Duchess, Rosemary step back from RWG
Two communities that were part of the Regionalization Working Group (RWG) have opted to step away from further discussions after considering the amalgamation options and listening to the concerns of their constituents.
While a media release issued by the RWG on April 11 states feedback from the public indicated a need for more information, the municipal leaders of both Rosemary and Duchess, both of whom have been sitting in on the RWG meetings, have said the discussions have been leaning toward amalgamation. They are however, willing to continue talks on collaborated efforts.
“There is no advantage to us for amalgamating, but we are more than willing to discuss more collaboration,” said Rosemary mayor Bill Marshall, adding that the conversations at the RWG meetings have been primarily focused on amalgamation. “Sitting in there on those meetings for four months, all they wanted to talk about was amalgamation.”
In a statement posted on its website, the Village of Duchess stated on April 1, “The Village of Duchess council feels that the main focus of the RWG is almost exclusively focused on amalgamation. As previously stated, Duchess council believes that the best way forward is through collaboration and regionalization, while ensuring the preservation of the community of Duchess as it currently exists. Amalgamation is not something that makes sense for the Village of Duchess and this is why they feel it is best to step aside at this time.”
The RWG website lists several options for amalgamation/regionalization, one of them being complete amalgamation into a single municipality. Others listed include: Payment for services on an asneeded basis, inter-municipal agreements, and regional commissions or corporations.
Duchess mayor Tony Steidel also said he could not see any benefits for his community if amalgamation is the end goal.
“Amalgamation is the target with the working group,” said Steidel. “They said we could save by amalgamating, but I’ve looked at different reports from across the country and that probably would not be the case.”
Both communities have updated all of their underground infrastructure, so that would not factor into their decisions.
“The underground infrastructure in Rosemary is all up-to-date; same as in Duchess,” said Marshall.
“Duchess sits in a unique situation. We don’t owe any money, our infrastructure is in good shape, and all of our streets are paved and curbed,” said Steidel, adding that they have not owed any money in close to nine years.
Steidel mentioned other concerns for him and for his constituents that contributed to the decision for Duchess to step back from the RWG discussions.
“Unless they come up with something better in regards to representation, taxes, staffing, utility rates, and local voice, we are stepping aside,” he said.
Both mayors also said their ratepayers are not in favour of amalgamation/regionalization.
“The people in my community don’t want this and I’ve talked to a lot of county residents and a lot of them do not want this either. The only ones who do are the councillors,” said Marshall. Steidel echoed Marshall’s comment. “People have been saying to us that they are not in favour of this. We are elected to these people and we’ll be moving forward status quo,” he said adding that 180 people attended the recent Duchess open house.
Discussions regarding their Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks will continue as planned as they are mandated by the province. They have a year to complete these Inter-municipal Collaboration Frameworks. Duchess also plans to continue discussion for broadband for the region and will continue working with partners including Fire, Recreation, Garbage, Newell Regional Service Corporation, Newell solid Waste Management Authority, FCSS, and Economic Development.
At their April 3 meeting, the remaining RWG members voted unanimously in favour of continuing with the process. Following the next two or three meetings, they plan on releasing an information package to the public ahead of the next round of consultations that are scheduled to take place in the fall of 2019. The next RWG meeting is scheduled to take place