The Kleefeld area councillor for Hanover says it seems things are now moving in a positive direction for the Kleefeld Recreation Association (KRA).

The KRA grabbed the spotlight earlier this year when accusations started to fly over spending habits of board members and a conflict of interest with board members winning prizes at the Kleefeld Honey Festival. In mid-September, the Rural Municipality of Hanover ordered a forensic audit and suspended the board's Secretary-Treasurer until her term expires or the results of the audit are known.

(Darrin Warkentin)Councillor Darren Warkentin will now be attending board meetings as Hanover's representative. He says they held their annual general meeting on Monday and elected two new faces to the board. The new members are Geraldine Wiens and Veronica English, while Rosie Winter was re-elected. The three were acclaimed for two-year terms. Members who will continue on the board for the last year of their term are Anna Meneer, Nicoley Funk and Nicole Rempel. Though Rempel remains suspended until further notice. Mike Peladeau is no longer on the board.

"Normally we have six (board members) plus the councillor," explains Warkentin. "But we are in a position now where one of our members is suspended indefinitely. So now we are down to five until the investigation is over or until we can elect a new one."

Warkentin says at their next regular meeting in mid-November they will appoint a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary-Treasurer.

According to Warkentin, more than 40 people showed up at Monday's meeting.

"I was really encouraged Monday night by the openness of people to ask questions and being able to voice our concerns in a civil way and respectful," says Warkentin. "I was super encouraged by the questions that came out and the willingness of people to step up and to take part in community events."

Warkentin says moving forward, he expects great things and is confident the recreation committee is now on a healthy path.

Meanwhile, the forensic audit is still ongoing.

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