CITY COUNCIL – Kamloops taxpayers on the hook for Neustaeter’s legal costs
(Image: Mel Rothenburger)
Kamloops taxpayers will pay for Coun. Katie Neustaeter’s legal costs in defending herself against a defamation lawsuit brought against her by Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson.
At a special closed meeting today (Tuesday, June 20, 2923) City council supported indemnifying her for costs as outlined in a City bylaw.
Following the meeting, the council issued a brief news release. “Coun. Neustaeter is eligible for indemnification under the Community Charter in respect of the legal action that was recently commenced against her, and Council has confirmed by resolution that she will receive that indemnification,” it said.
Both Hamer-Jackson and Neustaeter recused themselves from the closed meeting at which the decision was made.
Coun. Mike O’Reilly, the deputy mayor for June, had called a special public meeting for today to enable council to adjourn to the closed meeting.
Hamer-Jackson’s lawsuit is based partly on comments made in a public statement read by Neustaeter at a news conference called by councillors in March.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
This sorry band of layabouts is an embarrassment to the taxpayers of this community.
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Hardly a mention of Team Truancy leaving a meeting they were being paid to attend that day in March when the news conference took place.
The Mayor apparently stayed behind to attend the meeting while the homily about him was given at City Hall. Not the best homiletics in the world and the exegesis needed a bit of work. Hermeneutics were almost flawless.
Once again, Mel, thanks for the emails you got through FOI and the great photo.
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Don’t agree with that one.
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No argument here
The City of Kamloops bylaw provides for “the indemnification of its municipal officials against claims for damages and costs incurred in a legal proceeding arising out of such claim pursuant to the performance of their duties and the conduct of municipal business.”
… which seems like exactly what is happening here, even if its this weird situation of one member suing another.
What I appreciated is the much reported handling of the situation by Deputy Mayor Mike O’Reilly as he called the closed meeting, and had to remind the Mayor … again … that he would be in conflict of interest if he attempted to attend or discuss the issue in the open portion of the meeting.
Nice … Mr. Mike.
What didnt surprise me is that the Mayor very much seemed to threaten Councilors with disqualification of their jobs, if they allowed the City to fund her defense.
… have we had enough yet?
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I am totalling fine with the mayor…I am certainly not fine with many of the council members including the “Prima Donna” and I am certainly not fine with the CAO.
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