Manitouwadge EDO Anthony Friedrich Resigns Following Extended Absence
Friedrich is seen here (3rd from right) as part of the Manitouwadge delegation which travelled to Southern Ontario (courtesy of the NWMO) to learn more about Used Nuclear Fuel and Canada's Long-Term Plan for Adaptive Phased Management, participated though he had previously been on a very similar tour as part of a Township of Schreiber delegation. Friedrich's leave would begin just weeks later. Photo courtesy Twp of Manitouwadge
On several occasions Friedrich told OntarioNewsNorth.com of plans to revive the "Play in the Extreme" branding as a more flexible brand referring on several occasions to the possibility of "Extreme burgers or different things like that" though whether these ideas were presented to related businesses, or developed in any, way is unknown at this time.
MANITOUWADGE, ON – Though the Township of Manitouwadge has yet to release any official statement on the issue, Mayor John MacEachern shared during an interview on regional radio this Monday that EDO Anthony Freidrich had resigned having found employment elsewhere.
OntarioNewsNorth.com Editor Karina Hunter had inquired repeatedly regarding Friedrich’s absence since he initially failed to cancel an appointment for interview in August 2012 at which time Friedrich, it was said, was expected back before the end of the week though at the end of the week Hunter was told that the township was not at liberty to discuss the reasons for Mr. Friedrich’s absence. In the months that followed sources at the township said that Mr. Friedrich was off due to medical reasons though he could not be reached to confirm this.
It is unclear if Mr. Friedrich ever returned to his office at the Township of Manitouwadge, what caused him to originally take leave or if the township was aware that he was seeking employment elsewhere.
How much Mr. Friedrich accomplished during his time as Economic Development Officer is also unclear. During interviews with OntarioNewsNorth.com he would often refer to being in the process of “looking into” things and was vague in regards to any completed projects.
As a business person who, was concerned for the well being and health of an EDO which was believed to be absent due to medical issues, now learning that he was well enough, at some point between his initial absense and the present time) to seek out and find employment elsewhere, I can’t help but wonder if our Township was taken advantage of. Did Mr. Friedrich notify the Township of his intentions to find employment elsewhere as early as possible or was his position with the township kept on hold as a last resort? Questions, it seems, there may never be answers to.
It is somewhat curious that he is the 2nd person in a senior position with the Township of Manitouwadge to remain less than a year “at their desk” since July 2012 when Community Services Director Dan Deschamps left after approximately 6 months. Friedrich began as Economic Development Officer in December of 2011 and began his absence approximately 9 months later. Both Deschamps and Friedrich had stated intentions of staying long-term when asked during interviews with OntarioNewsNorth.com. Friedrich stated in his first interview, as Twp of Manitouwadge EDO, with OntarioNewsNorth.com December of 2011 that he intended to sell his home in Schreiber Ontario and relocate his family to Manitouwadge “I am trying to relocate from Schreiber, I own a home there, they’re difficult to move but that is the initial goal is to bring everybody up here” said Friedrich.
Regardless of the reasons for Mr. Friedrich’s departure he is wished well in his new position with the Aditya Birla Group.
