The 2021 Election of our Municipality is Fast Approaching.
Here are some things to Ponder!
When LSARA was formed, we had, (and still do) had a mandate. One of the biggest reasons we were formed was that we did not have any trust with the Council and Administration that was in place. With the Council that was elected in 2017, we made a promise to one another that we would give the “NEW COUNCIL” which was some old and some new, a chance to make the changes. This was a platform that they all campaigned on. They promised you and I, the Ratepayers of Lac Ste Anne County that they would have open lines of communication and they would ensure that there was transparency. The Ratepayers would never be the last ones to know where our hard earned tax dollars were being spent.
Although it may seem to you that we were no longer in existence, we continued behind the scenes and observed to see whether or not this change that they all promised us was occurring. At first, the minutes did become more informative, and administration was timely in responses to our questions. Then came the ORMC - Onoway Regional Medical Clinic. This was the first big test for the new council.
When we spoke to Ratepayers in the County, they felt that this was not a county issue but rather an Alberta Health Services burden. It became evident very quickly that current council and administration was not going to listen, so we got to work once again and on behalf of the ratepayers, LSARA petitioned and presented arguments at a council open house. There were folks that were directly involved in the medical care facilities with Aspen Heath Services that also presented in objection to the direction Council and Administration was taking on the ORMC. After the presentations, the purchase of the building and the renovations, creation of the Association being formed to administer the Medical clinic was TABLED indefinitely by council at that time. We were very happy that Council took credence in the wishes of the Ratepayers. More investigation and information were certainly required to move forward. Fast forward a very short time and we find they QUIETLY went forward. They began by first leasing and improving the medical facility borrowing over $2000,000 to do so. Then actually forming a board and running/owning the medical building as stated with the Council and Administration as Directors. There is much to be said regarding making leasehold improvements then paying “fair market value” for the same building you paid to improve? There are some Regional Summer Villages and towns that are also involved but none with a larger stake than the Ratepayers of LSAC.
An additional concern that LSARA has is that we asked for a list of the Short Term and Long-Term borrowing past, present and future (already approved but not yet released).
Below was the response LSARA received. Borys Knysh is spotlighted in the email but was NEVER in the thread of emails. Borys was not and never is, the author of any of the request for information forms (RFI)sent to the county.
This process was actually put in place as a result of requests by LSARA hoping we believe to prevent us from requesting information. In fact what it has done is allowed us to keep better track of what we have requested and what we have received a response to.
To date, it is very important to note that we have never been provided nor have we seen a list published to the entire ratepayers since we submitted a Request For Information as promissed in the Email.
To date, it is very important to note that we have never been provided nor have we seen a list published to the entire ratepayers since we submitted a Request For Information as promissed in the Email.
In addition, we still do not have the total information of how the funding came about for this new venture be it Short Term or Long-Term borrowing. In a type of partnership with a handful of the surrounding communities with the ratepayers of LSAC being the main shareholder, can they opt out? Leave the County Ratepayers holding the bag for all of the costs? Being the main shareholder certainly means we bare the brunt of the losses that may be incurred. Have you see a recent calculation of the losses already realized in the minutes of LSAC Council Meetings? Neither have we however, it has been published in the Onoway Town Council Meeting. Review of this publication shows in excess of $87,000 with the full loss to be realized after year one. The actual losses will not be known until sometime in February or March 2022. That means this loss can be well in excess of $120,000 and the questions should be: Where in the budget does this come from? Where in the budget is the corporation budget overall? Why did they not hold another public forum before going forward with this endeavor? Did you, as a County Ratepayer, wish to be an owner of a medical clinic? Were there other options available or investigated?
When current council was queried on some of the concerns one being why was it our responsibility as Ratepayers, it was stated that we have to have three doctors to service the area. Why three? We have to consider right up to the borders of our County in all directions. Does it make sense to you that an individual would drive to Onoway from Mayerthorpe as an example that has a Hospital and doctors available to care for the region? Sure doesn't make sense to us. Does it make sense that we, as Ratepayers are taking on the financial burden that is already being paid through our Provincial and Federal taxes we pay to provide Health Care to Albertans?
Just some questions to ponder when you consider if past their promises to be open and transparent have been honored by those (past council) who campaigned on that very premise. Much like the “white elephant” (also costing thousands in repairs and no word where in the budget that comes from), the will of the people was ignored but current and past council leaving us vulnerable to tax increases to cover losses. Not to mention the law suit that is also underway for deficiencies on the County Building. How much has this already cost us and how much more will it cost us? These are ONLY 2 AREAS that we highlight that are of great financial concern. We have not even touched on utilities of solid waste and lagoons, bridges, fire departments, public works, roads to name a few.
Election is a short time away. VOTE October 18, 2021
Email from Council regarding request for Borrowing Bylaws:
Nicholas Gelych <NGelych@lsac.ca>
Wed, May 8, 2019, 12:47 AM
to George, Joe, Lloyd, Lorne, Nicholas, Ross, Steve, LSARA, Chris, me, Brad, Lucille, Mike, Robert
Good Afternoon All;
As there is no indication as to who sent this email, I am going to assume that addressing this to you, Mr. Boris Knysh, will be sufficient. As a note, most organizations when communicating, do actually sign the document, thus creating accountability and transparency. Also, it would be nice to see who is the writer of the document so that your image is protected from just anyone being able to send out requests, etc. on your behalf and without your approval.
As far as to the request of the borrowing bylaws, it was requested that the last five years of our short-term borrowing bylaws be sent to Mrs. Leann Knysh, and now it seems that all borrowing is being asked for, which is fine; however, due to operational priorities of the County and the preparation of the 2019 Tax Notices , we are committed to providing all borrowing information requested and will make it public to all residents as time permits.
As mentioned to you previously, the audit captures all County financials, regardless of you believing that the auditor isn’t being truthful. In fact, for you to mention it, is cause for concern. The independent audit is preformed to ensure ratepayers have a clear window into the audited financial statements for the County.
All borrowing by Lac Ste. Anne County will be made available to the public through local papers and posted to the LSAC website, and you will be able to view when all our residents can. LSARA are not considered special, no more so than any individual resident residing within the county and do not speak for the 10,849 other ratepayers; we represent them as elected representatives. Look forward to seeing your name on a ballot in October 2021.
Please feel free to post this on your LSARA Facebook blog.
Nick Gelych
Nick Gelych
Division 2 Councillor
Cell: 780-903-9393
Division 2 Councillor
Cell: 780-903-9393
56521 RGE RD 65 (1 mile east of Sangudo on Hwy 43) l BOX 219 l SANGUDO AB T0E 2A0
Phone: (780)785-3411 l 1-866-880-5722 l Fax: (780)785-2985
Partial Lagoon Costs reported on Country Council Minutes
Title: 2021 Lagoon Sludge Removal Tender Approval
PREPARATION DETAILS
Department Of:
Proposed Actions:
Utilities & Special Projects
Direct Administration
RECOMMENDATION:
That County Council direct Administration to accept the proposal from Kayden
Industries to perform the 2021 Lagoon sludge removal and disposal for a total lump
sump fee of $ 597,581.42.
ORMC BUDGET (LOSSES) from the Agenda of the Onoway Council Meeting from June 3, 2021
