LETTER – We should be concerned about our new reputation as B.C.’s most dysfunctional city

I have been living in the city of Kamloops for over fifty years. My mother, who recently passed away, was a keen observer of all things relating to politics in our city, province and country. I came across a folder she kept of all of her letters to the editor sent to our local newspapers beginning in 1967.

I could fill a large filing cabinet with all of the clippings. She was a fan of yours for many years and I have come across a picture of the two of you taken from an old newspaper article. My parents were also personal friends of Harry and Lil Francis.

I too have followed local politics from a young age and have immensely enjoyed your “Armchair Mayor” column. I respect your views and find you to be the voice of reason when there doesn’t seem to be one. For the past few years I have been to several Public Hearings held by City Council.

I have also had unending correspondence with various individuals (mostly in the planning department) who are employed by the City of Kamloops. Most recently with my attempt to stop of 20-unit townhouse project to be built in Juniper Ridge.

All of that aside, the real purpose of my email is simply to let you know that your most recent comments made regarding “fartgate”, literally had me laughing out loud until my stomach hurt. I read it several times as it is truly a masterpiece; journalism at its very best. I didn’t realize you had such a keen sense of humour and I for one am very appreciative of that.

On that note, thank you for providing the citizens of Kamloops some much needed relief from the depressing state our City Council has been in. As someone who always votes in elections at all levels, I have found myself frustrated and disillusioned with the events that have taken place since our new Mayor and Council were sworn into office.

I recently read comments made by CBC’s Justin McElroy who stated that Kamloops just shot to the top of his list of the most dysfunctional municipalities in B.C. I don’t find that reassuring at all and I think we all need to be concerned about this fact.

So keep up the good work, we are lucky to have you sharing your perspective. Again, I applaud your ability to find humour in what seems to be a very sad state of affairs at City Hall. I will be reading your most recent comments many times over. I wish my mother was here to read it as well. She would have been bent over with laughter.

In appreciation,

DEBBIE CHAPMAN