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City manager leads by example – despite an unfortunate fondness for the Habs

Surrey employee praises his boss's boss: City Manager Vince LaLonde
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VInce LaLonde

It’s raining as I pull around the corner to the works yard, a typical grey, wet Surrey morning.

I stop and let someone in an old, most likely borrowed and musty yellow slicker cross the street. He’s wearing one of those pastel-coloured ball caps they sell to hip dads at The Gap. As he crosses and smiles, I recognize him as my boss Vince. Actually, my boss’s boss – he’s City of Surrey Manager Vince LaLonde.

Glad I stopped.

When most of upper management is still out on summer vacation, LaLonde is spending  a day in the pouring rain, pouring cement.

I heard he does this quite regularly –spend a day in the workers’ shoes, or in this case, boots.

I know the concrete crew he’s going out with. It’s back-heavy labour and they won’t cut him any slack. Vince never asks for any.

He wants to be able to relate with everyone on their terms, a very refreshing view from the new management in many areas of the city. Kudos for this deliberate choice in direction.

With all the negative incidents and focus on manager/employee relationships lately, I thought it would be nice to hear of a positive one instead.

This isn’t a manager love fest. Vince is an adamant Montreal Canadiens fan, so there’s that.

 

J. Fell