A Dryden city councillor has been awarded $35,000 in small claims court in a libel case against the mayor and the City of Dryden.

Ritch Noel says he was unfairly insulted and penalized by mayor Jack Harrison for a four-word posting on a private chat room on social media.

He says the mayor and the city maliciously attacked his reputation and left it in tatters.

In a press release Noel says, “My damages are far more than the amount the Small Claims Court can award, but I feel that today’s Court decision vindicates my position and is a first step in clearing my good name.  Once some citizens misinterpreted my comments, the city found some expedience in jumping on the bandwagon, and threw me under it, with their hurtful words and actions.”

In addition to his victory in small claims court, Noel has been awarded $5,000 for court costs.

Noel’s comments are the subject of an Integrity Commissioner’s investigation, which has been has yet to be released.

Noel adds that Harrison and the city chose not to respond to his libel action, despite given every chance to do so.

In addition to suing for libel and slander, Noel says he will be seeking further remedies.