CITY HALL WARS – Mayor fires back at statement by ‘Kamloops City Council’

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson fired back today (Aug. 8, 2023) at a “Statement From Kamloops City Council” emailed to media late last week.

Hamer-Jackson sent out his own statement saying he didn’t authorize the statement from “council,” adding that the release of confidential information from a closed meeting is “a serious legal matter.”

He said he has not been given access to the full report from a Vancouver investigator who looked into allegations about his treatment of certain staff members. “If and when” he is given access, he said, he will comment further.

Here is the full statement from the mayor, followed by the original statement from “council.”

A Statement From Kamloops City Council

For Immediate Release: August 4, 2023

Kamloops City Council Forging Ahead

Kamloops, BC—Kamloops City Council is committed to serving Kamloops residents and moving our community forward. In light of recent media reports, Council wants to express its full confidence in the City’s Chief Administrative Officer, David Trawin, and the entire senior leadership team at the City of Kamloops. Through their leadership, the business of the City continues to get done, including several major initiatives that have already moved forward:

• Council Strategic Plan: Council unanimously adopted a bold strategic plan to guide change and growth in Kamloops. This plan outlines Council’s top strategic priorities to make Kamloops a safe, vibrant, and resilient community.

• Build Kamloops: Council formed a Build Kamloops Council Select Committee to facilitate the implementation of the Recreation Master Plan. Build Kamloops is a visionary program to re-establish the city’s prominence as Canada’s Tournament Capital, foster our recognition as a premier destination for arts and culture, and keep pace with our recreation and leisure needs as Canada’s third fastest-growing city.

• Community Land Trust: Council unanimously authorized the constitution and bylaws for the incorporation of the Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation, a bold step to advance the creation of more attainable housing and address Kamloops’ long-term housing needs.

• Summit Overpass and Riverside Park Skating Rink: Council unanimously voted to allocate a portion of the provincial Growing Communities Fund toward these two infrastructure projects.

Dedicated City of Kamloops staff continue to effectively perform daily operations to keep the city running and execute on a wide variety of approved projects within the 2023 budget, including over $16.8 million in capital projects. Over the next few months, Council is excited to continue advancing their strategic plan, with several initiatives expected to come before Council, including:

• Council Action Plan: Council expects to receive the formal list of actions proposed by staff to advance Council’s Strategic Plan.

• Council Town Halls: The Community Engagement Council Select Committee will meet later this month to put forward a plan to engage the community in meaningful dialogue.

• Accessibility Plan: Council has reviewed the draft of the City’s new Accessibility Plan and will soon see the final plan to increase the accessibility of the City’s programs and services, built environment, transportation, and employment.

For more information on Council’s Strategic Plan, visit Kamloops.ca/CouncilStrategicPlan.

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