Views from an Easter Weekend PAGE A3
paddlers on the move PAGE A8
easter rumble PAGE A11
OBSERVER QUESNEL - CARIBOO
SINCE 1908
Served
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
AUTUMN MacDONALD Observer Reporter
Five city councillors have been served with a petition for judicial review issued out of BC Supreme Court. Monday night, just prior to council’s public hearing on secondary suites, Couns. Micheal Cave, John Brisco, Ed Coleman, Scott Elliott and Laurey-Anne Roodenburg were served documents by seven petitioners seeking $170,469 to be paid back to the City of Quesnel. The petitioners: Slvia Battley, Wayde Battley, Larry Dunn, Jean Gelinas, Jan McKinney, Wally McKinner and Linda Buxton are seeking two orders: • “… pursuant to the Community Charter that each of the respondents has voted for a resolution authorizing an expendenditure of $170,469 contrary to the Community Charter and is personally liable to the City of Quesnel for that amount.” • Cost of the proceeding. The amount in question stems from departed city manager John Stecyk, his contract and a final pay-out upon his departure of $170,469.13 – a payout that was voted on and approved by the five councillors in question. Stecyk was hired in December 2010, his contract conditions were for a five-year term with an annual income of $125,000, “that the city could terminate the contract with just cause without notice or pay in lieu of notice and the employee could terminate the contract by providing three months’ notice.”
VOL. 99 NO. 61
www.quesnelobserver.com
In February of 2012, city employee Meriel Wild filed a written complaint alleging she was bullied and harassed by Stecyk. She then took a leave of absence. At a meeting in late March or early April 2012, Coun. Coleman advised city council that the committee had investigated the complaint and found Wild had been harassed by Stecyk. At a meeting on April 16, council resolved to terminate the contract with Stecyk for cause. Numerous other meetings were held in which the city’s executive committee, the mayor, some councillors, the city’s lawyer and Stecyk’s lawyer discussed Stecyk’s termination. In May the city issued a press release: “Quesnel city council has announced it has accepted the resignation of city manager John Stecyk effective immediately. Stecyk, who is resigning for personal reasons, came to the city in Janaury 2011.” The petitioners maintain the release is false because “council had not authorized such a release; Stecyk has not resigned for personal reasons; and while the mayor and some councillors had discussed payment of some severance to Stecyk, council had not discussed the issue.” At a meeting on May 7 the five councillors currently served each voted for a resolution that the city pay Stecyk severance in the amount of $170,469. The respondents have 21 days to file a response and any counter-claim. As of press time the city had not responded.
12th Annual Quesnel & District Hospice Palliative Care Association
Hike for Hospice Sunday May 5, 2013
Registration: 12:00 p.m. Hike: 1:00 p.m. LeBourdais Park REGISTRATION - ADULTS $15 STUDENTS & SENIORS $5 CHILDREN UNDER 6 FREE
1
$ 26
PM 40005365
includes GST
Wendy in the window Wendy the tabby cat loves to explore and this abandoned vehicle provided the perfect place to hone her hunting skills. Annie Gallant photo
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