Cape Breton regional council has voted to make its interim chief administrative officer permanent in a surprise move that some councillors argue was too rushed.

During debate Tuesday, Coun. Earlene MacMullin unexpectedly proposed an amendment to immediately appoint Demetri Kachafanas permanently to the role of CAO — a position he's held on an interim basis since Marie Walsh retired in the fall.

MacMullin said Kachafanas, CBRM's former solicitor, has made significant improvements in operations at …