Those calling for the dissolution of the Municipality of West-Interlake are pleased to see the Municipal Board working to set up a public hearing to discuss their proposal. The West-Interlake Citizens Group (WICG) started their proposal shortly after amalgamation, feeling council wasn't representing the whole municipalities interests, with the Ward 2 (former RM of Siglunes) having more control than Ward 2 (the former RM of Eriksdale). Since the petition was submitted, West-Interlake council has started to investigate the option of annexing Ward 1 to a neighbouring municipality to address the concerns.

WICG spokesperson Andrea Sweetland says while they're pleased to see the Municipal Board accept their proposal and move forward with the process, the timing of that public hearing could lead to some challenges. She notes the date for the public hearing will be set during discussions at the end of February, with the actual hearing likely to be held toward the end of April. She notes this could mean a new government would once again have to be brought up to speed on the concerns.

"The challenge for the government, be it the existing one or new, is that it it's setting a precedent, so they're really dotting their i's and crossing their t's because it is setting precedent and there are other municipalities that are very unhappy with the situations they're in. They need to take a long hard look at it."

The West-Interlake Citizens Group collected a total of 721 signatures on their petition, marking the necessary 30 per cent of citizens to submit the proposal. A town hall meeting last June saw more than 200 people come out to discuss the situation, and the organizers were thrilled with the response. While it's been almost a year since that meeting, Sweetland feels many in the municipality haven't backed way from the dissolution proposal.

"I haven't heard anyone saying we should drop this. They're waiting and hoping the municipal board is going to come up with a reasonable solution, or accept our proposal. So, everyone's in the waiting process."

Sweetland hopes to see many of the citizens of Ward 1 attend the public hearing, in order to have their say on the matter.

Reeve Randy Helgason's hoping the information presented at the meeting will provide a clear picture as to what would happen should the proposal go through. He feels some who signed the petition may not have been aware dissolution would leave the territory without a municipal governing body, and hopes that's made clear during the public hearing.

The public hearing would be open to any one who could be affected by the proposal, which ranges from those in the municipality itself and surrounding municipalities, to other regional bodies such as school divisions, conservation districts and development corporations.