CITY COUNCIL – Neustaeter files defence against defamation claim
(Images: City of Kamloops)
Coun. Katie Neustaeter has filed her response to Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson’s defamation claim, asking that it be dismissed with costs.
The response was filed with the B.C. Supreme Court on Monday by Neustaeter’s lawyers, Harper Grey law firm of Vancouver.
The 31-page document focuses heavily on counter-allegations involving interactions the mayor had with Neustaeter’s father, former Kamloops MLA and B.C. cabinet minister Kevin Krueger.
She alleges that Hamer-Jackson forwarded “personal information concerning Krueger to City Councillors, despite other Councillors and the defendant requesting that he refrain from involving her family members in City business.”
Neustaeter acknowledges in her response that she prepared the statement she read at a news conference March 17 in which allegations were made about his conduct, but says it represented the “unanimous concerns” of councillors.
She denies it was intended to attack the mayor’s personal integrity and to diminish his reputation.
The document defends her actions based in part on fair comment and qualified privilege, and opinions “a person could honestly hold.”
Neustaeter’s legal costs are being paid by the City. None of the claims made by Hamer-Jackson in his civil suit, or Neustaeter’s response, has been proven in court.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Mel, your article needs a correction:
“Neustaeter’s legal costs are being paid by the City”.
While this is technically correct, it’s the taxpayers who are fronting this bill, and considering this situation, that should be made abundantly clear.
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This could get interesting.
I hope the other members on the team realize now that a lot of dirty laundry might get emptied out of the basket before this is all over. What might some of them not want the public to hear?
It’s hard for the team to avoid the image of that St. Patrick’s Day mass truancy from the TNRD meeting.
If memory serves me right, Katie announced they would not be taking any questions. Who knew the questions being asked would one day be in this format?
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Ask yourself, “Who voted this mess into reality?”, and ask yourself, “Is this what I want?”, and lastly, “Do I want to pay for this mess over-and-over until there is no public money left for roads, lights, and parks?” Your call.
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Councillor Katie Neustaeter hasn’t even hired a local law firm to represent her. So much for a KAMLOOPS councillor doing business locally and keeping the money in the local community.
At least the mayor is investing and trusting in local talent.
She hired a high price gunslinger from Vancouver. Harper Grey LLP on our dime.
Who’s thinking of the poor KAMLOOPS taxpayer.
Shame on the mess.
Cooper
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Good one Copper!
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I agree it is of poor taste from Councillor Katie Neustaeter.
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