Plympton-Wyoming names new CAO

Plympton-Wyoming has promoted its next top bureaucrat from within.

Director of public works Adam Sobanski, with the town more than nine years, was set to start as chief administrator Sept. 11.

The Strathroy native, who also spent time working for the City of Sarnia and Lucan-Biddulph Township before coming to Plympton-Wyoming, was among 33 applicants but the only one from in-house, said Plympton-Wyoming Mayor Gary Atkinson.

Sobanski’s relationships and experience in the community were big factors in his selection, along with 20 years of municipal experience, including 11 in a management role, Atkinson said.

“One of the things that really jumped out at us was the fact that he has a lot of passion for our community and he wants to see it move forward,” he said, adding Sobanski “likes working with our residents,” and is well -respected in the community.

The town parted ways with former CAO Carolyn Tripp and former director of fire and emergency services Darryl Thompson in the spring.

Officials recently announced Erik Campbell, fire chief and manager of emergency response and planning at St. John’s International Airport Authority in Newfoundland, takes over as fire chief Oct. 2.

“We’ve had a few rough things happen,” Atkinson said, saying Thompson was “let go,” after being on leave, and “then (Tripp) left as well.”

He couldn’t disclose details, he said.

Appointing Sobanski is seen “as a stabilizing effect,” he said.

“And we’re moving forward.”

Some of the priorities when Sobanski takes the bureaucratic helm include implementing a wastewater master plan, and looking into commercial expansion in Camlachie, Reece’s Corners and in downtown Wyoming, Atkinson said.

“He’s very familiar with our municipality,” he said of Sobanski. “He’s worked well within our community.”

Sobanski, who said he graduated from Fanshawe College and worked in consulting for five years before joining the City of Sarnia as a development technologist, said he’s enjoyed his time in Plympton-Wyoming.

“I have poured myself into this community, into this job,” said the married father of two teenage boys who also has a graduate diploma in public administration from Western University.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my nine-plus years here and it (CAO) felt like a natural step,” he said. “It felt like I had a lot to offer the town and I felt I could contribute to the community and use my relationships that I’ve built to bring us into the future.”