Dear Editor,
In response to Oct. 19, 2022 Morrin council meeting).
• Did council pass a resolution to check 2nd Avenue North sewer laterals? – YES
• Did the check (September 2020) result in the camera not being able to get through line [Village lateral from Helton property] due to blockages? – YES
• Did Village clear blockages, as per Sewer Policy, to complete mission of resolution – NO
• If the Village had cleared the blockages, would Helton’s have had a sewerage backup? – NO
• If the Village had cleared the blockages, would Helton’s have had to rent a portable toilet – NO
• Does the Village still need to repair their 60+ year line due to the sag and 20 feet of water? – YES
• Did Village inform Helton’s of blockages? – NO
• After numerous requests by Helton’s for camera report, did Village finally release result? – YES
• Did Village clear blockages as per their responsibility under the MGA: Municipal Public Utilities-Section: 35(2)? – NO
• Did Village clear blockages when Helton’s expressed concern that a backup could occur? – NO
• Did the Village clear blockages when a backup occurred? – NO
• Did Village clear blockages when Helton’s informed council that they [Helton’s] were afraid of another backup and were hiring a portable toilet? – NO
• Did Helton’s get another camera of line to confirm that there still were significant blockages? – YES
• Did Village clear blockages when sent camera report showing blockages? – NO
• Did CAO lie to Village counsel stating that Helton’s were not using a portable toilet? – YES
• Did Village eventually clear blockages [18 months after the report of blockages]? – YES
• Did Village repair line that report states 20 feet of sag full of water? – NO
• Did Village inform Helton’s they could just “FLUSH MORE OFTEN”? – YES
• How many budgets have been set since Village knew of blockages in their [Village’s] line – Two
• Did Village inform Helton’s if and when the Village’s line would be repaired? – NO
• Do Helton’s put soiled paper into sewer? – NO (soiled paper to receptacle for external disposal)
• Do Helton’s flush “poop”? – NOT VERY OFTEN
• What do Helton’s do with poop? – THEY USE PUBLIC FACILITIES ON A REGULAR BASIS AND ONLY THEIR OWN TOILET IN AN EMERGENCY
• Is the only way to know of a blockage when sewerage enters Helton’s basement? – YES
• Would the Helton’s have had to rent a toilet and do their own camera ($1811.25 expense) if the Village had fulfilled its obligation? – NO
• Does council and CAO have respect for the MGA? – NO
• Should Helton’s be upset with the present council for not taking responsibility and exhibiting the integrity expected of them by studying the file so they would fully understand the history and the Helton’s position instead of relying on the “sketchy” information provided them by the CAO – YES
• Should the CAO be in a position to judge the results of a camera inspection when she states that the “photos were not helpful and can’t even see what’s in there”? – NO
• Would anyone who knows what they were doing be able to interpret the camera results? – YES
• Would the CAO have to be “frustrated that the Village continues to deal with this matter” if she and council would do their “due diligence” and study the file? – NO
• If council would take the time to study the correspondence related to this situation, would they have an understanding of what has actually transpired? – YES
• Has this council been willing to engage in dialogue with the Helton’s? – NO
• Did the CAO and council already set a precedent when they approved $504 to the Hampton’s without having them [Hampton’s] follow the Policy? – YES
• Does the treatment of the Helton’s ‘smack’ of PREJUDICE? – YES
• Does the treatment of the Helton’s constitute ELDER ABUSE? – YES
Howard Helton
Morrin, Alta.
