Stecyk Lawsuit dismissed

Editor's Note - I'm glad this lawsuit is now behind and Mayor Sjostrom says -- Let's get back to work improving the needs of Quesnel and that of the Cariboo-Chilcotin region

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

The Court Petition brought by a number of residents against Councillors Brisco, Cave, Coleman, Elliott and Roodenburg, and later Mayor Sjostrom, is to now be dismissed by Consent Order. The Court Order that has been consented to by Legal Counsel for the petitioners and the City, provides as follows:

“that such dismissal be for all purposes and to the same force and effect as if judgment dismissing the whole of the Petitioner’s claim in the proceeding had been pronounced at the hearing of this matter upon its merits”.

The case hinged on the legality of the payout of a severance payment to the former City Manager. The petitioners alleged that the payout was illegal. The members of Council maintained that their decisions fell within their mandate as Councillors, and that the payment was specifically considered when the employment contract with the former City Manager was developed. This conclusion of the suit has confirmed that Council acted appropriately.

Mayor Sjostrom commented that “Council is pleased to put this matter to rest. As members of Council we are often called upon to make difficult decisions that may not be well received by everyone. I am proud that the Councillors named in the lawsuit have the courage to make the tough decisions for the good of the City. The Council members named in the suit have agreed to the consent dismissal of the case, because that is the most cost effective solution for our taxpayers. As a Council we need to keep looking ahead. This City and region face some big challenges in the near future, but also some real opportunities. We are encouraging new business developments while we are actively working to improve our community sustainability and livability. There is a lot to be positive about in Quesnel, and we want to move forward.”