Wheatland County council has appointed a new representative and alternative to the Wheatland Housing Management Board (WHMB) at the regular Tuesday, July 5 council meeting.
Deputy Reeve Scott Klassen announced during the June 21 council meeting he would be stepping down from his appointment on the board; he was previously appointed as representative on the board after Division 6 Councillor Glenn Koester was sanctioned earlier this year in April.
“After a lot of thought, it is with regret that I am declining my appointment to my position at the Housing Board,” Deputy Reeve Klassen stated during the June meeting. “I’ve tried my best to align my beliefs with what I think is best for the board and, to be blunt, there is no fit for me there.”
Along with requesting his resignation be accepted, Deputy Reeve Klassen also requested a letter be drafted regarding some concerns he had with WHMB.
The motion initially was for administration to draft the letter to Minister of Seniors and Housing Josephine Pon, however, following discussions, Deputy Reeve Klassen accepted an amendment to first address the letter to WHMB Chair Denise Petersen.
Among the concerns addressed in the letter are missing Terms of Reference for some of the board’s sub-committees, and unclear authority or ability for board members to report back to their respective councils.
Council unanimously accepted Deputy Reeve Klassen’s resignation and directed administration to draft a letter to the WHMB regarding the Deputy Reeve’s concerns.
At the following July 5 council meeting, Division 3 Councillor Donna Biggar was appointed as the new representative, and Reeve Amber Link was appointed as the alternative.