Spurned developer discontinues 1 of 2 lawsuits, clearing Druh Farrell to seek re-election

The threat of being legally barred from running in the October election no longer looms overDruh Farrell, after one of two lawsuits faced by the incumbent Calgary politician was discontinued Friday.

"It was a claim that said that I should be unable to run for office, and that is now not on my shoulders," said Farrell after the hearing. "Today it was a good day, and awarding costs was a good day."

But the Terrignofamilyhigh-profile restaurateurs and developers who allegeFarrellused her positionto kill a10-storeytower they wanted to build is also claiming victory.

"My clients are very pleased with the result," saidTerrignofamily lawyer Christopher Souster. "They look forward to continue with their lawsuit."

• Druh Farrell seeks to have 'frivolous' Terrigno lawsuit tossed out

The Terrignos owneda high-end Kensingtonrestaurant,Osteriade Medici now called Osteria Chef's Table which is less than 100 metres from Farrell's home in Hillhurst. Their conflicts with theWard 7 councillordate back to 2008.

The family filed two lawsuits against Farrell;one in May and one earlier this month. On Friday, theaction seeking to prevent Farrell from running in the election was discontinued with the Terrignos' consent, and the two pending lawsuits were essentially combined.

In May, the Terrigno family filed their first lawsuit against Farrell, seeking her removalfrom office and more than$200,000 in damages.

In September, a second lawsuit was filedseekingto stop Farrell from running in the election, and from using the city's indemnity fund to pay her legal costs.

Terrignosuse 'court as a weapon': Farrell

Farrell filed an application earlier this week in an effort to have the second lawsuit tossed out, arguing the Terrignos' lawsuits are frivolous and without merit. Instead ofquashing the suit, the parties agreedthat RoccoTerrigno, the family'spatriarch, will be added to the first lawsuit as a plaintiff and that they won't seek to prevent Farrell from running in the election.

The family has alsoindicated it intendsto apply to make amendments to the first statement of claim, which would lump in much of what was in the second lawsuit, including a court order that Farrell be prevented from accessing the city'sindemnity fund to pay her legal costs.

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Farrellaccused the Terrignos of "using the court as a weapon" against thosewho opposed, or didn't adequately support, their development.

Court of Queen's Bench JusticeJolaineAntonio ordered theTerrignoplaintiffs to pay $200 in costs to Farrell.

None of the allegations contained in any of the lawsuits or applications has been proven in court.

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