Voters in villages of Donalda and Gadsby came out decisively against the idea of dissolving their municipalities into the County of Stettler through their ballots cast last week.
In Donalda, with 116 voters turning out for a non-binding vote on March 30 for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, a total of 85 voted against and 29 in support of dissolution, while two ballots were spoiled.
As for Gadsby, a total of 18 voters opposed dissolution while five favored the idea in a vote March 31 held by Alberta Municipal Affairs.
“We had 75 per cent of voters oppose dissolution so that was reassuring,” said Donalda Mayor Terry Nordahl.
“I think this shows that the majority of voters want to remain as a village.”
The dissolution study report, feedback from the village and county councils and residents, and the result of the votes will assist Municipal Affairs Minister Hector Goudreau in deciding whether to recommend to cabinet the dissolution of the village.
After the vote, the minister would take about three months to decide on dissolution.
When asked at an information meeting March 23, a municipal affairs official said the minister has never dissolved a municipality where residents strongly oppose it.
“I believe the minister will look favourably on the strong opposition in the vote and keep Donalda as a village,” said Mayor Nordahl.
Incorporated as a village municipality on Dec. 30, 1912, the Village of Donalda has a population of 224 in 2009, a decrease of 2.5 per cent over the past five years.
Council remained commitment to maintaining the village municipality all through the dissolution process.
“I am very pleased with the result - it shows that the majority of residents are satisfied with the service of council and staff and don’t want to be part of the county,” said Gadsby Mayor Fred Entwisle.
Even as a small municipality with 35 residents in 2009, he is optimistic that Municipal Minister Hector Goudreau will support the wishes of local residents and council to maintain the municipality.
“I understand this minister is not looking to dissolve viable municipalities and we are definitely viable,” said Mayor Entwisle.
It appears the deciding factor, he said, was the high costs under the county that residents would have to pay to get their sewage pumped out from a private contract, considering that the village provides that service for no user fee.
As the village progresses to develop a sewage collection and treatment system, many people questioned whether the county would continue with the project, which seemed to be a major issue with residents.
Currently with 35 residents, the Village of Gadsby was incorporated as a municipality on May 6, 1910.