The Flagstaff Intermunicipal Partnership (FIP) has released notice that the Town of Sedgewick has formally withdrawn from the Regional Governance Sub-Committee.

“The Town of Sedgewick remains a member of FIP,” Monday’s press release says.

“Sedgewick Council has questions and concerns regarding Single Tier Regional Governance being presented as a sole option, the speed with which the initiative is moving forward, and in context of our input not finding favour with the Sub-Committee,” said Sedgewick Mayor Perry Robinson.

“When we first supported the Regional Governance Study there were to be more options on the table, with more time to discuss it. As it is, we feel that we should let the Sub-Committee work unobstructed by our questions and concerns and be given the chance to come up with the proposal in the established timeline.

“As Sedgewick remains a member of FIP, we will have our chance to hear that proposal at that time, with the opportunity to have our input then. In the meantime, Sedgewick wishes the Sub-Committee fruitful progress for a productive outcome.”

FIP Chairperson Bob Coutts, Deputy Mayor of Forestburg, says, “While Sedgewick’s decision is unfortunate, and we will leave the door open for Sedgewick to consider a single-tier regional governance solution that will be presented to the region for consideration, the remaining eight communities in the region will proceed with no less energy because of our belief that the time has come to consider a governance solution that best positions us to stabilize and grow population and create new opportunities for our communities.

“So many people in our region have an instinct that we need to do things differently in order for our communities to grow and prosper, and this is our best shot at moving forward more proactively.”