Reeve Carmen Sterling came away from the annual spring convention of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) as the vice-president, a move up from her previous position as director for Division 1.
She had pursued the position last year at the convention, but wasn’t able to garner enough support to be voted in, but let delegates know beforehand that she was still interested in pursuing the position this year.
“Essentially I will be part of the executive, and provide support for the president, who represents and speaks for the organization,” said Sterling, noting she may also step in for the president if he is unable to be present for a function or a meeting.
Speaking about the convention in general, Sterling said one major difference from most years was a lack of government presence, including the popular bearpit session, because the election had just been called.
Both Premier Brad Wall and NDP leader Cam Broten still spoke as scheduled, but Sterling said she missed having the opportunity to question cabinet ministers at the bearpit.
A speaker who has extensive experience with municipal politics shared some information about the new conflict-of-interest rules enacted for municipalities. “It’s a lot more casual in rural settings, so it’s good to hear input from someone who’s been in it,” said Sterling.
There were 56 resolutions up for debate at the convention, 15 of which dealt with policies and procedure of SARM itself, and the balance dealing with rural issues.
Reeve Sterling noted several of the issues dealt with issues that won’t affect the RM of Weyburn very much, but the discussions were still interesting to sit in on to know what is happening elsewhere in the province.
Two resolutions dealt with grain bag recycling, and Sterling noted this will have an affect on producers in the RM as the plastic from the grain bags are not allowed to be disposed of in the Weyburn landfill.
The reeve also pointed out that Milestone is the nearest centre where grain bags can be taken for recycling, and said, “There needs to be better education on the disposal of grain bags.”
A resolution that dealt with the enforcement of bylaws came up, which arose out of specific circumstances which have not occurred in the RM of Weyburn, the issues behind enforcing bylaws was still pertinent to the RM, said the reeve.
In the case of the RM which submitted the resolution, an order to cleanup a property was overturned in court. Weyburn doesn’t have a nuisance bylaw as such, but Reeve Sterling pointed out they do have some issues with littering and dumping of garbage in ditches.
One resolution looked to make recreation properties as a class for taxation purposes, which is an issue the RM of Weyburn has submitted multiple resolutions to the association on before, arising out of their continuing difficulties with the Weyburn Golf Course and how it is assessed under current legislation.
Reeve Sterling said the main difference with this year’s resolution is that they are asking the recreation use be applicable directly to land.
“We didn’t get a detailed discussion going. We’d have to look at it. We agree with a recreation class. The Weyburn Golf Course would benefit, as their land is highly assessed. Just having taxes on their buildings wouldn’t be as onerous as they think,” said Reeve Sterling.
One resolution dealt with weed control along highways, and Reeve Sterling said the RM tries to be diligent about spraying noxious weeds along the highways and railway right-of-ways.
