Coronation’s council chambers were overflowing at the regular council meeting on Monday, Sept. 9. Well over 30 concerned citizens filled the gallery, lined the back wall and spilled out into the hallway.
The massive interest was driven by a letter read to council by resident Bonnie Danylyshen, on behalf of a group of Coronation residents requesting a town hall meeting.
The meeting is being requested to address questions about the town’s management that have been piling up over the last few months.
In attendance were council members Ron Checkel, Cody Hillmer, Mark Stannard and Brett Alderdice (attending remotely), Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Delayne Golby and CAO Quinton Wintfley.
Danylyshen, citing from a survey that had been sent out to some residents earlier this year, stated that the responders felt that council was not adequately fulfilling their responsibility to keep the public informed on key projects and financial spends, and on the perceived lack of accountability.
Issues ranged from misuse of public funds to purchase a $38K food truck (whereabouts unknown), lack of transparency on the Canada Coal Transition Initiative (CCTI-IF), Alberta Rural Renewal Stream and the Affordable Housing projects, to the status of the proposed solar farm, and solar project owner Maple Leaf’s potential involvement with the housing project.
At one point, Coun. Hillmer interrupted Danylyshen’s presentation, and the gallery hotly objected. There was notable frustration from both parties.
“You’re not volunteers,” said Danylyshen. “People deserve to be heard!”
Others in the gallery added, “This is not an attack!” and “We are the taxpayers!”
Upon conclusion of Danylyshen’s presentation newly appointed acting mayor, Ron Checkel, addressed some of the concerns identified.
On the lack of transparency regarding the CCTI-IF initiative, there was an apparent government gag order until just recently.
Several attendees pressed for a decision on the town hall meeting and asked for a definitive answer in a timely manner. The decision was deferred. Mayor Checkel said that council would decide if they would hold the requested town hall by the next regular meeting.
“It’ll be in our minutes,” advised the mayor.
Jackie Blakely
ECA Review
