After five years as chief administrative officer for the Town of Snow Lake, Jeff Precourt is on the move.
Having been hired in the spring of 2008, Precourt saw the town through low points with the abbreviated closure of Chisel North mine and the tragic airplane crash of 2012, as well as some momentous occasions like Hudbay’s pledge on Lalor and a public commitment to community renewal.
He was hired by a council headed by former mayor Garry Zamzow and in a story that appeared in the May 29, 2008 Underground Press, Zamzow noted that Precourt and wife Tanis were originally from the south and had no children.
But he joked that the town would do what they could to encourage a change in that status.
The Precourts leave with two children and no doubt a host of fine memories, so Zamzow can consider mission accomplished on that front.
Precourt, too, can consider his time here a success. In a June 26, 2008 interview, also with the Underground Press, he said his focus and much of the office’s impending workload would be geared toward a new wastewater treatment plant and bringing the fledgling Sustainability Plan to fruition.
“The construction and now completion of the new sewage treatment plant is a point I’m proud about,” said Precourt when asked about the feathers that line his cap as he leaves. “Through our discussions with the province and industry, Snow Lake taxpayers only had to contribute 12 per cent of the total cost. Big accomplishment.”
He also pointed to the Sustainable Plan as a source of satisfaction.
“The 2010 Community Sustainable Plan won several awards, including that year’s only AMM (Association of Manitoba Municipalities) Municipal Excellence Award,” Precourt said. “It’s a very credible development plan and its proper implementation over the next several years should develop Snow Lake very nicely.”
Precourt noted that a closer working relationship with the town’s volunteer fire department was also a pleasing accomplishment made possible through the efforts and openness of Fire Chief Cory Anaka.
Then there were the town’s efforts to increase the amount of information available about their operations and decisions.
“(On our) website, Facebook, in the Underground Press, etc., there is more information available than ever before,” Precourt observed.
On that same topic, Precourt said the town actively promoted ideas like a Citizen Satisfaction Survey, despite community criticism (that it was just window dressing), because he says they genuinely want to continue to improve openness.
“That takes some thick skin and guts on behalf of the council and employees to put themselves out there like that,” Precourt opined. “I can confirm residents’ opinions on that survey have caused real change and are on the council’s minds.”
Asked what weighs heavy on his heart as prepares to depart, Precourt says he’ll miss the people he works with on a daily basis.
“Many have a sense of pride and commitment about the community that residents rarely get to see,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot from them, including dedication and reliability. Many are so low-key they fly under the radar while doing difficult jobs, but truly deserve recognition.”
Precourt said he also owes a debt of gratitude to past and present council members and employees for a great overall experience during his years in Snow Lake.
Precourt leaves the community for a position as the CAO with the Town of Teulon.
He says it’s a natural progression for him, as he is basically going home. The pleasant 32-year-old hails from Stonewall, which is 34 km southwest of his new gig, and wife Tanis’ entire family is situated in the Teulon area.
My Take on Snow Lake runs Fridays.
Snow Lake’s outgoing chief administrative officer, Jeff Precourt.
PHOTO BY MARC JACKSON
