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The Political Trenches: Local Government At Work · The Political Trenches

The "Jack Of All Trade" CAO

February 16, 2026·41 min·2 clips
The integrity commissioner found a serious pattern of harassment and intimidation, including threats toward the CAO.
A difficult note comes first. The episode pauses for the people of Tumblr Ridge, then returns to the usual municipal news beat. The agenda stays close to the ground. In Ontario, a mayor has had pay suspended after misuse of strong mayor powers and harassment of staff. Council chambers come up too, with a St. John Police Union representative forcefully removed during governance tensions. Winkler gets the more delicate treatment. The mayor's request for respect around a first Pride March becomes a test of how a local leader handles public disagreement without squeezing people out of the room. The host gives credit with some care. He names the strong opposition and the strong support, then treats the disagreement as healthy when people can actually say what they think. The interview then brings the scale down. Nick Frank joins as CAO for the village of Edgerton, Alberta, and the title fits: jack of all trades is pretty much the job description. The role sits at the narrow point between council and administration, where expectations pile up fast. In a lean municipality, that pressure lands on fewer shoulders. Sometimes one person is handling finance, planning, operations, and front-line service. Nick talks from inside that reality, starting with the CAO as the main conduit to council. The close stays practical: travel, strategic planning season in Alberta, and an attempted Yellowknife recording.

As heard by us

A grounded look at local government, centered on a CAO who has to connect council, staff, and resources.

The episode starts with a few local governance disputes before settling into a sharper question: what happens when the CAO is not just the administrative lead, but effectively the administration of one?

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Why you'd press play

If you want a frank look at a small-municipality CAO wearing every hat, start here.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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