Enterprise (Oct 09/06) - Despite warnings of a possible law suit, Enterprise Settlement Council is refusing to take back Karl Mueller.

On Aug. 16, council suspended Mueller for eight regular meetings, plus any special meetings, for leaking information on a personnel matter.

Councillor Karl Mueller is contemplating suing over his suspension from Enterprise Settlement Council. - NNSL file photo

"We will see what happens now," he said, adding he and his lawyer will make a decision shortly on whether to take the matter to court.

Mueller was suspended after he sent a letter to other councillors and about 20 residents outlining his concerns about the process of hiring a new senior administrative officer (SAO). The letter contained information from an Aug. 2 meeting in which candidates were interviewed by telephone.

While other councillors consider the meeting to have been in camera, Mueller claims it wasn't.

Mueller's lawyer, Allan Garber of Edmonton, wrote the settlement council last month to demand reinstatement.

"If this demand is not met, we are instructed to commence legal action for damages, including damages for lost honorarium as a councillor and damages for defamation," Garber wrote, adding the "persecution" of Mueller must stop.

In the letter, the lawyer noted Mueller did not disclose the names of the SAO candidates and the meeting agenda was not identified as being in camera.

When contacted last week, Garber said he had received a reply to his letter from Mayor Winnie Cadieux, and council is not going to reinstate Mueller.

"They're maintaining their position," the lawyer said.

Cadieux confirmed council has not changed its stance, but declined to discuss the matter further since it might end up in court.

"We have to wait and see what Mr. Mueller is going to do," she said.

If the matter goes to court and he wins, Mueller said all damages awarded will be donated to the Hay River Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The suspension will last until Mueller's seat on council opens for election in December. He plans to seek re-election to the council.

Mueller is already involved in a court case with the Settlement of Enterprise. In 2004, he sued when he failed to win a garbage collection and disposal contract, even though he submitted the lowest bid. At that time, he was not a member of council.

No trial date has yet been set in that matter.