PENTICTON, BC — When the City of Penticton launched legal action against Elvena Slump, 75, for allegedly defaming City staff, many people in the community were outraged.
Today, a local Member of Parliament is also critical of the city, saying feedback shouldn’t be feared.
“I don’t think this was handled in the correct way,” says Dan Albas, MP of Okanagan-Coquihalla. “We should be happy that local citizens are tuning in and are giving what they feel are direction and feedback.”
Albas also says legal means shouldn’t be used frivolously and open dialogue should come first.
Penticton Mayor Garry Litke admits that he still hasn’t had a one-on-one conversation with Slump, but his door is always open.
“That invitation is always out there. People come in and talk to me all the time everyday if they have issues,” explains Litke. “Elvena has chosen to write letters to the editor instead.”
Slump is accused of defaming three bureaucrats in those letters to the editor.
Litke says those comments are unfounded and defamatory, causing damage to those people’s reputations.
But Slump will not apologize or retract those statements, and instead, has retained a lawyer of her own.
A local hotelier is rallying in support of her decision, and even wanting to give her a financial boost as well.
“I’m going to host a fundraising BBQ here at the hotel,” says David Prystay, owner of the Penticton Lakeside. “The hotel will be supplying the food and those who want to support Elvena can make a donation to her campaign.”
Slump is out of town and could not be reached for comment. The fundraiser has not be scheduled yet, but will likely take place next week.
But she may not need to pay hefty lawyer fees because the city may be backing down.
Litke says he doesn’t want to sink any more city resources into this dispute.
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