There is an unsettling appearance of confusion between senior Penhold officials on whether the town has a plan to deal with its annual flood problem.
This has not only caused ongoing concern for residents but also created a growing sense of anger that the municipality is lacking cohesion, direction and leadership.
And there is real fear that rising waters, already creating extensive damage to homes and other property – not to mention rising insurance premiums, could some day cause a tragedy in the town if a plan addressing all safety concerns is not quickly put in place.
Earlier this month, following Penhold council’s regular April 11 meeting, Mayor Dennis Cooper told the Province he did not know whether the town had a plan to deal with the flooding problem.
This statement was contradicted somewhat by Penhold CAO Rick Binnedyk who told the Province in a separate interview the town has been working to solve the flooding problem for the past few years. He added a firm plan was still being looked at by town officials.
These statements, when viewed side by side, hold little value to inspire confidence with the constituents they serve.
At the April council meeting, resident Jo-Ann Grimwood told town officials that low-grade issues and accompanying flooding in her neighbourhood have caused fear and anxiety with residents for several years. However, all attempts to get prompt action from the town have been futile, she added.
What is worse for Grimwood is that a former bylaw officer told her that the flooding was creating dangerous situations, especially for children who have been seen floating along the flooded streets on tubes.
“Part of my disappointment of this situation is the town appears to not be concerned about letting this scenario happen again this spring,” said Grimwood in her presentation.
She is not alone. Last week the Province reported that another resident, Bob MacGreggor, said repeated attempts to get answers from the town about flooding solutions went no where and he was forced to contact local MLA Luke Ouellette.
The MLA said there are provincial options for the town to consider in the event of a disastrous flooding but the Alberta government will only move on them if it receives a request from Penhold officials. In other words, provincial officials have to be invited.
Cooper admitted the town did not consider provincial help in 2010 when the flooding caused extensive damage and inconvenience but did add it is an option Penhold may consider this year.
When all this vagueness and confusion is bushed aside, the only clear message left is one that shows there is an absence of a firm and organized unity of purpose between elected officials and administration.
The right hand has to know what the left is doing and saying. And the community must be left with an unequivocal understanding of where the town stands on the annual threat, how it is planning to meet it and what options, municipal and provincial, are available for each resident in the event of a catastrophic event.
Taxpaying citizens have a right to feel confident their elected officials and administration are not only listening but have all their ducks in order on their behalf in case the worst comes.
Most of all they have the right to hold a completely fair expectation that those who were elected by them, or who are paid from their taxes, will not only understand what accountability means, they will move on it with action and with a bold sense of duty.
