‘Never forget that people matter’: Retiring Chatham-Kent civic leader

After nearly three decades with Chatham-Kent, a municipal leader who took on multiple key roles in recent times, is retiring.

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April Rietdyk, who recently attended her final council meeting, has served as general manager of community human services, in addition to senior positions within Chatham-Kent public health.

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“It is a great place to work. We have wonderful staff, we have wonderful community partners,” she said.

In addition to her usual duties, Rietdyk and her department have been involved with assisting residents impacted by flooding along Erie Shore Drive, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Wheatley gas explosion.

She has also been at the forefront of municipal efforts to tackle homelessness and the affordable housing crisis, issues impacting communities across the country.

Chief administrator Michael Duben praised Rietdyk for her perseverance over the years in an ever-changing landscape.

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“She’s led us through uploads, downloads, and a lot of things in between, in terms of our relationship with the province,” he said.

With respect to her continued pursuit of learning, Duben said he admired her commitment to education and personal growth.

“She’s built a reputation in the municipality, but also regionally and I would say even provincially, as an excellent leader and an incredible source of knowledge,” he said.

“There’s not a lot of people in April’s space that haven’t come across her and aren’t impressed by her. Throughout her career, she’s provided extraordinary leadership and guidance through some very difficult times.”

Duben added how Rietdyk built a strong team in her department, believing staff will “continue to provide excellent service to the people of Chatham-Kent.”

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When they first worked together during the aftermath of the Wheatley explosion a year and a half after the incident, he said his compassion for those affected was evident.

“Despite everything that was going on, despite all the studies, despite some of the economic challenges, it really always came down to the people,” “So, you can count on April to talk about care and comfort. That was always paramount in what she does. I think it rubbed off on everyone.”

Mayor Darrin Canniff said whenever Rietdyk spoke in council, people were “glued” to what she had to say.

“You command a lot of respect in what you’ve done over that period of time,” he said. “Chatham-Kent is a better place because of everything you’ve done.”

After her career in health and social services, which spanned close to four decades in total, Rietdyk admitted she had “mixed emotions.”

She had this advice for those in positions that deal with the public’s well-being.

“Never forget that people matter. The people we serve. The people we work with. The people that we have good times and bad times with,” she said.

“That is what makes Chatham-Kent tick. And I am honored and proud to have been part of that for many, many years.”

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