Submitted
The Drumheller Mail

    The County of Stettler is releasing the results of the Elections Alberta investigation, regarding an allegation made by the Wildrose Party that the County may have contravened the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act (the EFCDA).
    It was alleged that the County of Stettler No. 6 made contributions to the 2012 General Election Campaign for Jack Hayden, Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta candidate for Drumheller-Stettler.
    After a thorough review, Elections Alberta Chief Electoral Officer Glen Resler stated in his official report there was nothing to indicate the County of Stettler No. 6 made valued contributions to the campaign, by authorizing the use of electronic communications, staff time or county vehicles for campaign purposes.
    Prior to this investigation an internal review, which was made available to both the public and to the Wildrose Party, found the allegations made by the Wildrose Party regarding the erection of election signs and the use of employee time to create a partisan Facebook page to be untrue.
    “We take all of the allegations made against us very seriously, and feel the investigation by Elections Alberta supports our own internal investigation findings,” says Reeve Nixon. “We feel relieved this investigation has now concluded, and we may move forward freely knowing our actions, under scrutiny, were not erroneous.”
    According to MLA Rick Strankman, the report states   "the electronic communication sent using county resources has been addressed internally. This indicates to him the truthfulness of the FOIP information and therefore the action by county officials.
    "If this is proof positive there will be no more actions of this nature, that is all I can ask for as a guardian of taxpayers funds," said Strankman.
    Reeve Nixon added. “Our current council and administration remain committed to avoiding any partisan political events, and we will continue to work hard to build relationships with all levels of government in order to best serve our county and our residents."       

    Just a day after animals were taken from an area ranch known to be owned by the Graham family, court dates were set relating to an incident in 2011 where more animals were taken from the same area by the Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty  to Animals (ASPCA).
    inSide Drumheller broke the story that on last Thursday, the ASPCA  seized  dozens of cattle from an area property. They attended with members of the RCMP and  a veterinarian. Roland Lines of the ASPCA said there were concerns about animal welfare.    
    On Friday, January 17, John Barry Graham and Byron Graham appeared in provincial court in Drumheller. Their appearance related to a 2011 incident where cattle and horses were seized from the area property.
    This was the 20th appearance on some of the charges.
    Bryon Graham is facing three provincial tickets under the Animal Protection Act and a trial date has been set for July 25.
    John Barry Graham had a trial date of June 27 set for tickets under the Animal Protection Act.
    John Barry Graham and Lawrence Brydon also set a trial date for the substantive charges relating to the 2011 seizure. Two weeks have been set aside from November 17 to November 28 for these trials.