Towle, Samson patch up relationship
Wildrose MLA Kerry Towle and Sylvan Lake Mayor Susan Samson have made nice.
On Friday, town council, administration and the MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake met for about two hours to patch up their rocky relationship over lunch.
Samson said the meeting was positive step forward and a great opportunity to sit down without interruptions to clarify miscommunications and misunderstandings.
The meditated meeting came after a number of clashes between the rookie MLA and second-term mayor over Sylvan Lake issues, particularly the highly controversial Hwy 11 and Hwy 781 intersection.
Most recently, Towle was accused of trying to start a rally at a meet and greet with Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk.
Towle hinted at a public forum earlier in the summer that Samson was not listening to residents in Sylvan Lake about the intersection.
Samson said the intersection issue is not the only issue in Sylvan Lake that needs to be dealt with on a provincial basis.
The mayor said she understands that the MLA has committed to residents in the constituency, which is greater than the Town of Sylvan Lake, that she would secure other options at that intersection.
“We both came to a positive agreement,” said Towle.
“Also realizing that we may have different styles of doing things, we all have to work together for the residents of Sylvan Lake.”
Towle said she understands the position of the town but she has always taken the position to follow the mandate given to her by her constituents.
“I will continue to do that,” said Towle. “They realized that as well and we came to agreement that I will do that and they will take their position. I think that’s fair ... I am very positive we are both on the same page what that is for the most part and I don’t see any reasons why we can’t be working together over the next three and a half years.”
crhyno@reddeeradvocate.com
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