A normal agenda for Midway Village Council lists one, occasionally two, sets of minutes to be adopted since the last meeting. This time there were a total of eight – the minutes of the regular meeting of April 15 plus five special meetings and two emergency special meetings.
The extra meetings were held to deal with the resignation of the fire department over the radio frequency issue; one was for review of public input on the budget.
Council had also received eight letters from residents taking them to task for their handling of the issue. “I think we issued a statement that answered the questions so a motion to receive and file is in order,” said Mayor Randy Kappes.
Councillor Marguerite Rotvold questioned a statement made in the letter from Wayne and Lynn Wickens that council members representing the village on regional, provincial and any other inter-agency group must report to and take direction from the rest of Council. Rotvold represents the village at the regional district table and on the West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Board.
“I do give written reports,” she said. So I question their information, they don’t check the facts first before they write letters.”
“You can say that with all of these letters,” said Councillor Gary Schierbeck.
“That one there is implying that I am not representing and reporting,” insisted Rotvold.
Kappes said, “When asked on that subject I would respond that it is most definitely not true. You report regularly on goings on.”
All eight letters were received and filed.
*** Council directed staff to contact Marty Woods, regional director Interior Health Lab Services, to ask about progress on correcting a backlog of appointments at the Midway Blood Clinic. Council had originally asked
Dr. Robert Halpenny, president and CEO of IH, on Feb. 5.
They received a reply on March 4 stating:
“I am asking our regional director, IH Lab Services and his staff to work with you and our partners in acute and community services, as well as local physicians to search for innovative ways and means to offer appropriate and adequate services to your community.”
As council had yet to hear from Woods, staff was directed to contact him.
***Administrator Penny Feist reported that the RCMP have informed the village that Cpl. Christensen will be staying on at the Midway detachment for another year.