An unusual beginning to the Dryden city council meeting Monday night.
Councillor Ritch Noel was asked to leave and attend the meeting virtually, as per council’s resolution at the June 9th meeting.
But councillor Noel refused to vacate his chair.
“This council had no authority to make that ruling,” Noel said after being asked to leave and attend a virtual meeting in a separate room in city hall.
“Further, it’s a breach of my constitutional rights and I invite, those who made that decision to exercise it at your own litigious peril.”
Even though he was not allowed to participate in any of the discussions, Noel told council he would not attend virtually.
“I have only attended virtually, maybe one or twice in my tenure, only when I had to. I have no intention of continuing like that.”
Councillor Michelle Price says she stands by the council resolution and says the decision to pass the resolution was due to the city’s own harassment policy.
She adds council has a legal and moral duty to make sure staff feel safe, respected and supported.
