BONNYVILLE – The MD of Bonnyville made the decision to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the culprit who damaged the Truman Bridge when a truck hauling logs crossed the bridge and struck the structure with the load on Oct. 26, 2024.
Bryan Bespalko, general manager of Infrastructure Services, presented the request for decision during the Feb. 11 council meeting, and explained that the MD does not insure its bridges, and with the RCMP investigation producing no suspects, the MD is responsible for the $800,000 repair costs.
“Administration discussed this issue with legal counsel, and it was determined that the MD could in fact offer a reward,” said Bespalko.
Coun. Ben Fadeyiw said he was happy to see this request brought forward.
“At the end of the day, if we find out who did this, their insurance company’s going to pay . . . I think this might be the right direction for finding the person responsible, and I think a number of $10,000 would work to make it serious,” said Fadeyiw.
Coun. Josh Crick agreed with Fadeyiw, commenting on the seriousness of the offence.
“It’s just absolutely wrong to wreck public property like a bridge, leave, and not confess to what you did. If it’s an $800,000 worth of damage, $10,000 is well worth the investment,” said Crick.
Reeve Barry Kalinski inquired about the possibility of more than one person coming forward with the same information, and CAO Ben Berlinguette explained that the reward would then be divided.
“If three come forward [with the same information] that leads to a conviction, legal recommended that we divide it three ways,” said Berlinguette.
A motion to approve the $10,000 reward was carried unanimously, stating that the funds would come from the 2025 council public relations budget
