If Sundre town councillors pass a motion this week to call a byelection following the departure of first-term councillor Michael Baird the vote could happen in mid-November.
Councillors were scheduled to consider four related motions at the Oct. 1 council meeting (after press time), including one that would order a byelection be held, and one that would set the byelection date of Nov. 16.
Since the next municipal election is scheduled for within the next 18 months (in October 2013), council has the option whether or not to call a byelection.
If councillors vote not to have a byelection, the standing committee obligations formerly held by Coun. Baird would be shared out among the remaining five councillors.
In other council news, Mayor Annette Clews has sent a letter to Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Minister Diana McQueen outlining some of the concerns the town has with the river situation in and near Sundre.
In the letter, Clews says while she is pleased the province is working with the federal government on a national flood mitigation program, the town has specific concerns.
“The Town of Sundre has repeatedly requested that the provincial government look at the whole effects of river disaster mitigation,” said Clews.
“These include the loss of healthy riparian environments during high or fast water flows, the loss of viable lands used for agriculture, roads, potential loss of water/wastewater infrastructure, as well as the contrary disaster of droughts, all of which factor in quality and quantities of water.”
Clews notes that the provincial government has been working on several water management strategies in recent times, including the ‘Water For Life', ‘Water For Life – A Renewal', ‘Water For Life – Action Plan', the Land Stewardship Act, The Water Shed Plans, and the Water Council.
“The Town of Sundre is hopeful that the provincial government will be consolidating these various strategies with the provincial flood mitigation report along with the suggested recommendations to begin the process and projects required to not only mitigate river disaster risks but also to strengthen and secure Alberta's river water systems,” she said.
Clews' letter was scheduled to come before town council this week for information.
