A group of residents of Delia is starting a petition to ask the Minister of Municipal Affairs to take a closer look at the affairs of the village.
According to a poster sent out by concerned residents, they are collecting signature on a petition, urging the Minster of Municipal Affairs Ken Hughes for an inquiry into the affairs of the municipality.
“Since the inception of the new Council in October our community has been stalemated from moving forward in ANY direction due to in-house erosion,” states the document the Mail received from Sue Waye.
The reasons for the inquiry are stated on the poster including a number of alleged incidents including:
“• One day prior to the CAO resigning, effective immediately, three of four back-up drives from the village office were turned in to the internet service provider erased with no explanation. Password issues kept the village office in limbo for eight weeks.
• There is currently only ONE copy of bylaws, which is controlled by the CAO.
• Minutes from past meetings are not current for public viewing. Delegation’s issues are not recorded. In camera sessions were abused keeping the public uniformed. Motions made and passed in session have been removed from the minutes with no explanation.
• Confidentiality issues as discussions held in camera are made public within minutes of adjournment.”
These allegations have not been proven.
"We have some huge concerns and have had them for months," said Waye.
She said these concerns date back to the previous council. Since the municipal election the village's CAO has resigned and the community is now facing a by-election after the current mayor resigned due to health reasons.
Under Section 572 of The Municipal Government Act, an inquiry can be undertaken by the Minister if electors numbering at least 20 per cent of the municipality’s population sign. The petition will then go to the village's administration to confirm it is in order. If deemed to be valid it will go from council to the minister's office.
Organizers of the petition are holding a public forum on Thursday, February 20 at the Delia Seniors Drop-in at 7:30 p.m. They are urging residents to come to the forum to discuss issues and to sign the petition. On the same day a volunteer will be at the drop-in centre from 10 a.m. to noon with the petition.
