A victory for the Mayor of South Bruce Peninsula.

The Crown has withdrawn an obstruction of justice charge against John Close that was brought on by Sauble Beach resident John Strachan.

Regional Crown Attorney David Foulds told the court there was no reasonable prospect of conviction.

Strachan tells Bayshore Broadcasting News he is disappointed by the decision, but not surprised -- because it has always been a David versus Goliath battle.

Strachan feels the Crown Attorney's trivialized the case because they would have rather spent money in court against a violent crime, and not a property dispute.

But Strachan feels there is no place in municipal law for this battle.

Strachan had alleged the Mayor instructed the bylaw enforcement officer not to enforce the dynamic beach bylaw against Joe Szewczyk.

The battle was over a gate erected between 5th and 6th Streets at Sauble Beach by Szewczyk and the Sauble Beach Development Corporation.

The gate is still there, but Strachan says it was moved so it wouldn't be on public land.

Strachan -- a resident of the old subdivision called Pine Grove Park -- says they will fight to keep the property open to the public.

He also promises to fight any plans to turn that property into a parking lot.

Strachan also tells Bayshore Bayshore Broadcasting News he doesn't fear any repercussions from the Mayor because he was not malicious in the fight.

Strachan says Sauble Beach residents will continue to watch the actions of the Mayor and Council closely to ensure their interests and rights are looked after

Mayor John Close tells Bayshore Broadcasting News now that it's over, he would like to thank those who supported him during this case.

Close says if you're in politics as he is, you have to support the main pillars of democracy and one of those pillars is the justice system.

He says everyone, no matter how wrong they might be, has the right to go before the justice system and have their day in court.

Close says from here it's straight ahead.

He says council sets a path and they're not going to deviate from that path.

Personally, Close says he's relieved the charge has been dismissed in court and everyone can move ahead.