Timmins has a new city clerk

CAO Landers steps into the role after Palmateer suddenly leaves

Article content Timmins has a new city clerk, the person who is responsible for the city’s record keeping, elections, marriage licenses, death notices and a host of administrative tasks. Dave Landers, the city’s chief administrative officer, has stepped into the role after the sudden and unexplained departure of Steph Palmateer. Recommended Videos Landers, who was already deputy city clerk, will remain as CAO — the person who is the link between council and city staff.

“It’s certainly workable,” Landers said after Tuesday’s council meeting where it was also announced that Keshia Horbul would now become the deputy clerk, a role previously held by Landers. Horbul has been an employee of Timmins’ clerk office for 14 years, previously serving as legislative coordinator. “The city clerk and I have always worked hand in hand as have all city clerks and municipal CAOs,” Landers said.

“We’ve got a strong group of staff in the clerk’s division who have been doing good work, so we’ll continue to provide the service to the public and to council that we need to.” Landers declined to provide details on Palmateer’s departure because it is a “personnel issue.” A stoic presence who rarely missed a council meeting, Palmateer had been in the role for 13 years.

Before coming to Timmins, he was the CAO for the town of Cobalt for over 14 years. Articulate and dedicated to municipal service, Palmateer was almost always available to provide clarification to The Daily Press on various issues that came before council. This publication featured him in many news stories presenting reports on cleanup blitzes to ward system changes.

Palmateer was also notable for promoting health misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine on his social media account, but this year began sharing updates from the City of Timmins. Unlike other municipalities such as Kirkland Lake, Timmins does not have a social media policy for its employees. As city clerk, Landers will now also take on the role of Director of Community Services, responsible for coordinating the activities of enforcement services, Service Timmins, parks, recreation and building maintenance.

“All of those departments will report to me,” Landers said, adding he’ll be ready for the upcoming municipal elections Oct. 26. “It’s business as usual,” Landers said. “We are moving forward as we have always with the activities related to the election and we have the staff in place to deal with all of the issues that arise.”