County leaders ditch meeting with Edmonton mayor

A meeting meant to mend fences between Edmonton and its regional neighbours ended in frustration Thursday night as officials fromseveral municipalities walked out.

After the first hour of a three-hour meeting, officials with Strathcona, Parklandand Sturgeon counties walked out, leaving Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel shaking his head.

"It's disappointing," Mandel said. "How are we going to solve our problems if they walk out of the room?"

Edmonton wants a region-wide plan for the industrial growth that is flowing into the capital region, but the surrounding counties object, saying that would mean giving up some of their autonomy and tax dollars.

Reached at home late last night, Strathcona County Mayor Cathy Olesen said she left because she didn't feel the discussion was going anywhere. Edmonton wants a form of regional government that isn't necessary, she said.

She denies the walkout wasan attempt to torpedo the meeting.

"That's not true. The counties want to play co-operatively," Olesen said. "The counties don't want to be held hostage."

Mayor Greg Krischke of Leduc was one of the regional leaders who stayed at the meeting.

"I am frankly quite disappointed," he said. "I think that instead of bringing us closer to resolution, it has hardened some positions and that is very unfortunate for the region as a whole."