Your news this week: Big changes at Lamont motel - 3 Letters to the editor - 4 & 6 3,500 at Skaro Pilgramage - 7 Misfits battle for presidency - 4
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Vol. 19, No. 39, Wednesday, August 21, 2024 www.LamontLeader.com
County municipal inspection deemed “not warranted” BY JANA SEMENIUK The County of Lamont will not be undergoing a municipal inspection. The decision was handed down by the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Ric McIver, on Aug. 19. The request for an inspection of the county’s governance was made by signatures of 903 Lamont County residents, more than the 20 percent required, and submitted on Feb. 12 by petitioners Sylvia Holowach and Ann Gagnon. Reasons given, during a residents meeting in Dec. included inflated staffing costs, changes to the land use bylaw, and dishonesty. Once the petition was received and deemed sufficient, the minister’s office conducted a preliminary review which included interviews with council members, administration and the petitioners, in addition to examining the county’s audited financial statements, their website and an internet search. The review concluded on Apr. 19. Minister McIver said in his decision, that the review revealed that a municipal inspection was not warranted. “The review identified a few areas of improvement, such as an instance where a council meeting was not properly scheduled. However, I do not believe these findings warrant an inspection of the municipality, which is an extraordinary and costly measure,” said McIver in his letter, adding that two possible instances of pecuniary interest were noted. “I have no role in determining matters related to pecuniary interest or enforcement in this area; the legislation sets out a clear process for addressing these matters, ultimately relying on the courts to decide,” he said. McIver went on to say that he felt council members may lack understanding of what their roles entail and offered a solution. “Members of county council may lack a full understanding of the roles and responsibilities of council and municipal
administration,” he said. “To address this, I have offered Lamont County Council and administration a roles and responsibilities workshop to be conducted by Municipal Affairs.” Lamont County Communications Director Jay Zaal said Reeve David Diduck would provide comment on the decision after the Aug. 27 county council meeting where the minister's letter is scheduled for discussion. McIver said that although concerns were raised around dissatisfaction with the council, if the council is operating within their legislated authority, ‘the MGA (Municipal Governance Act) does not authorize the minister to intervene in local decision making’. He pointed to another petition process as a way for electors to hold councils accountable. According to the MGA, sections 219240, residents can collect 10 percent of the population signatures for a new bylaw, to request a public meeting, vote on a question, or vote on an advertised bylaw or resolution. Section 221.1 states that in terms of a public meeting, the council must call one, to discuss the matters outlined in the petition, within 30 days of declaring the petition sufficient. Meanwhile, McIver also highlighted Bill 20, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, which he said will ‘modify the MGA to strengthen provincial oversight, enhance transparency and ensure local elected officials are held accountable to the Albertans they represent’. Bill 20 received royal assent and will come into effect upon proclamation. A social media post by the petitioners expressed gratefulness for their supporters, in addition to a look ahead to the future. “It seems the will of over 900 people isn’t loud enough,” stated their post. “Now, we will regroup and use other "tools" available to us; including starting the process of sourcing out candidates to run in every division in the next election.”
Agri-Days at Mundare
An acrobat, from Cirquetastic Circus and Acrobatics, performs an aerial twist before a crowd during Mundare’s Agri Days Aug. 17. The acrobats performed many stunts before an appreciative crowd. More Page 2