Dear Editor:
Woodlands County and the Town of Whitecourt have had in place a “Cost sharing agreement” for the past ten years.
Given some changing realities, Woodlands County had sent correspondence to the Town of Whitecourt, (Dec. 11, 2017), requesting changes specifically to the Whitecourt Woodlands Tourism funding formula and the linear revenue tax sharing agreement.
It has always been and remains the desire by our municipality to work cooperatively and respectfully with our town partners in the delivery and management of recreational and emergency services for our residents on a fair and equitable basis.
Failure by the town’s elected representatives to take this request seriously and negotiate needed amendments finally resulted in a formal written notice from the county to terminate the agreement per-se and a request to seek further discussions and options to develop a new funding framework.
Doing so in a respectful and confidential manner was anticipated and agreed to. Woodlands officials and many of our residents are more than disappointed with recent statements to the media made by Town of Whitecourt elected representatives which portray the county as unreliable and irresponsible in their actions to effect and manage the changes sought.
True partners are respectful, trustworthy and considerate of the value that exists from people working together.
We value the partnerships we have with our community groups and our municipal neighbors, but we choose to reflect and respect the expectations and needs of our residents over those who would malign and take us for granted.
Ron Govenlock
Mayor, Woodlands County
