Norfolk mayor says CAO resigned

Norfolk Mayor Kristal Chopp announced Friday afternoon that David Cribbs has resigned as the county’s chief administrative officer.

In a two-line statement, Chopp said Cribbs’s resignation was effective Jan. 15.

“Norfolk County wishes him well in his future endeavours,” she said.

On Jan. 15, Cribbs departed in the middle of a meeting of Norfolk council and did not return.

County officials declined to answer questions about the situation at the time but did say more information would be released later this week.

The Jan. 15 meeting began with an in-camera session. When it ended, Cribbs emerged from the committee room, went to his desk at the front of the council chamber, collected his belongings and went to his office on the second floor of Governor Simcoe Square.

On Jan. 16, a receptionist said Cribbs was at Governor Simcoe Square but he was unavailable because he was involved in meetings.

Cribbs was hired from Lambton County nearly two years ago.

His annual salary is about $180,000.

During a Jan. 9 meeting, Chopp expressed displeasure with county staff following a report on the costs and benefits of permitting urban residents to keep chickens.

Chopp said planning staff had not followed a directive approved last month by council to bring draft regulations to allow backyard chickens within the county’s urban boundaries.

“To say I’m upset would be an understatement,” Chopp said.

“This is going to be a long four years if the wishes of council are not respected.”

As she spoke, Chopp tore a copy of a staff report in half and dropped it on the council table in front of her.

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