Longtime Town of Barrhead administrator calls it a career

BARRHEAD - Cheryll Callihoo said she has been very fortunate to have been employed by the Town of Barrhead for nearly three decades.

However, on Dec. 20, the longtime legislative services and development director officially retired.

Callihoo came to Barrhead in 1998 from Camrose, where she worked for the Paddle River Planning Commission, to become a development officer and municipal secretary.

"It is the same job, but now it is a director position," she said, the morning after attending her last council meeting on Dec. 10. "That was almost 27 years ago."

Callihoo said that despite her long career in municipal government administration, it was something she just "fell into".

Originally from Edmonton, after graduating high school, she attended what was then Augustana University in Camrose while taking courses at the larger University of Alberta (U o fA). In 2004, Augustana University was amalgamated by the U of A but continues as a stand-alone campus.

After graduating, she got a job at the Yellowhead Regional Planning Commission in 1984.

Callihoo then moved to Camrose, where, after the commission dissolved, she took a job with the previously mentioned Paddle River Planning Commission.

The commission had a planning agency responsible for the development planning and mapping for roughly 20 municipalities.

"Coming to Barrhead was quite different," she said. "It is different when you work for one instead of 20," she said. "You are involved much more when you work with one."

Callihoo said that while she loved working in municipal government, she did not necessarily recommend it to everyone.

Like anything else, a job in municipal government administration, she said, is not necessarily for everyone, but it suits people with specific skill sets and personalities.

"But, I enjoy it," she said. "I've learnt a lot, and it is a job and a career where you continue to learn as you go along. Things change yearly; legislation changes, and you must comply with it. It is interesting."

When asked if she had any specific highlights during her tenure in Barrhead, Callihoo, she said it was difficult to single out individual examples.

However, she said that she considers herself fortunate to have been able to work for the Town of Barrhead for as long as she has, adding that this is becoming more of a rarity in municipal government administrative positions.

Callihoo said one reason she has stayed with the municipality for as long as she has is the quality of the people she has worked with.

"The councils have all been good. We've had some excellent councils here. This town has been very fortunate that way," Callihoo said.

Moreover, she added that the municipality has been blessed with a strong and talented staff.

"We've always had an exceptional staff, and you know that from how many longtime staff we have," Callihoo said. "Again, this town is lucky. There are a lot of towns that are not this fortunate."

As for what is next for Callihoo, she said that, at least for the immediate future, she wants to take some time to relax, travel, and appreciate the freedom of not having to go to work every day.

After that, she said she plans to remain in the community and take the opportunity to volunteer with a few organizations, saying she has "her name in a few fires."

"It is a good town. The people are great here. They are so supportive," Callihoo said. "This is my home."

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com