Stettler P&H Preservation Society AGM Suspended For One Month

One-month pause approved as tensions flare between board and elevator owner

The 20th annual general meeting of the Stettler P&H Elevator Preservation Society was suspended for one month on April 8, following a heated exchange over the future of the grain elevator and ongoing governance issues.

The meeting, held at the Stettler Agri-plex, was marked by growing tension between society board members and elevator owner Stan Eichhorn, with concerns raised over charitable receipts, the use of grants for a local history book and decisions on restoration priorities.

Repair Costs, Fundraising Efforts Outlined

Eichhorn told members that no work has been completed on the elevator in more than two years and that the annex building still requires significant repair and repainting following the 2019 hailstorm.

He said $27,000 has been set aside in a guaranteed investment certificate for repairs, but estimated the total cost of restoring the annex building could reach upwards of $80,000.

Eichhorn also noted a sharp decline in new memberships and emphasized the need to resume fundraising events such as the annual fall supper and pancake breakfast.

Financial Reporting Under Scrutiny

Long-standing financial concerns resurfaced at the meeting, including the absence of audited financial statements and unresolved issues stemming from the 2024 AGM, which was cut short before board elections or financial reporting could be completed.

Past board member Alf Erichsen said the board was unaware of two grants related to the society’s history book until the funds were deposited. He noted the society is ineligible for additional restoration grants until those funds are used.

Preservation Society Review Committee

A review committee formed in June 2024 to assess the society’s bylaws raised concerns about conflicts between ownership and governance, along with questions over the use of grant and fundraising dollars, and record keeping.

The committee also argued the current board’s validity was in question, since the previous AGM did not conclude with a formal election.

New Board Elected Following Open Nominations

Ahead of this year’s election, members of the review committee presented a slate of candidates to form a new board. However, members present opted for an open nomination process, voting by show of hands to elect directors individually.

Ten board members were ultimately elected, representing a mix of previous board members, review committee representatives and members nominated from the floor.

Dispute Over Preservation Society Records

Eichhorn raised the issue of missing society records and computer equipment, which he said had not been kept at the elevator’s registered office — a yellow building — for the past two and a half years.

He stated that the materials must be returned by Saturday, April 12 or legal action would be pursued. Treasurer-secretary Tracy Robinson asked whether CRA charitable receipts would also be returned, which Eichhorn confirmed.

Call To Dissolve Society Prompts Suspension of Meeting

Eichhorn then introduced a motion to remove the elevator from the preservation society’s mandate, a move he said would effectively dissolve the society under section 19 of Alberta’s Societies Act.

Stettler Mayor Sean Nolls, who was present to act as a neutral observer during the elections, asked Eichhorn to allow the newly elected board time to meet.

Members of the society voted in favour of suspending the meeting for one month. Watch our YouTube coverage for more: