The Village of Delia is united on putting together a 100-year celebration this summer, but nagging issues about the performance of a previous Village Council and CAO still exist.
A public meeting held Thursday night (February 20) at the Delia Senior's Centre was called by, but not attended by, defeated candidate Susan Waye in the October 2013 civic election. Ms. Waye was unable to attend due to a family matter, but the meeting proceeded under the direction of Darryl Black. Ms. Waye is leading a campaign to ask Minister of Municipal Affairs Ken Hughes to investigate the operations of the Village Council to resolve ongoing questions. A petition containing names of 20 per cent of eligible voters is needed to instigate the inquiry.
Currently the village is managed by newly hired CAO Marcia Raymond and Dawn Bancroft, who became Mayor January 29, and Councillor John Rogers. A by-election has been called for late March, needed to replace former Mayor Dennis Thordarson, who resigned in early January due to health reasons, stated during the meeting. The former CAO Caroline Siverson, resigned in October of last year.
Clearly, the meeting held Thursday night showed a division among the 30 plus residents in attendance. Some residents voiced their feelings, stating that they preferred to "move on", rather than endure the cost of an inquiry into village affairs. Others stated that such an inquiry was needed to clear the air and it would help the newly-elected council gain a fresh start.
Mayor Bancroft told The Mail that if the Village asked the Ministry to conduct the investigation, it would be a cost to the municipality, but if it were initiated by a legally prepared petition of eligible voters, there would be no cost to the Village. According to information obtained by The Mail, there were 22 names gathered on two petition sheets. When questioned, Mr. Black told The Mail, "there are a couple more sheets around". There are some 150 eligible voters in the Village, and using the 20 per cent number of voters needed to spur the inquiry, it became apparent that the number would be reached.
