County of Stettler vindicated by Elections Alberta inquiry

Submitted
The Drumheller Mail

   The County of Stettler is releasing the results of the Elections Alberta investigation, regarding an allegation made by the Wildrose Party that the County may have contravened the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act (the EFCDA).
   It was alleged that the County of Stettler No. 6 made contributions to the 2012 General Election Campaign for Jack Hayden, Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta candidate for Drumheller-Stettler.
   After a thorough review, Elections Alberta Chief Electoral Officer Glen Resler stated in his official report there was nothing to indicate the County of Stettler No. 6 made valued contributions to the campaign, by authorizing the use of electronic communications, staff time or county vehicles for campaign purposes.
   Prior to this investigation an internal review, which was made available to both the public and to the Wildrose Party, found the allegations made by the Wildrose Party regarding the erection of election signs and the use of employee time to create a partisan Facebook page to be untrue.
   “We take all of the allegations made against us very seriously, and feel the investigation by Elections Alberta supports our own internal investigation findings,” says Reeve Nixon. “We feel relieved this investigation has now concluded, and we may move forward freely knowing our actions, under scrutiny, were not erroneous.”
   According to MLA Rick Strankman, the report states   "the electronic communication sent using county resources has been addressed internally. This indicates to him the truthfulness of the FOIP information and therefore the action by county officials.
   "If this is proof positive there will be no more actions of this nature, that is all I can ask for as a guardian of taxpayers funds," said Strankman.
   Reeve Nixon added. “Our current council and administration remain committed to avoiding any partisan political events, and we will continue to work hard to build relationships with all levels of government in order to best serve our county and our residents."