.gif)
Communties in Wheatland County have been shocked and confused at the recent actions of the Town of Strathmore.
On July 25, the Town of Strathmore voted to withdraw from the Wheatland Family and Community Support Services (WFCSS). Come January 1, 2013, Strathmore will have completely split from WFCSS and formed their own, municipally run program.
FCSS programs provide programs and support for seniors and families in the communities they serve.
The decision by Strathmore caught many unprepared, including fellow WFCSS members Wheatland County, and the Villages of Hussar, Rockyford, and Standard.
“There was nothing at all. We were completely caught off guard,” said Rockyford Mayor and WFCSS board chair Darcy Burke.
“We were as surprised as everyone else. We had no idea it was going to happen,” said Hussar Mayor Bruce Kaufman.
“We were a little shocked, but we’ve learned long ago to talk things over before making a final decision. We’ll see where this leaves our residents,” said Standard Mayor Alan Larsen.
The decision by Strathmore leaves the future of the WFCSS uncertain. The remaining members of the group will be meeting on August 22 to discuss the future of the WFCSS.
“Our board is meeting on August 22 to decide what we’re going to do as the remaining municipalities,” said Burke. “How are we going to be moving forward? What will WFCSS look like in the future? That’s what we’ll be discussing.”
For the time being, WFCSS programs will continue as normal. The only area being affected by the decision is Strathmore.
“There’s not much to say, because we don’t know where it’s going. They feel they can do better, but with Strathmore pulling out it doesn’t mean everyone else has. Right now, it’s status quo here,” said Kaufman.
“A number of residents access the programs. We will still keep supplying services to our residents who require them, one way or another,” said Larsen.
“Our municipality wants to be part of it for sure. As rural people, we need WFCSS organization to provide home support and the different facilities things we can offer our clients. The Village of Rockyford fully supports WFCSS and wants to see it continue in some form to keep providing services for our clients,” said Burke. “We still have clients and programs rurally and that’s what we’ll be concentrating on.”
