By J.P. Antonacci, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator The mayor of Haldimand County fired the rural municipality’s top civil servant on Friday in what some observers suspect is a case of political payback — a charge the mayor denies. In  a short news release, the county announced the “departure” of chief  administrative officer Cathy Case as of June 27. Case was dismissed  using so-called “strong mayor” powers, which give Mayor Shelley Ann  Bentley the unilateral authority to fire the CAO without a vote of  council. The news release did not explain why Case was let go. In  an email to The Spectator on Wednesday, Bentley said the CAO’s role is  being “restructured” as part of “a broader effort to reduce the strain  on taxpayers and to ensure the

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