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Kinuso residents confirm desire for dissolution
Chris Clegg
for South Peace News
Kinuso residents have voted over 80 per cent in favour of dissolution after going to the polls May 26 and voting 61-13.
The vote gives Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs Ray Danyluk more information to ponder before reaching a decision. In the dissolution process, a study is completed, a vote taken and input received from the M.D. of Big Lakes before Danyluk announces his decision.
Village Mayor Darcy Hunt could not be reached for comment.
However, the M.D of Big Lakes had a harsh response after discussing the vote at its May 27 meeting when CAO Jeff Renaud told them up to $1.7 million in transitional grant program money as promised was not forthcoming.
“By the way, the program is cancelled,” Renaud says he was told just before the public meeting in Kinuso May 21. “The money just isn’t there any more.”
M.D. councilors were furious. Prairie Echo, Salt Prairie Councilor David Marx suggested telling Municipal Affairs they were “no longer interested” in assuming Kinuso’s affairs if Danyluk decides so.
Reeve Alvin Billings was shocked at the decision saying council was assured the program and money was in place.
“We went into (the study) knowing that,” he said.
Renaud said another municipality has the same concerns as Big Lakes and voicing displeasure.
Council discussed the possibility of agreeing to the vote but only if the grant remains in place.
However, council has little say in the matter. If Danyluk dissolves the village, the M.D. must assume control.
“We’re not in a position to make a lot of ultimatums,” said Renaud.
Joussard Councilor Guy L’Heureux disagreed.
“No money; we don’t want them either,” he said.
Renaud continued to remind council that “with the stroke of a pen” Kinuso was theirs to manage.
“You play ball the way we play ball,” argued L’Heureux. “Every time we come to a council meeting the government drops on us. It’s time we started rebutting them. Look at our beef industry, look at our hospital. They wonder why we get pissed off.”
“I agree,” said Billings.
Council will be writing Danyluk expressing its opposition to scrapping the grant. They will be asking Danyluk keep his promise made at the start of the dissolution study.
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