Granum residents vote to dissolve town into municipal district

By Rob Vogt Local Press Writer

By a margin of almost three to one the residents of Granum have voted 188 to 66 in favour of dissolving as a town and becoming part of the Municipal District of Willow Creek.

Residents voted on Nov. 6 and 7 on the question, “Based on the findings of the Town of Granum Viability Review, which one of the two options below do you support for the future of Granum?” Option 1 was, “The Town of Granum remains a town and implements changes to achieve viability”, and that received 66 votes, or 26 per cent of the total. Option 2 was, “Dissolve the Town of Granum and Granum becomes part of the Municipal District of Willow Creek No.26”, and that received 188 votes or 74 per cent of the total. A total of 257 ballots were cast with three rejected, for a total of 254 valid ballots.

The Municipal District of Willow Creek issued a statement on Nov. 7 acknowledging the results of the vote. These results will now be included in the viability report which will then be reviewed by the minister of municipal affairs and a decision made by him that will determine the final outcome of the process.

“Should a Ministerial Order for dissolution be issued we as a council are prepared to engage the citizens of the Town of Granum through a proactive and positive process which will seek to ensure that the culture, traditions, history and institutions of the community are acknowledged and considered through the decisions that arise through the process of democratic governance,” the statement said. “As such following the completion of the ministerial review and following a ministerial order being issued to dissolve the Town of Granum, the Municipal District of Willow Creek will undertake public consultations with the residents of the Town of Granum on matters of important relevance including: public infrastructure, governance and representation, public services and community institutions and other matters that are of concern and interest to the citizens of the community.

“The citizens of the Town of Granum are not strangers to us – they are our friends and neighbours. “Should a ministerial order be issued to dissolve the Corporation of the Town of Granum it is our intention to wholeheartedly welcome these new citizens of the M.D. of Willow Creek into our community and to begin at once the work to implement the necessary processes to make the transition as efficient and effective as possible.”