Penticton resident Elvena Slump, an unsuccessful candidate for city council in 2008 and a frequent letter writer to both Penticton newspapers wants to speak to the press in a different format on the steps of City Hall today.

The Penticton senior claims she’s been accused by the City of Penticton of defamation.

City officials say a letter was sent to Slump for comments against civic staff in several letters published recently.

Slump told a crowd of 50 outside City Hall that she was not running for office. She would apologize to senior staff if she was wrong. Councillor John Vassilaki says the letter was news to him and said it was not a council decision. Lots of cheering and booing at this event. Sentiment that the upcoming election will be a hot one.

Councillor John Vassilaki, that the first he heard of this was on Monday night.

“Tuesday we had an in camera meeting and I can’t discuss what was discussed at that meeting. But city council did not vote on this, we did not participate in it and don’t ask me who brought it forward, I have no idea.”