LETHBRIDGE- Richard and Glory Reimer have been sharing their spooky home, the Stirling Haunted Mansion with southern Albertans for 15 years, but that could all be coming to an end. On January 26th, the Reimers were issued a “stop order” from the Village of Stirling.
Richard Reimer says the notice gives them one month to stop operating.
“They’ve given us 30 days to cease basically all business here, except for the mini railway which we have a license for, although they want us to remove our signage for that as well.”
Village officials would not comment to Global News, but did issue this media release on their website stating: “The issuance of a Stop Order with respect to the Lands pertains to a long-standing issue associated with non-residential uses on the property.”
The Reimers disagree, saying they have business licenses dating back years. Not only that, the village promoted them as an attraction.
“As the years went by, the village has promoted us, they accepted us. They put us on their website and we have other documents where they have advertised us,” adds Richard.
The village, however, says the Reimers have been conducting business not approved by its bylaws, stating: “The Village of Stirling Development Authority has determined that the operations on the Lands are outside the bounds of the Land Use Bylaw within Residential land use district and the operations have continued to expand”.
The Reimers feel that is an excuse officials are using to keep them from running the Stirling Haunted Mansion.
“We really feel bullied for two years, over two years, and it’s really stressful and it’s not right,” adds Glory.
The couple has appealed the stop order, but refuse to pay the accompanying fee. They have also launched a petition, asking for the stop order to be revoked and for the Village to issue an apology.
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