Administration, officials look forward to participating in review: Craig

By Nikki Jamieson
Sunny South News

In a letter received by the town March 12, Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver informed the town they had received a sufficient petition requesting a Municipal Inspection into the Town of Coaldale, and before a final decision in response to the petition is made, ministry staff will conduct a preliminary review to determine the underlying reason of the request and ensure an appropriate response is taken.

The preliminary review will include interviews with councillors, administrative staff and the petition’s representatives, and is intended to provide context for McIver’s decision on his response on the petition. It is not meant to be a verification process and cannot result in any directives being issued, and no written documents or submissions will be received during this time.

While participation is voluntary for the review, McIver encouraged the town’s co-operation.

During Coaldale town council’s regular March 20 meeting, Mayor Kim Craig said he believed the town is looking forward to participating in the review. “While the letter states the town’s participation is voluntary, I believe administration and elected officials are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to voluntarily engage in the process, and as the process unfolds, and participate in any future steps, if any are prescribed by the minister, once their preliminary review is dealt with” said Craig.

Craig noted it was important the letter from the minister “really doesn’t say” the town has to stop any of the work underway or unwind anything the town has approved.

“I think the development community, investors and contractors that are engaged aptly on certain projects in the town can rest assured their work can continue and this process is not meant to interrupt any lawfullyapproved projects.”

Council unanimously received the letter for information.

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