The City of Dryden says it has every intention of taking the necessary steps to defend itself in a libel suit by city councillor Ritch Noel.

The city says it was not given an opportunity to defend itself against Noel’s claim.

It says that despite the fact the Noel and his lawyer knew the city has retained its own legal counsel for that purpose.

Yesterday, Noel was awarded $35,000 in small claims court in a libel suit stemming from a media release made by the city in June.