Alberta Municipal Affairs is pleased with the Town of Penhold and its handling of the municipal inspection requirements.
In a recent letter from Alberta Municipal Affairs, Minister Doug Griffith said the town's continued dedication and ongoing work in satisfying the requirements he set out in a ministerial order was “commendable.”
Earlier this year, Penhold town council was slapped on the wrist by the province for too much meddling into the responsibilities of administration, while past councillor Chad Hoffman was hit hard for his negativity on administration and his elected colleagues.
Griffiths' directive for council to concentrate on its own legislative mandate followed an exhaustive eight-month municipal inspection review into the affairs of the Town of Penhold. The review was ordered by the province following a petition last year by outspoken local resident Ken McCarthy who successfully collected the necessary signatures of more than 20 per cent of Penhold's population.
Since that time, the Town of Penhold has responded to Alberta Municipal Affairs four times, as requested in the report, and has addressed the 63 recommendations to the government's satisfaction.
Rick Binnendyk, the town's chief administrative officer, wrote in a Dec. 10 letter to Griffiths outlining the town's efforts to educate councillors on the Council Code of Conduct, addressing human resources issues as outlined, and the implementation of a Collaborative Civic Leadership training course in December.
“By employing the recommendations, the Town of Penhold is going to get stronger and better as a community,” added Mayor Dennis Cooper.
To see the full report from the Penhold municipal inspection, visit www.townofpenhold.ca.
