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Your Independent Local Newspaper Established in 1918 VOLUME 104: ISSUE 30
www.tofieldmerc.com
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022
Municipal Affairs addresses Ryley Council Minister Ric McIver defers inspection until forensic audit is complete MOUSH JOHN Editor
The Municipal Affairs has responded to the petition filed by Ryley residents with regard to new council elected last fall. In a letter dated March 22, and addressed to Mayor Nikita Lee and council, Minister Ric McIver thanked residents for “participating in and cooperating
with the preliminary review conducted by Municipal Affairs in response to a petition requesting an inspection into the Village of Ryley.” He said that the preliminary review intended to identify the concerns and issues that led to the petition. “While the review notes areas of concern regarding some meeting
procedures and council’s authority to act in recent months, I understand the interim chief administrative officer is supporting council’s responsibilities, including council meetings and decision-making,” he noted. “I also understand council has engaged a financial services firm to conduct a forensic audit of the village.”
Interim CAO Ron Cust said, “On behalf of the Mayor, I am providing the letter from the Minister of Municipal Affairs regarding the petition filed in 2021. “I will not elaborate on the contents you as council can review and discuss the details of the letter at the next council meeting April 8. This item has been added as an agenda item al-
ready.” McIver ensured that MLA Jackie Lovely was included in the correspondence too. He further stated, “Municipal inspections are extraordinary measures and not undertaken lightly. In recognition of council’s actions to date, as well as acknowledging the village’s February 2022 byelection and a new
Tofield Library hosts Trivia Night MOUSH JOHN EDITOR
Tofield Municipal Library hosted ‘Books, Bevvies and Trivia’ Night last Tuesday, March 22, at the Last Chance Saloon. Facilitator and organizer Emily Schae said that the idea belonged to the library’s interim manager, Jessie Morris. “She asked us to try out an adult book fair,” Schae said. “We thought it would be something fun and new for the community to enjoy, but the turnout was better than we had antici-
pated! There was not one empty table, and the bar was overflowing with people who had come out to the event.” Schae said that both Morris and her colleague, Nicole Hillyer were at the event as part of the hosting crew. “As one of the first inperson events, it was definitely a welcome change, and everyone seemed happy to interact and meet each other in person,” Schae added. “It feels so refreshing to host in-person events again. We Continued on Page 14
ABOVE: Participants at the Trivia Night pose for a group picture. RIGHT: Tofield Library set up for the evening before guests started arriving.
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member of council, I am deferring my decision to order an inspection until the village’s forensic audit is complete.” Once the forensic audit is complete, McIver wants a copy of the audit, along with the village’s response to any areas of concern noted in the audit, to allow him to gain insight into Continued on Page 5