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Vol. 18, No. 37, Wednesday, August 9, 2023 www.LamontLeader.com
Village of Andrew municipal building vandalized hours after heated exchange at special council meeting BY JANA SEMENIUK The Village of Andrew municipal building was vandalized late in the evening of Aug. 2, hours after a heated discussion between council members and residents at a special council meeting. RCMP Sergeant David Henry said that although the damage to the building was not significant, it was disheartening. “It wasn’t extensive. Thankfully there was no entrance into the building but a window was smashed. Not out, because it was tempered glass. They pushed over a power box, but can be bent back with not too much trouble. “They broke into a shed (and) I did (identify) several items for fingerprinting,” he said, adding Village staff members discovered the vandalism when coming in for work the morning of Aug. 3. “They were pretty shaken up. This is needless vandalism. Small towns are struggling anyway and then this happens. People don’t need this kind of cost on their plate.” Andrew Mayor Merwin Haight echoed Sgt. Henry’s statements. “The recent vandalism to the school and village building is discouraging. It’s challenging enough for this village without having more vandalism,” he said. “The investigation is ongoing so no further comment.” The Village municipal building contains the council chambers, library, public bowling alley and weight room, in addition to the now closed Andrew School. Meanwhile, after the Aug. 2 special council meeting adjourned, Andrew council members fielded strong questions from 10 members of the gallery, including former Andrew councillor Evan Genung, stemming from a
A busted window, among other broken items, at the Village of Andrew municipal building, resulted from vandalism the evening of Aug. 2. No one has yet been arrested or charged for the crime. Photo submitted. motion Mayor Haight made earlier to hire Andrew Chief Financial Officer Sharman Donald as the interim Chief Administrative Officer. Haight also made a motion to move the discussion of hiring a municipal consultant to the Aug. 9 regular council meeting. Donald’s appointment came following the termination of former CAO Tim Melnyk, July 26. Comments and questions from the gallery were directed at Donald’s credentials and
qualifications for the temporary position. “This is why I brought a motion (to) bring in a consultant,” said Haight. “So, yes, (Donald) is able to do her job as CFO but yes there’s a lot she does not know. She is aware of it and we are aware of it. That’s why we are bringing in a consultant. Interim means for a short period of time. It’s not permanent.” Former village employee Carol
Dubitz, fired several questions to the council including; why they did not plan for another interim CAO prior to Melnyk’s termination?, how much it would cost the taxpayers to have Donald as interim?, and their timeline for advertising for a permanent CAO? Haight said details around Melnyk’s situation could not be disclosed, while councillor Barry Goertz said the details around Donald’s contract were still being ironed out. “It was not an easy or lighthearted decision to dismiss our past CAO,” said Haight. “We cannot disclose why under FOIP (Freedom of Information and Privacy).” Genung joined the conversation questioning Donald’s qualifications and said that the village set forth certain requirements of a CAO which were stated in previous advertisements. Haight said they did not apply to an interim. “We never put out a full detailed (job description) for an interim CAO because we don’t expect them to do the full CAO job,” said Haight. “They are here to keep us floating until that full time person is put in there who has more experience and more education.” Deputy Mayor Tammy Pickett added that the council has looked at previous resumes submitted during the last advertisements for CAO and said an ad would be going out. “We reached out to one other candidate who applied here and was interviewed and vetted, but they declined because they have another job,” she said. “We will be putting out an ad.” According to the Alberta Learning Information Service, there is no official certification requirements to have a career as a chief administrative officer.