Pipestone Flyer
Over the holidays we were lucky enough to be able to get a few moments in time with Leduc County Mayor John Whaley who shared County Council's views on a few questions concerning the annexation proposals facing Leduc County.
Q: Has the County's original answer of “NO” toward the Edmonton Annexation changed since the election of the new Council?
A: The original answer of “NO” to the proposed annexation is unchanged, but we believe that “YES” we should be collaborative and work together for the good of the region and the lands in question.
Q: How do you feel annexation will proceed now that there is a new Mayor and Council in Edmonton?
A: I have no idea how it will proceed from the Edmonton side. As of today we have no meetings planned with Mayor Iveson or Edmonton City Council. However, we are hoping for a beneficial and mutually rewarding working relationship.
Q: What is Leduc County’s opinion on the Leduc Coalition and what it is saying?
A: These people are our ratepayers and residents within Nisku and the County who are opposed to the huge extent of the proposed annexation and the possible ramifications of it. They are entitled to their opinions. These people have attended the City of Edmonton open houses and felt that this was their best recourse. In the end, the Municipal Government Board and the Provincial Government needs to hear all the parties involved opinions and positions, not just the two municipal Governments of Edmonton and Leduc County.
Q: Does the new shopping complex proposed for the airport change anything with the County’s position on annexation?
A: At the end of the day growth and development leads to tax dollars; so does this development effect annexation and the County’s position? Not really. It just puts more dollars on the table to fight over!
Q: What does this newly proposed annexation from the Town of Devon mean to Leduc County?
A: We support the sustainability of all our regional partners, and under the previous Council Devon, Calmar, Thorsby, Warburg, Leduc, Beaumont and the County agreed to work together towards a new form of governance for the Leduc region. I can only hope that this collaborative method of working together in the best interest of all of us will continue so that we can remain a strong and sustainable region.