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Former Nanaimo Economic Development Corp. CEO Hankins refuses severance

John Hankins, former CEO for the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation, says he has no intention of seeking compensation.

John Hankins, former chief executive officer for Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation, says he has no intention of seeking severance.

Hankins, who was fired from the economic development corporation Tuesday, said in an e-mail he has no intention of seeking compensation. He said he knows the limited budget of the NEDC and he made a decision and knew the risk. It appears, from correspondence sent by Hankins to board chairman Andre Sullivan, the former CEO was offered three months' severance.

The amount has not been confirmed by Sullivan, who said the particulars of a personnel issue cannot be discussed until it’s resolved. Sullivan did say the offer was for Hankins to stop working immediately and he’d be let go on a without-cause basis. He is entitled to some severance and those particulars are not yet determined, Sullivan said.

Hankins was fired by the board a day after he went public with questions and concerns about an in-camera city decision to pull tourism from the purview of the economic development corporation.

He continues to raise questions, such as what was presented at the in-camera meeting of council, who was present, and if any other council motions were made.

City legal counsel has sent Hankins a letter warning that the city will seek legal recourse should Hankins breach his duty of confidentiality or defame the NEDC or city in any way.

More to come.