The community of Starland County took a moment on Friday, February 24 to honour Shirley Bremer who retired from Strarland County as CAO, following a career that spanned almost four decades.
Bremer retired in December of last year. For the last five years, she was CAO. Members of Council and former councillors, as well as colleagues and friends, attended a luncheon in her honour at Morrin Hall.
Colleague Sharon Coles paid tribute to Bremer and her leadership.
“I personally did nearly 25 years and appreciated her encouragement, mentorship and education,” said Coles.
We have seen quite a few employers pass through Starland County, and have seen a lot of lifers too. In my opinion that is good leadership when you have that many employees stay with an organization.”
Shirley said she started at the county almost from the very bottom, working in accounts payable and accounts receivable, and worked her way up through payroll, tax assessment and finally Assistant CAO when she served for many years under the leadership of Ross Rawlusyk, before becoming CAO.
“It really was a pleasure working all those years with Ross and Shirley,” said Deputy Reeve Bob Sargent.
Bremer told the crowd gathered she is thankful to the staff and council and she truly will most miss the people she worked with, and chuckled that she is now a “professional couch potato.”
“I might be missing my job a little but, what I am missing is you guys, the interaction, keeping up on the news,” she said. “In almost 40 years I have seen some good people come and go, and that is what makes the county great.”
I am glad to have had all the opportunities I did. I am super fortunate the county has been good to me all of those years,” she said. “I was given opportunities by councils and my boss. I was offered education and I took it. I didn’t plan it that way, but I don’t think I could have had a better career.”