A petition by voters in the Village of Carbon has been deemed sufficient by the Minister of Municipal Affairs, and he orderd a preliminary review.
The Mail reported in its May 18 edition the Minister of Municipal Affairs Office had received a petition from Carbon residents. This was the second petition submitted this year. Previously a petition was submitted to remove CAO Vanessa Van der Meer. It was deemed insufficient.
This second petition is requesting an inspection into the affairs of the Village of Carbon.
Mayor Bryan Peever received correspondence from Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs, dated June 7. It noted the petition met the 99 signatures.
“As a general rule, the effectiveness of our municipal government system is predicated on the autonomy of municipal governments, and their accountability to the residents. That being said, the MGA also places an obligation on the Minister of Municipal Affairs to determine when a situation in a municipality warrants provincial intervention to ensure protection of good governance in the public interest,” reads the letter.
It goes on to say undertaking an inspection is an extraordinary measure.
“While it is clear the petitioners have concerns regarding the village, I do not have sufficient information at this time to fully understand the situation or whether other actions may be most appropriate. For this reason, I have asked ministry staff to conduct a preliminary review into the concerns identified, as well as other governance and administrative areas as necessary.”
This preliminary inquiry will include interviews with members of council, the CAO and the petition representative. The letter notes, this is not intended to be a verification process and cannot result in any directive.
No written submissions or documents will be received during this process, and participation is voluntary.
“While the review is a voluntary process, and you have a choice regarding your participation, I encourage your full cooperation and participation to assist me in making an informed decision on the request,” noted the letter from Minister McIver to Mayor Peever. “Once I have reviewed the background provided through the preliminary review, I will advise you of my decision as to what further steps, if any, will be taken.”

The Dalum Community Hall Association is hard at work fundraising for a new playground.
Over the last few years, the community of Dalum and surrounding areas has seen the emergence of younger families.
“Times are changing in our widespread farming community of Dalum; bringing new generations, and with that, a need for updated facilities to grow and learn together,” the association states in a letter.
They have set a goal of raising $100,000 for a new modest playground. Jim Eskeland, President of the Dalum Community Hall Associaton, says they are planning some fundraising events in the near future and have received some support from donors and chasing grants.
“We started fundraising in the late spring, and we haven’t really put a timeline on it because we don’t know how long it is going to take,” said Eskeland.
They have set a goal of raising $100,000 for the new apparatus. They have introduced a playground sponsorship program with recognition for donors at different levels of support.

“We have something in mind that we would like to get, not over the top,” he said. If there are funds left over, they could use them to improve the site with landscaping, fencing, and maybe even a gazebo, and concrete seating and tables.
“We are fortunate to have some fantastic resources located in our own province, which makes supporting our local economy very easy. Your support would help us reach our goal, and would ensure we have a safe, modern play structure to add to the amenities of our vibrant community,” state the association’s letter.
“We have a real resurgence of young people in the community,” said Eskeland. “If there were a playground here, there would be something to do for the kids. It would be something for the parents to say, ’the kids are driving me crazy, go out to the playground.’”
For more information, e-mail dalumhall@gmail.com