Some issues never seem to get put to bed.
The idea of the Town of Athabasca and Athabasca County amalgamating (or the town dissolving and ëhanding the keysí to the county) seems to be one of those issues.
Amalgamation was raised for another discussion last week, this time when the Athabasca Ratepayersí Association visited town council. The group offered a number of ideas and suggestions as to how the town can improve.
Concerned with the townís financial state (despite positive reports from auditors and town councillors), the Ratepayersí floated amalgamation and dissolution as a pair of options the town may want to consider.
This latest discussion on these two topics may already be dead in the water. Just because the Ratepayersí suggested the town consider it doesnít mean they will. And even if the town did consider it, and decided to support it, it takes two to tango. Last time amalgamation was attempted, in 2002, it was the County that ultimately rejected the notion, and they could easily do so again.
Whether or not the town and county would be better off as an amalgamated group is a debate that will no doubt continue indefinitely, at local coffee shops if not at the council table. Ultimately, local taxpayers must either put their trust in those they have elected to make such decisions, or endeavour to replace them so they can decide for themselves. With a municipal election looming this fall, they have the chance to do just that.
