CREMONA – The Village of Cremona once again finds itself without a functioning council following the resignations of three members including the mayor on Monday.
Mayor Robert Reid as well as councillors Autumn Schmidt and Eric Martin submitted a co-signed a resignation letter dated March 3.
With only two councillors remaining – Derald Anderson and Shane Goebel – council no longer has quorum, a situation it has been in several times through 2024.
The resigning members cited as their primary reason the decision of Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver’s appointment of Doug Lagore, of Transitional Solutions Inc., as official administrator who has been granted all powers and duties as per the Municipal Government Act until at least October 31, 2025.
This “has now made the elected council ineffective and unable to carry out its electoral duties,” reads part of their resignation letter.
Prior to submitting their resignations, council had voted against the appointment of an official administrator but had later passed a motion to schedule a date for a roles and responsibilities workshop.
“We have chosen to resign as we feel our votes and our voices are powerless and ineffective despite being duly elected officials,” reads the statement.
Expressing gratitude for the community’s support, they said, “It is with deep regret that we have been unable to continue to be your elected representatives.”
In a letter dated Feb. 26, McIver outlined his reasons for appointing an official administrator and said that during a meeting on Jan. 27 he had “noted significant concerns with the ongoing reports of dysfunction within the community.”
The minister also acknowledged council’s “position that the reports are one-sided and biased, and that the council is gaining the trust and respect of the community.”
During the Jan. 27 meeting, the minister said council had been presented with options such as supports the ministry could provide the village to ensure “effective and accountable governance” including a roles and responsibilities workshop as well as “the appointment of an official administrator to supervise council until after the next municipal election.”
McIver went on to state that he recognized “council as a whole does not support the appointment of an OA, and has passed a resolution to that effect.”
The minister also noted his responsibility to determine when such an appointment is warranted, “and even when directions and orders may become appropriate.
“I have taken this action because I am deeply troubled by the signs of significant dysfunction, such as the issues shared with me in our meeting, reports I received from Mr. Lagore in his role as OA in 2024 and presently as an advisory consultant, and the demonstration of broad public concern through the 2024 petition from residents that requested cancellation of the byelection that restored quorum on November 25, 2024,” he elaborated.
“While it is my view that ministerial interventions should generally be reserved for extraordinary circumstances, it is apparent that such circumstances exist in the Village of Cremona.”
In response to a request for comment, Lagore could only confirm the resignations and deferred further questions to the minister’s office.
Karen O’Connor, the village’s chief administrative officer, could not immediately be reached prior to press deadline.
