Lone Rock residents have taken the next step in their dispute with the RM of Wilton by obtaining legal representation. Last month, the community was shocked when the RM announced they would be converting the hamlet into country residential properties leaving residents with limited options.
After fundraising money through their community, the residents who remain in the hamlet have paid for a Regina based law firm, McDougall Gauley LLP to represent them.
Resident Melissa Heney says the hamlet and the law firm have released a statement stating their lawyer is “requesting all information related to the recently announced proposal made by the RM of Wilton about the regarding the possibility of rezoning termination of sewer and water of the hamlet properties.”
It adds that based on the information collected they will determine if proper procedures were followed then will decide if they will go to litigation or to court. Heney says Friday morning their lawyer requested the necessary information, including financial audits.
The decision to get a lawyer came after a meeting was held Tuesday for the property owners in Lone Rock. Heney says the lack of information from the RM has left them with no other option, but to get lawyers involved.
“To us, it seems like there was a lot of other options that haven’t been explored. We want to make sure that we’re being dealt with fairly.”
Heney says she is not sure how long the legal process will take, but her hope is to hold the RM accountable in the end.
“We hope that we can either remain in our town and not have to do these conversions to sewer and water or be given fair, not what [RM] considers fair, but actual replacement value offers so we could at least leave and go to a place similar to what we had.”
Heney says the hamlet will continue to fundraise money to pay for the ongoing legal fees.