CITY HALL – ‘Change in direction needed’ as mayor suspends McCorkell
Byron McCorkell.
Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson has suspended deputy chief administrative officer Byron McCorkell.
The mayor confirmed today he told McCorkell — who has been the acting CAO in the absence of CAO David Trawin — the news yesterday (Tuesday, March 27, 2024) at about 2:20 p.m. The decision was subsequently leaked to various media by persons unknown.
Civic operations director Jenn Fretz will fill in as interim CAO until the situation is sorted out.
Hamer-Jackson issued a statement today saying he made the move because “I consider this necessary to change the direction of the City of Kamloops.”
Under the Community Charter, he must now seek the support of council at the next regular meeting, which is scheduled for April 9. He said he’ll report to council on the matter then, but it’s expected a special closed meeting of the council might be called sooner.
The mayor told the Armchair Mayor that McCorkell “has done a lot of good things for the city” and he wishes him well.
Here’s the full text of Hamer-Jackson’s statement today:
ArmchairMayor.ca 
You are inaccurate, just like the mayor. Please review the community charter before referencing it. Your rhetoric, just RHJ’s is damaging to our community. You must be conscious of this and I can only assume you love the clicks and attention. It’s revolting and you know it.
Suspension of officers and employees
151 (1)The mayor must suspend a municipal officer or employee if the mayor considers this necessary.
(2)A suspension under subsection (1) must be reported to the council at its next meeting, and the council may
(a)reinstate the officer or employee,
(b)confirm the suspension,
(c)confirm and extend the suspension, or
(d)dismiss the officer or employee.
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Where’s the inaccuracy? The April 9 meeting *is* council’s next meeting according to the city’s website (are you aware that council doesn’t meet every single week?). The mayor can hardly be held responsible for a leak of internal business. And if that leak results in the councillors calling a special meeting to be held before the regularly scheduled April 9 meeting, the Armchair Mayor can hardly be held responsible for that. Please explain your accusations.
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If there is an element of criminality with regards to the “leak”, I think the RCMP may already be involved. If so, the source or sources may have been identified but further evidence is required perhaps.
“Leaks” from government are not taken lightly. IF there have been instances where criminality is suspected, then watch for ‘breaking news’ of warrants being served for the seizure of computers, smart phones etc. and a police presence at City Hall and perhaps other locations in the city.
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Who is inaccurate just like the mayor and what are they inaccurate about? Your reply makes no sense to this reader as this article seems rather vanilla as it’s just a cursory synopsis of yesterdays events in real time.
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Interesting development and ballsey decision by the mayor. But “new blood” is solemnly needed in Kamloops’ administration.
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McCorkell: Implements a policy that costs the city needless $millions.
City Councillors: We have ‘utmost confidence’ in Mr. McCorkell.
smh
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Dacades ago, the ol’ adage was
“get a job with the City, secure job fer life, great chance for moving up”
… so much for that.
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McCorkell designed and instituted the Bylaw restructuring which has been a complete disaster. City lost the arbitration & the appeal and last week conceded to union workers for breaking their contract. Legal & accounting fees, wasted management time and expenses, penalties, etc makes this a $5million screw up once all has been settled. The mayor cited from his candidacy that accountability must be taken, major screw up = major accountability, shouldn’t the architect take responsibility? I think CARL DESANTIS, OUTGOING KCBIA BOSS would agree.
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OMG, will this never end!!!!
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