped make the town a better place to live and he is loved.
“The Town of Fort Frances owes you a lot,” he noted.
“In the future, come and see us because we’re going to miss you.”
Larry Cousineau, representing the Fort Frances Power Corp., wished McCaig all the best, as did the town’s solicitor, Wes Derksen, who applauded McCaig’s commitment and dedication.
“All of us who know Mark I think have found him to be a straight arrow,” said Derksen.
“A guy who’s determined, hard-working, a pretty fearless leader with some passion to do what is right, and treats people compassionately when it’s appropriate.
“He’s smart—a lot of people underestimate Mark—he’s a smart man and a logical thinker, as is evidenced in how he’s been able to ensure the well-being of the town in the face of pretty tough adversity, such as the hopefully only temporary shuttering of the local mill,” Derksen added
“He did a tough job pretty well and I’m proud to say I worked with him,” said Derksen.
“I think you’ll no doubt agree that when he leaves, there’s going to be a big hole in the organization.”
Administrative assistant Kathy Lawson was among those who added levity to the evening, recounting the key years in McCaig’s life and career, as well as the popular songs which came out in those years—appropriate given McCaig’s love of music.
On behalf of town staff, she thanked McCaig for providing “great leadership, humour, and wisdom” over the years, and wished him “a future full of laughter, family, friends, and health and wealth.”
Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown, who has worked with McCaig for 13 years, said the latter instills civic pride in the community and that since he’s been CAO, the town has stepped up its beautification and facility maintenance programs.
“His philosophy was, ‘Maintain the town’s own grounds and facilities to a high standard at all times, and hopefully it will encourage the citizens of the community to take care of their properties better,” Brown remarked.
He also stressed that McCaig has been an excellent leader, evident at times such as the 2014 high water event, and has been involved in the budget process to ensure the services provided are delivered in the most cost-effective manner—and that the community is involved in the process.
Community Services manager Jason Kabel said McCaig retiring will leave “a hole in the management team,” calling him “a mentor” and an individual who “displayed to the rest of us what’s it’s like to serve the community in full earnest.”
McCaig’s daughter, Ashley Fenwick, spoke on “what a great job he’s done at being a dad—a job that has probably been his most challenging at times.”
“Despite being career-focused, my dad has always been a family man first,” she noted.
“He never missed a ballet recital, piano exam, hockey or soccer game.
“He made sure my hair was braided for Saturday dance class—yes, my dad can braid and very well, actually, despite hurting my head—and we never missed an episode of ‘Dawson’s Creek’—he can be sappy, too,” Fenwick recalled.
She said her father taught her many things—from tying the perfect jig to how to lead with integrity, maintain your principles at all cost, to live honestly, and when you commit to something, you show up.
“But most of all, my father taught me how to work,” said Fenwick.
“Teaching me how to work at a very young age has played an integral part in my success.
“We’ve had our challenges throughout the years, but my dad has never failed to be my rock,” she added.
“And now [that] I’m a parent myself, I realize even more what a great dad I have and how he shaped me into the woman I am today.”
McCaig’s father, Doug, who shared many humorous anecdotes about his son, said he’s very proud of him.
“He’s done a good job,” said the senior McCaig, adding, “I hope you have a great retirement.
“And remember, you can take the old man fishing anytime you want.”
McCaig’s son, Michael, acted as emcee for the evening.
