(Background: rdnewsNOW file photo; inset of Kjeryn Dakin: Supplied)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

Lawsuit against town of Sylvan Lake, mayor and CAO dropped

Dec 6, 2024 | 2:41 PM

A lawsuit against the Town of Sylvan Lake, its mayor and CAO, by a sitting town councillor, has been formally dropped.

The town confirmed as much in a statement on Dec. 6, noting it was withdrawn by Councillor Kjeryn Dakin on Nov. 22. That’s four days before a court hearing was scheduled in Red Deer, but that appearance was cancelled.

News broke in early October that Dakin was suing the aforementioned parties for $317,000, citing unfair treatment while she was defending herself against an assault charge.

That charge led to a peace bond, and was separate from code of conduct sanctions she received from town council ordering her to write a public apology and complete social media training.

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“This has been an upsetting and difficult experience — for me, my colleagues, and our administration,” Mayor Megan Hanson wrote in her latest statement.

“A legal process is never an ideal way to address concerns, and it’s been hard for all of us to navigate. Despite the ordeal, I am thankful that the final outcome is the case being dropped. We have confidence in the integrity of our processes, and we are committed to staying transparent and accountable in how we conduct ourselves.”

Hanson added that her and all parties look forward to putting this chapter behind them, and turning their focus back to the more important work of serving Sylvan Lakers.

“Service to Sylvan Lake residents remains the priority of our elected leaders and our administration,” she says. “With this situation now concluded, council is able to work better together, in the best interest of Lakers.”

Speaking with rdnewsNOW, Dakin maintains in her own statement that the town didn’t follow the right process, and insists everything in her statement of claim was true.

“I love my council and my community. The town will say that there was processes I could have followed for change. I was asking for those and wasn’t being heard. It was swept under the rug,” she says.

“The goal was never to go to court. It was for everyone to see how bad the process was and how damaging it can be if used incorrectly.”

Dakin too says she is looking forward to moving past this ordeal, “now that I have been heard.”

“All of council cares deeply about the community and that’s our main focus.”

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READ MORE: Sylvan Lake town councillor happy to be back community-building after getting peace bond