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Neighbours will have to solve their problems without City of Red Deer mediation funds

Fund eliminated at cost savings of $3,480
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(Advocate file photo.)

Neighbourhood disputes in Red Deer will have to be settled without a mediator — or at least one that’s funded by the city.

City council opted to cut a $3,480 fund that was put aside to pay for a mediator in cases where neighbours need a third party to help them work out their differences.

Coun. Tanya Handley questioned the value of retaining this fund after hearing that mediation was only used once or twice a year — and then with variable results.

Without revealing what the problems were, the city’s Planning Manager Tara Lodewyk told council that while an impartial mediator solved some disputes, this was not always the case.

Resolving that “we cannot be all things to all people,” the majority on council decided to eliminate the fund, with only Mayor Tara Veer voting to keep the amount.