Fresh after the presentation of a “Shame Award” to Councillor Jeff Wesley, Water Wells First Spokesman Kevin Jakubec is facing legal action.
Mr. Jakubec stated that Councillor Wesley is receiving the group’s second “Shame Award” – in the form of a $70 Pinocchio figurine – because he’s been misleading the public.
In a letter to Mr. Jakubec from Lerners LLP, and copied to local media,
“These statements are false in every detail, including, in their plain and ordinary meaning and by implication, the assertion that Mr. Wesley has mislead the public and failed in his public duties to address the concerns of his constituents. The defamatory statements made by you are completely unfounded.”
The letter to Mr. Jakubec ends with a request:
“We demand that you immediately retract your false and defamatory statements in their entirety in the same manner and in the same form as your defamatory comments were made, and that you apologize to Mr. Wesley, publicly, abjectly, unreservedly and completely should you wish to avoid further legal action. Regardless, we will require that any defamatory references or statements be removed from the Water Wells First website.”
Though Mr. Jakubec has issued an informal apology via e-mail to Councillor Wesley, a poll
has been posted on the Water Wells First website – all with questions about the Wallaceburg Councillor.
Councillor Wesley’s lawyer, Michael Lerner, says the timing of this poll is interesting,
“It’s interesting that at the same time Mr. Jakubec may be apologizing, all of the defamatory comments continue to appear on the website. Secondly, a poll has been initiated through WWF to determine whether or not Mr. Wesley ought to resign.”
Shortly after the “Shame Award” to Councillor Wesley was announced, Mr. Jakubec invited him to officially receive the “award” at an upcoming Water Wells First meeting, beginning with a dinner at Mr. Jakubec’s expense.
The Water Wells First Spokesman said the event would be streamed live online, with 20 minutes allotted for him to speak, 20 minutes for Councillor Wesley’s rebuttal, and 20 minutes for questions from the public.
Councillor Wesley has since declined the invitation, stating that the Water Wells First group has “more important tasks to undertake than spending hard earned membership time and money on attacking me”.
He also says if there are meetings where his presence can be of value, that he’d be glad to attend.
The next Water Wells First meeting is on Tuesday, March 7th, at Countryview Golf Course from 7:00pm-9:00pm.
