I would like to comment on the Mountain View Gazette headline of Aug. 6 “$32 million lawsuit levelled against Mountain View County, Munro and Good.”
As of today, Aug. 12, 2013 I have not been served with any legal documents regarding Neuroese Properties.
The people of Mountain View County deserve to know what this legal controversy is about.
It is about Mountain View County's new Municipal Development Plan and the upcoming election.
The present Mountain View County council consulted the most important people in regards to developing the long-term vision and plan for our county: that's you, the resident and taxpayer.
Through the most extensive public consultation possible, including many open houses, mail-out and phone surveys, council, with the assistance of our planning and legal team, developed a long-term plan that reflects the wishes of the vast majority of the residents of our county. This work was all carefully scrutinized by the best municipal law firm in Alberta.
The taxpayers of Mountain View County clearly said that residential development densities of 240 lots per quarter in Mountain View County, were not in their vision. (Please review the Municipal Development Plan on the county website.)
The taxpayers of Mountain View County were also very clear in regards to their tax dollars being used to develop piped water and sewer services.
Development must pay for development was heard many times at the Municipal Development Plan open houses.
Municipalities across Canada, including some of our local communities, are facing massive infrastructure deficits. In some cases bankruptcy will be the result.
Mountain View County council was given the estimate, prepared by a highly regarded engineering firm in regards to servicing the Highway 2 and Highway 27 development (water, sewer and roads). The total estimate was for $48,000,000.
This lawsuit is about politics and the upcoming election. It is a legal fact that a county can change its long-term plan. If the people of Mountain View County want to have high-density residential development and subsidize the cost of servicing these developments, all you have to do is say so.
I despise waste and this lawsuit is a waste.
Our CAO and director of planning will spend many hours in the preparation of a defence that will not see a courtroom. This is also a waste of money. The county has insurance through AAMDC (Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties) to protect us from this type of nuisance lawsuit.
Election day, Monday Oct. 21, is quickly approaching. Kevin Good and I will probably be served and therefore involved in the legal action. This will mean we will be unable to discuss anything relating to the case including zoning and residential densities.
The future is up to you; you need to let your division candidate know what kind of county you want. I want better roads and no tax increases.
Paddy Munro
Division 6 councillor
Mountain View County
