Until further decisions are made by Alberta Municipal Affairs regarding governance in the Village of Cremona, Mountain View County and Cremona will continue to abide by their existing fire services agreement, officials say.
“The decisions of the previous council will remain in effect,” said Jerry Ward, public affairs officer for Alberta Municipal Affairs.
A March 15 meeting in Water Valley saw Cremona's former mayor suggest obtaining Alberta Municipal Affairs' help for conflict resolution between the village and the county so that a new fire services agreement could be made.
But the following week's departure of village council and administration has left officials wondering what will happen regarding the empty seat on the Cremona and District Fire Authority (CDFA) previously held by Cremona councillor Mindy Whittle.
Greg Harris, chair of the CDFA, said the authority was curious if the open seat will be taken by remaining village councillor Karel Beckman, or by the interim official administrator, Darryl Joyce, who was appointed by municipal affairs last week.
“Uncertainty is hard on people,” said Harris. “Sometimes being told something you don't like, but knowing what's happening, is easier to take than uncertainty.”
Ward said, “Basically, the remaining councillor should not be attending or conducting any official duties of the town. The official administrator will be appointed to attend any committee issues that arise.”
Ward said Joyce may attend the next fire authority meeting (May) should he deem it necessary to, as the quorum of the meeting does not necessarily hinge on Joyce's presence.
Including the three county-appointed representatives of the fire authority (one councillor, two public) and both public appointees from the Village of Cremona, this is five – and only four are required for quorum, Ward noted.
CDFA has nothing to do with the operational aspects of Cremona and District Emergency Services (CDES), said Harris.
Rather, it facilitates CDES by doing its budgets and ensuring plans and funds are in place to secure required equipment, he said.
“We're going to continue to look after business and make sure that the safety of people in the village and the county is the same as before,” said Harris.
Fire Chief John Newbery of Cremona and District Emergency Services says though some of its members are “astounded at the position we're in,” the department is “doing just fine.”
Though discussion about the fire services agreement issues often occur amongst members in the hall, Newbery said it in no way has affected their ability to provide protection to constituents.
“I mean, certainly it's on our minds, and our members have their opinions,” he said.
Newbery went on to say that a member's geographic address doesn't necessarily reflect an allegiance to that specific side of the debate.
“We're firefighters. We're still delivering services to our customers. That hasn't changed.”
As for the county, further negotiations regarding a new fire services agreement have MVC's hands tied until further notice, said Patricia McKean, Div. 2 councillor and deputy reeve for MVC.
“Until they (municipal affairs) determines if there is a (Cremona) council,” said McKean, “I don't know what will happen - or if we'll be renegotiating.”
The fire authority's next meeting will take place in the middle of April, McKean said, and she said she hopes the two municipalities have this matter clarified by then.
“We'll just have to wait and see what happens,” she said.
