By Curtis Calbraith

Rycroft residents voting on dissolution

May 16, 2018 | 5:30 AM

Residents of Berwyn voted 80 percent in favour of remaining a village and not dissolve into the MD of Peace No. 135.
 
A similar vote is underway in Rycroft where residents will decide if the village should dissolve into the MD of Spirit River.

Rycroft Mayor Diahann Potrebenko says residents started a viability petition in 2015.

“After the review was completed and the final report was released, I believe it was November of 2017, the minister (of Municipal Affairs) decided that since it started with the people, it should finish off with the people.”
 
She adds 75 people turned out to a recent information meeting, the mood of which Potrebenko describes as “very positive.” She adds those attending were told by a representative from the province that taxes would not go down.
 
“They would have taxes and improvement taxes and everything like that. I think, what I’m hearing, it sounds really positive that we’ll remain a village and not dissolve, but again, the people will be the ones that decide if they come out and vote.”
 
Potrebenko says there had been concerns in the past over things like communication and finances.
 
“You know what? In the past, I think because there was such a turnover with administration, I believe they had nine CAOs in 10 years, councillors were stepping down and there were some by-elections, there was a distrust. How can you rely on Administration and Council if they’re leaving and they’re not committed?”
 
Voting takes place from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Rycroft Community Hall.
 
People in Berwyn voted Tuesday on whether to stay a village or to dissolve into the MD of Peace.