GARY TUFFIN is the Town of East Fremantle’s new CEO.

Currently CEO at the Wheatbelt shire of Chittering, he assumes the role in March, replacing Gary Clark who has been acting in the job since former veteran CEO Stuart Wearne was pushed aside 14 months ago.

Mr Clark and a number of other applicants also sought the position but the council appointed Mr Tuffin 8-0.

“I am disappointed and it’s a bit of a bump to the ego, but I’ve got plenty of opportunities,” Mr Clark says.

“My reputation is solid in the industry and I will move on.”

Mr Clark was previously CEO at the shire of Brookton, acting CEO at Trayning and deputy CEO at Chittering and Meekatharra.

In 2013, he was axed just 12 months into his five-year contract as a Kimberley council CEO, with councillors voting unanimously eight-nil to terminate his $170,000-a-year contract.

Details of the termination package remain under wraps.

Derby-West Kimberley shire president Elsia Archer wouldn’t comment on the circumstances surrounding Mr Clark’s dismissal, but she did say, “good bloody luck—I’m glad he’s down there and not up here”.

Mr Clark says conflict arose when he advised councillors they were acting inappropriately.

“Local government is a unique industry and conflicts often occur between CEOs and councillors,” he says.

“In those circumstances, it’s best for both parties to part company.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK