Josh Chalmers

Multimedia Journalist

The message is clear from the Wheatland Family and Community Support Services (WFCSS) board. They will continue to operate as a rural FCSS and rural residents can expect continued exceptional services.

Aug. 22 was the first time that the board had met since the Town of Strathmore's decision to leave the multi-municipal partnership in favour of their own standalone FCSS program.

"(The decision was) absolutely unexpected," said WFCSS Board Chairman Darcy Burke. "As far as I'm concerned WFCSS has had a very good working relationship, we have a very good staff. Of all the boards I sit on I'm very proud to be a part of the WFCSS board. It completely blindsided the board. I feel that it's very unfortunate that there wasn't more dialogue."

While Strathmore will still sit on the WFCSS board they were not present at the Aug. 22 meeting as the board needed to plan for a future meeting in Strathmore which they hope will happen in early September.

Wheatland County Reeve Glenn Koester said that while there are questions to be answered there will undoubtedly be a WFCSS for the foreseeable future.

"I believe that the County and the villages will be able to get along and continue to work together on FCSS. What that will look like I don't know," said Koester.

While many questions won't be answered until the meeting with Strathmore, Burke said there are opportunities for the newly minted rural FCSS.

"In my opinion I would say that with the three villages and the county that there is an opportunity to provide very good programs to our residents. We will have sufficient funding to make that happen," he said

After consulting and finding out what Strathmore's plans are the WFCSS will need to find a new home. Something that Burke said will have many options, including the decision between staying at a location in Strathmore or looking at one of the other municipalities.

WFCSS has until January 2013 to find a new location at which time the new town FCSS will be located in their current building.