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Vol. 19, No. 15, Wednesday, March 6, 2024 www.LamontLeader.com
Andrew municipal inspection report presented at council meeting Council already taking action on results - inspector says no indication of any fraud or criminal behaviour BY JANA SEMENIUK Results from the Village of Andrew Municipal Inspection, which included 42 findings, were shared with approximately 40 people who gathered at the Village multi-purpose room on Feb. 28. Along with members of the Village Council, and newly hired Chief Administrative Officer Kylie Rude, were members from the office of municipal affairs including moderator Kevin Miller, Ruth McQuaig, assistant deputy minister Gary Sandberg and municipal accountability advisor Nnamdi Njorku. Sandberg made a speech before Inspector Shari-Anne Doolaege presented her findings, explaining the process. He said that municipal affairs conducts a preliminary review prior to an inspection to confirm whether there are issues that would justify a formal inspection. “We need to see that there are clear signs that the legislation is not being followed,” he said. Among Doolaege’s inspection report were questions around the validity of Andrew’s five-member council, as the municipal government act states that a village consists of only three members unless council passes a
procedures not bylaw specifying an properly folodd number of five lowed, passing or more. Doolaege resolutions in said a bylaw closed session i n c r e a s i n g and in obscure Andrew’s council to manners (by resofive members could lution number not be located. As a only when returnresult, Sandberg ing to open sessaid the council sion), in addition must pass a bylaw to not ensuring a allowing for five fair and unbiased members or inform process when the minister in writhandling council ing that the council code of conduct will comprise of only three members, Appointed inspector for Andrew's complaints. municipal inspection Shari-Anne One positive by Dec. 31. Doolaege, president of Sage Analytics, by Doolaege noted presents the findings from the inspec- mention was that eight different tion report during the Feb. 28 village Dooleage that legislatively CAO appointments council meeting. Photo: Jana Semeniuk required bylaws since 2021 conwere in place for tributed to the Village’s instability after the retirement the Village, although others were outof former CAO Pat Skoreyko who held dated and one was not in compliance. Once Dooleage’s reporting was the role for 24 years. She said further instability occurred complete, Sandberg took the podium with the resignations of three coun- to explain the next steps including a list cilors at different times since 2021 and of 11 directives for the council to take the resignation of their lead-hand 10- corrective action on issued by the minister. Sandberg said the list will be postyear employee with public works. Infractions noted were byelection ed on the Village’s website where resi-
dents can see the progress council is making on them. Sandberg also praised the Village council for the positive actions they have already undertaken. “Council has already embraced the findings of the inspection report and started to take action on many of those items,” he said. “They have indicated no opposition to any of the directives that have been provided, so on that basis, we are very optimistic that council will in fact move forward in a positive way that no further directives will be necessary.” One member of the gallery wanted to know if any fraudulent activity was uncovered during the inspection process. “There’s a lot of rumours. Is there money missing, or gone astray?” he asked, prompting Sandberg to reply. “There was no indication that there was any fraud or anything of that nature, there was nothing criminal,” he said. “Nothing in that regard. We saw instances that appear to be inadvertent, and errors.” A full copy of the inspection report is available on the provincial government’s website.
Moose on the loose Nine moose were seen together in Lamont County last week, an unusual sight as they tend to be solitary animals. Even calves tend to leave their mothers within two years. But when there is a herd of moose, they can be called a crash, gang or mob of moose. Submitted photo.