Simmer seeking audience with Municipal Affairs minister

Todd Simmer is attempting to arrange a meeting with Alberta Municipal Affairs minister Ric McIver to discuss a petition calling for an inspection of the Town of Cochrane.

Simmer declined to disclose the number of people who signed the petition, which wrapped up on Dec. 9, opting to leave that until he meets with McIver.

During last night's public hearing on rezoning 365 Railway St., he instead addressed the need for a full inspection of the town by Municipal Affairs.

"I'm putting it to you, council, is it going to be the people who vote this in for clarity, transparency, public trust?

Simmer admitted he hasn't paid attention to town council activities for several years.

"But since I've been paying attention in September, I've noticed that there are numerous calls for clarity, numerous calls for doing better, numerous calls for transparency and issues of public trust, and members attacking one another up there, and as far as I'm concerned, it's shameful."

Council did not respond to his comments, since it was a public hearing on the rezoning of the property, not the petition.

365 Railway St.

Simmer, his company, and family have been in a battle with the town that's nearing its first anniversary over a property on Railway St. that was home to Yokel Local Market and Big Sky Landscaping. He was denied a business licence after being told it didn't comply with its revised zoning of Business Industrial.

Only recently has the town confirmed the business licence is valid.

"So, I found that out last week, a little too late. Not having a business for a year with a $3-million mortgage pretty much doesn't work out very well."

He lost it to a creditor before that. Arrangements were being made as early as Nov. 2, when the creditor expressed interest in an email for the rezoning to take place. The title change was processed on Nov. 24.

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