Your news this week: Sleeping Beauty Performance - pg. 7 Volunteer Appreciation - Pgs. 3, 8, 9 Relay for Life Fundraiser - Pg. 12
Read us online at www.lamontleader.com twitter.com/lamontleader
Vol. No. 23 Tuesday, May 2013 Vol. 7, No. 2, 8,Tuesday, November 8, 7, 2011
Lamont County left holding the bag for $96,000 Michelle Pinon Editor Convoluted. That is one of the words being used to describe a predicament Lamont County currently finds itself in. The scenario involves several different parties, but one clear definitive fact, that the municipality is still holding the bag for a $96,000 bill for installation of a communications tower. Back in 2010 the county applied for a federal government grant which was administered by the province. The grant was to be applied to the purchase and construction
of a communications tower located at Township Road 544 and Secondary Highway 855 near Mundare. Reeve Wayne Woldanski said during a follow up telephone interview that the total cost of the project was around $180,000 and it was his understanding that because Westcan was both the service provider and the company which installed the equipment and tower, they were billed on the same invoices, and not separately, which led to confusion in regards to the timelines. He said the distinction was not made clear to the people who
looked after the grant application either. While the county received certification, along with the date of instillation proving it was before the deadline of the grant application, the monies were not turned over to the county. Even though county council did agree to write a cheque to Westcan a couple of months ago for the job it completed, the municipality is still out the substantial sum of money. According to a request for decision written by emergency services coordinator Randy Siemens, “The grant was
to be applied to the purchase and construction of the comunications tower at TWP Rd 544 and HWY 855. Befe proceeding Lamont County received a letter stating that the grant was approved so construction was initiated. Only after completion and after phone calls inquiring as to when the county would see the grant monies was its administration told the grant was rejected and not untl March 2013 did Lamont Cuty receive an official letter stating so.� Al Harvey, chief executive officer, read aloud the letter of refusal to council that was
addressed to him. The letter stated the province could not take the grant application forward for submission. Harvey said he didn't provide a response because he wanted council's opinion first. "It depends on how far we want to go. We have spent about $3,000 on legal fees to date." No members of council indicated at the May 2 meeting they wanted to pursue legal action. "In the end where do you lay the blame," questioned Woldanski. So while the beaucrats have said there is nothing more that can be done, Woldanski said the politicians will have to
follow the process and try to recoup the monies. To that end, the county council passed a motion directing administration to arrange a meeting with Fort SaskatchewanVegreville MLA Jacquie Fenske. Council also directed administration to prepare an information package for the meeting and to include a letter from Westcan certifying the work that was done within the guidelines of the application. Woldanski said they were not going to give up on the issue, even if that means lobbying the minister.
MICHELLE PINON PHOTO
Spring thaw has almost come and gone, but not without a few headaches for public works crew in Lamont County who had 10 closed roads and 80 washouts in the past two weeks. At one point the department was receiving 80 phone calls a day, and director Harold Hamilton commended ratepayers for their patience and understanding during that time.