New vacancy on police board

News — 06 December 2011

By Ally Dunham

Bill Hovi, chair of the Police Services Board has decided to end his term early, and has officially resigned his position as chair, as well as a board member, as of late October. Peter Andrusco, the board vice-president has stepped up to the plate as acting president, until the board decides on their next steps.

“It’s been a stressful time. There have been a lot of things going on with the new chief hired, and that process. While it took longer than some people might have liked it to, the board needed to be thorough in terms of making sure that the decision that we made was the right one for the community, and I’m very confident that we have,” said Hovi.

Chief of Police, Rob Davis said, “Both of them (Hovi and Andrusco), since before I got here, from the time I got here, right through until now, have been really supportive. My first weekend here, Peter and Bill both made it a point to come and introduce themselves. The board here, because they work so well together, has made it an easy transition because everything is in place. They’re both such nice guys, and such gentlemen.”

This was Hovi’s second year as chair of the board, but has been a provincially-appointed board member since February 2006.

Hovi said, “I needed to get away from it. I pride myself on the work that has been done over my time, but it was no doubt stressful. My intent was not to renew the ability to stay on for another two years anyway, so for me, it was just the right time to make the change.”

“The work has been tremendously gratifying. They are great people, the previous board as well as the current board. There is great expertise, and there continues to be a commitment to keep the Dryden Police Service, the police service of choice, and I am very pleased with that.”

Hovi says the existing board will now have a choice of asking for a temporary board member until the end of his term in February, or the board can continue to carry on with the board as it stands now.

“That position lies with the board at this point. I’m quite confident that there’s plenty of expertise at this point that will carry the board through to the end of term, and I’m convinced that there are lots of people in our community who would be prepared to step in and do the interesting work that is available for them,” said Hovi.

The former chair says the job has been both the most gratifying position he’s held, but also the most challenging.

“Volunteering is not easy, but most of the time you get out of it what you put into it. I put as much as I felt was reasonable into the position to make sure that policing was in a good situation in Dryden, and I’m convinced it still is,” said Hovi.

Hovi says he wishes the board the most success and is proud to have served.

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