Request to dissolve the city of Cold Lake denied

A report released Wednesday on the dissolution request by the city of Cold Lake recommends that the Stelmach government deny the request.

In the 206 page report, George Cuff who was appointed by the province, wrote that the city thinks that it should get some of its neighbours resources.

"The city seems to have decided that it is entitled to a share of its neighbour’s goods. This is based neither on current legislation nor on any definition of good neighbourliness," Cuff wrote

Municipal Affairs Minister Hector Goudreau said he agrees with the reports recommendations and hopes that they will help the city move forward.

"No doubt there’s challenges that this little city has to face, but they’re not really unusual or something that they can’t achieve," Goudreau said

Mayor of Cold Lake Craig Copeland hopes that someone will step forward and make decisions that need to be made

"Everybody recognizes that there’s inequities out there, but it sure appears that no one’s willing to come forward and study the inequities and make some solid, hard decisions," Copeland said.

Cuff is a former president of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association. He was asked to review the City of Cold Lake’s books, leadership and potential late last year.

Cold Lake is expected to respond to Cuff’s recommendations within seven days.